Apostolic Canons

Canon 1 — De ordinatione episcopi.

Episcopus a duobus aut tribus episcopis ordinetur.

Let a bishop be ordained by two or three bishops.

Canon 2 — De ordinatione presbyteri, et diaconi, et caeterorum.

Presbyter ab uno episcopo ordinetur, et diaconus, et reliqui clerici.

Let a presbyter, deacon, and the rest of the clergy, be ordained by one bishop,

Canon 3 — Nihil aliud in sacrificio, praeter quod Dominus statuit, offerendum. / Quae species ad altare non ad sacrificium, sed ad benedictionem simplicem debeant exhiberi.

Si quis episcopus, aut presbyter, praeter ordinationem Domini, alia quaedam in sacrificio offerat super altare: id est aut mel, aut lac, aut pro vino siceram, et confecta quaedam, aut volatilia, aut animalia aliqua, aut legumina: contra constitutionem Domini faciens, congruo tempore deponatur. Offerri non liceat aliquid ad altare praeter novas spicas et uvas; et oleum ad luminaria, et thymiama, id est incensum: tempore quo sancta celebratur oblatio.

If any bishop or presbyter offer any other things at the altar, besides that which the Lord ordained for the sacrifice, as honey, or milk, or strong-made drink instead of wine, or birds, or any living things, or vegetables, besides that which is ordained, let him be deposed. Excepting only new ears of corn, and grapes at the suitable season. Neither is it allowed to bring anything else to the altar at the time of the holy oblation, excepting oil for the lamps, and incense.

Canon 4 — Quod ea quae in ecclesiis offerri non possunt, ad domus sacerdotum a fidelibus deferantur.

Reliqua poma omnia ad domum primitiae episcopo et presbyteris dirigantur, nec offerantur in altari. Certum est autem quod episcopis et presbyteris dividant, et diaconis, et reliquis clericis.

Let all other fruits be sent home as first-fruits for the bishops and presbyters, but not offered at the altar. But the bishops and presbyters should of course give a share of these things to the deacons, and the rest of the clergy.

Canon 5 — Ut episcopus, aut presbyter uxorem suam, quam debet caste regere, non relinquat.

Episcopus, aut presbyter uxorem propriam nequaquam sub obtentu religionis abjiciat: si vero rejecerit, excommunicetur, sed et si perseveraverit, dejiciatur.

Let not a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, put away his wife under pretence of religion; but if he put her away, let him be excommunicated; and if he persists, let him be deposed.

Note Celibacy: Cited as "can. 6" in the Latin (Dionysian) numbering; in the Greek numbering of 85 canons it is can. 5.

Canon 6 — Ut sacerdotes, et ministri altaris saecularibus curis abstineant.

Episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus nequaquam saeculares curas assumant; sin aliter, dejiciantur.

Let not a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, undertake worldly business; otherwise let him be deposed.

Canon 7 — Quo tempore Pascha celebretur.

Si quis episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus sanctum Paschae diem ante vernale aequinoctium cum Judaeis celebraverit, abjiciatur.

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall celebrate the holy day of Easter before the vernal equinox, with the Jews, let him be deposed.

Canon 8 — Quod ministri altaris, oblatione celebrata, debeant communicare.

Si quis episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus, vel quilibet ex sacerdotali catalogo, facta oblatione, non communicaverit: aut causam dicat, ut, si rationabilis fuerit, veniam consequatur; aut si non dixerit, communione privetur, tanquam qui populo causa laesionis exstiterit, dans suspicionem de eo qui sacrificavit, quod recte non obtulerit.

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one on the sacerdotal list, when the offering is made, does not partake of it, let him declare the cause; and if it be a reasonable one, let him be excused; but if he does not declare it, let him be excommunicated, as being a cause of offence to the people, and occasioning a suspicion against the offerer, as if he had not made the offering properly.

Canon 9 — Quod fideles laici, ingredientes ecclesiam, communicare debeant.

Omnes fideles qui ingrediuntur ecclesiam, et Scripturas audientes, non autem perseverant in oratione, nec sanctam communionem percipiunt, velut inquietudines Ecclesiae commoventes, convenit communione privari.

All the faithful who come in and hear the Scriptures, but do not stay for the prayers and the Holy Communion, are to be excommunicated, as causing disorder in the Church.

Canon 10 — Quod cum excommunicatis non sit orandum.

Si quis cum excommunicato, saltem in domo simul oraverit, iste communione privetur.

If any one shall pray, even in a private house, with an excommunicated person, let him also be excommunicated.

Canon 11 — Quod cum damnatis clericis non sit orandum.

Si quis cum damnato clerico, veluti cum clerico, simul oraverit, iste damnetur.

If any clergyman shall join in prayer with a deposed clergyman, as if he were a clergyman, let him also be deposed.

Canon 12 — Ut nullus fidelium praeter commendatitias suscipiatur epistolas.

Si quis clericus, aut laicus a communione suspensus, seu communicans ad aliam properet civitatem, et suscipiatur praeter commendatitias litteras, et qui susceperunt, et qui susceptus communione priventur.

If any one of the clergy or laity who is excommunicated, or not to be received, shall go away, and be received in another city without commendatory letters, let both the receiver and the received be excommunicated.

Canon 13 — Ut nullus fidelium praeter commendatitias suscipiatur epistolas.

Excommunicato vero proteletur ipsa correptio, tanquam qui mentitus sit, et Ecclesiam Dei seduxerit.

But if he be excommunicated already, let the time of his excommunication be lengthened.

Canon 14 — Ut ab episcopis parochia minime pervadatur.

Episcopo non licere alienam parochiam, propria relicta, pervadere, licet cogatur a plurimis. Nisi forte eum rationabilis causa compellat, tanquam qui possit ibidem constitutis plus lucri conferre, et in causa religionis aliquid profecto prospicere. Et hoc non a semetipso pertentet, sed multorum episcoporum judicio, et maxima supplicatione perficiat.

A bishop is not to be allowed to leave his own parish, and pass over into another, although he may be pressed by many to do so, unless there be some proper cause constraining him, as if he can confer some greater benefit upon the persons of that place in the word of godliness. And this must be done not of his own accord, but by the judgment of many bishops, and at their earnest exhortation.

Canon 15 — Ut clerici proprias Ecclesias non relinquant.

Si quis presbyter, aut diaconus, aut quilibet de numero clericorum, relinquens propriam parochiam pergat ad alienam, et omnino demigrans, praeter episcopi sui conscientiam, in aliena parochia commoretur, hunc ulterius ministrare non patimur: praecipue si, vocatus ab episcopo, vedire contempserit, in sua inquietudine perseverans. Verumtamen tanquam laicus ibi communicet.

If any presbyter, or deacon, or any other of the list of the clergy, shall leave his own parish, and go into another, and having entirely forsaken his own, shall make his abode in the other parish without the permission of his own bishop, we ordain that he shall no longer perform divine service; more especially if his own bishop having exhorted him to return he has refused to do so, and persists in his disorderly conduct. But let him communicate there as a layman.

Canon 16 — Ut episcopus qui clericos alterius susceperit, communione privetur.

Episcopus vero, apud quem memoratos esse constiterit, si contra eos decretam cessationem pro nihilo reputans, tanquam clericos forte susceperit: velut magister inquietudinis, communione privetur.

If, however, the bishop, with whom any such persons are staying, shall disregard the command that they are to cease from performing divine offices, and shall receive them as clergymen, let him be excommunicated, as a teacher of disorder.

Canon 17 — Quod bigami non admittantur ad clerum.

Si quis post baptisma secundis fuerit nuptiis copulatus, aut concubinam habuerit, non potest esse episcopus, non presbyter, aut diaconus, aut prorsus ex numero eorum qui ministerio sacro deserviunt.

He who has been twice married after baptism, or who has had a concubine, cannot become a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any other of the sacerdotal list.

Canon 18 — Quod is qui viduam, vel ejectam, aut meretricem acceperit, non admittatur ad clerum.

Si quis viduam, et ejectam acceperit, aut meretricem, aut ancillam, vel aliquam de his quae publicis spectaculis mancipantur, non potest esse episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus, aut ex eo numero qui ministerio sacro deserviunt.

He who married a widow, or a divorced woman, or an harlot, or a servant-maid, or an actress, cannot be a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any other of the sacerdotal list.

Canon 19 — Qui duas sorores habuerit, non admittatur ad clerum.

Qui duas in conjugium sorores acceperit, vel filiam fratris, clericus esse non poterit.

He who has married two sisters, or a niece, cannot become a clergyman.

Canon 20 — Clericum fideijussorem esse non posse.

Clericus fideijussionibus inserviens abjiciatur.

If a clergyman becomes surety for any one, let him be deposed.

Canon 21 — Quod ii qui non sponte eunuchizati sunt, suscipiantur ad clerum.

Eunuchus, si per insidias hominum factus est, vel si in persecutione ejus sunt amputata virilia, vel si ita natus est, et est dignus: efficiatur episcopus.

An eunuch, if he has been made so by the violence of men or [if his virilia have been amputated ] in times of persecution, or if he has been born so, if in other respects he is worthy, may be made a bishop.

Canon 22 — Ut is qui se eunuchizavit, clericus non fiat.

Si quis abscidit semetipsum, id est, si quis amputavit sibi virilia, non fiat clericus, quia suus homicida est, et Dei conditionis inimicus.

He who has mutilated himself, cannot become a clergyman, for he is a self-murderer, and an enemy to the workmanship of God.

Canon 23 — Ut clericus qui se eunuchizavit, abjiciatur a clero.

Si quis, cum clericus fuerit, absciderit semetipsum, omnino damnetur, quia suus est homicida.

If any man being a clergyman shall mutilate himself, let him be deposed, for he is a self-murderer.

Canon 24 — Ut laicus qui se eunuchizavit, tribus annis communione privetur.

Laicus semetipsum abscindens, annis tribus communione privetur, quia suae vitae insidiator exstitit.

If a layman mutilate himself, let him be excommunicated for three years, as practising against his own life.

Canon 25 — Quod episcopas, aut presbyter, aut diaconus, si pro criminibus damnati fuerint, minime communione priventur. / Similiter et reliqui ministri Ecclesiae.

Episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus, qui in fornicatione, aut perjurio, aut furto captus est, deponatur: non tamen communione privetur. Dicit enim Scriptura: Non vindicabit Dominus bis in idipsum. Similiter et reliqui clerici huic conditioni subjaceant.

If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon be found guilty of fornication, perjury, or theft, let him be deposed, but let him not be excommunicated; for the Scripture says, "thou shalt not punish a man twice for the same offence." In like manner the other clergy shall be subject to the same proceeding.

Canon 26 — Qui clerici debeant conjugibus copulari.

Innuptis autem, qui ad clerum provecti sunt, praecipimus: ut si voluerint, uxores accipiant; sed lectores, cantoresque tantummodo.

Of those who have been admitted to the clergy unmarried, we ordain, that the readers and singers only may, if they will, marry.

Canon 27 — Quod episcopus, presbyter et diaconus, peccantes fideles verberare non debeant.

Episcopum, aut presbyterum, aut diaconum, percutientem fideles delinquentes, aut infideles inique agentes, et per hujusmodi volentes timeri, dejici ab officio suo praecipimus, quia nusquam nos hoc Dominus docuit. Econtrario vero ipse, cum percuteretur, non repercutiebat; cum malediceretur, non remaledicebat; cum pateretur, non comminabatur.

If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon shall strike any of the faithful who have sinned, or of the unbelievers who have done wrong, with the intention of frightening them, we command that he be deposed. For our Lord has by no means taught us to do so, but, on the contrary, when he was smitten he smote not again, when he was reviled he reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened not.

Canon 28 — Quod officium pristinum damnati pro criminibus usurpare non debeant.

Si quis episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus depositus juste super certis criminibus, ausus fuerit attrectare ministerium dudum sibi commissum, hic ab Ecclesia penitus abscindatur.

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, having been justly deposed upon open accusations, shall dare to meddle with any of the divine offices which had been intrusted to him, let him be altogether cut off from the Church.

Canon 29 — Quod non debeant officia ecclesiastica pecuniis obtineri.

Si quis episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus per pecunias hanc obtinuerit dignitatem, dejiciatur et ipse, et ordinator ejus, et a communione modis omnibus abscindatur, sicut Simon Magus a Petro.

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall obtain possession of that dignity by money, let both him and the person who ordained him be deposed, and also altogether cut off from all communion, as Simon Magus was by me Peter.

Canon 30 — Ut Ecclesia saeculari potentia minime pervadatur.

Si quis episcopus saeculi potestatibus usus Ecclesiam per ipsos obtineat, deponatur, et segregentur omnes qui illi communicant.

If any bishop obtain possession of a church by the aid of the temporal powers, let him be deposed and excommunicated, and all who communicate with him.

Canon 31 — De presbytero qui contra episcopum seorsum conventus congregare tentaverit.

Si quis presbyter, contemnens episcopum suum, seorsum collegerit, et altare aliud erexerit, nihil habens, quod reprehendat episcopum in causa pietatis et justitiae, deponatur, quasi principatus amator existens, est enim tyrannus; et caeteri clerici, quicunque tali consentiunt, deponantur, laici vero segregentur. Haec autem post unam, et secundam, et tertiam episcopi obtestationem fieri conveniet.

If any presbyter, despising his own bishop, shall collect a separate congregation, and erect another altar, not having any grounds for condemning the bishop with regard to religion or justice, let him be deposed for his ambition; for he is a tyrant; in like manner also the rest of the clergy, and as many as join him; and let laymen be excommunicated. Let this, however, be done after a first, second, and third admonition from the bishop.

Canon 32 — Quod clerici damnati non debeant ab aliis recipi.

Si quis presbyter, aut diaconus ab episcopo suo segregetur, hunc non licere ab alio recipi, sed ab ipso, qui eum sequestraverat, nisi forsitan obierit episcopus ipse, qui eum segregasse cognoscitur.

If any presbyter or deacon has been excommunicated by a bishop, he may not be received into communion again by any other than by him who excommunicated him, unless it happen that the bishop who excommunicated him be dead.

Canon 33 — Ut nullus episcopus, presbyter, aut diaconus sine commendatitiis suscipiatur epistolis.

Nullus episcoporum peregrinorum, aut presbyterorum, aut diaconorum, sine commendatitiis suscipiatur epistolis, et cum scripta detulerint, discutiantur attentius, et ita suscipiantur, si praedicatores pietatis exstiterint minus, nec quae sunt necessaria subministrentur eis, et ad communionem nullatenus admittantur, quia per subreptionem multa proveniunt.

No foreign bishop, presbyter, or deacon, may be received without commendatory letters; and when they are produced let the persons be examined; and if they be preachers of godliness, let them be received. Otherwise, although you supply them with what they need, you must not receive them into communion, for many things are done surreptitiously.

Canon 34 — De primatu episcoporum.

Episcopos gentium singularum scire convenit, quis inter eos primus habeatur, quem velut caput existiment, et nihil amplius praeter ejus conscientiam gerant, quam illa sola singuli, quae parochiae propriae, et villis quae sub ea sunt, competunt, sed nec ille praeter omnium conscientiam faciat aliquid, sic enim unanimitas erit, et glorificabitur Deus per Christum in Spiritu sancto.

The bishops of every nation must acknowledge him who is first among them and account him as their head, and do nothing of consequence without his consent; but each may do those things only which concern his own parish, and the country places which belong to it. But neither let him (who is the first) do anything without the consent of all; for so there will be unanimity, and God will be glorified through the Lord in the Holy Spirit.

Canon 35 — Quod non liceat episcopum in aliena provincia clericos ordinare.

Episcopum non audere extra terminos proprios ordinationes facere in civitatibus et villis quae illi nullo jure subjectae sunt: si vero convictus fuerit hoc fecisse praeter eorum conscientiam qui civitates ipsas et villas detinent, et ipse deponatur, et qui ab illo sunt ordinati.

Let not a bishop dare to ordain beyond his own limits, in cities and places not subject to him. But if he be convicted of doing so, without the consent of those persons who have authority over such cities and places, let him be deposed, and those also whom he has ordained.

Canon 36 — De ordinatis episcopis, nec receptis.

Si quis episcopus non susceperit officium, et curam populi sibi commissam, hic communione privetur, quoadusque consentiat obedientiam commodans; similiter autem et presbyter et diaconus. Si vero perrexerit, nec receptus fuerit, non pro sua sententia, sed pro malitia populi: ipse quidem maneat episcopus; clerici vero civitatis communione priventur, eo quod eruditores inobedientis populi non fuerunt.

If any person, having been ordained bishop, does not undertake the ministry, and the care of the people committed to him, let him be excommunicated until he does undertake it. In like manner a presbyter or deacon. But if he has gone and has not been received, not of his own will but from the perverseness of the people, let him continue bishop; and let the clergy of the city be excommunicated, because they have not corrected the disobedient people.

Canon 37 — Ut bis in anno concilia celebrentur.

Bis in anno episcoporum concilia celebrentur; ut inter se invicem dogmata pietatis explorent, et emergentes ecclesiasticas contentiones amoveant: semel quidem quarta septimana Pentecostes; secundo vero 12 die mensis Hyperberetaei, id est juxta Romanos quarto idus Octobris.

Let there be a meeting of the bishops twice a year, and let them examine amongst themselves the decrees concerning religion and settle the ecclesiastical controversies which may have occurred. One meeting to be held in the fourth week of Pentecost [i.e., the fourth week after Easter], and the other on the 12th day of the month Hyperberetæus [i.e., October].

Canon 38 — Ut tantum curam rerum ecclesiasticarum episcopus habeat.

Omnium negotiorum ecclesiasticorum curam episcopus habeat, et ea velut Deo contemplante dispenset, nec ei liceat ex his aliquid omnino contingere, aut parentibus propriis, quae Dei sunt, condonare. Quod si pauperes sunt, tanquam pauperibus subministret, nec eorum occasione Ecclesiae negotia depraedentur.

Let the bishop have the care of all the goods of the Church, and let him administer them as under the inspection of God. But he must not alienate any of them or give the things which belong to God to his own relations. If they be poor let him relieve them as poor; but let him not, under that pretence, sell the goods of the Church.

Canon 39 — De dignitate pontificis, et quod rerum suarum habeat potestatem.

Presbyteri et diaconi praeter episcopum nihil agere pertentent. Nam Domini populus ipsi commissus est, et pro animabus eorum hic redditurus est rationem.

Let not the presbyters or deacons do anything without the sanction of the bishop; for he it is who is intrusted with the people of the Lord, and of whom will be required the account of their souls.

Canon 40 — De dignitate pontificis, et quod rerum suarum habeat potestatem.

Sint autem manifestae res propriae episcopi (si tamen habet proprias), et manifestae Dominicae, ut potestatem habeat, de propriis moriens episcopus, sicut voluerit, et quibus voluerit derelinquere. Nec sub occasione ecclesiasticarum rerum, quae episcopi esse probantur, intercidant; fortassis enim aut uxorem habet, aut filios, aut propinquos, aut servos. Et justum est hoc apud Deum et homines, ut nec Ecclesia detrimentum patiatur, ignoratione rerum pontificis, nec episcopus, vel ejus propinqui sub obtentu Ecclesiae proscribantur, et in causas incidant, qui ad eum pertinent, morsque ejus injuriis et malae famae subjaceat.

Let the private goods of the bishop, if he have any such, and those of the Lord, be clearly distinguished, that the bishop may have the power of leaving his own goods, when he dies, to whom he will, and how he will, and that the bishop's own property may not be lost under pretence of its being the property of the Church: for it may be that he has a wife, or children, or relations, or servants; and it is just before God and man, that neither should the Church suffer any loss through ignorance of the bishop's own property, nor the bishop or his relations be injured under pretext of the Church: nor that those who belong to him should be involved in contests, and cast reproaches upon his death.

Canon 41 — Quod episcopus ecclesiasticarum rerum pro dispensatione pauperum habeat potestatem.

Praecipimus ut in potestate sua episcopus Ecclesiae res habeat. Si enim animae hominum pretiosae illi sunt creditae, multo magis oportet eum curam pecuniarum gerere, ita ut potestate ejus indigentibus omnia dispensentur per presbyteros et diaconos, et cum timore, omnique sollicitudine ministrentur. Ex his autem quae indiget (si tamen indiget) ad suas necessitates, et ad peregrinorum fratrum usus ipse percipiat, ut nihil eis possit omnino deesse. Lex enim Dei praecipit, ut qui altari deserviunt, de altari pascantur, quia nec miles stipendiis propriis contra hostes arma sustulit.

We ordain that the bishop have authority over the goods of the Church: for if he is to be intrusted with the precious souls of men, much more are temporal possessions to be intrusted to him. He is therefore to administer them all of his own authority, and supply those who need, through the presbyters and deacons, in the fear of God, and with all reverence. He may also, if need be, take what is required for his own necessary wants, and for the brethren to whom he has to show hospitality, so that he may not be in any want. For the law of God has ordained, that they who wait at the altar should be nourished of the altar. Neither does any soldier bear arms against an enemy at his own cost.

Canon 42 — Quod episcopus, presbyter, et aiaconus, aleator et ebriosus esse non debeat.

Episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus aleae atque ebrietati deserviens, aut desinat, aut certe damnetur.

If a bishop or presbyter, or deacon, is addicted to dice or drinking, let him either give it over, or be deposed.

Canon 43 — Similiter clerici et laici, si permanserint in alea, communione priventur.

Subdiaconus, aut lector, aut cantor, similia faciens, aut desinat, aut communione privetur; similiter etiam laici.

If a subdeacon, reader, or singer, commits the same things, let him either give over, or be excommunicated. So also laymen.

Canon 44 — Quod episcopus, presbyter, aut diaconus non debeant usuras accipere.

Episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus usuras a debitoribus exigens, aut desinat, aut certe damnetur.

Let a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, who takes usury from those who borrow of him, give up doing so, or be deposed.

Canon 45 — Quod non debeat episcopus, presbyter, aut diaconus cum haereticis orare.

Episcopus, presbyter et diaconus, qui eum haereticis oraverit, tantummodo communione privetur: si vero tanquam clericos hortatus eos fuerit agere, vel orare, damnetur.

Let a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, who has only prayed with heretics, be excommunicated: but if he has permitted them to perform any clerical office, let him be deposed.

Canon 46 — Quod non debeant haereticorum baptismata comprobari.

Episcopum, aut presbyterum haereticorum suscipientem baptisma damnari praecipimus: quae enim conventio Christi ad Belial? aut quae pars fideli cum infideli?

We ordain that a bishop, or presbyter, who has admitted the baptism or sacrifice of heretics, be deposed. For what concord hath Christ with Belial, or what part hath a believer with an infidel?

Canon 47 — Quod Ecclesiae baptismate baptizatus denuo baptizari non debeat, et non ita baptizatus debeat baptizari.

Episcopus, aut presbyter, si eum, qui secundum veritatem habuerit baptisma, denuo baptizaverit, aut pollutum ab impiis non baptizaverit, deponatur, tanquam deridens crucem et mortem Domini, nec sacerdotes a falsis sacerdotibus jure discernens.

Let a bishop or presbyter who shall baptize again one who has rightly received baptism, or who shall not baptize one who has been polluted by the ungodly, be deposed, as despising the cross and death of the Lord, and not making a distinction between the true priests and the false.

Canon 48 — Laicum pellentem suam conjugem communione privandum.

Si quis laicus uxorem propriam pellens alteram, vel ab alio dimissam duxerit, communione privetur.

If any layman put away his wife and marry another, or one who has been divorced by another man, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 49 — Quod in nomine Trinitatis debeat baptizari.

Si quis episcopus, aut presbyter juxta praeceptum Domini non baptizaverit in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti, sed in tribus sine initio principiis, aut in tribus Filiis, aut in tribus Paracletis, abjiciatur.

If any bishop or presbyter, contrary to the ordinance of the Lord, does not baptize into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, but into three Unoriginated Beings, or three Sons, or three Comforters, let him be deposed.

Canon 50 — Quod non debeat una mersio in baptismate, quasi in morte Domini, provenire.

Si quis episcopus, aut presbyter non trinam mersionem unius mysterii celebret, sed semel mergat in baptismate, quod dari videtur in Domini morte, deponatur. Non enim dixit nobis Dominus, In morte mea baptizate, sed, Euntes docete omnes gentes, baptizantes eos in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti.

If any bishop or presbyter does not perform the one initiation with three immersions, but with giving one immersion only, into the death of the Lord, let him be deposed. For the Lord said not, Baptize into my death, but, "Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

Canon 51

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the sacerdotal list, abstains from marriage, or flesh, or wine, not by way of religious restraint, but as abhorring them, forgetting that God made all things very good, and that he made man male and female, and blaspheming the work of creation, let him be corrected, or else be deposed, and cast out of the Church. In like manner a layman.

Canon 52

If any bishop or presbyter, does not receive him who turns away from his sin, but rejects him, let him be deposed; for he grieveth Christ who said, "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth."

Canon 53

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, does not on festival days partake of flesh and wine, from an abhorrence of them, and not out of religious restraint, let him be deposed, as being seared in his own conscience, and being the cause of offence to many.

Canon 54

If any of the clergy be found eating in a tavern, let him be excommunicated, unless he has been constrained by necessity, on a journey, to lodge in an inn.

Canon 55

If any of the clergy insult the bishop, let him be deposed: for "thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."

Canon 56

If any of the clergy insult a presbyter, or deacon, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 57

If any of the clergy mock the lame, or the deaf, or the blind, or him who is infirm in his legs, let him be excommunicated. In like manner any of the laity.

Canon 58

If any bishop or presbyter neglects the clergy or the people, and does not instruct them in the way of godliness, let him be excommunicated, and if he persists in his negligence and idleness, let him be deposed.

Canon 59

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, when any of the clergy is in want, does not supply him with what he needs, let him be excommunicated; but if he persists, let him be deposed, as one who has killed his brother.

Canon 60

If any one reads publicly in the church the falsely inscribed books of impious men, as if they were holy Scripture, to the destruction of the people and clergy, let him be deposed.

Canon 61

If any accusation be brought against a believer of fornication or adultery, or any forbidden action, and he be convicted, let him not be promoted to the clergy.

Canon 62

If any of the clergy, through fear of men, whether Jew, heathen, or heretic, shall deny the name of Christ, let him be cast out. If he deny the name of a clergyman, let him be deposed. If he repent, let him be received as a layman.

Canon 63

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the sacerdotal order, shall eat flesh, with the blood of the life thereof, or anything killed by beasts, or that dies of itself, let him be deposed. For the law has forbidden this. If he be a layman, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 64

If any clergyman or layman shall enter into a synagogue of Jews or heretics to pray, let the former be deposed and let the latter be excommunicated.

Canon 65

If any clergyman shall strike anyone in a contest, and kill him with one blow, let him be deposed for his violence. If a layman do so, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 66

If any of the clergy be found fasting on the Lord's day, or on the Sabbath, excepting the one only, let him be deposed. If a layman, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 67

If anyone shall force and keep a virgin not espoused, let him be excommunicated. And he may not take any other, but must retain her whom he has chosen, though she be a poor person.

Canon 68

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall receive from anyone a second ordination, let both the ordained and the ordainer be deposed; unless indeed it be proved that he had his ordination from heretics; for those who have been baptized or ordained by such persons cannot be either of the faithful or of the clergy.

Canon 69

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or reader, or singer, does not fast the holy Quadragesimal fast of Easter, or the fourth day, or the day of Preparation, let him be deposed, unless he be hindered by some bodily infirmity. If he be a layman, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 70

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the list of clergy, keeps fast or festival with the Jews, or receives from them any of the gifts of their feasts, as unleavened bread, any such things, let him be deposed. If he be a layman, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 71

If any Christian brings oil into a temple of the heathen or into a synagogue of the Jews at their feast, or lights lamps, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 72

If any clergyman or layman takes away wax or oil from the holy Church, let him be excommunicated, [and let him restore a fifth part more than he took.]

Canon 73

Let no one convert to his own use any vessel of gold or silver, or any veil which has been sanctified, for it is contrary to law; and if anyone be detected doing so, let him be excommunicated.

Canon 74

If any bishop has been accused of anything by men worthy of credit, he must be summoned by the bishops; and if he appears, and confesses, or is convicted, a suitable punishment must be inflicted upon him. But if when he is summoned he does not attend, let him be summoned a second time, two bishops being sent to him, for that purpose. [If even then he will not attend, let him be summoned a third time, two bishops being again sent to him. ] But if even then he shall disregard the summons and not come, let the synod pronounce such sentence against him as appears right, that he may not seem to profit by avoiding judgment.

Canon 75

An heretic is not to be received as witness against a bishop, neither only one believer; for "in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word shall be established."

Canon 76

A bishop must not out of favour to a brother or a son, or any other relation, ordain whom he will to the episcopal dignity; for it is not right to make heirs of the bishopric, giving the things of God to human affections. Neither is it fitting to subject the Church of God to heirs. But if anyone shall do so let the ordination be void, and the ordainer himself be punished with excommunication.

Canon 77

If any one be deprived of an eye, or lame of a leg, but in other respects be worthy of a bishopric, he may be ordained, for the defect of the body does not defile a man, but the pollution of the soul.

Canon 78

But if a man be deaf or blind, he may not be made a bishop, not indeed as if he were thus defiled, but that the affairs of the Church may not be hindered.

Canon 79

If anyone has a devil, let him not be made a clergyman, neither let him pray with the faithful; but if he be freed, let him be received into communion, and if he is worthy he may be ordained.

Canon 80

It is not allowed that a man who has come over from an heathen life, and been baptized or who has been converted from an evil course of living, should be immediately made a bishop, for it is not right that he who has not been tried himself should be a teacher of others. Unless indeed this be done upon a special manifestation of Divine grace in his favour.

Canon 81

We have said that a bishop or presbyter must not give himself to the management of public affairs, but devote himself to ecclesiastical business. Let him then be persuaded to do so, or let him be deposed, for no man can serve two masters, according to the Lord's declaration.

Canon 82

We do not allow any servants to be promoted to the clergy without the consent of their masters, [to the troubling of their houses. ] But if any servant should appear worthy of receiving an order, as our Onesimus appeared, and his masters agree and liberate him, and send him out of their house, he may be ordained.

Canon 83

If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall serve in the army, and wish to retain both the Roman magistracy and the priestly office, let him be deposed; for the things of Cæsar belong to Cæsar, and those of God to God.

Canon 84

Whosoever shall insult the King, or a ruler, contrary to what is right, let him suffer punishment. If he be a clergyman, let him be deposed; if a layman, excommunicated.

Canon 85

Let the following books be counted venerable and sacred by all of you, both clergy and Laity. Of the Old Testament, five books of Moses, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; of Joshua the Son of Nun, one; of the Judges, one; of Ruth, one; of the Kings, four; of the Chronicles of the book of the days, two; of Ezra, two; of Esther, one; [some texts read "of Judith, one";] of the Maccabees, three; of Job, one; of the Psalter, one; of Solomon, three, viz.: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs; of the Prophets, twelve; of Isaiah, one; of Jeremiah, one; of Ezekiel, one; of Daniel, one. But besides these you are recommended to teach your young persons the Wisdom of the very learned Sirach. Our own books, that is, those of the New Testament, are: the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; fourteen Epistles of Paul; two Epistles of Peter; three of John; one of James, and one of Jude. Two Epistles of Clemens, and the Constitutions of me Clemens, addressed to you Bishops, in eight books, which are not to be published to all on account of the mystical things in them. And the Acts of us the Apostles.