The Twelfth Session: The Two Bishops of Ephesus

The most glorious judges said: “The God-beloved archbishop of royal Constantinople, Anatolius, and the most reverend bishop Paschasinus, who holds the place of Leo, the most God-beloved archbishop of old Rome, have proposed that, because both of them, Bassianus and Stephen, acted against the canons, neither of them should rule or be called bishop of the most holy church of Ephesus. The whole holy synod has taught that they performed these ordinations against the canons, and has agreed with the speeches of the most reverend bishops. “Therefore the most reverend Bassianus and the most reverend Stephen will be removed from the holy church of Ephesus. But they shall keep the dignity of bishops, and from the revenues of that same most holy church they shall each receive two hundred gold pieces a year for their support and comfort. And another bishop shall be ordained for the most holy church according to the canons.” [a]

And the whole holy synod cried out: “This is a just sentence! This is a godly arrangement! These things are good to see!” The most reverend bishop Bassianus said: “Please give orders that what was stolen from me be given back.” The most glorious judges said: “If anything belonging personally to the most reverend bishop Bassianus has been taken from him, whether by the most reverend bishop Stephen or by anyone else whatever, it shall be given back, once the matter has been proven in court, by those who took it away or had it taken.”