Canon I.
The Faith of the Three Hundred and Eighteen Fathers assembled at Nice in
Bithynia shall not be set aside, but shall remain firm. And every heresy shall
be anathematized, particularly that of the Eunomians or [Anomoeans, the Arians
or] Eudoxians, and that of the Semi-Arians or Pneumatomachi, and that of the
Sabellians, and that of the Marcellians, and that of the Photinians, and that
of the Apollinarians
Canon II.
The bishops are not to go beyond their dioceses to churches lying outside
of their bounds, nor bring confusion on the churches; but let the Bishop of
Alexandria, according to the canons, alone administer the affairs of Egypt; and
let the bishops of the East manage the East alone, the privileges of the Church
in Antioch, which are mentioned in the canons of Nice, being preserved; and let
the bishops of the Asian Diocese administer the Asian affairs only; and the
Pontic bishops only Pontic matters; and the Thracian bishops only Thracian
affairs. And let not bishops go beyond their dioceses for ordination or any
other ecclesiastical ministrations, unless they be invited. And the aforesaid
canon concerning dioceses being observed, it is evident that the synod of every
province will administer the affairs of that particular province as was decreed
at Nice. But the Churches of God in heathen nations must be governed according
to the custom which has prevailed from the times of the Fathers
Canon III.
The Bishop of Constantinople, however, shall have the prerogative of
honor after the Bishop of Rome; because Constantinople is New Rome.
Canon IV.
Concerning Maximus the Cynic and the disorder which has happened in
Constantinople on his account, it is decreed that Maximus never was and is not
now a Bishop; that those who have been ordained by him are in no order whatever
of the clergy; since all which has been done concerning him or by him, is
declared to be invalid.
Canon V.
(Probably adopted at a Council held in Constantinople the next year, 382.
Vide. Introduction on the number of the Canons.)
As concerning the tome of the Westerners [Bishops], we have accepted also those in
Antioch who confess a single divinity of the Father and of Son and of Holy Spirit.
Canon VI.
(Probably adopted at a Council held in Constantinople the next year, 382.
Vide Introduction on the number of Canons.)
Forasmuch as many wishing to confuse and overturn ecclesiastical order,
do contentiously and slanderously fabricate charges against the orthodox
bishops who have the administration of the Churches, intending nothing else
than to stain the reputation of the priests and raise up disturbances amongst
the peaceful laity; therefore it seemed right to the Holy Synod of Bishops
assembled together in Constantinople, not to admit accusers without
examination; and neither to allow all persons whatsoever to bring accusations
against the rulers of the Church, nor, on the other hand, to exclude all. If
then, any one shall bring a private complaint against the Bishop, that is, one
relating to his own affairs, as, for example, that he has been defrauded, or
otherwise unjustly treated by him, in such accusations no examination shall be
made, either of the person or of the religion of the accuser; for it is by all
means necessary that the conscience of the Bishop should be free, and that he
who says he has been wronged should meet with righteous judgment, of whatever
religion he may be. But if the charge alleged against the Bishop be that of
some ecclesiastical offence, then it is necessary to examine carefully the
persons of the accusers, so that, in the first place, heretics may not be
suffered to bring accusations touching ecclesiastical matters against orthodox
bishops. And by heretics we mean both those who were aforetime cast out and
those whom we ourselves have since anathematized, and also those professing to
hold the true faith who have separated from our canonical bishops, and set up
conventicles in opposition [to them]. Moreover, if there be any who have been
condemned for faults and cast out of the Church, or excommunicated, whether of
the clergy or the laity, neither shall it be lawful for these to bring an
accusation against the bishop, until they have cleared away the charge against
themselves. In like manner, persons who are under previous accusations are not
to be permitted to bring charges against a bishop or any other clergyman, until
they shall have proved their own innocence of the accusation brought against
them. But if any, being neither heretics, nor excommunicate, nor condemned, nor
under previous accusation for alleged faults, should declare that they have any
ecclesiastical charge against the bishop, the Holy Synod bids them first lay
their charges before all the Bishops of the Province, and before them prove the
accusations, whatsoever they may be, which they have brought against the
bishop. And if the comprovincials should be unable rightly to settle the
charges brought against the bishop, then the parties must betake themselves to
a greater synod of the bishops of that diocese called together for this
purpose; and they shall not produce their allegations before they have promised
in writing to undergo an equal penalty to be exacted from themselves, if, in
the course of the examination, they shall be proved to have slandered the
accused bishop. And if anyone, despising what has been decreed concerning these
things, shall presume to annoy the ears of the Emperor, or the courts of
temporal judges, or, to the dishonor of all the Bishops of his Province, shall
trouble an Ecumenical Synod, such an one shall by no means be admitted as an
accuser; forasmuch as he has east contempt upon the Canons, and brought
reproach upon the order of the Church.
Canon VII.
Those who from heresy turn to orthodoxy, and to the portion of those who
are being saved, we receive according to the following method and custom:
Arians, and Macedonians, and Sabbatians, and Novatians, who call themselves
Cathari or Aristori, and Quartodecimans or Tetradites, and Apollinarians, we
receive, upon their giving a written renunciation [of their errors] and
anathematize every heresy which is not in accordance with the Holy, Catholic,
and Apostolic Church of God. Thereupon, they are first sealed or anointed with
the holy oil upon the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, and ears; and when we
seal them, we say, "The Seal of the gift of the Holy Ghost." But
Eunomians, who are baptized with only one immersion, and Montanists, who are
here called Phrygians, and Sabellians, who teach the identity of Father and
Son, and do sundry other mischievous things, and [the partisans of] all other
heresies-for there are many such here, particularly among those who come from
the country of the Galatians:-all these, when they desire to turn to orthodoxy,
we receive as heathen. On the first day we make them Christians; on the second,
catechumens; on the third, we exorcise them by breathing thrice in their face
and ears; and thus we instruct them and oblige them to spend some time in the
Church, and to hear the Scriptures; and then we baptize them.