Council of Sardica

Canon 1 — De episcopis etiam laica communione privandis, qui civitates mutaverunt.

Osius episcopus dixit: Non minus mala consuetudo, quam perniciosa corruptela, funditus eradicanda est, ne cui liceat episcopo de civitate sua ad aliam transire civitatem; manifesta est enim causa qua hoc facere tentat, cum nullus in hac re inventus sit episcopus qui de majore civitate ad minorem transiret. Unde apparet avaritiae ardore eos inflammari, et ambitioni servire, et ut dominationem agant. Si omnibus placet, hujusmodi pernicies saevius et austerius vindicetur, ut nec laicam communionem habeat qui talis est. Responderunt universi: Placet.

Hosius, bishop of the city of Corduba, said: A prevalent evil, or rather most mischievous corruption must be done away with from its very foundations. Let no bishop be allowed to remove from a small city to a different one: as there is an obvious reason for this fault, accounting for such attempts; since no bishop could ever yet be found who endeavoured to be translated from a larger city to a smaller one. It is therefore evident that such persons are inflamed with excessive covetousness and are only serving ambition in order to have the repute of possessing greater authority. Is it then the pleasure of all that so grave an abuse be punished with great severity? For I think that men of this sort should not be admitted even to lay communion. All the bishops said: It is the pleasure of all.

Canon 2 — Item de iisdem episcopis, ut si per ambitionem sedem mutaverint, nec in exitu communionem, saltem laicam, consequantur.

Osius episcopus dixit: Etiam si talis aliquis exstiterit temerarius, ut fortassis excusationem afferens asseveret quod populi litteras acceperit, cum manifestum sit potuisse plures praemio et mercede corrumpi eos qui sinceram fidem non habent, ut clamarent in Ecclesia, et ipsum petere viderentur episcopum: omnino has fraudes damnandas esse arbitror, ita ut nec laicam in fine communionem talis accipiat. Si vobis omnibus placet, statuite. Synodus respondit: Placet.

Bishop Hosius said: But if any such person should be found so mad or audacious as to think to advance by way of excuse an affirmation that he had brought letters from the people [laity], it is plain that some few persons, corrupted by bribes and rewards, could have got up an uproar in the church, demanding, forsooth, the said man for bishop. I think then that practices and devices of such sort absolutely must be punished, so that a man of this kind be deemed unworthy even of lay communion in extremis. Do ye therefore make answer whether this sentence is approved by you. They [the bishops] answered: What has been said is approved of.

Canon 3 — Ut inter discordes episcopos comprovinciales antistites audiant; quod si damnatus appellaverit Romanum pontificem, id observandum quod ipse censuerit.

Osius episcopus dixit: Illud quoque necessario adjiciendum est, ut episcopi de sua provincia ad aliam provinciam, in qua sunt episcopi, non transeant, nisi forte a fratribus suis invitati, ne videantur januam claudere charitatis. Quod si in aliqua provincia aliquis episcopus contra fratrem suum episcopum litem habuerit, unus de duobus ex alia provincia advocet episcopum cognitorem. Quod si aliquis episcopus judicatus fuerit in aliqua causa, et putat se bonam causam habere, ut iterum concilium renovetur, si vobis placet, sancti Petri apostoli memoriam honoremus, ut scribatur ab his qui causam examinarunt Julio Romano episcopo, et si judicaverit renovandum esse judicium, renovetur, et det judices: si autem probaverit talem causam esse, ut non refricentur ea quae acta sunt, quae decreverit confirmata erunt. Si hoc omnibus placet. Synodus respondit: Placet.

Bishop Hosius said: This also it is necessary to add,--that no bishop pass from his own province to another province in which there are bishops, unless indeed he be called by his brethren, that we seem not to close the gates of charity. And this case likewise is to be provided for, that if in any province a bishop has some matter against his brother and fellow-bishop, neither of the two should call in as arbiters bishops from another province. But if perchance sentence be given against a bishop in any matter and he supposes his case to be not unsound but good, in order that the question may be reopened, let us, if it seem good to your charity, honour the memory of Peter the Apostle, and let those who gave judgment write to Julius, the bishop of Rome, so that, if necessary, the case may be retried by the bishops of the neighbouring provinces and let him appoint arbiters; but if it cannot be shown that his case is of such a sort as to need a new trial, let the judgment once given not be annulled, but stand good as before.

Canon 4 — Ut nullus accusati sedem usurpet episcopi.

Gaudentius episcopus dixit: Addendum, si placet, huic sententiae, quam plenam sanctitate protulisti, ut cum aliquis episcopus depositus fuerit eorum episcoporum judicio qui in vicinis locis commorantur, et proclamaverit agendum sibi negotium in urbe Roma, alter episcopus in ejus cathedra post appellationem ejus qui videtur esse depositus, omnino non ordinetur, nisi causa fuerit in judicio episcopi Romani determinata.

Bishop Gaudentius said: If it seems good to you, it is necessary to add to this decision full of sincere charity which thou hast pronounced, that if any bishop be deposed by the sentence of these neighbouring bishops, and assert that he has fresh matter in defence, a new bishop be not settled in his see, unless the bishop of Rome judge and render a decision as to this.

Canon 5 — De provinciali synodo retractanda per vicarios episcopi urbis Romae, si ipse decreverit.

Osius episcopus dixit: Placuit autem ut si episcopus accusatus fuerit, et judicaverint congregati episcopi regionis ipsius, et de gradu suo eum dejecerint, si appellaverit qui dejectus est et confugerit ad episcopum Romanae Ecclesiae, et voluerit se audiri; si justum putaverit ut renovetur examen, scribere his episcopis dignetur, qui in finitima et propinqua provincia sunt, ut ipsi diligenter omnino requirant, et juxta fidem veritatis definiant: quod si is qui rogat causam suam iterum audiri deprecatione sua moverit episcopum Romanum, ut e latere suo presbyterum mittat, erit in potestate episcopi quid velit, et quid aestimet. Et si decreverit mittendos esse qui praesentes cum episcopis judicent, habentes ejus auctoritatem a quo destinati sunt, erit in suo arbitrio; si vero crediderit episcopos sufficere ut negotio terminum imponant, faciet quod sapientissimo consilio judicaverit.

Bishop Hosius said: Decreed, that if any bishop is accused, and the bishops of the same region assemble and depose him from his office, and he appealing, so to speak, takes refuge with the most blessed bishop of the Roman church, and he be willing to give him a hearing, and think it right to renew the examination of his case, let him be pleased to write to those fellow-bishops who are nearest the province that they may examine the particulars with care and accuracy and give their votes on the matter in accordance with the word of truth. And if any one require that his case be heard yet again, and at his request it seem good to move the bishop of Rome to send presbyters a latere, let it be in the power of that bishop, according as he judges it to be good and decides it to be right--that some be sent to be judges with the bishops and invested with his authority by whom they were sent. And be this also ordained. But if he think that the bishops are sufficient for the examination and decision of the matter let him do what shall seem good in his most prudent judgment. The bishops answered: What has been said is approved.

Canon 6 — Quando quis debeat a vicinis provinciae episcopis ordinari. / De non ordinandis episcopis per vicos et modicas civitates.

Osius episcopus dixit: Si contigerit in una provincia, in qua plurimi fuerint episcopi, unum forte remanere episcopum, ille vero per negligentiam noluerit ordinare episcopum, et populi convenerint, episcopos vicinae provinciae debere illum prius convenire episcopum qui in ea provincia moratur, et ostendere quod populi petant sibi rectorem, et hoc justum esse, ut et ipsi veniant, et cum ipso ordinent episcopum. Quod si conventus litteris tacuerit, et dissimulaverit, nihilque rescripserit, satisfaciendum esse populis, ut veniant ex vicina provincia episcopi, et ordinent episcopum. Licentia vero danda non est ordinandi episcopum aut in vico aliquo, aut in modica civitate, cui sufficit unus presbyter, quia non est necesse ibi episcopum fieri, ne vilescat nomen episcopi et auctoritas. Non debent illic ex alia provincia invitati facere episcopum, nisi aut in his civitatibus quae episcopos habuerunt, aut si qua talis, aut tam populosa civitas, quae meretur habere episcopum. Si hoc omnibus placet. Synodus respondit: Placet.

Bishop Hosius said: If it happen that in a province in which there are very many bishops one bishop should stay away and by some negligence should not come to the council and assent to the appointment made by the bishops, but the people assemble and pray that the ordination of the bishop desired by them take place--it is necessary that the bishop who stayed away should first be reminded by letters from the exarch of the province (I mean, of course, the bishop of the metropolis), that the people demand a pastor to be given them. I think that it is well to await his [the absent bishop's] arrival also. But if after summons by letter he does not come, nor even write in reply, the wish of the people ought to be complied with. The bishops from the neighbouring provinces also should be invited to the ordination of the bishop of the metropolis. It is positively not permitted to ordain a bishop in a village or petty town, for which even one single presbyter is sufficient (for there is no necessity to ordain a bishop there) lest the name and authority of bishop should be made of small account, but the bishops of the province ought, as before said, to ordain bishops in those cities in which there were bishops previously; and if a city should be found with a population so large as to be thought worthy of an episcopal see, let it receive one. Is this the pleasure of all? All answered: It is our pleasure.

Canon 7 — Quando, et in quibus causis, episcopi ad comitatum ire debeant.

Osius episcopus dixit: Importunitates et nimia frequentia, et injustae petitiones fecerunt nos non tantam habere vel gratiam, vel fiduciam, dum quidam non cessant ad comitatum ire episcopi, et maxime Afri, qui, sicut cognovimus, sanctissimi fratris et coepiscopi nostri Grati salutaria consilia spernunt atque contemnunt, ut non solum ad comitatum multas, et diversas, Ecclesiae non profuturas perferant causas, neque ut fieri solet, aut oportet, ut pauperibus, aut viduis, aut pupillis subveniatur, sed et dignitates saeculares, et administrationes, quibusdam postulent. Haec itaque pravitas olim non solum murmurationes, sed et scandala excitat. Honestum est autem ut episcopi intercessionem his praestent qui iniqua vi opprimuntur, aut si vidua affligatur, aut pupillus exspolietur: si tamen isthaec nomina justam habeant causam aut petitionem. Si vobis ergo, fratres charissimi, placet, decernite, ne episcopi ad comitatum accedant, nisi forte hi qui religiosi imperatoris litteris vel invitati vel vocati fuerint. Sed quoniam saepe contingit ut ad misericordiam Ecclesiae confugiant qui injuriam patiuntur, aut qui peccantes in exsilio vel insulis damnantur, aut certe quamcunque sententiam suscipiunt, subveniendum est his, et sine dubitatione petenda indulgentia. Hoc ergo decernite, si vobis placet. Universi dixerunt: Placet et constituatur.

Bishop Hosius said: Our importunity and great pertinacity and unjust petitions have brought it about that we do not have as much favour and confidence as we ought to enjoy. For many of the bishops do not intermit resorting to the imperial Court, especially the Africans, who, as we have learned from our beloved brother and fellow-bishop, Gratus, do not accept salutary counsels, but so despise them that one man carries to the Court petitions many and diverse and of no possible benefit to the Church, and does not (as ought to be done and as is fitting) assist and help the poor and the laity or the widows, but is intriguing to obtain worldly dignities and offices for certain persons. This evil then causes enfeeblement [better, murmuring (read tonthrusmon or tonthorusmon)], not without some scandal and blame to us. But I account it quite proper for a bishop to give assistance to one oppressed by some one, or to a widow suffering injustice, or, again, an orphan robbed of his estate, always provided that these persons have a just cause of petition. If, then, beloved brethren, this seems good to all, do ye decree that no bishop shall go to the imperial Court except those whom our most pious emperor may summon by his own letters. Yet since it often happens that persons condemned for their offences to deportation or banishment to an island, or who have received some sentence or other, beg for mercy and seek refuge with the Church [i.e., take sanctuary], such persons are not to be refused assistance, but pardon should be asked for them without delay and without hesitation. If this, then, is also your pleasure, do ye all vote assent. All gave answer: Be this also decreed.

Canon 8 — De diaconis ad comitatum dirigendis.

Osius episcopus dixit: Hoc quoque providentia vestra tractare debet, qui decrevistis, ne episcoporum improbitas nitatur, ut ad comitatum pergant. Quicunque ergo, quales superius memoravimus, preces habuerint, vel acceperint, per diaconum suum mittant, quia persona ministri invidiosa non est, et quae impetraverit, celerius poterit referre; et hoc consequens esse videtur, ut de qualibet provincia episcopi ad eum fratrem et coepiscopum nostrum preces mittant, qui in metropoli consistit, ut ille et diaconum ejus, et supplicationes destinet, tribuens commendatitias epistolas pari ratione ad fratres et coepiscopos nostros, qui in illo tempore in his regionibus, et urbibus morantur, in quibus felix et beatus Augustus rempublicam gubernat. Si vero habet episcopus amicos in palatio, qui cupit aliquid, quod tamen honestum est, impetrare, non prohibetur per diaconum suum rogare, ac significare his quos scit benignam intercessionem absenti posse praestare, si tamen opportunum fuerit.

Bishop Hosius said: This also let your sagacity determine, that --inasmuch as this was decreed in order that a bishop might not fall under censure by going to the Court--that if any have such petitions as we mentioned above, they should send these by one of their deacons. For the person of a subordinate does not excite jealousy, and what shall be granted [by the Emperor] can thus be reported more quickly. All answered: Be this also decreed.

Canon 9 — Quod ad comitatum pro pupillis et viduis, ac necessitatem patientibus, sit eundum.

Qui vero Romam venerint, sicut dictum est, sanctissimo fratri et coepiscopo nostro Romanae Ecclesiae preces, quas habent, tradant, ut et ipse prius examinet, si honestae et justae sunt, et praestet diligentiam atque sollicitudinem, ut ad comitatum perferantur. Universi dixerunt placere sibi, et honestum esse consilium. Alypius episcopus dixit: Si propter pupillos et viduas, vel laborantes, qui causas iniquas habent, susceperint peregrinationis incommoda, habebunt aliquid rationis; nunc vero cum ea postulent praecipue, quae sine invidia hominum, et sine reprehensione esse non possint, non necesse est ipsum ire ad comitatum.

Bishop Hosius said: This also, I think, follows, that, if in any province whatever, bishops send petitions to one of their brothers and fellow-bishops, he that is in the largest city, that is, the metropolis, should himself send his deacon and the petitions, providing him also with letters commendatory, writing also of course in succession to our brethren and fellow-bishops, if any of them should be staying at that time in the places or cities in which the most pious Emperor is administering public affairs. But if any of the bishops should have friends at the Court and should wish to make requests of them as to some proper object, let him not be forbidden to make such requests through his deacon and move these [friends] to give their kind assistance as his desire. But those who come to Rome ought, as I said before, to deliver to our beloved brother and fellow-bishop, Julius, the petitions which they have to give, in order that he may first examine them, lest some of them should be improper, and so, giving them his own advocacy and care, shall send them to the Court. All the Bishops made answer that such was their pleasure and that the regulation was most proper.

Canon 10 — De laicis non temere faciendis episcopis.

Osius episcopus dixit: Et hoc necessarium arbitror, ut diligentissime tractetis, si forte aut dives aut scholasticus de foro, aut ex administratione episcopus fuerit postulatus, ut non prius ordinetur nisi et lectoris munere et officio diaconi aut presbyteri fuerit perfunctus, ut per singulos gradus, si dignus fuerit, ascendat ad culmen episcopatus. Potest enim per has promotiones, quae habebunt utique prolixum tempus, probari qua fide sit, qua modestia, qua gravitate, et verecundia. Et si dignus fuerit probatus, divino sacerdotio illustretur, quia conveniens non est, nec ratio vel disciplina patitur, ut temere et leviter ordinetur aut episcopus, aut presbyter, aut diaconus, maxime cum et magister gentium Apostolus ne hoc fieret denuntiasse et prohibuisse videatur, sed hi quorum per longum tempus examinata sit vita et merita fuerint comprobata.

Bishop Hosius said: This also I think necessary. Ye should consider with all thoroughness and care, that if some rich man or professional advocate be desired for bishop, he be not ordained until he have fulfilled the ministry of reader, deacon, and presbyter, in order that, passing by promotion through the several grades, he may advance (if, that is, he be found worthy) to the height of the episcopate. And he shall remain in each order assuredly for no brief time, that so his faith, his reputable life, his steadfastness of character and considerateness of demeanour may be well-known, and that he, being deemed worthy of the divine sacerdotal office [sacerdotium, i.e., the episcopate] may enjoy the highest honour. For it is not fitting, nor does discipline or good conversation allow to proceed to this act rashly or lightly, so as to ordain a bishop or presbyter or deacon hastily; as thus he would rightly be accounted a novice, especially since also the most blessed Apostle, he who was the teacher of the Gentiles, is seen to have forbidden hasty ordinations; for the test of [even] the longest period will not unreasonably be required to exemplify the conversation and character of each [candidate]. All said that this was their pleasure and that it must be absolutely irreversible.

Canon 11 — Quandiu episcopus in aliena civitate moretur.

Osius episcopus dixit: Et hoc quoque statuere debetis, ut ex alia civitate cum venerit ad aliam civitatem, vel ex provincia sua ad aliam provinciam, et ambitioni magis quam devotioni serviens voluerit in aliena civitate multo tempore residere. Forte enim evenit episcopum loci non esse tam instructum, neque tam doctum, is vero qui advenit incipiat contemnere eum, et frequenter facere sermonem, ut dehonestet et infirmet illius personam, ita ut ex hac occasione non dubitet relinquere assignatam sibi Ecclesiam, et transeat ad alienam. Definite ergo tempus, quia et non recipi episcopum inhumanum est, et si diutius resideat, perniciosum est: hoc ergo ne fiat, providendum est. Memini autem superiore concilio fratres nostros constituisse ut si quis laicus in ea, in qua commoratur civitate, tres dominicos dies, id est per tres septimanas, non celebrasset conventum, communione privaretur. Si haec circa laicos constituta sunt, multo magis episcopo nec licet, nec decet, si nulla sit tam gravis necessitas quae detineat ut amplius a suprascripto tempore absens sit ab Ecclesia sua. Universi dixerunt placere sibi.

Bishop Hosius said: This also we ought to decree, that when a bishop comes from one city to another city, or from one province to another province, to indulge boastfulness, ministering to his own praises rather than serving religious devotion, and wishes to prolong his stay [in a city], and the bishop of that city is not skilled in teaching, let him [the visiting bishop] not do despite to the bishop of the place and attempt by frequent discourses to disparage him and lessen his repute (for this device is wont to cause tumults), and strive by such arts to solicit and wrest to himself another's throne, not scrupling to abandon the church committed to him and to procure translation to another. A definite limit of time should therefore be set in such a case, especially since not to receive a bishop is accounted the part of rude and discourteous persons. Ye remember that in former times our fathers decreed that if a layman were staying in a city and should not come to divine worship for three [successive] Sundays [that is], for three [full] weeks, he should be repelled from communion. If then this has been decreed in the case of laymen, it is neither needful, nor fitting, nor yet even expedient that a bishop, unless he has some grave necessity or difficult business, should be very long absent from his own church and distress the people committed to him. All the bishops said: We decide that this decree also is most proper.

Canon 12 — Ne liceat episcopo a sua Ecclesia plus tribus hebdomadibus abesse

Osius episcopus dixit: Quia nihil praetermitti oportet, sunt quidam fratres et coepiscopi nostri qui non in ea civitate in qua videntur episcopi esse constituti, vel certe parvam rem illic habeant, alibi autem idonea praedia habere cognoscuntur, vel affectionem proximorum, quibus indulgeant: hactenus permitti eis oportet ut accedant ad possessiones suas, et disponant, vel ordinent fructum laboris sui, ut post tres dominicos, id est post tres hebdomadas, si morari necesse est, in suis potius fundis morentur. Aut si est proxima civitas, in qua est presbyter, ne sine ecclesia videatur facere diem dominicum, illuc accedat, ut neque res domesticae per absentiam ejus detrimentum sustineant, et non frequenter veniendo ad civitatem in qua episcopus moratur, suspicionem jactantiae et ambitionis evadat. Universi dixerunt placere sibi.

Bishop Hosius said: Since no case should be left unprovided for, let this also be decreed. Some of our brethren and fellow-bishops are known to possess very little private property in the cities in which they are placed as bishops, but have great possessions in other places, with which they are, moreover, able to help the poor. I think then permission should be given them, if they are to visit their estates and attend to the gathering of the harvest, to pass three Sundays, that is, to stay for three weeks, on their estates, and to assist at divine worship and celebrate the liturgy in the nearest church in which a presbyter holds service, in order that they may not be seen to be absent from worship, and in order that they may not come too frequently to the city in which there is a bishop. In this way their private affairs will suffer no loss from their absence and they will be seen to be clear from the charge of ambition and arrogance. All the bishops said: This decree also is approved by us.

Canon 13 — De clericis a communione summolis ab alio non recipiendis episcopo.

Osius episcopus dixit: Hoc quoque omnibus placet, ut sive diaconus, sive presbyter, sive quis clericorum ab episcopo suo communione fuerit privatus, et ad alterum perrexerit episcopum, et scierit ad quem confugit, eum ab episcopo suo fuisse abjectum, non oportet ut ei communionem indulgeat: quod si fecerit, sciat se convocatis episcopis causas esse dicturum. Universi dixerunt: Hoc statutum et pacem servabit, et concordiam custodiet.

Bishop Hosius said: Be this also the pleasure of all. If any deacon or presbyter or any of the clergy be excommunicated and take refuge with another bishop who knows him and who is aware that he has been removed from communion by his own bishop, [that other bishop] must not offend against his brother bishop by admitting him to communion. And if any dare to do this, let him know that he must present himself before an assembly of bishops and give account. All the bishops said: This decision will assure peace at all times and preserve the concord of all.

Canon 14 — De excommunicatis apud vicinos episcopos audiendis.

Osius episcopus dixit: Quod me adhuc movet reticere non debeo, si episcopus, qui forte iracundus (quod esse non debet) cito et aspere commovetur adversus presbyterum, sive diaconum suum, et exterminare eum de Ecclesia voluerit, providendum est ne innocens damnetur, aut perdat communionem: et ideo habeat potestatem is qui abjectus est ut episcopos finitimos interpellet, et causa ejus audiatur, ac diligentius tractetur, quia non oportet ei negare audientiam roganti; et ille episcopus qui juste aut injuste eum abjecit, patienter accipiat ut negotium discutiatur, ut vel probetur sententia ejus a plurimis, vel emendetur. Tamen priusquam omnia diligenter et fideliter examinentur, eum, qui fuerit a communione separatus, ante cognitionem nullus debet praesumere ut eum communione societ. Hi vero qui conveniunt ad audiendum, si viderint clericorum esse studium, et superbiam, quia non decet, ut episcopus injuriam, vel contumeliam patiatur, severioribus eos verbis castigent, ut obediant honesta praecipienti episcopo, qui sicut ille clericis sincerum exhibere debet amorem charitatis, ita quoque vicissim ministri infucata debent episcopo suo exhibere obsequia.

Bishop Hosius said: I must not fail to speak of a matter which constantly urgeth me. If a bishop be found quick to anger (which ought not to sway such a man), and he, suddenly moved against a presbyter or deacon, be minded to cast him out of the Church, provision must be made that such a one be not condemned too hastily [or read athoon, if innocent] and deprived of communion. All said: Let him that is cast out be authorized to take refuge with the bishop of the metropolis of the same province. And if the bishop of the metropolis is absent, let him hasten to the bishop that is nearest, and ask to have his case carefully examined. For a hearing ought not to be denied those who ask it. And that bishop who cast out such a one, justly or unjustly, ought not to take it ill that examination of the case be made, and his decision confirmed or revised. But, until all the particulars have been examined with care and fidelity, he who is excluded from communion ought not to demand communion in advance of the decision of his case. And if any of the clergy who have met [to hear the case] clearly discern arrogance and pretentiousness in him, inasmuch as it is not fitting to suffer insolence or unjust censure, they ought to correct such an one with somewhat harsh and grievous language, that men may submit to and obey commands that are proper and right. For as the bishop ought to manifest sincere love and regard to his subordinates, so those who are subject to him ought in like manner to perform the duties of their ministry in sincerity towards their bishops.

Canon 15 — De non ordinandis clericis alienis sine sui consensu episcopi.

Osius episcopus dixit: Et hoc universi constituimus, ut quicunque ex alia parochia voluerit alienum ministrum sine consensu episcopi ipsius et voluntate ordinare, non sit rata ordinatio ejus. Quicunque autem hoc usurpaverit, a fratribus et coepiscopis nostris et admoneri debet, et corrigi.

Bishop Hosius said: And let us all decree this also, that if any bishop should ordain to any order the minister of another from another diocese without the consent of his own bishop, such an ordination should be accounted invalid and not confirmed. And if any take upon themselves to do this they ought to be admonished and corrected by our brethren and fellow-bishops. All said: Let this decree also stand unalterable.

Canon 16 — De presbyteris et diaconis qui Thessalonicam veniunt, quantum temporis ibi residean

Aetius episcopus dixit: Non ignoratis quanta et qualis sit Thessalonicensium civitas; saepe ad eam veniunt ex aliis regionibus presbyteri et diaconi, et non sunt contenti brevi tempore morari, sed aut resident ibi, aut certe vix post longa spatia ad sua redire coguntur. Universi dixerunt: Ea tempora, quae constituta sunt circa episcopos, et circa has personas observari debent.

Bishop Aëtius said: Ye are not ignorant how important and how large is the metropolitan city of Thessalonica. Accordingly presbyters and deacons often come to it from other provinces and, not content with staying a short time, remain and make it their permanent place of residence, or are compelled with difficulty and after a very long delay to return to their own churches. A decree should be made bearing on this matter. Bishop Hosius said: Let those decrees which have been made in the case of bishops, be observed as to these persons also.

Canon 17 — De suscipiendis his qui persecutionem patiuntur.

Osius episcopus dixit: Suggerente fratre et coepiscopo nostro Olympio, etiam hoc placuit, ut si aliquis vim perpessus est, et inique expulsus, pro disciplina, et catholica confessione vel defensione veritatis, effugiens pericula, innocens et devotus ad aliam venerit civitatem, non prohibeatur immorari, quandiu, aut redire possit, aut injuria ejus remedium acceperit, quia durum est eum qui persecutionem patitur non recipi, etiam et larga benevolentia, et humanitas ei est exhibenda. Expliciunt canones sive decreta concilii Sardicensis. Subscripserunt autem omnes episcopi, sic: Ego ille episcopus illius civitatis et provinciae illius, ita credo sicut scriptum est supra.

At the suggestion moreover of our brother Olympius, we are pleased to decree this also: That if a bishop suffer violence and is unjustly cast out either on account of his discipline or for his confession of [the faith of] the Catholic Church or for his defence of the truth, and, fleeing from danger, although innocent and devout [or, innocent and being under charge of high treason], comes to another city, let him not be forbidden to stay there until he is restored or until deliverance can be found from the violence and injustice that have been done him. For it would be harsh indeed and most oppressive that one who has suffered unjust expulsion should not be harboured by us; as such a man ought to be received with the greatest consideration and cordiality.* All said: This also is our pleasure.

Canon 18 — De non sollicitandis clericis alienis.

Januarius episcopus dixit: Illud quoque statuat sanctitas vestra, ut nulli episcopo liceat alterius episcopi civitatis ministrum ecclesiasticum sollicitare, et in suis parochiis ordinare. Universi dixerunt: Placet, quia ex his contentionibus solet nasci discordia, et ideo prohibet omnium sententia ne quis hoc facere audeat.

Bishop Januarius said: Let your holiness also decree this, that no bishop be allowed to try to gain for himself a minister in the church of a bishop of another city and ordain him to one of his own parishes. All said: Such is our pleasure, inasmuch as discord is apt to spring from contentions in this matter, and therefore the sentence of us all forbids anyone to presume to do (Greek.) Bishop Gaudentius said: Thou knowest, brother Aëtius, that since thou wast made bishop, peace hath continued to rule [in thy diocese]. In order that no remnants of discord concerning ecclesiastics remain, it seems good that those who were ordained by Musæus and by Eutychianus, provided no fault be found in them, should all be received. (This canon is wanting in the Latin.)

Canon 19

Bishop Hosius said: This is the sentence of my mediocrity [i.e., unworthiness]--that, since we ought to be gentle and patient and to be constant in compassion towards all, those who were once advanced to clerical office in the Church by certain of our brethren, if they are not willing to return to the churches to which they were nominated [or, espoused], should for the future not be received, and that neither Eutychianus should continue to vindicate to himself the name of bishop, nor yet that Musæus be accounted a bishop; but that if they should seek for lay communion, it should not be denied them. All said: Such is our pleasure.

Canon 20 — Ut qui in canali sunt episcopi euntes ad comitatum sollicite discutiant.

Gaudentius episcopus dixit: Ea quae salubriter providistis convenientia, et aestimatione omnium et Deo placitura, tenere hanc firmitatem possunt, si metus huic sententiae conjungatur. Scimus enim et ipsi saepissime propter paucorum impudentiam religiosum sacerdotale nomen fuisse reprehensum. Si igitur aliquis contra omnium sententiam nisus voluerit ambitioni magis placere quam Deo, is debet scire, causis redditis, honorem dignitatemque se amissurum: quod ita demum compleri poterit, si unusquisque nostrum, qui in canali constitutus est, cum progredientem episcopum viderit, inquirat transitum ejus, causas videat, quo tendat agnoscat; et siquidem eum invenerit ire ad comitatum, requirat et illud, quod superius comprehensum est, ne forte invitatus est, ut ei facultas eundi permittatur. Si vero, ut superius memoravit sanctitas vestra, propter desideria et ambitiones ad comitatum pergat, nec in litteris ejus subscribatur, neque in communionem recipiatur. Si vebis placet, omnium sententia confirmari debet. Universi dixerunt honestum esse, et placere sibi hanc constitutionem.

Bishop Gaudentius said: These things wholesomely, duly, and fitly decreed, in the estimation of us the bishops [ton hiereon] such as are pleasing both to God and to man will not be able to obtain due force and validity, unless fear [of a penalty] be added to the decrees proclaimed. For we ourselves know that through the shamelessness of a few, the divine and right reverend title of bishop [of the tes hierosunes] hath often come into condemnation. If therefore any one, moved by arrogance and ambition rather than seeking to please God, should have the hardihood to pursue a different course of action, contrary to the decree of all, let him know beforehand that he must give account and defend himself on this charge, and lose the honour and dignity of the episcopate. All answered: This sentence is proper and right, and such is our pleasure. And this decree will be most widely known and best carried into effect, if each of those bishops among us who have sees on the thoroughfares or highway, on seeing a bishop [pass by] shall inquire into the cause of his passage and his place of destination. And if at his departure he shall find that he is going to the Court, he will direct his inquiries with reference to the objects [of a resort to the Court] above mentioned. And if he come by invitation let no obstacle be put in the way of his departure. But if he is trying to go to the Court out of ostentation, as hath afore been said by your charity, or to urge the petitions of certain persons, let neither his letters be signed nor let such an one be received to communion. All said: Be this also decreed.

Note Vicar Apostolic: This canon (Greek numbering) says nothing of a papal representative; the edition cited may number the canons differently.