Council of Laodicea

Canon 1 — De bigamis.

De his qui, secundum ecclesiasticam regulam, libere ac legitime secundis nuptiis juncti sunt, nec occulte nuptiarum copulam fecerunt: oportet ut, parvo tempore transacto, vacent orationibus et jejuniis, quibus etiam juxta indulgentiam communionem reddi decrevimus.

It is right, according to the ecclesiastical Canon, that the Communion should by indulgence be given to those who have freely and lawfully joined in second marriages, not having previously made a secret marriage; after a short space, which is to be spent by them in prayer and fasting.

Canon 2 — De his qui pro diversis erratis poenitudinem ferventius exegerunt.

De his qui diversis facinoribus peccaverunt, et perseverantes in oratione confessionis et poenitentiae conversionem a malis habuere perfectam: pro qualitate delicti, talibus poenitentiae tempus impensum propter clementiam et bonitatem Dei communio concedatur.

They who have sinned in divers particulars, if they have persevered in the prayer of confession and penance, and are wholly converted from their faults, shall be received again to communion, through the mercy and goodness of God, after a time of penance appointed to them, in proportion to the nature of their offence.

Canon 3 — Quod non oporteat ad clerum statim post baptisma promoveri.

De his qui nuper sunt illuminati baptismate, quod eos in sacerdotali non conveniat ordine promoveri.

He who has been recently baptized ought not to be promoted to the sacerdotal order.

Canon 4 — De tempore ordinationum.

Quod non oporteat ordinationes sub conspectu audientium celebrari.

They who are of the sacerdotal order ought not to lend and receive usury, nor what is called hemioliæ.

Canon 5 — Ut hi qui sacrario serviunt usuras non exigant.

Quod non oporteat sacerdotes et clericos fenerantes usuras, vel quae dicuntur sescupla, id est et summam capitis et dimidium summae, percipere.

Ordinations are not to be held in the presence of hearers.

Canon 6 — De haereticis intrantibus in ecclesias vel basilicas martyrum.

Quod haeretici non permittendi sint ingredi in domum Dei, in haeresi permanentes.

It is not permitted to heretics to enter the house of God while they continue in heresy.

Canon 7 — De his qui ad ecclesias ab haereticis veniunt.

De his qui ab haereticis convertuntur, id est, Novatianis, aut Photinianis, aut Tessarescaedecatitis, sive baptizati sint illi, seu catechumeni, non ante suscipiantur, quam omnes haereses anathematizent, et praecipue illam qua detinebantur. Et tunc demum hi qui apud eos dicebantur fideles, nostrae doceantur fidei symbolum, et uncti sancto chrismate, sic mysteriis communicent sacrosanctis.

Persons converted from heresies, that is, of the Novatians, Photinians, and Quartodecimans, whether they were catechumens or communicants among them, shall not be received until they shall have anathematized every heresy, and particularly that in which they were held; and afterwards those who among them were called communicants, having thoroughly learned the symbols of the faith, and having been anointed with the holy chrism, shall so communicate in the holy Mysteries.

Canon 8 — De his qui veniunt ab haeresi Cataphrygarum.

De his qui convertuntur ab haeresi quae dicitur Cataphrygarum, etsi in clero, quia apud eos esse creditur, fuerint, etsi maximi nominentur, hos sub omni diligentia ab episcopis Ecclesiae, vel presbyteris, instrui et baptizari conveniet.

Persons converted from the heresy of those who are called Phrygians, even should they be among those reputed by them as clergymen, and even should they be called the very chiefest, are with all care to be both instructed and baptized by the bishops and presbyters of the Church.

Canon 9 — De his qui ad haereticorum speluncas causa orationis accedunt.

Quod non permittantur ecclesiastici ad haereticorum coemeteria, vel ad ea quae ab eis appellantur martyria, orationis causa vel sanitatis accedere: sed hujusmodi, si fideles fuerint, certo tempore communione privari: poenitentes autem, et confitentes se deliquisse, convenit suscipi.

The members of the Church are not allowed to meet in the cemeteries, nor attend the so-called martyries of any of the heretics, for prayer or service; but such as so do, if they be communicants, shall be excommunicated for a time; but if they repent and confess that they have sinned they shall be received.

Canon 10 — De his qui cum haereticis nuptiarum copula junguntur.

Quod non oporteat indifferenter ecclesiasticos, foedere nuptiarum, haereticis suos filios filiasque conjungere.

The members of the Church shall not indiscriminately marry their children to heretics.

Canon 11 — Non congruere presbyteras in mulieribus ordinari.

Quod non oporteat eas quae dicuntur presbyterae vel praesidentes in ecclesiis ordinari.

Presbytides, as they are called, or female presidents, are not to be appointed in the Church.

Canon 12 — De episcopalibus ordinationibus.

Ut episcopi judicio metropolitanorum, et eorum episcoporum qui circumcirca sint, provehantur ad ecclesiasticam potestatem: hi videlicet qui plurimo tempore probantur tam verbo fidei, quam rectae conversationis exemplo.

Bishops are to be appointed to the ecclesiastical government by the judgment of the metropolitans and neighbouring bishops, after having been long proved both in the foundation of their faith and in the conversation of an honest life.

Canon 13 — Judicio multitudinis ordinationes fieri non debere.

Quod non sit permittendum turbis electiones eorum facere, qui sunt ad sacerdotium provehendi.

The election of those who are to be appointed to the priesthood is not to be committed to the multitude.

Canon 14 — Ad alias parochias eulogias, quae oblatae sunt, minime destinandas.

Quod sancta nullo modo, causa eulogiarum, tempore Paschalis festi, ad alias parochias debeant destinare.

The holy things are not to be sent into other dioceses at the feast of Easter by way of eulogiæ.

Canon 15 — De his qui debeant in ambone, id est, in pulpito, psallere.

Quod non oporteat amplius, praeter eos qui regulariter cantores existunt, qui et de codice canunt, alios in pulpitum conscendere, et in ecclesia psallere.

No others shall sing in the Church, save only the canonical singers, who go up into the ambo and sing from a book.

Note Byzantine, Music: Printed "can. 55" (on drinking parties); probably can. 15 (see also can. 59), on singing in church.

Canon 16 — De lectionibus quae debeant sabbatis recenseri.

Quod in sabbatis evangelia cum aliis Scripturis legi conveniat.

The Gospels are to be read on the Sabbath [i.e. Saturday], with the other Scriptures.

Canon 17 — Quod interstitium psalmorum debeat in congregationibus fieri.

Quod in conventu fidelium nequaquam psalmos continuare conveniat: sed per intervallum, id est, per psalmos singulos recenseri debeant lectiones.

The Psalms are not to be joined together in the congregations, but a lesson shall intervene after every psalm.

Canon 18 — De precibus nona et vespera celebrandis.

Quod ipsum semper officium precum nona et vespera semper debeat exhiberi.

The same service of prayers is to be said always both at nones and at vespers.

Canon 19 — De precibus post homilias, id est, post sermones habitos ad populum, proferendis, et de his quos intra sacrarium communicare conveniat.

Quod oporteat seorsum primum, post allocutiones episcoporum, orationem super catechumenos celebrari: et postquam catechumeni egressi fuerint, super eos, qui sunt in poenitentia, precem fieri. His etiam accedentibus ad manum sacerdotis, et discedentibus, tres orationes consummari fidelium: ita ut prima quidem sub silentio, secunda vero et tertia per exclamationes solitas expleantur, et ita demum pacem sibi invicem dabunt. Et posteaquam dederit episcopus presbyteris osculum pacis, tunc laici sibi tribuent. Et ita sancta celebrabitur oblatio. Solis autem ministerio sacro deditis ad altare ingredi, et communicare ibidem liceat.

After the sermons of the Bishops, the prayer for the catechumens is to be made first by itself; and after the catechumens have gone out, the prayer for those who are under penance; and, after these have passed under the hand [of the Bishop] and departed, there should then be offered the three prayers of the faithful, the first to be said entirely in silence, the second and third aloud, and then the [kiss of] peace is to be given. And, after the presbyters have given the [kiss of] peace to the Bishop, then the laity are to give it [to one another], and so the Holy Oblation is to be completed. And it is lawful to the priesthood alone to go to the Altar and [there] communicate.

Canon 20 — De honore quem presbyteris diaconi, qui sub ipsis sunt, debent exhibere.

Quod non oporteat diaconum coram presbytero sedere, sed jussione presbyteri sedeat. Similiter autem et diaconis honor habeatur ab obsequentibus, id est subdiaconis et omnibus clericis.

It is not right for a deacon to sit in the presence of a presbyter, unless he be bidden by the presbyter to sit down. Likewise the deacons shall have worship of the subdeacons and all the [inferior] clergy.

Canon 21 — Quod subdiaconi a diaconico, id est a secretario, sint remoti.

Quod non oporteat subdiaconos habere locum in diaconico, et dominica vasa contingere.

The subdeacons have no right to a place in the Diaconicum, nor to touch the Lord's vessels.

Canon 22 — Subdiaconos cum orariis assistere non debere.

Quod non oporteat subdiaconum uti orario, nec ostia derelinquere.

The subdeacon has no right to wear an orarium [i.e., stole], nor to leave the doors.

Canon 23 — Lectores cantoresque cum orariis agere suum officium non debere.

Quod non oporteat lectores aut cantores orariis uti, et ita legere vel psallere.

The readers and singers have no right to wear an orarium, and to read or sing thus [habited].

Canon 24 — Quod nullus ecclesiasticorum in tabernis comedere debeat.

Quod non oporteat sacro ministerio deditos a presbyteris usque ad diaconos, et reliquum ecclesiasticum ordinem, id est usque ad subdiaconos, lectores, cantores, exorcistas et ostiarios, et ex numero continentium et monachorum, ingredi tabernas.

No one of the priesthood, from presbyters to deacons, and so on in the ecclesiastical order to subdeacons, readers, singers, exorcists, door-keepers, or any of the class of the Ascetics, ought to enter a tavern.

Canon 25 — Quod subdiaconi non debeant benedicere, vel benedictionem tribuere.

Quod non oporteat subdiaconos panem dare, vel calicem benedicere.

A subdeacon must not give the Bread, nor bless the Cup.

Canon 26 — De exorcistis qui non sunt ab episcopis ordinati.

Quod hi qui non sunt ab episcopis ordinati, tam in ecclesiis, quam in domibus, exorcizare non possint.

They who have not been promoted [to that office] by the bishop, ought not to adjure, either in churches or in private houses.

Canon 27 — Quod de conviviis quae ex agape fiunt, escarum partes accipi non debeant.

Quod non oporteat sacro ministerio deditos clericos aut laicos ad agapem vocatos ciborum partes accipere, propterea quod hinc ecclesiastico ordini fiat injuria.

Neither they of the priesthood, nor clergymen, nor laymen, who are invited to a love feast, may take away their portions, for this is to cast reproach on the ecclesiastical order.

Canon 28 — In ecclesiis prandia fieri non debere.

Quod non oporteat in domiciliis divinis, id est in ecclesiis, convivia quae vocantur agapae, fieri: nec intra domum Dei comedere, vel accubitus sternere.

It is not permitted to hold love feasts, as they are called, in the Lord's Houses, or Churches, nor to eat and to spread couches in the house of God.

Canon 29 — De Christianis qui sabbatizare, vel juxta quemdam modum judaizare, noscuntur.

Quod non oporteat Christianos judaizare et otiari in sabbato, sed operari eos in eodem die. Praeferentes autem in veneratione dominicum diem, si vacare voluerint, ut Christiani hoc faciant. Quod si reperti fuerint judaizare, anathema sint a Christo.

Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honouring the Lord's Day; and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ.

Canon 30 — De viris cum mulieribus lavacra celebrantibus.

Quod non oporteat sacris officiis deditos aut clericos, aut continentes vel omnem laicum Christianum, lavacra cum mulieribus celebrare, quia haec apud gentes reprehensio prima est.

None of the priesthood, nor clerics [of lower rank] nor ascetics, nor any Christian or layman, shall wash in a bath with women; for this is the greatest reproach among the heathen.

Canon 31 — De his qui cum haereticis jungunt foedera nuptiarum.

Quod non oporteat cum haereticis universis nuptiarum foedera celebrare, nec eis filios dare vel filias, sed magis accipere: si tamen Christianos se fieri promittant.

It is not lawful to make marriages with all [sorts of] heretics, nor to give our sons and daughters to them; but rather to take of them, if they promise to become Christians.

Canon 32 — Ab haereticis eulogias accipere non debere.

Quod non oporteat ab haereticis eulogias accipere, quae sunt maledictiones potius quam benedictiones.

It is unlawful to receive the eulogiæ of heretics, for they are rather alogiai [i.e., follies], than eulogiæ [i.e., blessings].

Canon 33 — De schismaticis.

Quod non oporteat cum haereticis aut schismaticis pariter orare.

No one shall join in prayers with heretics or schismatics.

Canon 34 — De martyribus haereticorum.

Quod omnem Christianum non oporteat deserere martyres Christi, et ire ad pseudomartyres, id est haereticorum, et quos ipsos constet haereticos exstitisse, hi namque sunt alieni a Deo: sint igitur anathema, qui ad tales accesserint.

No Christian shall forsake the martyrs of Christ, and turn to false martyrs, that is, to those of the heretics, or those who formerly were heretics; for they are aliens from God. Let those, therefore, who go after them, be anathema.

Canon 35 — De his qui angelos colunt.

Quod non oporteat Christianos Ecclesiam Dei relinquere, et ire, atque angelos nominare et congregationes facere: quae interdicta noscuntur. Si quis igitur inventus fuerit huic occultae idololatriae serviens, sit anathema, quia derelinquit Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei, et se idololatriae tradidit.

Christians must not forsake the Church of God, and go away and invoke angels and gather assemblies, which things are forbidden. If, therefore, any one shall be found engaged in this covert idolatry, let him be anathema; for he has forsaken our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and has gone over to idolatry.

Canon 36 — De his qui incantationibus et phylacteriis utuntur.

Quod non oporteat sacris officiis deditos, vel clericos, magos aut incantatores existere, aut facere phylacteria: quae animarum suarum vincula comprobantur. Eos autem qui his utuntur, ab Ecclesia pelli praecipimus.

They who are of the priesthood, or of the clergy, shall not be magicians, enchanters, mathematicians, or astrologers; nor shall they make what are called amulets, which are chains for their own souls. And those who wear such, we command to be cast out of the Church.

Canon 37 — De his qui ab haereticis, vel Judaeis, festivitatis eorum dona suscipiunt.

Quod non oporteat a Judaeis vel haereticis ea quae mittuntur munera festiva suscipere, nec cum eis festa celebrare.

It is not lawful to receive portions sent from the feasts of Jews or heretics, nor to feast together with them.

Canon 38 — De Christianis qui Judaeorum azyma comedunt.

Quod non oporteat azyma a Judaeis accipere, et communicare impietatibus eorum.

It is not lawful to receive unleavened bread from the Jews, nor to be partakers of their impiety.

Canon 39 — De Christianis celebrantibus festa gentilium.

Quod non oporteat cum gentilibus festa celebrare, et communicare pravitatibus eorum qui sine Deo sunt.

It is not lawful to feast together with the heathen, and to be partakers of their godlessness.

Canon 40 — De episcopis qui eas quae fiunt evocationes ad synodum vitant.

Quod non oporteat episcopos ad synodum vocatos omnino contemnere, sed protinus ire, et docere, vel discere ea quae ad correctionem Ecclesiae vel reliquarum pertinent rerum. Seipsum vero, qui contempserit, accusabit, nisi forte per aegritudinem ire non possit.

Bishops called to a synod must not be guilty of contempt, but must attend, and either teach, or be taught, for the reformation of the Church and of others. And if such an one shall be guilty of contempt, he will condemn himself, unless he be detained by ill health.

Canon 41 — Quod sine litteris sacro ministerio servientes proficisci non debeant.

Quod non oporteat sacerdotem, vel clericum, sine litteris proficisci canonicis.

None of the priesthood nor of the clergy may go on a journey, without the bidding of the Bishop.

Canon 42 — Quod praeter episcopum clericus proficisci non debeat.

Quod non oporteat sacerdotem, vel clericum, praeter jussionem sui proficisci pontificis.

None of the priesthood nor of the clergy may travel without letters canonical.

Canon 43 — Ut subdiaconi ad ostia perseverent.

Quod non oporteat subdiaconos, saltem paululum, januas deserere, et orationi vacare.

The subdeacons may not leave the doors to engage in the prayer, even for a short time.

Canon 44 — Ut ad sacrarium mulieres non introeant.

Quod non oporteat ingredi mulieres ad altare.

Women may not go to the altar.

Canon 45 — De his qui circa mediam septimanam ad baptisma veniunt.

Quod non oporteat ad baptisma quemquam post duas Quadragesimae hebdomadas admitti.

[Candidates] for baptism are not to be received after the second week in Lent.

Canon 46 — De redditione baptizandorum.

Quod oporteat eos qui ad baptisma veniunt fidem discere, et quinta feria septimanae majoris episcopo aut presbyteris reddere.

They who are to be baptized must learn the faith [Creed] by heart, and recite it to the bishop, or to the presbyters, on the fifth day of the week.

Canon 47 — De his qui in aegritudine baptizantur.

Quod oporteat eos qui in aegritudine percipiunt baptisma, postquam convaluerint, fidem perdiscere, et scire cujus muneris participes facti sint.

They who are baptized in sickness and afterwards recover, must learn the Creed by heart and know that the Divine gifts have been vouchsafed them.

Canon 48 — Ut post baptisma chrisma detur.

Quod oporteat eos qui baptizantur, post lavacrum, chrisma coeleste percipere, et regni Christi participes inveniri.

They who are baptized must after Baptism be anointed with the heavenly chrism, and be partakers of the Kingdom of Christ.

Canon 49 — Oblationes offerri in Quadragesima non oportere.

Quod non oporteat in Quadragesima, panem benedictionis offerri in sabbato et dominico.

During Lent the Bread must not be offered except on the Sabbath Day and on the Lord's Day only.

Canon 50 — Non debere jejunium solvi in quinta feria majoris septimanae.

Quod non oporteat in Quadragesima, in ultima septimana quintae feriae jejunium solvere, totamque Quadragesimam sine veneratione transire, magisque conveniat omnem Quadragesimam districto venerari jejunio.

The fast must not be broken on the fifth day of the last week in Lent [i.e., on Maunday Thursday], and the whole of Lent be dishonoured; but it is necessary to fast during all the Lenten season by eating only dry meats.

Canon 51 — Non debere in diebus jejuniorum commemorationes martyrum fieri.

Quod non oporteat in Quadragesima martyrum natalitia celebrari, sed eorum sancta commemoratio in diebus sabbatorum et dominicorum fieri conveniat.

The nativities of Martyrs are not to be celebrated in Lent, but commemorations of the holy Martyrs are to be made on the Sabbaths and Lord's days.

Canon 52 — Ut natalitia vel nuptiae in Quadragesima non fiant.

Quod non oporteat in Quadragesima, aut nuptias, aut natalitia celebrare.

Marriages and birthday feasts are not to be celebrated in Lent.

Canon 53 — Ut in Christianorum non saltetur nuptiis.

Quod non oporteat Christianos euntes ad nuptias plaudere, vel saltare, sed venerabiliter coenare, vel prandere, sicut Christianos decet.

Christians, when they attend weddings, must not join in wanton dances, but modestly dine or breakfast, as is becoming to Christians.

Canon 54 — Non licere clericis ludicris spectaculis interesse.

Quod non oporteat sacerdotes, aut clericos quibuscunque spectaculis, in coenis, aut in nuptiis, interesse: sed antequam thymelici ingrediantur, exsurgere eos convenit, atque inde discedere

Members of the priesthood and of the clergy must not witness the plays at weddings or banquets; but, before the players enter, they must rise and depart.

Canon 55 — Non congruere penitus Christianis comessationibus interesse.

Quod non oporteat sacerdotes, aut clericos ex collatis vel comessationibus convivia celebrare; hoc autem nec laicis posse congruere.

Neither members of the priesthood nor of the clergy, nor yet laymen, may club together for drinking entertainments.

Canon 56 — Non licere presbyteris introire ad altare, priusquam ingrediatur episcopus.

Quod non oporteat presbyteros ante processionem episcopi introire sacrarium et sedere, sed cum episcopo debent ingredi, vel in subselliis sedere, nisi forsitan infirmitate detineatur, aut proficiscatur episcopus.

Presbyters may not enter and take their seats in the bema before the entrance of the Bishop: but they must enter with the Bishop, unless he be at home sick, or absent.

Canon 57 — Qui in agris vel possessionibus debeant ordinari.

Quod non oporteat in villulis aut in agris episcopos constitui, sed visitatores. Verumtamen jampridem constituti nihil faciant praeter conscientiam episcopi civitatis; similiter et presbyteri, praeter consilium episcopi nihil agant.

Bishops must not be appointed in villages or country districts, but visitors; and those who have been already appointed must do nothing without the consent of the bishop of the city. Presbyters, in like manner, must do nothing without the consent of the bishop.

Canon 58 — Oblationes offerri in domibus non oportere.

Quod non oporteat in domibus oblationes celebrari ab episcopis, vel presbyteris.

The Oblation must not be made by bishops or presbyters in any private houses.

Canon 59 — Quae psallere vel legere in ecclesiis conveniat.

Quod non oporteat plebeios psalmos in ecclesia cantare, nec libros, praeter canonem, legi: sed sola sacra volumina Novi Testamenti, vel Veteris.

No psalms composed by private individuals nor any uncanonical books may be read in the church, but only the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testaments.

Note Passionario: Printed "can. 69"; Laodicea has 59 or 60 canons. Probably can. 59: only the canonical books are read in church.

Canon 60

These are all the books of Old Testament appointed to be read: 1, Genesis of the world; 2, The Exodus from Egypt; 3, Leviticus; 4, Numbers; 5, Deuteronomy; 6, Joshua, the son of Nun; 7, Judges, Ruth; 8, Esther; 9, Of the Kings, First and Second; 10, Of the Kings, Third and Fourth; 11, Chronicles, First and Second; 12, Esdras, First and Second; 13, The Book of Psalms; 14, The Proverbs of Solomon; 15, Ecclesiastes; 16, The Song of Songs; 17, Job; 18, The Twelve Prophets; 19, Isaiah; 20, Jeremiah, and Baruch, the Lamentations, and the Epistle; 21, Ezekiel; 22, Daniel. And these are the books of the New Testament: Four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; The Acts of the Apostles; Seven Catholic Epistles, to wit, one of James, two of Peter, three of John, one of Jude; Fourteen Epistles of Paul, one to the Romans, two to the Corinthians, one to the Galatians, one to the Ephesians, one to the Philippians, one to the Colossians, two to the Thessalonians, one to the Hebrews, two to Timothy, one to Titus, and one to Philemon.