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.