Council of Chalcedon

Canon 1 — De canonibus uniuscujusque concilii.

Regulas sanctorum Patrum, per singula nunc usque concilia constitutas, proprium robur obtinere decrevimus.

We have judged it right that the canons of the Holy Fathers made in every synod even until now, should remain in force.

Canon 2 — Quod non oporteat episcopos, aut quemlibet ex clero per pecunias ordinari.

Si quis episcopus per pecuniam fecerit ordinationem, et sub pretio redegerit gratiam, quae non potest vendi, ordinaveritque per pecunias episcopum, aut presbyterum, aut diaconum, vel quemlibet ex his qui connumerantur in clero, aut promoverit per pecunias dispensatorem, aut defensorem, vel quemquam, qui subjectus est regulae, pro suo turpissimi lucri commodo: is, cui hoc attentanti probatum fuerit, proprii gradus periculo subjacebit. Et qui ordinatus est, nihil ex hac ordinatione, vel promotione, quae est per negotiationem facta, proficiat: sed sit alienus a dignitate, vel sollicitudine, quam pecuniis quaesivit. Si quis vero mediator tam turpibus et nefandis datis vel acceptis exstiterit, siquidem clericus fuerit, proprio gradu decidat; si vero laicus, aut monachus, anathematizetur.

If any Bishop should ordain for money, and put to sale a grace which cannot be sold, and for money ordain a bishop, or chorepiscopus, or presbyters, or deacons, or any other of those who are counted among the clergy; or if through lust of gain he should nominate for money a steward, or advocate, or prosmonarius, or any one whatever who is on the roll of the Church, let him who is convicted of this forfeit his own rank; and let him who is ordained be nothing profited by the purchased ordination or promotion; but let him be removed from the dignity or charge he has obtained for money. And if any one should be found negotiating such shameful and unlawful transactions, let him also, if he is a clergyman, be deposed from his rank, and if he is a layman or monk, let him be anathematized.

Canon 3 — Quod non oporteat episcopos, clericos et menachos, praedia aliena conducere.

Pervenit ad sanctam synodum quod quidam, qui in clero videntur allecti, propter lucra turpia conductores alienarum possessionum fiant, et saecularia negotia sub cura sua suscipiant: Dei quidem ministerium parvipendentes, saecularium vero discurrentes domos, et propter avaritiam patrimoniorum sollicitudines assumentes. Decrevit itaque sanctum hoc magnumque concilium, nullum deinceps, non episcopum, non clericum, vel monachum, aut possessiones conducere, aut negotiis saecularibus se miscere, praeter pupillorum, si forte leges imponant, inexcusabilem curam, aut civitatis episcopus ecclesiasticarum rerum sollicitudinem habere praecipiat, aut orphanorum, et viduarum, earumque quae sine ulla provisione sunt personarum, quae maxime ecclesiastico indigent adjutorio, propter timorem Domini causa deposcat. Si quis autem transgredi de caetero statuta tentaverit, hujusmodi ecclesiasticis increpationibus subjacebit.

It has come to [the knowledge of] the holy Synod that certain of those who are enrolled among the clergy have, through lust of gain, become hirers of other men's possessions, and make contracts pertaining to secular affairs, lightly esteeming the service of God, and slip into the houses of secular persons, whose property they undertake through covetousness to manage. Wherefore the great and holy Synod decrees that henceforth no bishop, clergyman, nor monk shall hire possessions, or engage in business, or occupy himself in worldly engagements, unless he shall be called by the law to the guardianship of minors, from which there is no escape; or unless the bishop of the city shall commit to him the care of ecclesiastical business, or of unprovided orphans or widows and of persons who stand especially in need of the Church's help, through the fear of God. And if any one shall hereafter transgress these decrees, he shall be subjected to ecclesiastical penalties.

Canon 4 — De honore monachis competente, et ut nullus eorum tentet ecclesiastica aut saecularia inquietare negotia, nec alienum servum praeter conscientiam domini ejus suscipere.

Qui vere et sincere singularem sectantur vitam, competenter honorentur: quoniam vero quidam, utentes habitu monachi, ecclesiastica negotia civiliaque conturbant, circumeuntes indifferenter urbes, nec non et monasteria sibi instruere tentantes, placuit nullum quidem usquam aedificare aut constituere monasterium, vel orationis domum, praeter conscientiam civitatis episcopi. Monachos vero per unamquamque civitatem, aut regionem, subjectos esse episcopo, et quietem diligere, et intentos esse tantummodo jejunio, et orationi, in locis quibus renuntiaverunt saeculo permanentes. Nec ecclesiasticis vero, nec saecularibus negotiis communicent, vel in aliquo sint molesti, propria monasteria deserentes, nisi forte his praecipiatur propter opus necessarium ab episcopo civitatis. Nullum vero recipere in monasteriis servum obtentu monachi, praeter sui domini conscientiam. Transgredientem vero hanc definitionem nostram excommunicatum esse decrevimus, ne nomen Dei blasphemetur. Verumtamen episcopum convenit civitatis competentem monasteriorum providentiam gerere.

Let those who truly and sincerely lead the monastic life be counted worthy of becoming honour; but, forasmuch as certain persons using the pretext of monasticism bring confusion both upon the churches and into political affairs by going about promiscuously in the cities, and at the same time seeking to establish Monasteries for themselves; it is decreed that no one anywhere build or found a monastery or oratory contrary to the will of the bishop of the city; and that the monks in every city and district shall be subject to the bishop, and embrace a quiet course of life, and give themselves only to fasting and prayer, remaining permanently in the places in which they were set apart; and they shall meddle neither in ecclesiastical nor in secular affairs, nor leave their own monasteries to take part in such; unless, indeed, they should at any time through urgent necessity be appointed thereto by the bishop of the city. And no slave shall be received into any monastery to become a monk against the will of his master. And if any one shall transgress this our judgment, we have decreed that he shall be excommunicated, that the name of God be not blasphemed. But the bishop of the city must make the needful provision for the monasteries.

Canon 5 — Non transmigrandum de civitate in civitatem.

De his qui transmigrant de civitate in civitatem episcopis, aut clericis, placuit ut canones qui de hac re a sanctis Patribus statuti sunt habeant propriam firmitatem.

Concerning bishops or clergymen who go about from city to city, it is decreed that the canons enacted by the Holy Fathers shall still retain their force.

Canon 6 — Quod non oporteat absolute quoslibet ordinari.

Nullum absolute ordinari debere presbyterum, aut diaconum, nec quemlibet in gradu ecclesiastico, nisi specialiter Ecclesiae civitatis, aut possessionis, aut martyrii, aut monasterii qui ordinandus est pronuntietur. Qui vero absolute ordinantur decrevit sancta synodus irritam haberi hujuscemodi manus impositionem, et nusquam posse ministrare ad ordinantis injuriam.

Neither presbyter, deacon, nor any of the ecclesiastical order shall be ordained at large, nor unless the person ordained is particularly appointed to a church in a city or village, or to a martyry, or to a monastery. And if any have been ordained without a charge, the holy Synod decrees, to the reproach of the ordainer, that such an ordination shall be inoperative, and that such shall nowhere be suffered to officiate.

Canon 7 — De clericis et monachis non manentibus in suo proposito.

Qui semel in clero deputati sunt, aut monachorum vitam expetiverunt, statuimus, neque ad militiam, neque ad dignitatem aliquam venire mundanam, aut hoc tentantes, et non agentes poenitentiam, quominus redeant ad hoc quod propter Deum primitus elegerunt, anathematizari.

We have decreed that those who have once been enrolled among the clergy, or have been made monks, shall accept neither a military charge nor any secular dignity; and if they shall presume to do so and not repent in such wise as to turn again to that which they had first chosen for the love of God, they shall be anathematized.

Canon 8 — De clericis qui sunt in ptochiis, monasteriis, atque martyriis, quae sub potestate episcoporum uniuscujusque civitatis existunt.

Clerici qui praeficiuntur ptochiis vel qui ordinantur in monasteriis, et basilicis martyrum, sub episcoporum qui in unaquaque civitate sunt, secundum sanctorum Patrum traditiones, potestate permaneant, nec per contumaciam ab episcopo suo dissiliant. Qui vero audent evertere hujuscemodi formam quocunque modo, nec proprio subjiciuntur episcopo, siquidem clerici sunt, canonum correptionibus subjacebunt; si vero laici vel monachi fuerint, communione priventur.

Let the clergy of the poor-houses, monasteries, and martyries remain under the authority of the bishops in every city according to the tradition of the holy Fathers; and let no one arrogantly cast off the rule of his own bishop; and if any shall contravene this canon in any way whatever, and will not be subject to their own bishop, if they be clergy, let them be subjected to canonical censure, and if they be monks or laymen, let them be excommunicated.

Canon 9 — Quod non oporteat clericos, habentes adversus invicem negotia, proprium episcopum relinquere, et ad saecularia judicia convolare.

Si quis clericus adversus clericum habet negotium, non deserat episcopum proprium, et ad saecularia percurrat judicia: sed prius actio ventiletur apud episcopum proprium, vel certe consilio ejusdem episcopi, apud quos utraeque partes voluerint, judicium continebunt. Si quis autem praeter haec fecerit, canonicis correptionibus subjacebit. Quod si clericus habet causam adversus episcopum proprium, vel adversus alterum, apud synodum provinciae judicetur. Quod si adversus ejusdem provinciae metropolitanum episcopus vel clericus habet querelam, petat primatem dioeceseos, aut sedem regiae urbis Constantinopolitanae, et apud ipsum judicetur.

If any Clergyman have a matter against another clergyman, he shall not forsake his bishop and run to secular courts; but let him first lay open the matter before his own Bishop, or let the matter be submitted to any person whom each of the parties may, with the Bishop's consent, select. And if any one shall contravene these decrees, let him be subjected to canonical penalties. And if a clergyman have a complaint against his own or any other bishop, let it be decided by the synod of the province. And if a bishop or clergyman should have a difference with the metropolitan of the province, let him have recourse to the Exarch of the Diocese, or to the throne of the Imperial City of Constantinople, and there let it be tried.

Canon 10 — Quod non liceat clericum in duarum civitatum ecclesiis ministrare.

Non licere clericum in duarum civitatum conscribi simul ecclesiis, et in qua initio ordinatus est, et ad quam confugit, quasi ad potiorem, ob inanis gloriae cupiditatem. Hoc autem facientes revocari debere ad suam ecclesiam, in qua primitus ordinati sunt, et ibi tantummodo ministrare. Si vero jam quis translatus est ex alia in aliam ecclesiam, prioris ecclesiae, vel martyriorum quae sub ea sunt, aut ptochiorum, aut xenodochiorum rebus in nullo communicet. Eos vero qui ausi fuerint, post definitionem magnae et universalis hujus synodi, quidquam ex his quae sunt prohibita, perpetrare, decrevit sancta synodus a proprio hujusmodi gradu recedere.

It shall not be lawful for a clergyman to be at the same time enrolled in the churches of two cities, that is, in the church in which he was at first ordained, and in another to which, because it is greater, he has removed from lust of empty honour. And those who do so shall be returned to their own church in which they were originally ordained, and there only shall they minister. But if any one has heretofore been removed from one church to another, he shall not intermeddle with the affairs of his former church, nor with the martyries, almshouses, and hostels belonging to it. And if, after the decree of this great and ecumenical Synod, any shall dare to do any of these things now forbidden, the synod decrees that he shall be degraded from his rank.

Canon 11 — Quod non oporteat egenis epistolia tribui: honestiores autem commendatiliis litteris approbari.

Omnes pauperes, et indigentes auxilio, cum proficiscuntur sub probatione, epistoliis vel ecclesiasticis pacificis tantummodo commendari decrevimus, et non commendatitiis litteris, propter quod commendatitias litteras honoratioribus tantummodo praestari personis conveniat.

We have decreed that the poor and those needing assistance shall travel, after examination, with letters merely pacifical from the church, and not with letters commendatory, inasmuch as letters commendatory ought to be given only to persons who are open to suspicion.

Canon 12 — Ut nequaquam in duos metropolitanos provincia dividatur.

Pervenit ad nos quod quidam, praeter ecclesiastica statuta facientes, convolarunt ad potestates, et per pragmaticam formam in duo unam provinciam diviserunt, ita ut ex hoc facto duo metropolitani esse videantur in una provincia: statuit ergo sancta synodus de reliquo nihil ab episcopis tale tentari, alioqui qui hoc adnisus fuerit amissione gradus proprii subjacebit. Quaecunque vero civitates litteris imperialibus metropolitani nominis honore subnixae sunt, honore tantummodo perfruantur, et qui Ecclesiam ejus gubernat episcopus, salvis scilicet verae metropolis privilegiis suis.

It has come to our knowledge that certain persons, contrary to the laws of the Church, having had recourse to secular powers, have by means of imperial rescripts divided one Province into two, so that there are consequently two metropolitans in one province; therefore the holy Synod has decreed that for the future no such thing shall be attempted by a bishop, since he who shall undertake it shall be degraded from his rank. But the cities which have already been honoured by means of imperial letters with the name of metropolis, and the bishops in charge of them, shall take the bare title, all metropolitan rights being preserved to the true Metropolis.

Canon 13 — Quod non oporteat peregrinos clericos sine commendatitiis litteris ministrare.

Peregrinos clericos, et lectores, in alia civitate, praeter commendatitias litteras sui episcopi, nusquam penitus ministrare debere.

Strange and unknown clergymen without letters commendatory from their own Bishop, are absolutely prohibited from officiating in another city.

Canon 14 — Quod non liceat clerico uxorem sectae alterius accipere.

Quoniam in quibusdam provinciis concessum est lectoribus et psaltis uxores ducere, statuit sancta synodus non licere cuiquam ex his accipere sectae alterius uxorem. Qui vero ex hujusmodi conjugio jam filios susceperunt, siquidem praeventi sunt ut ex se genitos apud haereticos baptizarent, offerre eos Ecclesiae catholicae communioni conveniet, non baptizatos autem non posse ulterius apud haereticos baptizari. Sed neque copulari debet nuptura haeretico, Judaeo, vel pagano, nisi forte promittat ad orthodoxam fidem se personam orthodoxe copulandam transferre. Si quis autem hanc definitionem sanctae synodi transgressus fuerit, correptioni canonicae subjacebit.

Since in certain provinces it is permitted to the readers and singers to marry, the holy Synod has decreed that it shall not be lawful for any of them to take a wife that is heterodox. But those who have already begotten children of such a marriage, if they have already had their children baptized among the heretics, must bring them into the communion of the Catholic Church; but if they have not had them baptized, they may not hereafter baptize them among heretics, nor give them in marriage to a heretic, or a Jew, or a heathen, unless the person marrying the orthodox child shall promise to come over to the orthodox faith. And if any one shall transgress this decree of the holy synod, let him be subjected to canonical censure.

Canon 15 — De diaconissis mulieribus.

Diaconissam non ordinandam ante annum quadragesimum, et hanc cum summo libramine: si vero suscipiens manus impositionem, et aliquantum temporis in ministerio permanens, semetipsam tradat nuptiis, gratiae Dei contumeliam faciens, anathematizetur hujusmodi cum eo qui eidem copulatur.

A woman shall not receive the laying on of hands as a deaconess under forty years of age, and then only after searching examination. And if, after she has had hands laid on her and has continued for a time to minister, she shall despise the grace of God and give herself in marriage, she shall be anathematized and the man united to her.

Canon 16 — De virginibus.

Virginem quae se Deo Domino consecravit, similiter et monachum, non licere nuptialia jura contrahere: quod si hoc inventi fuerint perpetrantes, excommunicentur. Confitentibus autem decrevimus ut habeat auctoritatem ejusdem loci episcopus misericordiam humanitatemque largiri.

It is not lawful for a virgin who has dedicated herself to the Lord God, nor for monks, to marry; and if they are found to have done this, let them be excommunicated. But we decree that in every place the bishop shall have the power of indulgence towards them.

Note Monachism: Printed "can. 6" (on absolute ordinations); probably can. 16, on the marriage of monks and virgins.

Canon 17 — De parochiis.

Singularum Ecclesiarum rusticas parochias vel possessiones manere inconcussas illis episcopis qui eas retinere noscuntur, et maxime, si per trecennium, eas absque vi obtinentes, sub dispensatione rexerunt: quod si intra tricennium facta fuerit de his, vel fiat altercatio, licere eis, qui se laesos asserunt apud sanctam synodum provinciae de his movere certamen. Quod si quis a metropolitano laeditur, apud primatem dioeceseos, aut apud Constantinopolitanam sedem judicetur, sicut superius dictum est. Si qua vero civitas potestate imperiali novata est, aut si protinus innovetur, civiles dispositiones et publicas ecclesiasticarum quoque parochiarum ordines subsequantur.

Outlying or rural parishes shall in every province remain subject to the bishops who now have jurisdiction over them, particularly if the bishops have peaceably and continuously governed them for the space of thirty years. But if within thirty years there has been, or is, any dispute concerning them, it is lawful for those who hold themselves aggrieved to bring their cause before the synod of the province. And if any one be wronged by his metropolitan, let the matter be decided by the exarch of the diocese or by the throne of Constantinople, as aforesaid. And if any city has been, or shall hereafter be newly erected by imperial authority, let the order of the ecclesiastical parishes follow the political and municipal example.

Canon 18 — De conjuratione, vel conspiratione.

Conjurationis vel conspirationis crimen et ab exteris legibus est omnino prohibitum: multo magis hoc in Dei Ecclesia ne fiat, admonere conveniet. Si qui ergo clerici aut monachi reperti fuerint conjurantes, aut conspirantes, aut insidias ponentes episcopis aut clericis, gradu proprio penitus abjiciantur.

The crime of conspiracy or banding together is utterly prohibited even by the secular law, and much more ought it to be forbidden in the Church of God. Therefore, if any, whether clergymen or monks, should be detected in conspiring or banding together, or hatching plots against their bishops or fellow-clergy, they shall by all means be deposed from their own rank.

Canon 19 — Quod oporteat per provincias bis in anno concilia celebrari.

Pervenit ad aures nostras, quod in provinciis statuta episcoporum concilia minime celebrentur, et ex hoc plurima negligantur ecclesiasticarum causarum, quae correctione indigeant. Decrevit itaque sancta synodus, secundum canones Patrum bis in anno episcopos in idipsum, in unaquaque provincia convenire, quo metropolitanus antistes probaverit, et corrigere singula, si qua fortassis emerserint. Quicunque vero non advenerint episcopi, resident autem in suis civitatibus, et hoc, dum in sua incolumitate consistunt, omnique inexcusabili et necessaria occupatione probantur liberi, fraterno corripiantur affectu.

Whereas it has come to our ears that in the provinces the Canonical Synods of Bishops are not held, and that on this account many ecclesiastical matters which need reformation are neglected; therefore, according to the canons of the holy Fathers, the holy Synod decrees that the bishops of every province shall twice in the year assemble together where the bishop of the Metropolis shall approve, and shall then settle whatever matters may have arisen. And bishops, who do not attend, but remain in their own cities, though they are in good health and free from any unavoidable and necessary business, shall receive a brotherly admonition.

Canon 20 — Quod minime clericos transmigrari conveniat.

Clericos in ecclesia ministrantes, sicut jam constituimus, in alterius civitatis ecclesia statutos fieri non oportet: sed contentos esse in quibus ab initio ministrare meruerunt, exceptis illis qui, proprias amittentes provincias, ex necessitate ad aliam ecclesiam transierunt. Si quis autem episcopus post hanc definitionem susceperit clericum ad alium episcopum pertinentem, placuit et susceptum et suscipientem communione privari, donec is qui migraverat clericus ad propriam fuerit regressus ecclesiam.

It shall not be lawful, as we have already decreed, for clergymen officiating in one church to be appointed to the church of another city, but they shall cleave to that in which they were first thought worthy to minister; those, however, being excepted, who have been driven by necessity from their own country, and have therefore removed to another church. And if, after this decree, any bishop shall receive a clergyman belonging to another bishop, it is decreed that both the received and the receiver shall be excommunicated until such time as the clergyman who has removed shall have returned to his own church.

Canon 21 — De episcoporum aut clericorum accusatoribus.

Clericos aut laicos accusantes episcopos, aut clericos passim, et sine probatione, ad accusationem recipi non debere, nisi prius eorum discutiatur existimationis opinio.

Clergymen and laymen bringing charges against bishops or clergymen are not to be received loosely and without examination, as accusers, but their own character shall first be investigated.

Note Excommunication: Cited for excommunication; this canon (on accusers of bishops) does not mention it. The edition cited may number the canons differently.

Canon 22 — Quod non liceat clericis post mortem sui episcopi res ad eum pertinentes diripere.

Non licere clericis, post obitum sui episcopi, res ad eum pertinentes diripere, sicut antiquis quoque est canonibus constitutum. Quod si hoc facere tentaverint, graduum suorum periculo subjacebunt.

It is not lawful for clergymen, after the death of their bishop, to seize what belongs to him, as has been forbidden also by the ancient canons; and those who do so shall be in danger of degradation from their own rank.

Canon 23 — De clericis et monachis qui, praeter voluntatem sui episcopi, ad urbem regiam Constantinopolim veniunt.

Pervenit ad aures sancti concilii quod quidam clerici, et monachi, quibus nil ab episcopo suo commissum est, est autem quando et communione ab eo privantur, pervenientes ad urbem regiam Constantinopolitanam, in ea diutius immorentur, excitantes turbas, et statum ecclesiasticum commoventes, subvertentes etiam quorumdam domos: decrevit sancta synodus hujusmodi primo quidem per defensorem Constantinopolitanae sanctae Ecclesiae commoneri, ut egrediantur ab urbe regia: quod si iisdem negotiis impudenter insistant, etiam nolentes idem defensor expellat, ut ad propria loca perveniant.

It has come to the hearing of the holy Synod that certain clergymen and monks, having no authority from their own bishop, and sometimes, indeed, while under sentence of excommunication by him, betake themselves to the imperial Constantinople, and remain there for a long time, raising disturbances and troubling the ecclesiastical state, and turning men's houses upside down. Therefore the holy Synod has determined that such persons be first notified by the Advocate of the most holy Church of Constantinople to depart from the imperial city; and if they shall shamelessly continue in the same practices, that they shall be expelled by the same Advocate even against their will, and return to their own places.

Canon 24 — Quod non liceat monasteria, quae consecrata sunt, diversoria saecularia fieri.

Quae semel dedicata sunt monasteria, consilio episcoporum, maneant perpetuo monasteria, et res quae ad ea pertinent monasteriis reservari, nec posse ea ultra fieri saecularia habitacula: qui vero hoc fieri permiserint, canonum sententiis subjacebunt.

Monasteries, which have once been consecrated with the consent of the bishop, shall remain monasteries for ever, and the property belonging to them shall be preserved, and they shall never again become secular dwellings. And they who shall permit this to be done shall be liable to ecclesiastical penalties.

Canon 25 — Quod non oporteat ordinationes episcoporum diu differre.

Quoniam quidam metropolitanorum, quantum comperimus, negligunt commissos sibi greges, et ordinationes episcoporum facere differunt, placuit synodo intra tres menses ordinationes episcoporum celebrari: nisi forte necessitas inexcusabilis praeparet tempus dilationis extendi: quod si hoc minime fecerit, correptioni ecclesiasticae subjacebit, verumtamen redditus Ecclesiae viduatae penes oeconomum ejusdem Ecclesiae integri reserventur.

Forasmuch as certain of the metropolitans, as we have heard, neglect the flocks committed to them, and delay the ordinations of bishops the holy Synod has decided that the ordinations of bishops shall take place within three months, unless an inevitable necessity should some time require the term of delay to be prolonged. And if he shall not do this, he shall be liable to ecclesiastical penalties, and the income of the widowed church shall be kept safe by the steward of the same Church.

Canon 26 — De dispensatoribus singularum Ecclesiarum.

Quoniam in quibusdam Ecclesiis, ut rumore comperimus, praeter oeconomos, episcopi facultates ecclesiasticas tractant, placuit omnem Ecclesiam habentem episcopum habere oeconomum de clero proprio, qui dispenset res ecclesiasticas, secundum sententiam episcopi proprii, ita ut Ecclesiae dispensatio praeter testimonium non sit, et ex hoc dispergantur ecclesiasticae facultates, et sacerdotio maledictionis derogatio procuretur: quod si hoc minime fecerit, divinis constitutionibus subjacebit.

Forasmuch as we have heard that in certain churches the bishops managed the church-business without stewards, it has seemed good that every church having a bishop shall have also a steward from among its own clergy, who shall manage the church business under the sanction of his own bishop; that so the administration of the church may not be without a witness; and that thus the goods of the church may not be squandered, nor reproach be brought upon the priesthood; and if he [i.e., the Bishop] will not do this, he shall be subjected to the divine canons.

Canon 27 — De his qui rapiunt puellas.

Eos qui rapiunt mulieres, sub nomine simul habitandi, cooperantes, aut conniventes raptoribus, decrevit sancta synodus, ut siquidem clerici sunt, decidant gradu proprio; si vero laici, anathematizentur.

The holy Synod has decreed that those who forcibly carry off women under pretence of marriage, and the aiders or abettors of such ravishers, shall be degraded if clergymen, and if laymen be anathematized.

Canon 28

Following in all things the decisions of the holy Fathers, and acknowledging the canon, which has been just read, of the One Hundred and Fifty Bishops beloved-of-God (who assembled in the imperial city of Constantinople, which is New Rome, in the time of the Emperor Theodosius of happy memory), we also do enact and decree the same things concerning the privileges of the most holy Church of Constantinople, which is New Rome. For the Fathers rightly granted privileges to the throne of old Rome, because it was the royal city. And the One Hundred and Fifty most religious Bishops, actuated by the same consideration, gave equal privileges (isa presbeia) to the most holy throne of New Rome, justly judging that the city which is honoured with the Sovereignty and the Senate, and enjoys equal privileges with the old imperial Rome, should in ecclesiastical matters also be magnified as she is, and rank next after her; so that, in the Pontic, the Asian, and the Thracian dioceses, the metropolitans only and such bishops also of the Dioceses aforesaid as are among the barbarians, should be ordained by the aforesaid most holy throne of the most holy Church of Constantinople; every metropolitan of the aforesaid dioceses, together with the bishops of his province, ordaining his own provincial bishops, as has been declared by the divine canons; but that, as has been above said, the metropolitans of the aforesaid Dioceses should be ordained by the archbishop of Constantinople, after the proper elections have been held according to custom and have been reported to him.

Note Alexandria of Egypt: Printed "can. 18"; the canon on the rank of Constantinople is can. 28.

Canon 29

It is sacrilege to degrade a bishop to the rank of a presbyter; but, if they are for just cause removed from episcopal functions, neither ought they to have the position of a Presbyter; and if they have been displaced without any charge, they shall be restored to their episcopal dignity. And Anatolius, the most reverend Archbishop of Constantinople, said: If those who are alleged to have been removed from the episcopal dignity to the order of presbyter, have indeed been condemned for any sufficient causes, clearly they are not worthy of the honour of a presbyter. But if they have been forced down into the lower rank without just cause, they are worthy, if they appear guiltless, to receive again both the dignity and priesthood of the Episcopate. And all the most reverend Bishops cried out: The judgment of the Fathers is right. We all say the same. The Fathers have righteously decided. Let the sentence of the Archbishops prevail. And the most magnificent and glorious judges said: Let the pleasure of the Holy Synod be established for all time.

Canon 30

Since the most religious bishops of Egypt have postponed for the present their subscription to the letter of the most holy Archbishop Leo, not because they oppose the Catholic Faith, but because they declare that it is the custom in the Egyptian diocese to do no such thing without the consent and order of their Archbishop, and ask to be excused until the ordination of the new bishop of the metropolis of Alexandria, it has seemed to us reasonable and kind that this concession should be made to them, they remaining in their official habit in the imperial city until the Archbishop of the Metropolis of Alexandria shall have been ordained. And the most religious Bishop Paschasinus, representative of the Apostolic throne for Rome ], said: If your authority suggests and commands that any indulgence be shewn to them, let them give securities that they will not depart from this city until the city of Alexandria receives a Bishop. And the most magnificent and glorious judges, and the whole Senate, said: Let the sentence of the most holy Paschasinus be confirmed. And therefore let them [i.e., the most religious Bishops of the Egyptians] remain in their official habit, either giving securities, if they can, or being bound by the obligation of an oath.