COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE HELD UNDER NECTARIUS.
A.D. 394.
Extracts from the Acts.
COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE UNDER NECTARIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND THEOPHILUS OF
ALEXANDRIA.
A.D. 394.
(Found in Beveridge, Synodicon. Tom. I., p. 678; Labbe and Cossart, Concilia,
Tom. [[., col. 1151. Both taken from Balsamon.)
In the consulate of our most religious and beloved-of-God Emperors,
Flavius Arcadius Augustus, for the third time, and Honorius for the second
time, on the third day before the calends of October, in the baptistery of the
mOst holy church of Constantinople, when the most holy bishops had taken their
seats [here follow the names], Nectarius, the bishop of Constantinople, said:
Since by the grace of God this synod has met in this holy place, if the synod
of my holy brethren and fellow ministers in holy things thinks good, since I
see our brothers Bagadius and Agepius, who contend between themselves about
the bishopric of Bostra, are also present, let these begin to set forth their
mutual rights. And after some things had been done by them for the sake of
this cause, and it had been shewn that the afore-named Bagadius was deposed by
only two bishops, both of whom were dead, Arabianus, bishop of Ancyra, said:
Not on account of this judgment, but fearing henceforth for my whole life, I
desire the holy Synod to make a decree, whether or no, a bishop can be deposed
by only two bishops, and whether the Metropolitan is absent or not, without
prejudice to the present cause. For I fear that some, taking their power from
these acts, may dare to attempt such things. I wish therefore your response.
Nectarius, the bishop of Constantinople, said: The most religious bishop
Arabianus hath spoken most laudably. But since it is impossible to go backward
in judgment, let us, without condemning that which is past, establish things
for the future. Arabianus, bishop of Ancyra, said: The synod of blessed
fathers who met at Nice condemns what has taken place, for it orders that not
less than three shall ordain, nor even so without the metropolitan. But of the
future I, full of fear, have made this question. I would wish therefore that
you would say clearly and without delay or doubt, that a bishop could not,
according to the decree of the Synod of Nice, lawfully be ordained or deposed
by two men.
And, after some further debate, Theophilus, the bishop of Alexandria,
said: Against those who have gone forth, no sentence of indignation can be
pronounced, since those to be condemned were not present. But if any one were
to consider those who are to be deposed in future, it seems to me that not
only these ought to assemble, but so far as possible all the other
provincials, that by the sentence of many there may be rendered a more
accurate condemnation of him who is present and is being judged, and who
deserves deposition. Nectarius, the bishop of Constantinople, said: Since, the
controversy is concerning legitimate institutions and decrees, it follows that
nothing must be decreed on account of personal causes. Wherefore as the most
holy bishop Arabianus has said, wishing to make the future certain, the
sentence of the most holy bishop Theophilus hath consistently and
considerately decreed that for the future it shall be lawful not even for
three, far less for two bishops to depose him who is examined as a defendant:
but by the sentence of the greater synod and of the bishops of the province,
according to the Apostolic Canons. Flavian, the bishop of Antioch, said: What
things the most holy bishop Nectarius, and the most holy bishop Theophilus
have set forth are clearly right. And all the ecclesiastics agreed with these.