The Seven Ecumenical Councils

1 Preface. 2 General Introduction. I. Method of Treatment. 3 II. Concerning Ecumenical Councils in General. 4 III. The Number of the Ecumenical Synods. 5 Bibliographical Introduction. 6 Appended Note on the Eastern Editions of Synodical Literature. 7 Bibliograficeskij Ukazatel' Pecatnyh Izdanij Apostol'skih I Sobornyh Pravil Na Slavjanskom I Russkom Jazykah. 8 A Bibliographical Index of the Printed Editions of the Canons of the Apostles and of the Councils in the Slavonic and Russian Languages. 9 Excursus on the History of the Roman Law and Its Relation to the Canon Law. 10 The First Ecumenical Council. The First Council of Nice. 11 Historical Introduction. 12 The Nicene Creed. 13 Excursus on the Word Homousios. 14 Excursus on the Words gennethenta ou poiethenta . 15 The Canons of the 318 Holy Fathers Assembled in the City of Nice, in Bithynia. Canon I. 16 Excursus on the Use of the Word |Canon.| 17 Canon II. Forasmuch as, either from necessity, or through the urgency of individuals 18 Canon III. The great Synod has stringently forbidden any bishop, presbyter 19 Canon IV. It is by all means proper that a bishop should be appointed by all the 20 Canon V. Concerning those, whether of the clergy or of the laity 21 Excursus on the Word Prospherein . 22 Canon VI. Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis prevail 23 Excursus on the Extent of the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome Over the Suburbican Churches. 24 Canon VII. Since custom and ancient tradition have prevailed that the Bishop of Ælia i. 25 Excursus on the Rise of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 26 Canon VIII. Concerning those who call themselves Cathari, if they come over to the Catholic and Apostolic 27 Excursus on the Chorepiscopi. 28 Canon IX. If any presbyters have been advanced without examination, or if upon examination they have made 29 Canon X. If any who have lapsed have been ordained through the ignorance 30 Canon XI. Concerning those who have fallen without compulsion, without the spoiling of their property 31 Excursus on the Public Discipline or Exomologesis of the Early Church. 32 Canon XII. As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal 33 Canon XIII. Concerning the departing, the ancient canonical law is still to be maintained 34 Excursus on the Communion of the Sick. 35 Canon XIV. Concerning catechumens who have lapsed, the holy and great Synod has decreed that 36 Canon XV. On account of the great disturbance and discords that occur 37 Excursus on the Translation of Bishops. 38 Canon XVI. Neither presbyters, nor deacons, nor any others enrolled among the clergy 39 Canon XVII. Forasmuch as many enrolled among the Clergy, following covetousness and lust of gain 40 Excursus on Usury. 41 Canon XVIII. It has come to the knowledge of the holy and great Synod that 42 Canon XIX. Concerning the Paulianists who have flown for refuge to the Catholic Church 43 Excursus on the Deaconess of the Early Church. 44 Canon XX. Forasmuch as there are certain persons who kneel on the Lord's Day and in the 45 Excursus on the Number of the Nicene Canons. 46 The Captions of the Arabic Canons Attributed to the Council of Nice. 47 Proposed Action on Clerical Celibacy. 48 The Synodal Letter. 49 On the Keeping of Easter. 50 Excursus on the Subsequent History of the Easter Question. 51 Introductory Note to the Canons of the Provincial Synods which in this 52 The Council of Ancyra. 53 Historical Note. 54 The Canons of the Council of Ancyra. 55 Canon I. With regard to those presbyters who have offered sacrifices and afterwards returned to the conflict 56 Canon II. It is likewise decreed that deacons who have sacrificed and afterwards resumed the conflict 57 Canon III. Those who have fled and been apprehended, or have been betrayed by their servants 58 Canon IV. Concerning those who have been forced to sacrifice, and who 59 Canon V. As many, however, as went up in mourning attire and sat down and ate 60 Canon VI. Concerning those who have yielded merely upon threat of penalties and of the confiscation of 61 Canon VII. Concerning those who have partaken at a heathen feast in a place appointed for heathens 62 Canon VIII. Let those who have twice or thrice sacrificed under compulsion 63 Canon IX. As many as have not merely apostatized, but have risen against their brethren and forced 64 Canon X. They who have been made deacons, declaring when they were ordained that they must marry 65 Canon XI. It is decreed that virgins who have been betrothed 66 Canon XII. It is decreed that they who have offered sacrifice before their baptism 67 Canon XIII. It is not lawful for Chorepiscopi to ordain presbyters or deacons 68 Canon XIV. It is decreed that among the clergy, presbyters and deacons who abstain from flesh shall 69 Canon XV. Concerning things belonging to the church, which presbyters may have sold when there was no 70 Canon XVI. Let those who have been or who are guilty of bestial lusts 71 Canon XVII. Defilers of themselves with beasts, being also leprous, who have infected others with the leprosy 72 Canon XVIII. If any who have been constituted bishops, but have not been received by the parish 73 Canon XIX. If any persons who profess virginity shall disregard their profession 74 Excursus on Second Marriages, Called Digamy. 75 Canon XX. If the wife of anyone has committed adultery or if any man commit adultery it 76 Canon XXI. Concerning women who commit fornication, and destroy that which they have conceived 77 Canon XXII. Concerning wilful murderers let them remain prostrators; but at the end of life let them 78 Canon XXIII. Concerning involuntary homicides, a former decree directs that they be received to full communion after 79 Canon XXIV. They who practice divination, and follow the customs of the heathen 80 Canon XXV. One who had betrothed a maiden, corrupted her sister 81 The Council of Neocæsarea. 82 Historical Note. 83 The Canons of the Holy and Blessed Fathers Who Assembled at Neocæsarea, Which are Indeed Later in Date Than Those Made at Ancyra, But More Ancient Than the Nicene: However, the Synod of Nice Has Been Placed Before Them on Account of Its Peculiar Dig 84 Canon I. If a presbyter marry, let him be removed from his order 85 Canon II. If a woman shall have married two brothers, let her be cast out i. 86 Canon III. Concerning those who fall into many marriages, the appointed time of penance is well known 87 Canon IV. If any man lusting after a woman purposes to lie with her 88 Canon V. If a catechumen coming into the Church have taken his place in the order of 89 Canon VI. Concerning a woman with child, it is determined that she ought to be baptized whensoever 90 Canon VII. A presbyter shall not be a guest at the nuptials of persons contracting a second 91 Canon VIII. If the wife of a layman has committed adultery and been clearly convicted 92 Canon IX. A presbyter who has been promoted after having committed carnal sin 93 Canon X. Likewise, if a deacon have fallen into the same sin 94 Canon XI. Let not a presbyter be ordained before he is thirty years of age 95 Canon XII. If any one be baptized when he is ill 96 Canon XIII. Country presbyters may not make the oblation in the church of the city when the 97 Canon XIV. The chorepiscopi, however, are indeed after the pattern of the Seventy 98 Canon XV. The deacons ought to be seven in number, according to the canon 99 The Council of Gangra. 100 Historical Introduction. 101 Synodical Letter of the Council of Gangra. 102 The Canons of the Holy Fathers Assembled at Gangra, Which Were Set Forth After the Council of Nice . Canon I. 103 Canon II. If any one shall condemn him who eats flesh 104 Canon III. If any one shall teach a slave, under pretext of piety 105 Canon IV. If any one shall maintain, concerning a married presbyter 106 Canon V. If any one shall teach that the house of God and the assemblies held therein 107 Canon VI. If any one shall hold private assemblies outside of the Church 108 Canon VII. If any one shall presume to take the fruits offered to the Church 109 Canon VIII. If anyone, except the bishop or the person appointed for the stewardship of benefactions 110 Canon IX. If any one shall remain virgin, or observe continence 111 Canon X. If any one of those who are living a virgin life for the Lord's sake 112 Canon XI. If anyone shall despise those who out of faith make love-feasts and invite the brethren 113 Canon XII. If any one, under pretence of asceticism, should wear a peribolæum and 114 Canon XIII. If any woman, under pretence of asceticism, shall change her apparel and 115 Canon XIV. If any woman shall forsake her husband, and resolve to depart from him because she 116 Canon XV. If anyone shall forsake his own children and shall not nurture them 117 Canon XVI. If, under any pretence of piety, any children shall forsake their parents 118 Canon XVII. If any woman from pretended asceticism shall cut off her hair 119 Canon XVIII. If any one, under pretence of asceticism, shall fast on Sunday 120 Canon XIX. If any of the ascetics, without bodily necessity, shall behave with insolence and disregard the 121 Canon XX. If any one shall, from a presumptuous disposition, condemn and abhor the assemblies in honour. 122 Epilogue. 123 The Synod of Antioch in Encæniis. 124 Historical Introduction. 125 The Synodal Letter. 126 Canon I. Whosoever shall presume to set aside the decree of the holy and great Synod which 127 Canon II. All who enter the church of God and hear the Holy Scriptures 128 Canon III. If any presbyter or deacon, or any one whatever belonging to the priesthood 129 Canon IV. If any bishop who has been deposed by a synod 130 Canon V. If any presbyter or deacon, despising this own bishop 131 Canon VI. If any one has been excommunicated by his own bishop 132 Canon VII. No stranger shall be received without letters pacifical. 133 Canon VIII. Let not country presbyters give letters canonical, or let them send such letters only to 134 Canon IX. It behoves the bishops in every province to acknowledge the bishop who presides in the 135 Canon X. The Holy Synod decrees that persons in villages and districts 136 Canon XI. If any bishop, or presbyter, or any one whatever of the canon shall presume to 137 Canon XII. If any presbyter or deacon deposed by his own bishop 138 Canon XIII. No bishop shall presume to pass from one province to another 139 Canon XIV. If a bishop shall be tried on any accusations 140 Canon XV. If any bishop, lying under any accusation, shall be judged by all the bishops in 141 Canon XVI. If any bishop without a see shall throw himself upon a vacant church and seize 142 Canon XVII. If any one having received the ordination of a bishop 143 Canon XVIII. If any bishop ordained to a parish shall not proceed to the parish to which 144 Canon XIX. A bishop shall not be ordained without a synod and the presence of the metropolitan 145 Canon XX. With a view to the good of the Church and the settlement of disputes 146 Canon XXI. A bishop may not be translated from one parish to another 147 Canon XXII. Let not a bishop go to a strange city 148 Canon XXIII. It shall not be lawful for a bishop, even at the close of life 149 Canon XXIV. It is right that what belongs to the Church be preserved with all care to 150 Canon XXV. Let the bishop have power over the funds of the Church 151 Synod of Laodicea. 152 Historical Introduction. 153 The Canons of the Synod Held in the City of Laodicea, in Phrygia Pacatiana, in which Many Blessed Fathers from Divers Provinces of Asia Were Gathered Together. 154 Canon I. It is right, according to the ecclesiastical Canon, that the Communion should by indulgence be 155 Canon II. They who have sinned in divers particulars, if they have persevered in the prayer of 156 Canon III. He who has been recently baptized ought not to be promoted to the sacerdotal order. 157 Canon IV. They who are of the sacerdotal order ought not to lend and receive usury 158 Canon V. Ordinations are not to be held in the presence of hearers. 159 Canon VI. It is not permitted to heretics to enter the house of God while they continue 160 Canon VII. Persons converted from heresies, that is, of the Novatians 161 Canon VIII. Persons converted from the heresy of those who are called Phrygians 162 Canon IX. The members of the Church are not allowed to meet in the cemeteries 163 Canon X. The members of the Church shall not indiscriminately marry their children to heretics. 164 Canon XI. Presbytides, as they are called, or female presidents, are not to be appointed in the 165 Canon XII. Bishops are to be appointed to the ecclesiastical government by the judgment of the metropolitans 166 Canon XIII. The election of those who are to be appointed to the priesthood is not to 167 Canon XIV. The holy things are not to be sent into other dioceses at the feast of 168 Canon XV. No others shall sing in the Church, save only the canonical singers 169 Canon XVI. The Gospels are to be read on the Sabbath i. 170 Canon XVII. The Psalms are not to be joined together in the congregations 171 Canon XVIII. The same service of prayers is to be said always both at nones and at 172 Excursus on the Choir Offices of the Early Church. 173 Canon XIX. After the sermons of the Bishops, the prayer for the catechumens is to be made 174 Excursus on the Worship of the Early Church. 175 Canon XX. It is not right for a deacon to sit in the presence of a presbyter 176 Canon XXI. The subdeacons have no right to a place in the Diaconicum 177 Canon XXII. The subdeacon has no right to wear an orarium i. 178 Excursus on the Vestments of the Early Church. 179 Canon XXIII. The readers and singers have no right to wear an orarium 180 Canon XXIV. No one of the priesthood, from presbyters to deacons 181 Excursus on the Minor Orders of the Early Church. 182 Canon XXV. A subdeacon must not give the Bread, nor bless the Cup. 183 Canon XXVI. They who have not been promoted to that office. 184 Canon XXVII. Neither they of the priesthood, nor clergymen, nor laymen 185 Canon XXVIII. It is not permitted to hold love feasts, as they are called 186 Canon XXIX. Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath 187 Canon XXX. None of the priesthood, nor clerics of lower rank. 188 Canon XXXI. It is not lawful to make marriages with all sorts of. 189 Canon XXXII. It is unlawful to receive the eulogiæ of heretics 190 Canon XXXIII. No one shall join in prayers with heretics or schismatics. 191 Canon XXXIV. No Christian shall forsake the martyrs of Christ, and turn to FALSE martyrs 192 Canon XXXV. Christians must not forsake the Church of God, and go away and invoke angels and 193 Canon XXXVI. They who are of the priesthood, or of the clergy 194 Canon XXXVII. It is not lawful to receive portions sent from the feasts of Jews or heretics 195 Canon XXXVIII. It is not lawful to receive unleavened bread from the Jews 196 Canon XXXIX. It is not lawful to feast together with the heathen 197 Canon XL. Bishops called to a synod must not be guilty of contempt 198 Canon XLI. None of the priesthood nor of the clergy may go on a journey 199 Canon XLII. None of the priesthood nor of the clergy may travel without letters canonical. 200 Canon XLIII. The subdeacons may not leave the doors to engage in the prayer 201 Canon XLIV. Women may not go to the altar. 202 Canon XLV. Candidates. for baptism are not to be received after the second week in Lent. 203 Canon XLVI. They who are to be baptized must learn the faith Creed. 204 Canon XLVII. They who are baptized in sickness and afterwards recover 205 Canon XLVIII. They who are baptized must after Baptism be anointed with the heavenly chrism 206 Canon XLIX. During Lent the Bread must not be offered except on the Sabbath Day and on 207 Canon L. The fast must not be broken on the fifth day of the last week in 208 Canon LI. The nativities of Martyrs are not to be celebrated in Lent 209 Canon LII. Marriages and birthday feasts are not to be celebrated in Lent. 210 Canon LIII. Christians, when they attend weddings, must not join in wanton dances 211 Canon LIV. Members of the priesthood and of the clergy must not witness the plays at weddings 212 Canon LV. Neither members of the priesthood nor of the clergy 213 Canon LVI. Presbyters may not enter and take their seats in the bema before the entrance of 214 Canon LVII. Bishops must not be appointed in villages or country districts 215 Canon LVIII. The Oblation must not be made by bishops or presbyters in any private houses. 216 Canon LIX. No psalms composed by private individuals nor any uncanonical books may be read in the 217 Canon LX. These are all the books of Old Testament appointed to be read 218 The Second Ecumenical Council. The First Council of Constantinople. 219 Historical Introduction. 220 The Holy Creed Which the 150 Holy Fathers Set Forth, Which is Consonant with the Holy and Great Synod of Nice . 221 Historical Excursus on the Introduction into the Creed of the Words |and the Son.| 222 Historical Note on the Lost |Tome| of the Second Council. 223 Letter of the Same Holy Synod to the Most Pious Emperor Theodosius the Great, to Which are Appended the Canons Enacted by Them. 224 Introduction on the Number of the Canons. 225 Canons of the One Hundred and Fifty Fathers who assembled at Constantinople during the Consulate of those Illustrious Men, Flavius Eucherius and Flavius Evagrius on the VII of the Ides of July. 226 Canon I. The Faith of the Three Hundred and Eighteen Fathers assembled at Nice in Bithynia shall 227 Excursus on the Heresies Condemned in Canon I. 228 Canon II. The bishops are not to go beyond their dioceses to churches lying outside of their 229 Canon III. The Bishop of Constantinople, however, shall have the prerogative of honour after the Bishop of 230 Canon IV. Concerning Maximus the Cynic and the disorder which has happened in Constantinople on his account 231 Canon V. Probably adopted at a Council held in Constantinople the next year 232 Canon VI. Probably adopted at a Council held in Constantinople the next year 233 Warning to the Reader Touching Canon VII. 234 Canon VII. Those who from heresy turn to orthodoxy, and to the portion of those who are 235 Excursus on the Authority of the Second Ecumenical Council. 236 Council of Constantinople. 237 The Third Ecumenical Council. The Council of Ephesus. 238 Historical Introduction. 239 Note on the Emperor's Edict to the Synod. 240 Extracts from the Acts. Session I. 241 The Epistle of Cyril to Nestorius. 242 Extracts from the Acts. Session I. (Continued). 243 Historical Introduction to St. Cyril's Anathematisms. 244 The Epistle of Cyril to Nestorius with the XII. Anathematisms. 245 The XII. Anathematisms of St. Cyril Against Nestorius. 246 Excursus on the Word Theotokos . 247 II. 248 III. 249 IV. 250 V. If anyone shall dare to say that the Christ is a Theophorus that is 251 VI. If anyone shall dare say that the Word of God the Father is the God 252 VII. If anyone shall say that Jesus as man is only energized by the Word of 253 VIII. If anyone shall dare to say that the assumed man analephthenta ought to be 254 IX. 255 Excursus on How Our Lord Worked Miracles. 256 X. Whosoever shall say that it is not the divine Word himself 257 XI. Whosoever shall not confess that the flesh of the Lord giveth life and that it 258 XII. Whosoever shall not recognize that the Word of God suffered in the flesh 259 Extracts from the Acts. Session I. (Continued). 260 Decree of the Council Against Nestorius. 261 Extracts from the Acts. Session II. 262 The Letter of Pope Coelestine to the Synod of Ephesus. 263 Extracts from the Acts. Session II. (Continued.) 264 Extracts from the Acts. Session III. 265 The Canons of the Two Hundred Holy and Blessed Fathers Who Met at Ephesus. 266 Canon I. Whereas it is needful that they who were detained from the holy Synod and remained 267 Excursus on the Conciliabulum of John of Antioch. 268 Canon II. If any provincial bishops were not present at the holy Synod and have joined or 269 Canon III. If any of the city or country clergy have been inhibited by Nestorius or his 270 Canon IV. If any of the clergy should fall away, and publicly or privately presume to maintain 271 Excursus on Pelagianism. 272 Canon V. If any have been condemned for evil practices by the holy Synod 273 Canon VI. Likewise, if any should in any way attempt to set aside the orders in each 274 Canon VII. When these things had been read, the holy Synod decreed that it is unlawful for 275 Excursus on the Words pistin heperan 276 Canon VIII. Our brother bishop Rheginus, the beloved of God, and his fellow beloved of God bishops 277 The Letter of the Same Holy Synod of Ephesus, to the Sacred Synod in Pamphylia Concerning Eustathius Who Had Been Their Metropolitan. 278 The Letter of the Synod to Pope Celestine. 279 The Definition of the Holy and Ecumenical Synod of Ephesus Against the Impious Messalians Who are Also Called Euchetæ and Enthusiasts. 280 Note on the Messalians or Massalians. 281 Decree of the Synod in the Matter of Euprepius and Cyril. 282 The Fourth Ecumenical Council. The Council of Chalcedon. 283 General Introduction. 284 Extracts from the Acts. Session I. 285 Extracts from the Acts. Session II. 286 The Letter of Cyril to John of Antioch. 287 Extracts from the Acts. Session II. (Continued). 288 The Tome of St. Leo. 289 Extracts from the Acts. Session II. (continued). 290 Session III. 291 The Condemnation Sent by the Holy and Ecumenical Synod to Dioscorus. 292 Extracts from the Acts. Session IV. 293 Session V. 294 The Definition of Faith of the Council of Chalcedon. 295 Extracts from the Acts. Session VI. 296 Decree on the Jurisdiction of Jerusalem and Antioch. 297 The Decree with Regard to the Bishop of Ephesus. 298 Decree with Regard to Nicomedia. 299 The XXX Canons of the Holy and Fourth Synods, of Chalcedon. Canon I. 300 Canon II. If any Bishop should ordain for money, and put to sale a grace which cannot 301 Canon III. It has come to the knowledge of. the holy Synod that certain of those who 302 Canon IV. Let those who truly and sincerely lead the monastic life be counted worthy of becoming 303 Canon V. Concerning bishops or clergymen who go about from city to city 304 Canon VI. Neither presbyter, deacon, nor any of the ecclesiastical order shall be ordained at large 305 Canon VII. We have decreed that those who have once been enrolled among the clergy 306 Canon VIII. Let the clergy of the poor-houses, monasteries, and martyries remain under the authority of the 307 Canon IX. If any Clergyman have a matter against another clergyman 308 Canon X. It shall not be lawful for a clergyman to be at the same time enrolled 309 Canon XI. We have decreed that the poor and those needing assistance shall travel 310 Canon XII. It has come to our knowledge that certain persons 311 Canon XIII. Strange and unknown clergymen without letters commendatory from their own Bishop 312 Canon XIV. Since in certain provinces it is permitted to the readers and singers to marry 313 Canon XV. A woman shall not receive the laying on of hands as a deaconess under forty 314 Canon XVI. It is not lawful for a virgin who has dedicated herself to the Lord God 315 Canon XVII. Outlying or rural parishes shall in every province remain subject to the bishops who now 316 Canon XVIII. The crime of conspiracy or banding together is utterly prohibited even by the secular law 317 Canon XIX. Whereas it has come to our ears that in the provinces the Canonical Synods of 318 Canon XX. It shall not be lawful, as we have already decreed 319 Canon XXI. Clergymen and laymen bringing charges against bishops or clergymen are not to be received loosely 320 Canon XXII. It is not lawful for clergymen, after the death of their bishop 321 Canon XXIII. It has come to the hearing of the holy Synod that certain clergymen and monks 322 Canon XXIV. Monasteries, which have once been consecrated with the consent of the bishop 323 Canon XXV. Forasmuch as certain of the metropolitans, as we have heard 324 Canon XXVI. Forasmuch as we have heard that in certain churches the bishops managed the church-business without 325 Canon XXVII. The holy Synod has decreed that those who forcibly carry off women under pretence of 326 Canon XXVIII. Following in all things the decisions of the holy Fathers 327 Excursus on the Later History of Canon XXVIII. 328 Canon XXIX. It is sacrilege to degrade a bishop to the rank of a presbyter 329 Canon XXX. Since the most religious bishops of Egypt have postponed for the present their subscription to 330 Extracts from the Acts. Session XVI. 331 The Fifth Ecumenical Council. The Second Council of Constantinople. 332 Historical Introduction. 333 Excursus on the Genuineness of the Acts of the Fifth Council. 334 Extracts from the Acts. Session I. 335 Extracts from the Acts. Session VII. 336 The Sentence of the Synod. 337 The Capitula of the Council. 338 Excursus on the XV. Anathemas Against Origen. 339 The Anathemas Against Origen. 340 The Anathematisms of the Emperor Justinian Against Origen. 341 The Decretal Epistle of Pope Vigilius in Confirmation of the Fifth Ecumenical Synod. 342 The Decretal Letter of Pope Vigilius. 343 Historical Excursus on the After History of the Council. 344 Third Council of Constantinople. 345 Historical Introduction. 346 Extracts from the Acts. Session I. 347 The Letter of Agatho, Pope of Old Rome, to the Emperor, and the Letter of Agatho and of 125 Bishops of the Roman Synod, Addressed to the Sixth Council. 348 The Letter of Pope Agatho. 349 The Letter of Agatho and of the Roman Synod of 125 Bishops which was to Serve as an Instruction to the Legates Sent to Attend the Sixth Synod. 350 Extracts from the Acts. Session VIII. 351 The Sentence Against the Monothelites. 352 Session XVI. 353 The Definition of Faith. 354 The Prosphoneticus to the Emperor. 355 Letter of the Council to St. Agatho. 356 Excursus on the Condemnation of Pope Honorius. 357 The Imperial Edict Posted in the Third Atrium of the Great Church Near What is Called Dicymbala. 358 The Canons of the Council in Trullo; Often Called The Quinisext Council. 359 Introductory Note. 360 The Canons of the Council in Trullo. (Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VI., col. 1135 et seqq.) Canon I. 361 Canon II. It has also seemed good to this holy Council 362 Canon III. Since our pious and Christian Emperor has addressed this holy and ecumenical council 363 Canon IV. If any bishop, presbyter, deacon, sub-deacon, lector, cantor, or door-keeper has had intercourse with a 364 Canon V. Let none of those who are on the priestly list possess any woman or maid 365 Canon VI. Since it is declared in the apostolic canons that of those who are advanced to 366 Excursus on the Marriage of the Clergy. 367 Canon VII. Since we have learned that in some churches deacons hold ecclesiastical offices 368 Canon VIII. Since we desire that in every point the things which have been decreed by our 369 Canon IX. Let no cleric be permitted to keep a |public house. 370 Canon X. A bishop, or presbyter, or deacon who receives usury 371 Canon XI. Let no one in the priestly order nor any layman eat the unleavened bread of 372 Canon XII. Moreover this also has come to our knowledge, that in Africa and Libya and in 373 Canon XIII. Since we know it to be handed down as a rule of the Roman Church 374 Canon XIV. Let the canon of our holy God-bearing Fathers be confirmed in this particular also 375 Canon XV. A subdeacon is not to be ordained under twenty years of age. 376 Canon XVI. Since the book of the Acts tells us that seven deacons were appointed by the 377 Canon XVII. Since clerics of different churches have left their own churches in which they were ordained 378 Canon XVIII. Those clerics who in consequence of a barbaric incursion or on account of any other 379 Canon XIX. It behoves those who preside over the churches, every day but especially on Lord's days 380 Canon XX. It shall not be lawful for a bishop to teach publicly in any city which 381 Canon XXI. Those who have become guilty of crimes against the canons 382 Canon XXII. Those who are ordained for money, whether bishops or of any rank whatever 383 Canon XXIII. That no one, whether bishop, presbyter, or deacon, when giving the immaculate Communion 384 Canon XXIV. No one who is on the priestly catalogue nor any monk is allowed to take 385 Canon XXV. Moreover we renew the canon which orders that country agroikikas parishes and those which are 386 Canon XXVI. If a presbyter has through ignorance contracted an illegal marriage 387 Canon XXVII. None of those who are in the catalogue of the clergy shall wear clothes unsuited 388 Canon XXVIII. Since we understand that in several churches grapes are brought to the altar 389 Canon XXIX. A canon of the Synod of Carthage says that the holy mysteries of the altar 390 Canon XXX. Willing to do all things for the edification of the Church 391 Canon XXXI. Clerics who in oratories which are in houses offer the Holy Mysteries or baptize 392 Canon XXXII. Since it has come to our knowledge that in the region of Armenia they offer 393 Canon XXXIII. Since we know that, in the region of the Armenians 394 Canon XXXIV. But in future, since the priestly canon openly sets this forth 395 Canon XXXV. It shall be lawful for no Metropolitan on the death of a bishop of his 396 Canon XXXVI. Renewing the enactments by the 150 Fathers assembled at the God-protected and imperial city 397 Canon XXXVII. Since at different times there have been invasions of barbarians 398 Canon XXXVIII. The canon which was made by the Fathers we also observe 399 Canon XXXIX. Since our brother and fellow-worker, John, bishop of the island of Cyprus 400 Canon XL. Since to cleave to God by retiring from the noise and turmoil of life is 401 Canon XLI. Those who in town or in villages wish to go away into cloisters 402 Canon XLII. Those who are called Eremites and are clothed in black robes 403 Canon XLIII. It is lawful for every Christian to choose the life of religious discipline 404 Canon XLIV. A monk convicted of fornication, or who takes a wife for the communion of matrimony 405 Canon XLV. Whereas we understand that in some monasteries of women those who are about to be 406 Canon XLVI. Those women who choose the ascetic life and are settled in monasteries may by no 407 Canon XLVII. No woman may sleep in a monastery of men 408 Canon XLVIII. The wife of him who is advanced to the Episcopal dignity 409 Canon XLIX. Renewing also the holy canon, we decree that the monasteries which have been once consecrated 410 Canon L. No one at all, whether cleric or layman, is from this time forward to play 411 Canon LI. This holy and ecumenical synod altogether forbids those who are called |players 412 Canon LII. On all days of the holy fast of Lent 413 Canon LIII. Whereas the spiritual relationship is greater than fleshly affinity 414 Canon LIV. The divine scriptures plainly teach us as follows, |Thou shalt not approach to any that 415 Canon LV. Since we understand that in the city of the Romans 416 Canon LVI. We have likewise learned that in the regions of Armenia and in other places certain 417 Canon LVII. It is not right to offer honey and milk on the altar. 418 Canon LVIII. None of those who are in the order of laymen may distribute the Divine Mysteries 419 Canon LIX. Baptism is by no means to be administered in an oratory which is within a 420 Canon LX. Since the Apostle exclaims that he who cleaves to the Lord is one spirit 421 Canon LXI. Those who give themselves up to soothsayers or to those who are called hecatontarchs or 422 Canon LXII. The so-called Calends, and what are called Bota and Brumalia 423 Canon LXIII. We forbid to be publicly read in Church, histories of the martyrs which have been 424 Canon LXIV. It does not befit a layman to dispute or teach publicly 425 Canon LXV. The fires which are lighted on the new moons by some before their shops and 426 Canon LXVI. From the holy day of the Resurrection of Christ our God until the next Lord's 427 Canon LXVII. The divine Scripture commands us to abstain from blood 428 Canon LXVIII. It is unlawful for anyone to corrupt or cut up a book of the Old 429 Canon LXIX. It is not permitted to a layman to enter the sanctuary Holy Altar 430 Canon LXX. Women are not permitted to speak at the time of the Divine Liturgy 431 Canon LXXI. Those who are taught the civil laws must not adopt the customs of the Gentiles 432 Canon LXXII. An orthodox man is not permitted to marry an heretical woman 433 Canon LXXIII. Since the life-giving cross has shewn to us Salvation 434 Canon LXXIV. It is not permitted to hold what are called Agapæ 435 Canon LXXV. We will that those whose office it is to sing in the churches do not 436 Canon LXXVI. It is not right that those who are responsible for reverence to churches should place 437 Canon LXXVII. It is not right that those who are dedicated to religion 438 Canon LXXVIII. It behoves those who are illuminated to learn the Creed by heart and to recite 439 Canon LXXIX. As we confess the divine birth of the Virgin to be without any childbed 440 Canon LXXX. If any bishop, or presbyter, or deacon, or any of those who are enumerated in 441 Canon LXXXI. Whereas we have heard that in some places in the hymn Trisagion there is added 442 Canon LXXXII. In some pictures of the venerable icons, a lamb is painted to which the Precursor 443 Canon LXXXIII. No one may give the Eucharist to the bodies of the dead 444 Canon LXXXIV. Following the canonical laws of the Fathers, we decree concerning infants 445 Canon LXXXV. We have received from the Scriptures that in the mouth of two or three witnesses 446 Canon LXXXVI. Those who to the destruction of their own souls procure and bring up harlots 447 Canon LXXXVII. She who has left her husband is an adulteress if she has come to another 448 Canon LXXXVIII. No one may drive any beast into a church except perchance a traveller 449 Canon LXXXIX. The faithful spending the days of the Salutatory Passion in fasting 450 Canon XC. We have received from our divine Fathers the canon law that in honour of Christ's 451 Canon XCI. Those who give drugs for procuring abortion, and those who receive poisons to kill the 452 Canon XCII. The holy synod decrees that those who in the name of marriage carry off women 453 Canon XCIII. If the wife of a man who has gone away and does not appear 454 Canon XCIV. The canon subjects to penalties those who take heathen oaths 455 Canon XCV. Those who from the heretics come over to orthodoxy 456 Canon XCVI. Those who by baptism have put on Christ have professed that they will copy his 457 Canon XCVII. Those who have commerce with a wife or in any other manner without regard thereto 458 Canon XCVIII. He who brings to the intercourse of marriage a woman who is betrothed to another 459 Canon XCIX. We have further learned that, in the regions of the Armenians 460 Canon C. |Let thine eyes behold the thing which is right 461 Canon CI. The great and divine Apostle Paul with loud voice calls man created in the image 462 Canon CII. It behoves those who have received from God the power to loose and bind 463 The Canons of the Synods of Sardica, Carthage, Constantinople, and Carthage 464 Introductory Note. 465 The Council of Sardica. 466 Introduction on the Date of the Council. 467 Note on the Text of the Canons. 468 The Canons of the Council of Sardica. 469 Canon I. Hosius, bishop of the city of Corduba, said: A prevalent evil 470 Canon II. Bishop Hosius said: But if any such person should be found so mad or audacious 471 Canon III. Bishop Hosius said: This also it is necessary to add 472 Canon IV. Bishop Gaudentius said: If it seems good to you 473 Canon V. Bishop Hosius said: Decreed, that if any bishop is accused 474 Canon VI. Bishop Hosius said: If it happen that in a province in which there are very 475 Canon VII. Bishop Hosius said: Our importunity and great pertinacity and unjust petitions have brought it about 476 Canon VIII. Bishop Hosius said: This also let your sagacity determine 477 Canon IX. Bishop Hosius said: This also, I think, follows, that 478 Canon X. Bishop Hosius said: This also I think necessary. 479 Canon XI. Bishop Hosius said: This also we ought to decree 480 Canon XII. Bishop Hosius said: Since no case should be left unprovided for 481 Canon XIII. Bishop Hosius said: Be this also the pleasure of all. 482 Canon XIV. Bishop Hosius said: I must not fail to speak of a matter which constantly urgeth 483 Canon XV. Bishop Hosius said: And let us all decree this also 484 Canon XVI. Bishop Aëtius said: Ye are not ignorant how important and how large is the metropolitan 485 Canon XVII. At the suggestion moreover of our brother Olympius, we are pleased to decree this also 486 Canon XVIII. Bishop Gaudentius said: Thou knowest, brother Aëtius, that since thou wast made bishop 487 Canon XIX. Bishop Hosius said: This is the sentence of my mediocrity i. 488 Canon XX. Bishop Gaudentius said: These things wholesomely, duly, and fitly decreed 489 Excursus on the Other Acts of the Council. 490 Excursus as to Whether the Sardican Council Was Ecumenical. 491 The Canons of the CCXVII Blessed Fathers who assembled at Carthage. Commonly Called The Code of Canons of the African Church. 492 Introductory Note. 493 An Ancient Introduction. 494 The Canons of the 217 Blessed Fathers who assembled at Carthage. 495 Canon I. That the statutes of the Nicene Council are to be scrupulously observed. 496 Canon II. Of Preaching the Trinity. 497 Canon III. Of Continence. 498 Canon IV. Of the different orders that should abstain from their wives. 499 Canon V. Of Avarice. 500 Canon VI. That the chrism should not be made by presbyters. 501 Canon VII. Concerning those who are reconciled in peril of death. 502 Canon VIII. Of those who make accusation against an elder; and that no criminal is to be 503 Canon IX. Of those who on account of their deeds are justly cast forth from the congregation 504 Canon X. Of presbyters who are corrected by their own bishops. 505 Canon XI. If any presbyter, inflated against his bishop, makes a schism 506 Canon XII. If any bishop out of Synod time shall have fallen under accusation 507 Canon XIII. That a bishop should not be ordained except by many bishops 508 Canon XIV. That one of the bishops of Tripoli should come as legate 509 Canon XV. Of the divers orders who serve the Church, that if any one fall into a 510 Canon XVI. That no bishop, presbyter or deacon should be a |conductor 511 Canon XVII. That any province on account of its distance, may have its own Primate. 512 Canon XVIII. (Gk. xviii. The Latin caption is the canon of the Greek.) If any cleric is ordained he ought to be admonished to observe the constitutions. 513 Canon XIX. (Greek xxii.) That if any bishop is accused the cause should be brought before the primate of his own province. 514 Canon XX. (Greek xxiii.) Of accused presbyters or clerks. 515 Canon XXI. (Greek xxiv.) That the sons of clergymen are not to be joined in marriage with heretics. 516 Canon XXII. (Greek xxv.) That bishops or other clergymen shall give nothing to those who are not Catholics. 517 Canon XXIII. (Greek xxvi.) That bishops shall not go across seas. 518 Canon XXIV. (Greek xxvii.) That nothing be read in church besides the Canonical Scripture. 519 Canon XXV. (Greek xxviii.) Concerning bishops and the lower orders who wait upon the most holy mysteries. It has seemed good that these abstain from their wives. 520 Canon XXVI. (Greek xxix.) That no one should take from the possessions of the Church. 521 Canon XXVII. (Greek xxx.) Presbyters and deacons convicted of the graver crimes shall not receive laying on of hands, like laymen. 522 Canon XXVIII. (Greek xxxi.) Presbyters, deacons, or clerics, who shall think good to carry appeals in their causes across the water shall not at all be admitted to communion. 523 Canon XXIX. (Greek xxxii.) If anyone who is excommunicated shall receive communion before his cause is heard he brings damnation on himself. 524 Canon XXX. (Greek xxxiii.) Concerning the accused or accuser. 525 Canon XXXI. (Greek xxxiv.) If certain clerics advanced by their own bishops are supercilious, let them not remain whence they are unwilling to come forth. 526 Canon XXXII. (Greek xxxv.) If any poor cleric, no matter what his rank may be, shall acquire any property, it shall be subject to the power of the bishop. 527 Canon XXXIII. (Greek xxxvi.) That presbyters should not sell the goods of the Church in which they are constituted; and that no bishop can rightly use anything the title to which vests in the ecclesiastical maternal centre (matrikos). 528 Canon XXXIV. (Greek xxxvii.) That nothing of those things enacted in the Synod of Hippo is to be corrected. 529 Canon XXXV. (Greek xxxviii.) That bishops or clergymen should not easily set free their sons. 530 Canon XXXVI. (Greek xxxix.) That bishops or clergymen are not to be ordained unless they have made all their family Christians. 531 Canon XXXVII. (Greek xl.) It is not lawful to offer anything in the Holy Mysteries except bread and wine mixed with water. 532 Canon XXXVIII. (Greek xli.) That clerics or those who are continent shall not visit virgins or widows. 533 Canon XXXIX. (Greek xlii.) That a bishop should not be called the chief of the priests. 534 Canon XL. (Greek xliii.) Concerning the non-frequenting of taverns by the clergy, except when travelling. 535 Canon XLI. (Greek xliv.) That by men who are fasting sacrifices are to be offered to God. 536 Canon XLII. (Greek xiv.) Concerning the not having feasts under any circumstances in churches. 537 Canon XLIII. (Greek xlvi.) Concerning penitents. 538 Canon XLIV. (Greek xlvii.) Concerning Virgins. 539 Canon XLV. (Greek xlviii.) Concerning those who are sick and cannot answer for themselves. 540 Canon XLVI. (Greek l.) Concerning the passions of the martyrs. 541 Canon XLVII. (Greek li.) Concerning [the Donatists and ] the children baptized by the Donatists. 542 Canon XLVIII. (Greek lii.) Of rebaptisms, reordinations, and translations of bishops. 543 Canon XLIX. (Greek liii.) How many bishops there should be to ordain a bishop. 544 Canon L. (Greek liv.) How many bishops should be added to the number of those ordaining, if any opposition had been made to the one to be ordained. 545 Canon LI. (Greek lv.) That the date of Easter is to be announced by the Church of Carthage. 546 Canon LII. (Greek lvi.) Of visiting provinces. 547 Canon LIII. (Greek lvii.) That dioceses should not receive a bishop except by the consent of its own bishop. 548 Canon LIV. (Greek lviii.) That a strange cleric is under no circumstances to be received by another. 549 Canon LV. (Greek lix.) That it be lawful for the bishop of Carthage to ordain a cleric whenever he wishes. 550 Canon LVI. (Greek lx.) That bishops who were ordained for dioceses shall not choose for themselves dioceses [in the Greek provinces]. 551 Canon LVII. (Greek lxi.) That persons baptized when children by the Donatists may be ordained clergymen in the Catholic Church. 552 Canon LVIII. (Greek lxii.) Of the remaining idols or temples which should be done away by the Emperors. 553 Canon LIX. (Greek lxiii.) That clerics be not compelled to give testimony in public concerning the cognizance of their own judgment. 554 Canon LX. (Greek lxiii.) Of heathen feasts. 555 Canon LXI. (Greek lxiv.) Of spectacles, that they be not celebrated on Lord's days nor on the festivals of the Saints. 556 Canon LXII. (Greek lxv.) Of condemned clerics. 557 Canon LXIII. (Greek lxvi.) Of players who have become Christians. 558 Canon LXIV. (Greek lxvii.) Of celebrating manumissions in church, that permission be asked from the Emperor. 559 Canon LXV. (Greek lxviii.) Concerning the condemned bishop Equitius. 560 Canon LXVI. (Greek lxix.) That the Donatists are to be treated leniently. 561 Canon LXVII. (Greek lxx.) Of the letters to be sent to the judges, that they may take note of the things done between the Donatists and the Maximianists. 562 Canon LXVIII. (Greek lxxi.) That the Donatist clergy are to be received into the Catholic Church as clergymen. 563 Canon LXIX. (Greek lxxii.) That a legation be sent to the Donatists for the sake of making peace. 564 Canon LXX. (Greek lxxiii.) What clerics should abstain from their wives. 565 Canon LXXI. (Greek lxxiv.) Of those who leave in neglect their own people. 566 Canon LXXII. (Greek lxxv.) Of the baptism of infants when there is some doubt of their being already baptized. 567 Canon LXXIII. (Greek lxxvi.) The date of Easter and the date of the Council should be announced. 568 Canon LXXIV. (Greek lxxvii.) That no bishop who is an intercessor is to hold the see where he is intercessor. 569 Canon LXXV. (Greek lxxviii.) Of asking from the Emperors defenders of the Churches. 570 Canon LXXVI. (Greek lxxix.) Of bishops who do not put in an appearance at Council. 571 Canon LXXVII. (Greek lxxx.) Of Cresconius. 572 Canon LXXVIII. (Greek lxxxi.) Of the Church of Hippo-Diarrhytus. 573 Canon LXXIX. (Greek lxxxii.) Of clerics who do not take care to have their causes argued within a year. 574 Canon LXXX. (Greek lxxxiii.) That it is not permitted to make superiors of monasteries nor to ordain as clerics those who are received from a monastery not one's own. 575 Canon LXXXI. (Greek lxxxiv.) Of bishops who appoint heretics or heathens as their heirs. 576 Canon LXXXII. (Greek lxxxv.) Of manumissions. 577 Canon LXXXIII. (Greek lxxxvi.) Of false Memories of Martyrs. 578 Canon LXXXIV. (Greek lxxxvii.) Of extirpating the remains of the idols. 579 Canon LXXXV. (Greek lxxxviii.) That by the bishop of Carthage, when there shall be need, letters shall be written and subscribed in the name of all the bishops. 580 Canon LXXXVI. (Greek lxxxix.) Of the order of bishops, that those ordained more recently do not dare to take precedence of those ordained before them. 581 Canon LXXXVII. (Greek xc.) Concerning Quodvultdeus, the bishop. 582 Canon LXXXVIII. (Greek xci.) Of Maximian, the bishop. 583 Canon LXXXIX. (Greek xcii.) That bishops who are ordained shall receive letters from their ordainers bearing the date and the name of the consul. 584 Canon XC. (Greek xciii.) Of those who have once read in church, that they cannot be advanced by others. 585 Canon XCI. (Greek xciv.) Of holding meetings with the Donatists. 586 Canon XCII. (Greek xcv.) Form of convening the Donatists. 587 Canon XCIII. (Greek xcvi.) The character of the Commonitory which the legates received against the Donatists. 588 Canon XCIV. (Greek xcvii.) Summary of Chapters. 589 Canon XCV. (Greek xcviii.) An universal council to be held only when necessary. 590 Canon XCVI. (Greek xcix.) That from judges who have been chosen, no appeals may be taken. 591 Canon XCVII. (Greek c.) That there be sought from the Emperor the protection of Advocates in causes ecclesiastical. 592 Canon XCVIII. (Greek cii.) Of the peoples which never had bishops. 593 Canon XCIX. (Greek ciii.) Of people or dioceses returned from the Donatists. 594 Canon C. (Greek civ.) Of the suggestion of Bishop Maurentius. 595 Canon CI. (Greek civ. bis) Of making peace between the Churches of Rome and Alexandria. 596 Canon CII. (Greek cv.) Of those who put away their wives or husbands, that so they remain. 597 Canon CIII. (Greek cvi.) Of the prayers to be said at the Altar. 598 Canon CIV. (Greek cvii.) Of these who ask from the Emperor that secular judges may take cognizance of their causes. 599 Canon CV. (Greek cviii.) Of those who do not communicate in Africa and would go across seas. 600 Canon CVI. (Greek cix.) That those who are going to carry their case to court should be careful to inform either the bishop of Carthage or the bishop of Rome. 601 Canon CVII. (Greek cx. continued.) A Council concerning a bishop taking cognizance. 602 Canon CVIII. (Greek cxii.) Synod against the heresy of Pelagius and Celestius. 603 Canon CIX. (Greek cxij. continued.) That Adam was not created by God subject to death. 604 Canon CX. (Greek cxii. bis) That infants are baptized for the remission of sins. 605 Canon CXI. (Greek cxiij.) That the grace of God not only gives remission of sins, but also affords aid that we sin no more. 606 Canon CXII. (Greek cxiij. continued.) That the grace of Christ gives not only the knowledge of our duty, but also inspires us with a desire that we may be able to accomplish what we know. 607 Canon CXIII. (Greek cxiiii.) That without the grace of God we can do no good thing. 608 Canon CXIV. (Greek cxv.) That not only humble but also true is that voice of the Saints: |If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves.| 609 Canon CXV. (Greek cxvi.) That in the Lord's Prayer the Saints say for themselves: |Forgive us our trespasses.| 610 Canon CXVI. (Greek cxvii.) That the Saints say with accuracy, |Forgive us our trespasses.| 611 Canon CXVII. (Greek cxviii.) Of peoples converted from the Donatists. 612 Canon CXVIII. (Greek cxix.) How bishops as well Catholic as those who have been converted from the Donatists are to divide between themselves the dioceses. 613 Canon CXIX. (Greek cxx.) That if a bishop shall possess a diocese which he has snatched from heresy for three years, no one may take it from him. 614 Canon CXX. (Greek cxxi.) Of those who intrude upon peoples which they think belong to them, without the consent of those by whom they are held. 615 Canon CXXI. (Greek cxxii.) Of those who neglect the peoples belonging to them. 616 Canon CXXII. (Greek cxxiii.) The sentence of the elected judges ought not to be spurned. 617 Canon CXXIII. (Greek cxxiv.) That if a bishop neglects his diocese he is to be deprived of communion. 618 Canon CXXIV. (Greek cxxv.) Of bishops who shall lie with regard to Donatists' communions. 619 Canon CXXV. (Greek cxxvi.) That presbyters and clerics are not to appeal except to African Synods. 620 Canon CXXVI. (Greek cxxvii.) That Virgins, even when minors, should be given the veil. 621 Canon CXXVII. (Greek cxxviii.) That bishops be not detained too long in council, let them choose three judges from themselves of the singular provinces. 622 Canon CXXVIII. (Greek cxxix.) That those out of communion should not be allowed to bring accusation. 623 Canon CXXIX. (Greek cxxx.) That slaves and freedmen and all infamous persons ought not to bring accusation. 624 Canon CXXX. (Greek cxxxi.) That he who has failed to prove one charge shall not be allowed to give evidence to another. 625 Canon CXXXI. (Greek CXXXII.) Who should be allowed to give evidence. 626 Canon CXXXII. (Greek cxxxiii.) Concerning a bishop who removes a man from communion who says he has confessed to the bishop alone his crime. 627 Canon CXXXIII. (Greek cxxxiv.) That a bishop should not rashly deprive anyone of communion. 628 Canon CXXXIV. (Continuation of cxxxv. in the Greek.) Here beginneth the letter directed from the whole African Council to Boniface, bishop of the City of Rome, by Faustinus the bishop, and Philip and Asellus the presbyters, legates of the Roman Church. 629 Canon CXXXV. (Not numbered in the Greek.) Here begin the rescripts to the African Council from Cyril bishop of Alexandria in which he sends the authentic proceedings of the Nicene Council, translated from the Greek by Innocent the presbyter: these letters 630 Canon CXXXVI. (Not numbered in the Greek but with a new heading.) Here beginneth the letter of Atticus, bishop of Constantinople to the same. 631 Canon CXXXVII. (Continuation of the last in the Greek.) Here begin the examples of the Nicene Council, sent on the sixth day before the calends of December in the year 419, after the consulate of the most glorious emperor Honorius for the XII^th time, and 632 Canon CXXXVIII. (Not numbered in the Greek.) Here beginneth the epistle of the African synod to Pope Celestine, bishop of the City of Rome. 633 Council of Constantinople held under Nectarius. 634 Introductory Note. 635 Council of Constantinople Under Nectarius of Constantinople and Theophilus of Alexandria. 636 The Council of Carthage held under Cyprian. 637 Introductory Note. 638 The Synod held at Carthage over which presided the Great and Holy Martyr Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage. 639 Epistle LXX. 640 The Seventh Ecumenical Council. The Second Council of Nice. 641 Introduction. 642 The Divine Sacra Sent by the Emperors Constantine and Irene to the Most Holy and Most Blessed Hadrian, Pope of Old Rome. 643 The Imperial Sacra. 644 Extracts from the Acts. Session I. 645 Extracts from the Acts. Session II. 646 Extracts from the Acts. Session III. 647 Extracts from the Acts. Session IV. 648 Extracts from the Acts. Session VI. 649 Epitome of the Definition of the Iconoclastic Conciliabulum held in Constantinople, A.D. 754. 650 Excursus on the Conciliabulum Styling Itself the Seventh Ecumenical Council, But Commonly Called the Mock Synod of Constantinople. 651 The Decree of the Holy, Great, Ecumenical Synod, the Second of Nice. 652 Excursus on the Present Teaching of the Latin and Greek Churches on the Subject. 653 The Canons of the Holy and Ecumenical Seventh Council. Canon I. 654 Canon II. That he who is to be ordained a Bishop must be steadfastly resolved to observe the canons, otherwise he shall not be ordained. 655 Canon III. That it does not pertain to princes to choose a Bishop. 656 Canon IV. That Bishops are to abstain from all receiving of gifts. 657 Canon V. That they who cast contumely upon clerics because they have been ordained in the church without bringing a gift with them, are to be published with a fine. 658 Canon VI. Concerning the holding of a local Synod at the time appointed. 659 Canon VII. That to churches consecrated without any deposit of the reliques of the Saints, the defect should be made good. 660 Canon VIII. That Hebrews ought not to be received unless they have been converted in sincerity of heart. 661 Canon IX. That none of the books containing the heresy of the traducers of the Christians are to be hid. 662 Canon X. That no cleric ought to leave his diocese and go into another without the knowledge of the Bishop. 663 Canon XI. That OEconomi ought to be in the Episcopal palaces and in the Monasteries. 664 Canon XII. That a Bishop or Hegumenos ought not to alienate any part of the suburban estate of the church. 665 Canon XIII. That they are worthy of special condemnation who turn the monasteries into public houses. 666 Canon XIV. That no one without ordination ought to read in the ambo during the synaxis. 667 Canon XV. That a clerk ought not to be set over two churches. 668 Canon XVI. That it does not become one in holy orders to be clad in costly apparel. 669 Canon XVII. That he shall not be allowed to begin the building of an oratory, who has not the means wherewith to finish it. 670 Canon XVIII. That women ought not to live in bishops' houses, nor in monasteries of men. 671 Canon XIX. That the vows of those in holy orders and of monks, and of nuns are to be made without the exaction of gifts. 672 Canon XX. That from henceforth, no double monastery shall be erected; and concerning the double monasteries already in existence. 673 Canon XXI. That monks are not to leave their monasteries and go into others. 674 Canon XXII. That when it happens that monks have to eat with women they ought to observe giving of thanks, and abstemiousness, and discretion. 675 The Letter of the Synod to the Emperor and Empress. 676 Excursus on the Two Letters of Gregory II. To the Emperor Leo. 677 Excursus on the Reception of the Seventh Council. 678 Examination of the Caroline Books. 679 II. Authority of the Caroline Books. 680 III. Contents of the Caroline Books. 681 IV. The Chief Cause of Trouble a Logomachy. 682 Excursus on the Council of Frankfort, a.d. 794. 683 Excursus on the Convention said to have been held in Paris, a.d. 825. 684 Historical Note on the So-Called |Eighth General Council| and Subsequent Councils. 685 Appendix containing Canons and Rulings not having Conciliar Origin but Approved by Name in Canon II. of the Synod in Trullo. 686 Prefatory Note. 687 The Apostolical Canons. 688 The Canons of the Holy and Altogether August Apostles. 689 I. The Letter of the Blessed Dionysius, the Archbishop of Alexandria to Basilides the Bishop who made Enquiries on Various Subjects, to which Dionysius made Answer in this Epistle, which Answers have been received as Canons. 690 II. The Canons of the Blessed Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria, and Martyr, which are found in his Sermon on Penitence. 691 III. The Canonical Epistle of St. Gregory, Archbishop of Neocæsarea, who is called Thaumaturgus, concerning Them that, During the Incursion of the Barbarians, Ate of Things Offered to Idols and Committed Certain Other Sins. 692 IV. The Epistle of St. Athanasius to the Monk Ammus. 693 The Epistle of the Same Athanasius Taken from the XXXIX. Festal Epistle. 694 The Epistle of St. Athanasius to Ruffinian. 695 V. The First Canonical Epistle of Our Holy Father Basil, Archbishop of Cæsarea in Cappadocia to Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium. 696 The Second Canonical Epistle of the Same. 697 The Third Epistle of the Same to the Same. 698 From an Epistle of the Same to the Blessed Amphilochius on the Difference of Meats. 699 Of the Same to Diodorus Bishop of Tarsus, concerning a Man who had taken Two Sisters to Wife. 700 Of the Same to Gregory a Presbyter, that He Should Separate from a Woman who Dwelt with Him. 701 Of the Same to the Chorepiscopi, that No Ordinations Should Be Made Contrary to the Canons. 702 Of the Same to His Suffragans that They Should Not Ordain for Money. 703 From Chapter XVII. of the Book St. Basil Wrote to Blessed Amphilochius on the Holy Ghost. 704 From the Letter of Basil the Great to the Nicopolitans. 705 VI. The Canonical Epistle of St. Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, to St. Letoïus, Bishop of Melitene. 706 VII. From the Metre Poems of St. Gregory Theologus, Specifying which Books of the Old and New Testament Should Be Read. 707 VIII. From the Iambics of St. Amphilochius the Bishop to Seleucus, on the Same Subject. 708 IX. The Canonical Answers of Timothy the Most Holy Bishop of Alexandria, Who was One of the CL Fathers Gathered Together at Constantinople, to the Questions Proposed to Him concerning Bishops and Clerics. 709 X. The Prosphonesus of Theophilus, Archbishop of Alexandria, When the Holy Epiphanies Happened to Fall on a Sunday. 710 The Commonitory of the Same which Ammon Received on Account of Lycus. 711 Of the Same to Agatho the Bishop. 712 Of the Same to Menas the Bishop. 713 The Narrative of the Same concerning Those Called Cathari. 714 XI. 715 Of the Same to the Bishops of Libya and Pentapolis. 716 XII.