Sardica, Canons 6–9

Canon 6, the Greek text. Bishop Hosius said: “Suppose it happens, in a province where there are a great many bishops, that one bishop stays away and through some negligence does not come to the council and agree to the appointment made by the bishops, while the people gather and pray that the ordination of the bishop they want may take place. Then the bishop who stayed away must first be reminded by letter from the exarch of the province (I mean, of course, the bishop of the metropolis) that the people are asking for a pastor to be given them. “I think it is right to wait for the absent bishop to arrive as well. But if he is summoned by letter and does not come, and does not even write back, the wish of the people ought to be granted. [a] “The bishops of the neighboring provinces should also be invited to the ordination of the bishop of the metropolis. “It is absolutely not allowed to ordain a bishop for a village or a small town, for which even one single presbyter is enough. There is no need to ordain a bishop there, and it would make the name and authority of a bishop cheap. Instead, as was said before, the bishops of the province ought to ordain bishops in those cities that had bishops before. And if a city is found with a population so large that it is thought worthy of a bishop’s see, let it have one. “Is this the will of all?” All answered: “It is our will.”

The Latin text. Bishop Hosius said: “Suppose it has happened, in a province where there used to be a great many bishops, that only one bishop remains, and through negligence he has not chosen to ordain a bishop, and the people have asked for one. Then the bishops of the neighboring province ought first to write to the bishop who lives in that province, and show him that the people are seeking a ruler, that is, a pastor, for themselves, and that this is right, so that they too may come and ordain a bishop together with him. “But if he refuses to acknowledge their letter, ignores it and writes no reply, the people’s request should be granted, so that bishops come from the neighboring province and ordain a bishop. [b] “But permission is not to be given to ordain a bishop either in any village or in an unimportant city for which one presbyter is enough, so that the name and authority of a bishop do not grow cheap. The bishops who are invited from another province ought not to ordain a bishop except in the cities that have had bishops before, or in a city so important or so populous that it deserves to have a bishop. “Is this the will of all?” The synod replied: “It is our will.”

Canon 7, the Greek text. Bishop Hosius said: “Our pestering, our great stubbornness and our unjust petitions have brought it about that we do not enjoy as much favor and trust as we ought. For many of the bishops never stop going to the imperial court, especially the Africans. As we have learned from our beloved brother and fellow bishop Gratus, they do not accept sound advice, but despise it so much that one man carries to the court many different petitions that can be of no possible benefit to the church. “He does not, as he ought and as is fitting, assist and help the poor and the lay people or the widows, but schemes to get worldly ranks and offices for certain persons. This evil, then, causes weakness, not without some scandal and blame to us. “But I count it quite proper for a bishop to give help to someone oppressed by another, or to a widow suffering injustice, or again to an orphan robbed of his property, always provided that these persons have a just reason to petition. [c] “So, beloved brothers, if this seems good to all, decree that no bishop is to go to the imperial court except those whom our most devout emperor summons by his own letters. “Yet it often happens that persons condemned for their crimes to deportation or banishment to an island, or who have received some other sentence, beg for mercy and take refuge with the church, that is, take sanctuary. Such persons are not to be refused help; pardon should be asked for them without delay and without hesitation. If this too is your will, all of you vote your agreement.” [e] All answered: “Let this also be decreed.”

The Latin text. Bishop Hosius said: “Pestering, excessive stubbornness and unjust petitions have left us with too little favor or trust, while certain bishops never stop going to the court. This is especially true of the Africans, who, as we have learned, spurn and despise the sound advice of our most holy brother and fellow bishop Gratus. “So they not only bring many different petitions to the court, not for the good of the church, nor, as is usual and right, to help the poor or widows or orphans, but they even seek to get worldly ranks and offices for certain persons. This evil, then, stirs up at times not only murmuring but even scandal. “But it is proper for bishops to intercede for persons suffering violence and oppression, for widows in distress and orphans who have been cheated, provided, however, that these persons have a just cause or petition. “So, dearly beloved brothers, if this is your will, let us decree that no bishops go to the court except those who have been invited or summoned by letters from our God-fearing emperor. “But it often happens that those who are suffering injustice, or who have been condemned for their crimes to deportation or banishment to an island, or in short have received some sentence or other, take refuge in the mercy of the church. Such persons should be helped, and pardon should be begged for them without hesitation. So decree this, if it is your will.” All said: “It is our will, and let it be decreed.”

Canon 8, the Greek text. Bishop Hosius said: “Let your wisdom decide this as well. Since this was decreed so that a bishop would not fall under blame by going to the court, then if any have petitions of the kind we mentioned above, they should send them by one of their deacons. For the person of a subordinate stirs up no jealousy, and in this way whatever the emperor grants can be reported back more quickly.” All answered: “Let this also be decreed.”

The Latin text. Bishop Hosius said: “Your foresight should provide for this too, since you have made this decree so that bishops might not make bold to go to the court. So whoever has or receives petitions of the kind we mentioned above, let each send them by a deacon of his own, because the person of a minister is not an object of jealousy, and he will be able to report more quickly what he has obtained.” [f]

Canon 9, the Greek text. Bishop Hosius said: “This too, I think, follows. If in any province whatever bishops send petitions to one of their brothers and fellow bishops, the one who is in the largest city, that is, the metropolis, should himself send his deacon with the petitions. He should also give him letters of recommendation, and write as well, of course, to each of our brothers and fellow bishops in turn, if any of them happen to be staying at that time in the places or cities where the most devout emperor is conducting public affairs. [g] “But if any of the bishops has friends at the court and wishes to ask something of them for a proper purpose, let him not be forbidden to make such requests through his deacon, and to urge those friends to give their kind help as he wishes. “But those who come to Rome ought, as I said before, to hand the petitions they have to give to our beloved brother and fellow bishop Julius, so that he may first examine them, in case some of them are improper. Then, giving them his own support and care, he will send them on to the court.” [h] All the bishops answered that this was their will and that the rule was most proper.

The Latin text. This also seems to follow. From whatever province bishops send petitions to our brother and fellow bishop who has his see in the metropolis, the metropolitan should send off his deacon with the petitions, giving him letters of recommendation to the same effect to our brothers and fellow bishops who are living at that time in the regions and cities where the fortunate and blessed emperor is ruling the state. If, however, a bishop who is seeking to obtain some petition, a worthy one, that is, has friends in the palace, he is not forbidden to make his request through his deacon, and to advise those who he knows can kindly intercede for him in his absence. Canon 10. But as was said before, let those who come to Rome hand the petitions they carry to our most holy brother and fellow bishop, the bishop of the Roman church, so that he too may examine whether they are worthy and just, and let him take care and pains that they are sent on to the court. [i] All said that this was their will and that the rule was proper. Bishop Alypius said: “If they have put up with the hardships of travel for the sake of orphans and widows, or of any in distress whose cases are not unjust, they will have some good reason for their journey. But as it is, since they chiefly make requests that cannot be granted without envy and reproach, there is no need for them to go to the court.”