Ancyra, Canons 20–25

Canon 20. If anyone’s wife has committed adultery, or if any man commits adultery, it seems right that he be restored to full communion after seven years spent in the prescribed grades of penance. [a]

Canon 21. Concerning women who commit fornication and destroy what they have conceived, or who are employed in making drugs for abortion: a former decree shut them out until the hour of death, and some have agreed with this. Nevertheless, wishing to show somewhat more mercy, we have ordained that they complete ten years of penance according to the prescribed grades.

Canon 22. Concerning willful murderers: let them remain kneelers, but at the end of life let them be granted full communion. [b]

Canon 23. Concerning those who have killed someone without meaning to: a former decree directs that they be received into full communion after seven years of penance according to the prescribed grades; but this second decree directs that they complete a term of five years. [c]

Canon 24. Those who practice divination and follow the customs of the pagans, or who bring people into their houses to devise sorceries or to perform purifications, fall under the canon of five years of penance according to the prescribed grades: that is, three years as kneelers and two years of prayer without the offering. [d]

Canon 25. A man who had betrothed a girl defiled her sister, so that she conceived. After that he married the girl he was betrothed to, but the one who had been defiled hanged herself. Those involved in this affair were ordered to be received among the co-standers after ten years of penance according to the prescribed grades. [e]