Canons 1–17

Canon 1. If anyone has been operated on by physicians during an illness, or has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain among the clergy. But if anyone in good health has castrated himself, he must, if he is already enrolled among the clergy, cease from his ministry, and from now on no such man is to be promoted. But since it is plain that this is said of those who do the thing on purpose and dare to castrate themselves, so if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians or by their masters, and are otherwise found worthy, the canon admits such men to the clergy. [a]

Canon 2. Many things have been done contrary to the church’s canon, whether from necessity or because people pressed for them. Men just converted from paganism to the faith, who have been instructed for only a little while, are brought straight to the spiritual washing, and as soon as they have been baptized they are advanced to the office of bishop or presbyter. So it has seemed right to us that from now on nothing of the kind shall be done. For the catechumen himself needs time, and after baptism a longer trial. For the apostle’s saying is clear: “Not a new convert, so that he may not be puffed up with pride and fall into condemnation and the snare of the devil.” But if, as time goes on, some sensual sin is found out about the person, and he is convicted by two or three witnesses, let him cease from the clerical office. And whoever breaks these enactments will put his own clerical standing in danger, as one who dares to disobey the great synod. [c]

Canon 3. The great synod has strictly forbidden any bishop, presbyter, deacon, or anyone at all of the clergy to have a woman brought in to live with him, except only a mother, or sister, or aunt, or such persons alone as are beyond all suspicion. [e]

Canon 4. It is by all means proper that a bishop should be appointed by all the bishops in the province. But if this is difficult, whether because of pressing need or because of distance, at least three should meet together, and the absent bishops should also give their votes and send them in writing; then the ordination should take place. But in every province the confirmation of what is done belongs to the metropolitan. [f]

Canon 5. Concerning those, whether of the clergy or of the laity, who have been excommunicated in the various provinces, let the bishops keep the rule of the canon which provides that persons cast out by some are not to be readmitted by others. Yet inquiry should be made whether they were excommunicated through fault-finding, or quarrelsomeness, or some such ungracious temper in the bishop. And so that this matter may be properly examined, it is decreed that synods shall be held twice a year in every province. Then, when all the bishops of the province are gathered together, such questions may be thoroughly examined by them, so that those who have admittedly offended against their bishop may be seen by all to be excommunicated for just cause, until it seems fit to a general meeting of the bishops to pronounce a milder sentence on them. And let these synods be held, the one before Lent, so that the pure gift may be offered to God after all bitterness has been put away, and let the second be held about autumn. [g]

Canon 6. Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis prevail, so that the bishop of Alexandria has authority over all these, since the like is customary for the bishop of Rome also. Likewise in Antioch and the other provinces, let the churches keep their privileges. And this is to be understood everywhere: if anyone is made bishop without the consent of the metropolitan, the great synod has declared that such a man ought not to be a bishop. If, however, two or three bishops, out of a natural love of contradiction, oppose the common vote of the rest, a vote that is reasonable and in keeping with the church’s law, then let the choice of the majority prevail. [h]

Canon 7. Since custom and ancient tradition have held that the bishop of Aelia, that is, Jerusalem, should be honored, let him have the next place of honor, the metropolis keeping its own due dignity. [i]

Canon 8. Concerning those who call themselves Cathari, if they come over to the catholic and apostolic church, the great and holy synod decrees that those of them who are ordained shall continue as they are in the clergy. But before all things it is necessary that they should declare in writing that they will keep and follow the teachings of the catholic and apostolic church: in particular, that they will hold communion with persons who have married twice, and with those who lapsed in persecution and have had a period of penance laid on them and a time set for their restoration; so that in all things they will follow the teachings of the catholic church. Wherever, then, whether in villages or in cities, all the ordained are found to be of these men only, let them remain in the clergy, and in the same rank in which they are found. But if they come over where there is a bishop or presbyter of the catholic church, it is plain that the bishop of the church must have the bishop’s dignity, and the one who was called bishop by those who are called Cathari shall have the rank of presbyter, unless the bishop thinks fit to let him share in the honor of the title. Or, if this does not satisfy him, then the bishop shall provide a place for him as a country bishop or as a presbyter, so that he may plainly be seen to be one of the clergy, and so that there may not be two bishops in the city. [j]

Canon 9. If any presbyters have been advanced without examination, or if on examination they confessed their crimes, and men acting against the canon have laid hands on them in spite of their confession, the canon does not admit such men; for the catholic church requires only what is blameless. [l]

Canon 10. If any who have lapsed have been ordained, whether through the ignorance of those who ordained them or even with their knowledge beforehand, this shall not weaken the canon of the church; for when they are discovered they shall be deposed. [m]

Canon 11. Concerning those who fell away without being forced, without the seizing of their property, without danger or anything of the kind, as happened during the tyranny of Licinius, the synod declares that, though they have deserved no mercy, they shall nevertheless be dealt with mercifully. As many as were communicants, if they sincerely repent, shall spend three years among the hearers; for seven years they shall be kneelers; and for two years they shall share with the people in the prayers, but without the offering. [n]

Canon 12. As many as were called by grace and showed their first zeal by casting aside their military belts, but afterward went back, like dogs, to their own vomit, so that some even spent money and by means of gifts got back their places in the army: let these, after they have spent three years as hearers, be kneelers for ten years. But in all these cases it is necessary to look closely into their purpose and into what their repentance appears to be like. For as many as show their conversion by deeds and not by pretense, with fear and tears and perseverance and good works, may properly share in the prayers once they have fulfilled their appointed time as hearers; and after that the bishop may decide yet more favorably concerning them. But those who take the matter with indifference, and who think the outward form of not entering the church is enough for their conversion, must fulfill the whole time. [p]

Canon 13. Concerning the dying, the ancient rule of the canons is still to be kept: if anyone is at the point of death, he must not be deprived of the last and most necessary provision for the journey. But if anyone who received communion when his life was despaired of is restored to health again, let him remain among those who share in the prayers only. But in general, and in the case of any dying person whatever who asks to receive the eucharist, let the bishop, after examining the matter, give it to him. [s]

Canon 14. Concerning catechumens who have lapsed, the holy and great synod has decreed that, after they have spent three years only as hearers, they shall pray with the catechumens. [t]

Canon 15. Because of the great disturbance and quarrels that arise, it is decreed that the custom which has grown up in some places against the canon must be done away with entirely, so that neither bishop, presbyter, nor deacon shall move from city to city. And if anyone, after this decree of the holy and great synod, attempts any such thing, or persists in such a course, what he has done shall be utterly void, and he shall be sent back to the church for which he was ordained bishop or presbyter.

Canon 16. Presbyters, deacons, or any others enrolled among the clergy who recklessly leave their own church, not having the fear of God before their eyes nor regarding the church’s canon, ought by no means to be received by another church. Every pressure should be brought to bear to send them back to their own parishes; and if they will not go, they must be excommunicated. And if anyone dares to steal away a man who belongs to another and ordain him in his own church, without the consent of the man’s own bishop, from whom he has withdrawn although he was enrolled in his clergy list, let the ordination be void. [u]

Canon 17. Many enrolled among the clergy, following greed and the love of gain, have forgotten the divine Scripture, which says, “He has not lent his money at interest,” and in lending money they demand one percent of the sum each month. So the holy and great synod thinks it just that if anyone after this decree is found taking interest, whether he does it by secret dealing or in some other way, such as demanding the whole sum and half again, or by any other scheme whatever for the sake of shameful gain, he shall be deposed from the clergy and his name struck from the list. [v]