Council of Ancyra

Canon 1 — De presbyteris lapsis in persecutione.

Presbyteros qui immolaverunt et postea iterum certamen inierunt, si hoc ipsum ex fide et non aliquo argumento sibimet praeparantes egerunt, ut iterum teneri viderentur ut tormentis subjici tanquam putentur inviti; si ergo ex fide luctati sunt et non ex compacto ad ostentationem ut offerrentur ipsi fecerunt, hos placuit honorem quidem sedis propriae retinere, offerre autem illis, et sermonem ad populum facere, aut aliquibus sacerdotalibus officiis fungi, non liceat.

With regard to those presbyters who have offered sacrifices and afterwards returned to the conflict, not with hypocrisy, but in sincerity, it has seemed good that they may retain the honour of their chair; provided they had not used management, arrangement, or persuasion, so as to appear to be subjected to the torture, when it was applied only in seeming and pretence. Nevertheless it is not lawful for them to make the oblation, nor to preach, nor in short to perform any act of sacerdotal function.

Canon 2 — De diaconibus qui immolaverunt.

Diacones similiter qui immolaverunt, postea autem iterum luctati sunt, alias siquidem honorem habere oporteat, cessare vero debere ab omni sacro ministerio, ita ut nec panem nec calicem offerant, nisi forte aliqui episcoporum conscii fuerint laboris eorum et humilitatis et mansuetudinis, et voluerint eis aliquid amplius tribuere vel adhibere; penes ipsos ergo de his erit potestas.

It is likewise decreed that deacons who have sacrificed and afterwards resumed the conflict, shall enjoy their other honours, but shall abstain from every sacred ministry, neither bringing forth the bread and the cup, nor making proclamations. Nevertheless, if any of the bishops shall observe in them distress of mind and meek humiliation, it shall be lawful to the bishops to grant more indulgence, or to take away [what has been granted].

Canon 3 — De clericis sive laicis quorum manus alii cum injuria super idolorum sacrificia posuerunt.

Qui fugientes tempore persecutionis comprehensi sunt vel a familiaribus seu a domesticis traditi, et vel bona propria amiserunt vel sustinuerunt tormenta vel etiam carceribus inclusi sunt, et tamen se proclamaverunt esse Christianos, quin etiam perseverante violentia ad id usque perducti sunt, ut manus eorum apprehensas et violenter attractas super sacrificia imponerent, illis scilicet perseverantibus in fide Christianos se esse vociferantibus; hoc ergo quod eis invitis et aliis cogentibus contigit, si luctu et moerore animi acerbe se ferre demonstrant, ipsosque humili per bonam conversationem habitu incedentes dolere se quod inviti coacti sunt doceant, hos tanquam inculpatos a communione non vetari. Si autem jam prohibiti sunt ab aliquibus a communione, majoris diligentiae et inquisitionis causa aut per aliquorum ignorantiam, statim recipi oportere. Hoc autem observari oportet et de clericis et de laicis omnibus: laicos sane qui in similes necessitatis causas inciderunt, tanquam qui nihil peccaverunt, maxime si eos probabilis vita commendet, ad ordinationem recipi placuit.

Those who have fled and been apprehended, or have been betrayed by their servants; or those who have been otherwise despoiled of their goods, or have endured tortures, or have been imprisoned and abused, declaring themselves to be Christians; or who have been forced to receive something which their persecutors violently thrust into their hands, or meat [offered to idols], continually professing that they were Christians; and who, by their whole apparel, and demeanour, and humility of life, always give evidence of grief at what has happened; these persons, inasmuch as they are free from sin, are not to be repelled from the communion; and if, through an extreme strictness or ignorance of some things, they have been repelled, let them forthwith be re-admitted. This shall hold good alike of clergy and laity. It has also been considered whether laymen who have fallen under the same compulsion may be admitted to orders, and we have decreed that, since they have in no respect been guilty, they may be ordained; provided their past course of life be found to have been upright.

Canon 4 — De his qui in templis idolorum coenaverunt.

De his qui sacrificare coacti sunt, sed etiam de his qui in templis idolorum, coenaverunt, si qui eorum cum habitu cultiore ad templa perducti sunt, atque ibi pretiosiore adhuc veste mutata coenae, participes facti sunt idolorum, indifferenter sumentes omnia quae fuerunt apposita: placuit inter audientes uno anno constitui, tribus autem aliis annis agere poenitentiam, sed ex ipso triennio per biennium tantummodo orationi communicare, tertio autem anno reconciliari sacramentis.

Concerning those who have been forced to sacrifice, and who, in addition, have partaken of feasts in honour of the idols; as many as were haled away, but afterwards went up with a cheerful countenance, and wore their costliest apparel, and partook with indifference of the feast provided; it is decreed that all such be hearers for one year, and prostrators for three years, and that they communicate in prayers only for two years, and then return to full communion.

Canon 5 — De his qui timore ritus gentilium peregerunt.

Quotquot autem ascenderunt templa cum veste lugubri et recumbentes inter alios manducaverunt flentes, si compleverint poenitentiam triennii tempus, sine oblatione suscipiantur ad communionem, id est ut ipsi oblationem non offerant; si autem perducti ad templa non manducaverunt, biennio maneant in poenitentia, tertio vero anno communicent, sed sine oblatione ut dictum est, ut quarto jam anno perfectionem suam recipiant. Episcopum hinc habere licentiam oportet, ut perspecta singulorum conversatione normam regulamque conversationis attribuat, id est aut humanius agens secundum vitae modum tempus alicui breviare, aut etiam prolixius, quod correctionis necessarium viderit, addere. Discutiatur autem omnium horum et praecedens vita et posterior, et ita circa eos sacerdotalis humanitas moderetur.

As many, however, as went up in mourning attire and sat down and ate, weeping throughout the whole entertainment, if they have fulfilled the three years as prostrators, let them be received without oblation; and if they did not eat, let them be prostrators two years, and in the third year let them communicate without oblation, so that in the fourth year they may be received into full communion. But the bishops have the right, after considering the character of their conversion, either to deal with them more leniently, or to extend the time. But, first of all, let their life before and since be thoroughly examined, and let the indulgence be determined accordingly.

Canon 6 — De his qui in locis idolorum manducaverunt.

De his qui minis tantum cesserunt, aut bonorum oblatione aut transportationis poena deterriti sacrificaverunt, et nunc usque non poenituerunt neque conversi sunt, modo autem, id est tempore hujus synodi, se obtulerunt conversionis suae consilium capientes, placuit eos usque ad magnum diem inter audientes suscipi, poenitentiam autem agere triennio, et post alios duos annos sine oblatione communicari, et ita demum sex annis completis ad perfectum pervenire. Quod si aliqui ante hoc concilium suscepti sunt ad poenitentiam, ex illo tempore imputabitur eis initium sexennii constituti: quod si alicui horum quodlibet mortis periculum aut ex aegritudine aut ex aliqua causa acciderit, his communionem propter viaticum suum non negari.

Concerning those who have yielded merely upon threat of penalties and of the confiscation of their goods, or of banishment, and have sacrificed, and who till this present time have not repented nor been converted, but who now, at the time of this synod, have approached with a purpose of conversion, it is decreed that they be received as hearers till the Great Day, and that after the Great Day they be prostrators for three years, and for two years more communicate without oblation, and then come to full communion, so as to complete the period of six full years. And if any have been admitted to penance before this synod, let the beginning of the six years be reckoned to them from that time. Nevertheless, if there should be any danger or prospect of death whether from disease or any other cause, let them be received, but under limitation.

Canon 7 — De his qui frequenter idolis immolaverunt.

De his qui festis diebus paganorum in remotis eorum locis conviviis interfuerunt, et suas nihilominus epulas ibidem portaverunt atque comederunt, placuit ut post biennii poenitentiam suscipiantur; ita tamen, utrum cum oblatione recipiendi sint an ad solam communionem admitti deceant, unusquisque episcoporum examinet, vitae eorum praeteritae et praesentis habita consideratione.

Concerning those who have partaken at a heathen feast in a place appointed for heathens, but who have brought and eaten their own meats, it is decreed that they be received after they have been prostrators two years; but whether with oblation, every bishop must determine after he has made examination into the rest of their life.

Canon 8 — De his qui per vim coacti idolis immolaverunt.

Hi autem qui secundo et tertio sacrificaverunt per vim coacti, quatuor annis ad poenitentiam se submittant, duobus autem aliis sine oblatione communicent, septimo autem anno perfectionem recepturi communionis.

Let those who have twice or thrice sacrificed under compulsion, be prostrators four years, and communicate without oblation two years, and the seventh year they shall be received to full communion.

Canon 9 — De his qui et aliis sacrificandi causam attulerunt.

Quotquot autem non solum a fide dominica deviarunt, sed etiam insurrexerunt in alios et fratribus persuaserunt et rei facti sunt persuasionis, hi per triennium quidem inter catechumenos habeantur, per aliud autem sexennium poenitentiae recipiant locum, alio vero anno, id est decimo, communionem sine oblatione recipiant, ut completo decennio perfectione fruantur: in eo autem ipso tempore etiam vita eorum et conversatio consideranda est.

As many as have not merely apostatized, but have risen against their brethren and forced them [to apostatize], and have been guilty of their being forced, let these for three years take the place of hearers, and for another term of six years that of prostrators, and for another year let them communicate without oblation, in order that, when they have fulfilled the space of ten years, they may partake of the communion; but during this time the rest of their life must also be enquired into.

Canon 10 — De diaconibus.

Diaconi quicunque cum ordinantur, si in ipsa ordinatione protestati sunt dicentes velle se habere uxores nec posse se continere, hi postea, si ad nuptias convenerint, maneant in ministerio propterea quod his episcopus licentiam dederit: quicunque sane tacuerunt et susceperunt manus impositionem professi continentiam, et postea ad nuptias convenerunt, a ministerio cessare debebunt.

They who have been made deacons, declaring when they were ordained that they must marry, because they were not able to abide so, and who afterwards have married, shall continue in their ministry, because it was conceded to them by the bishop. But if any were silent on this matter, undertaking at their ordination to abide as they were, and afterwards proceeded to marriage, these shall cease from the diaconate.

Canon 11 — De desponsatis puellis et ab aliis corruptis.

Desponsatas puellas et postea ab aliis raptas placuit erui et his reddi quibus fuerant antea desponsatae, etiam si eas a raptoribus florem pudoris amisisse constiterit.

It is decreed that virgins who have been betrothed, and who have afterwards been carried off by others, shall be restored to those to whom they had formerly been betrothed, even though they may have suffered violence from the ravisher.

Canon 12 — De his qui ante baptismum sacrificaverunt idolis.

Eos qui ante baptismum sacrificaverunt et postea baptismum consecuti sunt, placuit ad ordinem promoveri, tanquam ab omni crimine lavacri salutaris sanctificatione purgatos.

It is decreed that they who have offered sacrifice before their baptism, and were afterwards baptized, may be promoted to orders, inasmuch as they have been cleansed.

Canon 13 — De chorepiscopis.

Vicarios episcoporum, quos Graeci chorepiscopos dicunt, non licere vel presbyteros vel diaconos ordinare, sed nec presbyteris civitatis sine episcopi praecepto amplius aliquid imperare, vel sine auctoritate litterarum ejus in unaquaque parochia aliquid agere.

It is not lawful for Chorepiscopi to ordain presbyters or deacons, and most assuredly not presbyters of a city, without the commission of the bishop given in writing, in another parish.

Canon 14 — De presbyteris a carne se abstinentibus.

De his qui in clero sunt presbyteri vel diaconi et abstinent a carnibus, hoc placuit statui, ut non eas tanquam immundas contemnant, contingant tamen, a quibus quidem si abstinere volunt habeant potestatem; ita tamen ut si quando cum oleribus coquuntur, eadem tanquam carnibus polluta non judicent, sed de his ad cibum assumant quamvis a carnibus se abstineant. Quod si in tantum eas immundas et abominabiles judicaverint, ut nec olera quae cum carnibus coquuntur aestiment comedenda, tanquam non consentientes huic regulae, cessare hos oportet a ministerio et ordine suo. Si quis autem hanc regulam monitus non obedierit, sed carnes ut dictum est immundas et abominandas aestimaverit, cessare debet ab ordine suo.

It is decreed that among the clergy, presbyters and deacons who abstain from flesh shall taste of it, and afterwards, if they shall so please, may abstain. But if they disdain it, and will not even eat herbs served with flesh, but disobey the canon, let them be removed from their order.

Canon 15 — Non debere presbyteros ecclesiastica vendere.

Si qua de rebus ecclesiae, cum episcopus non est, presbyteri vendiderint, placuit rescisso contractu ad jus ecclesiasticum revocari: in judicio autem erit episcopi constitutum si pretium debeat recipi necne, propter quod saepe contingit distractarum rerum redditus ampliorem summam pro accepto pretio reddidisse.

Concerning things belonging to the church, which presbyters may have sold when there was no bishop, it is decreed that the Church property shall be reclaimed; and it shall be in the discretion of the bishop whether it is better to receive the purchase price, or not; for oftentimes the revenue of the things sold might yield them the greater value.

Canon 16 — De his qui irrationabiliter vixerunt.

In hoc titulo Graeca verba haec sunt: Περὶ τῶν ἀλογευσαμένων ἢ καὶ ἀλογευομένων, quae nos Latine possumus dicere: De his qui irrationabiliter versati sunt sive versantur. Sensus autem in hac sententia duplex esse potest, qui ex objectis conjicitur, aut de his qui cum pecoribus coitu mixti sunt, aut more pecorum incesta cum propinquis sanguine commiserunt. Quotquot igitur ante vicesimum aetatis suae annum tale crimen admiserint, quindecim annis in poenitentia exactis, orationi tantum incipiant communicare, et quinquennio altero in communione orationis solius perdurantes post vicesimum cum oblatione ad communionem suscipiantur. Discutiatur autem et vita eorum quae fuerit in tempore poenitentiae, et ita hanc humanitatem consequantur: quod si qui perseverantius abusi sunt hoc crimine, prolixiore tempore id est viginti annorum poenitentiam solam suscipiant. Quotquot vero exacta viginti annorum aetate et uxores habentes in hoc crimine inciderunt, viginti quinque annis poenitentia acta ad communionem orationum admittantur; in qua communione orationum altero quinquennio perdurantes plenam communionem cum oblatione percipiant. Quod si aliqui et uxores habentes et excidentes quinquagesimum aetatis suae annum in hoc prolapsi sunt, ad exitium vitae tantum communionem mereantur.

Let those who have been or who are guilty of bestial lusts, if they have sinned while under twenty years of age, be prostrators fifteen years, and afterwards communicate in prayers; then, having passed five years in this communion, let them have a share in the oblation. But let their life as prostrators be examined, and so let them receive indulgence; and if any have been insatiable in their crimes, then let their time of prostration be prolonged. And if any who have passed this age and had wives, have fallen into this sin, let them be prostrators twenty-five years, and then communicate in prayers; and, after they have been five years in the communion of prayers, let them share the oblation. And if any married men of more than fifty years of age have so sinned, let them be admitted to communion only at the point of death.

Canon 17 — De his qui sicut animalia muta vixerunt.

Hos eosdem sane non solum idem leprosos crimine hujuscemodi factos, sed et alios isto suo morbo replentes, placuit inter eos orare qui tempestate jactantur, qui a nobis energumeni intelliguntur.

Defilers of themselves with beasts, being also leprous, who have infected others [with the leprosy of this crime], the holy Synod commands to pray among the hiemantes.

Canon 18 — De episcopis qui ordinati non suscipiuntur.

Si qui episcopi suscepti non sunt a sua dioecesi in qua fuerant denotati, ad eamdem judicis edicto redire compellantur; quod si voluerint alias ecclesias occupare et vim facere aliis episcopis, quos ibi invenerint, seditiones excitando adversus eos, hos segregari oportet. Quod si volunt in presbyterio in ecclesia ubi prius fuerant tanquam presbyteri residere, non repellantur a propria dignitate: quod si etiam ibi seditiones concitare probantur episcopis ibidem constitutis, segregari eos necesse est et nihilominus presbyterii dignitate privari.

If any who have been constituted bishops, but have not been received by the parish to which they were designated, shall invade other parishes and wrong the constituted [bishops] there, stirring up seditions against them, let such persons be suspended from office and communion. But if they are willing to accept a seat among the presbyterate, where they formerly were presbyters, let them not be deprived of that honour. But if they shall act seditiously against the bishops established there, the honour of the presbyterate also shall be taken from them and themselves expelled.

Canon 19 — De his qui virginitatem profitentur.

Quotquot virginitatem polliciti praevaricati sunt professione contempta, inter digamos, id est qui ad secundas nuptias transierunt, haberi debebunt: virgines autem puellas, quae tanquam sorores cum nonnullis viris habitare volunt, ab eorum consortio prohibemus.

If any persons who profess virginity shall disregard their profession, let them fulfil the term of digamists. And, moreover, we prohibit women who are virgins from living with men as sisters.

Canon 20 — De adulteris.

Si quis adulterium commiserit, septem annis in poenitentia completis, perfectioni reddatur secundum pristinos gradus.

If the wife of anyone has committed adultery or if any man commit adultery it seems fit that he shall be restored to full communion after seven years passed in the prescribed degrees [of penance].

Canon 21 — De mulieribus quae fornicatae partus suos necant.

De mulieribus quae fornicantur et partus suos necant, sed et de his quae agunt secum ut utero conceptos excutiant, antiqua quidem definitio usque ad exitum vitae eas ab Ecclesia removit: humanius autem nunc definimus, ut eis decem annorum tempus poenitentiae tribuatur.

Concerning women who commit fornication, and destroy that which they have conceived, or who are employed in making drugs for abortion, a former decree excluded them until the hour of death, and to this some have assented. Nevertheless, being desirous to use somewhat greater lenity, we have ordained that they fulfil ten years [of penance], according to the prescribed degrees.

Canon 22 — De his qui volentes homicidium fecerunt.

Qui voluntarie homicidium fecerunt ad poenitentiam quidem jugiter sese committant: circa exitum autem vitae communione digni habeantur, et decennium poeniteant.

Concerning wilful murderers let them remain prostrators; but at the end of life let them be indulged with full communion.

Canon 23 — De his qui nolentes homicidium fecerunt.

Eos vero qui non voluntate sed casu homicidium fecerint, prior quidem regula post septem annorum poenitentiam communioni sociavit secundum gradus constitutos: haec vero humanior definitio quinquennii tempus tribuit.

Concerning involuntary homicides, a former decree directs that they be received to full communion after seven years [of penance], according to the prescribed degrees; but this second one, that they fulfil a term of five years.

Canon 24 — De his qui more gentilium vivunt.

Qui auguria, auspicia, sive somnia, vel divinationes quaslibet secundum morem gentilium observant, aut in domos suas hujuscemodi homines introducunt in exquirendis aliquibus arte malefica, aut ut domos suas lustrent; confessi, quinquennio poenitentiam agant secundum antiquas regulas constitutas.

They who practice divination, and follow the customs of the heathen, or who take men to their houses for the invention of sorceries, or for lustrations, fall under the canon of five years' [penance], according to the prescribed degrees; that is, three years as prostrators, and two of prayer without oblation.

Canon 25 — De eo qui sororem sponsae suae vitiavit.

Si quis sponsam habens sorori ejus forsitan intulerit vitium, eique inhaeserit tanquam suae, et sibi expetendam esse conjunctionem, hac autem decepta, postea uxorem duxerit desponsatam; illa vero quae vitium passa est, si forte necem sibi intulerit: omnes hi qui hujus facti sunt conscii decem annis in poenitentiam redigantur secundum canones constitutos.

One who had betrothed a maiden, corrupted her sister, so that she conceived. After that he married his betrothed, but she who had been corrupted hanged herself. The parties to this affair were ordered to be received among the co-standers after ten years [of penance] according to the prescribed degrees.