Sardica, Canons 1–5

The holy synod gathered at Sardica from various provinces decreed as follows. [a] Editor’s note: This canon is found in Greek in the collection made by John of Constantinople in the sixth century and in several other manuscripts, and also in the works of the Greek commentators. It is found in Latin in the Prisca, in Dionysius Exiguus, and in Isidore, both the genuine and the false. [b]

Canon 1. The Greek text. [c] Hosius, bishop of the city of Cordova, said: “A widespread evil, or rather a most harmful corruption, must be rooted out from its very foundations. Let no bishop be allowed to move from a small city to a different one. There is an obvious reason behind this fault that explains such attempts, since no bishop has ever yet been found who tried to be moved from a larger city to a smaller one. “So it is plain that such men are burning with excessive greed and are only serving ambition, so that they may be thought to hold greater authority. Is it the will of all, then, that so grave an abuse be punished with great severity? For I think that men of this sort should not be admitted even to lay communion.” All the bishops said: “It is the will of all.” [d]

The Latin text. Bishop Hosius said: “A widespread evil and a harmful corruption must be rooted out from its foundation. Let no bishop be allowed to move from his own city to another. For the reason behind such attempts is plain, since in this matter no bishop has been found who would move from a larger city to a smaller one. “So it is evident that these men are burning with excessive greed, and are serving ambition and aiming to possess power. If it is the will of all, let so great an evil be punished very harshly and sternly, so that such a man is not admitted even to lay communion.” All answered with one voice: “Such is our will.”

Canon 2, the Greek text. Bishop Hosius said: “But suppose such a man is found so mad or so bold as to put forward an excuse, claiming that he has brought letters from the people, the laity. It is plain that a few persons, corrupted by bribes and rewards, could have stirred up an uproar in the church, demanding, supposedly, that this man be their bishop. “I think, then, that schemes and tricks of this sort absolutely must be punished, so that such a man is judged unworthy even of lay communion at the point of death. So answer whether you approve this sentence.” The bishops answered: “What has been said is approved.” [f]

The Latin text. Bishop Hosius said: “Even if such a man should show himself so reckless as perhaps to claim as an excuse that he has received letters from the people, it is evident that a few persons could have been corrupted by rewards and bribes, persons who do not hold the pure faith, to raise an uproar in the church and to appear to ask for this man as bishop. “I judge that these frauds must be condemned, so that such a man does not receive even lay communion at the end of his life. If you all approve, decree it.” The synod answered: “We approve.”

Canon 3, the Greek text. Bishop Hosius said: “This too must be added: that no bishop should cross from his own province into another province where there are bishops, unless he is invited by his brothers, so that we may not seem to close the gates of love. “This case must also be provided for. If in any province a bishop has some complaint against his brother and fellow bishop, neither of the two should call in bishops from another province to judge between them. “But suppose that a bishop has judgment given against him in some matter, and he believes that his case is not unsound but good, so that the question ought to be opened again. Then, if it seems good to you in your love, let us honor the memory of Peter the apostle. Let those who gave the judgment write to Julius, the bishop of Rome, so that, if need be, the case may be tried again by the bishops of the neighboring provinces, and let him appoint the judges. “But if it cannot be shown that the case is of a kind that needs a new trial, the judgment once given should not be overturned, but should stand as before.” [h]

The Latin text. Bishop Hosius said: “This too must be added: that bishops should not cross from their own province into another province where there are bishops, unless perhaps they are invited by their brothers, so that we may not seem to close the door of love. “But if in any province a bishop has a dispute with his brother bishop, neither of the two should call in a bishop from another province as judge. “But if judgment has gone against a bishop in some case, and he thinks he has a good case, so that the question ought to be opened again, then, if you are willing, let us honor the memory of Saint Peter the apostle. Let those who tried the case write to Julius, the bishop of Rome. If he judges that the case should be tried again, let that be done, and let him appoint judges. But if he finds that the case is of a kind where the former decision need not be disturbed, what he has decreed will be confirmed. Is this the will of all?” The synod answered: “It is our will.”

Canon 4, the Greek text. Bishop Gaudentius said: “If it seems good to you, something must be added to this decision you have pronounced, which is full of sincere love. If any bishop is deposed by the sentence of these neighboring bishops, and he declares that he has new grounds for his defense, let no new bishop be installed in his see unless the bishop of Rome judges the matter and gives a decision on it.” [i]

The Latin text. Bishop Gaudentius said: “If you are willing, something ought to be added to this sentence you have pronounced, which is full of holiness. When any bishop has been deposed by the judgment of the bishops who have their sees in neighboring places, and the deposed bishop declares that his case is to be examined in the city of Rome, then after the appeal of the man who has seemingly been deposed, no other bishop may in any way be ordained to his see, unless the case has been settled by the judgment of the Roman bishop.”

Canon 5, the Greek text. Bishop Hosius said: “It is decreed that if any bishop is accused, and the bishops of the same region meet and depose him from his office, and he appeals, as it were, and takes refuge with the most blessed bishop of the Roman church, and that bishop is willing to give him a hearing and thinks it right to reopen the examination of his case, let him be pleased to write to the fellow bishops who are nearest the province. They are to examine the details with care and accuracy and give their votes on the matter according to the word of truth. “And if anyone asks that his case be heard yet again, and at his request it seems good to move the bishop of Rome to send presbyters as his personal envoys, let this be in that bishop’s power, as he judges good and decides to be right: some may be sent to sit as judges with the bishops, bearing the authority of the one who sent them. Let this also be ordained. But if he thinks that the bishops are enough to examine and decide the matter, let him do what seems good in his most prudent judgment.” [j] The bishops answered: “What has been said is approved.”

The Latin text. Bishop Hosius said: “It is further decreed that if a bishop is accused, and the bishops of that region meet and depose him from his office, and the deposed man appeals and takes refuge with the bishop of the Roman church and wishes to be given a hearing, then, if that bishop thinks it right that the trial or examination of the case be renewed, let him be pleased to write to the bishops who are in the adjoining and neighboring province, so that they may carefully look into every detail and decide according to the word of truth. “But if the man who asks to have his case heard again moves the bishop of Rome by his pleading to send a presbyter as his personal envoy, it will be in that bishop’s power to do whatever he resolves and determines. If he decides that some should be sent to be present and to sit as judges with the bishops, bearing the authority of the one who appointed them, it will be as he chooses. But if he believes that the bishops are enough to give a final decision, he will do what he determines in his most wise judgment.”