Basil to the Country Bishops on Ordinations

Canon 90. A letter to his country bishops. He complains of the lack of discipline and of the multiplying of the clergy without due examination and inquiry into their morals. They had dropped the old custom, by which the priests and deacons recommended a man to the country bishop, who received the testimonial, gave notice of it to the bishop of the city, and only then admitted the minister to the roll of the clergy. The number of the lower clergy had grown beyond reason, especially in time of war, when men took orders to escape being pressed into the army. He orders a list of the clergy in every village to be sent to him, stating who admitted each one; and if any have been admitted to the lower orders by priests, they are to be regarded as laymen. Let not anyone who pleases put his name on the list. Examine again those who are on it, expel the unworthy, and in future admit no one without my consent; if you do, he will be counted a layman. [a]