Neocaesarea, Canons 1–15

Canon 1. If a presbyter marries, let him be removed from his order. But if he commits fornication or adultery, let him be cast out altogether, that is, from communion, and put to penance. [a]

Canon 2. If a woman has married two brothers, let her be cast out, that is, from communion, until her death. Nevertheless, at the hour of death she may, as an act of mercy, be received to penance, provided she declares that she will break off the marriage if she recovers. But if either the woman or the man in such a marriage dies, penance will be very hard for the one who survives.

Canon 3. Concerning those who fall into many marriages, the appointed time of penance is well known; but their way of life and their faith shorten the time.

Canon 4. If any man, lusting after a woman, intends to sleep with her, and his intention is not carried out, it is plain that he has been saved by grace.

Canon 5. If a catechumen who comes into the church has taken his place in the order of catechumens, and falls into sin, then if he is a kneeler, let him become a hearer and sin no more. But if he sins again while a hearer, let him be cast out. [c]

Canon 6. Concerning a woman who is with child, it is decided that she should be baptized whenever she wishes. For in this the woman shares nothing with the child, since coming forward to make one’s profession plainly belongs to each single person alone. [d]

Canon 7. A presbyter shall not be a guest at the wedding of people entering a second marriage. For since one who marries a second time deserves penance, what kind of presbyter will he be who, by being present at the feast, gave his approval to the marriage? [e]

Canon 8. If the wife of a layman has committed adultery and been clearly convicted, her husband cannot enter the ministry. And if she commits adultery after his ordination, he must send her away; but if he keeps her, he can have no part in the ministry entrusted to him.

Canon 9. A presbyter who has been promoted after committing a sexual sin, and who confesses that he sinned before his ordination, shall not make the offering, though he may remain in his other functions because of his zeal in other respects. For most have affirmed that ordination blots out other kinds of sins. But if he does not confess, and cannot be openly convicted, the decision shall rest with himself. [f]

Canon 10. In the same way, if a deacon has fallen into the same sin, let him have the rank of a minister. [g]

Canon 11. Let no one be ordained a presbyter before he is thirty years old, even if he is a worthy man in every respect; let him be made to wait. For our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized and began to teach in his thirtieth year. [h]

Canon 12. If anyone is baptized when he is ill, since his profession of faith was not made freely but out of necessity, that is, through fear of death, he cannot be promoted to the presbyterate, unless it is on account of the zeal and faith he shows afterward, and because of a lack of men.

Canon 13. Country presbyters may not make the offering in the church of the city when the bishop or the presbyters of the city are present, nor may they give the bread or the cup with prayer. If, however, these are absent, and a country presbyter alone is called to prayer, he may give them. [i]

Canon 14. The country bishops, however, are indeed after the pattern of the Seventy; and as fellow servants, because of their devotion to the poor, they have the honor of making the offering. [j]

Canon 15. There ought to be seven deacons, according to the canon, even if the city is large. The Book of Acts will persuade you of this. [l]