THE COUNCIL OF SARDICA.
A.D. 343 OR 344.

THE CANONS OF THE COUNCIL OF SARDICA.

The holy synod assembled in Sardica from various provinces decreed as follows.

(Found in Greek in John of Constantinople's collection of the sixth century
and several other MSS. Found also in the works of the Greek scholiasts. Found
in Latin in the Prisca, in Dionysius Exiguus, and in Isidore, genuine and
false.)

  CANON I.

  (Greek.)

 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.

  (Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: A prevalent evil and mischievous corruption must be
done away with from its foundation. Let no bishop be allowed to remove from
his own city to another. For the reason of such attempts is manifest, since in
this matter no bishop has been found who would remove from a larger city to a
smaller one. It is therefore evident that these men are inflamed with excess
of covetousness, and are serving ambition and aiming at the possession of
power. If it be the pleasure of all, let so great an evil be punished right
harshly and sternly, so that he who is such shall not even be admitted to lay
communion. All with one accord answered: Such is our pleasure.

CANON II.

(Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: Even if any such person should show himself so rash as
perhaps to allege as an excuse and affirm that he has received letters from
the people, inasmuch as it is evident that a few persons could have been
corrupted by rewards and bribes--[namely] persons who do not hold the pure
faith--to raise an uproar in the church, and seem to ask for the said man as
bishop; I judge that these frauds must be condemned, so that such an one
should not receive even lay communion at the last. If ye all approve, do ye
decree it. The synod answered: We approve.

CANON III.

(Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: This also it is necessary to add,--that bishops shall
not pass from their own province to another province in which there are
bishops, unless perchance upon invitation from their brethren, that we seem
not to close the door of charity.

 But if in any province a bishop have a matter in dispute against his
brother bishop, one of the two shall not call in as judge a bishop from
another province.

 But if judgment, have gone against a bishop in any cause, and he think
that he has a good case, in order that the question may be reopened, let us,
if it be your pleasure, honour the memory of St. Peter the Apostle, and let
those who tried the case write to Julius, the bishop of Rome, and if he shall
judge that the case should be retried, let that be done, and let him appoint
judges; but if he shall find that the case is of such a sort that the former
decision need not be disturbed, what he has decreed shall be confirmed. Is
this the pleasure of all? The synod answered, It is our pleasure.

CANON IV.

   (Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP GAUDENTIUS said: It ought to be added, if it be your pleasure, to
this sentence full of sanctity which thou hast pronounced, that--when any
bishop has been deposed by the judgment of those bishops who have sees in
neighbouring places, and he [the bishop deposed] shall announce that his case
is to be examined in the city of Rome--that no other bishop shall in any wise
be ordained to his see, after the appeal of him who is apparently deposed,
unless the case shall have been determined in the judgment of the Roman
bishop.

CANON V.

   (Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: Further decreed, that if a bishop is accused, and the
bishops of that region assemble and depose him from his office, if he who has
been deposed shall appeal and take refuge with the bishop of the Roman church
and wishes to be given a hearing, if he think it right that the trial or
examination of his case be renewed, let him be pleased to write to those
bishops who are in an adjacent and neighbouring province, that they may
diligently inquire into all the particulars and decide according to the word
of truth. But if he who asks to have his case reheard, shall by his entreaty
move the Bishop of Rome to send a presbyter a latere it shall be in the power
of that bishop to do what he shall resolve and determine upon; and if he shall
decide that some be sent, who shall be present and be judges with the bishops
invested with his authority by whom they were appointed, it shall be as he
shall choose. But if he believe that the bishops suffice to give a final
decision, he shall do what he shall termine upon in his most wise judgment.

CANON VI.

  (Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: If it shall have happened, that in a province in which
there have been very many bishops, one [i.e., but one] bishop remains, but
that he by negligence has not chosen [to ordain] a bishop, and the people have
made application, the bishops of the neighbouring province ought first to
address [by letter] the bishop who resides in that province, and show that the
people seek a ruler [i.e., pastor] for themselves and that this is right, so
that they also may come and with him ordain a bishop. But if he refuses to
acknowledge their written communication, and leaves it unnoticed, and writes
no reply, the people's request should be satisfied, so that bishops should
come from the neighbouring province and ordain a bishop.

 But permission is not to be given to ordain a bishop either in any
village, or in an unimportant city, for which one presbyter suffices, lest the
name and authority of bishop grow cheap. Those [bishops] who are invited from
another province ought not to ordain a bishop unless in the cities which have
[previously] had bishops, or in a city which is so important or so populous as
to be entitled to have a bishop.

Is this the pleasure of all? The synod replied: It is our pleasure.

CANON VII.

(Greek.)

 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 tonqrusmon or tonqrusmon)], 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: Importunities and excessive pertinacity and unjust
petitions have caused us to have too little favour or confidence, while
certain bishops cease not to go to the Court, especially the Africans, who (as
we have learned) spurn and contemn the salutary counsels of our most holy
brother and fellow-bishop, Gratus, so that they not only bring to the Court
many and diverse petitions (not for the good of the Church nor, as is usual
and right, to succour the poor or widows or orphans), but even seek to obtain
worldly dignities and offices for certain persons. This evil therefore stirs
up at times not only murmurings, but even scandals. But it is proper that
bishops should intercede for persons suffering from violence and oppression,
afflicted widows and defrauded orphans, provided, nevertheless, that these
persons have a just cause or petition.

 If, then, brethren dearly beloved, such be your pleasure, do we decree
that no bishops go to the Court except those who may have been invited or
summoned by letters of the God-fearing emperor. But since it often happens
that those who are suffering from injustice or who are condemned for their
offences to deportation or banishment to an island, or, in short, have
received some sentence or other, seek refuge with the mercy of the Church,
such persons should be succoured and pardon be begged for them without
hesitation. Decree this, therefore, if it be your pleasure.

 All said: It is our pleasure and be it decreed.

CANON VIII.

(Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: This also your forethought should provide
for--inasmuch as ye have made this decree in order that the audacity of
bishops might not labour [or, be observed] to go to Court. Whosoever therefore
shall have or receive petitions such as we have mentioned above, let them send
these [each] by a deacon of his, because the person of a minister is not an
object of jealousy, and he will be able to report more quickly what he has
obtained.

CANON IX.

(Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 THIS also seems to follow, that from whatever province bishops shall send
petitions to that brother and fellow-bishop of ours who has his see in the
metropolis, he [the metropolitan] should dispatch his deacon with the
petitions, providing him with commendatory letters of like tenour to our
brethren and fellow-bishops at that time resident in those regions and cities 
in which the fortunate and blessed Emperor is
ruling the State.

 If however a bishop who seeks to obtain some petition (a worthy one, that
is) has friends in the palace, he is not forbidden to make his request through
his deacon and to advise those who, he knows, can kindly intercede for him in
his absence.

X. But let those who come to Rome, deliver, as before said, to our most
holy brother and follow-bishop, the bishop of the Roman church, the petitions
which they bear, that he also may examine whether they are worthy and just,
and let him give diligence and care that they be forwarded to the Court.

 All said that such was their pleasure and that the regulation was proper.

 Bishop Alypius said: If they have incurred the discomforts of travel for
the sake of orphans and widows or any in distress and having cases that are
not unjust, they will have some good reason [for their journey]; but now since
they chiefly make requests which cannot be granted without envy and reproach,
it is not necessary for them to go to Court.

CANON X.

(Greeks.)

 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 Iris 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: This also I think it necessary for you to consider
most carefully, that if perchance some rich man or professional advocate or
ex-official be desired for bishop, he be not ordained until he have fulfilled
the ministry of a reader and the office of deacon and presbyter, and so
ascend, if he have shown himself worthy, through the several grades to the
height of the episcopate. For by these promotions which in any case take a
considerable length of time can be tested his faith, his discretion, his
gravity and modesty. And if he be found worthy, let him be honoured with the
divine sacerdotal office [i.e. the episcopate]. For it is not fitting, nor
does order or discipline allow, that one be rashly or lightly ordained bishop,
presbyter or deacon, who is a novice, especially since also the blessed
Apostle, the teacher of the Gentiles, is seen to have expressly forbidden it.
But those [should be ordained] whose life has been tested and their merit
approved by length of time.

 All said that this was their pleasure.

CANON XI.

(Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: This also ye ought to determine. If a bishop comes
from one city to another city, or from his own province to another province,
and serving ambition rather than devotion, wishes to remain resident for a
long time in a strange city, and then (as it perchance happens that the bishop
of the place is not so practised or so learned as himself) he, the stranger,
should begin to do him despite and deliver frequent discourses to disparage
him and lessen his repute, not hesitating by this device to leave the church
assigned him and remove to that which is another's--do ye then [in such a
case] set a limit of time [for his stay in the city], because on the one hand
to refuse to receive a bishop is discourteous, and on the other his too long
stay is mischievous. Provision must be made against this. I remember that in a
former council our brethren decreed that if any layman did not attend divine
service in a city in which he was staying three Sundays, that is, for three
weeks, he should be deprived of communion. If then this has been decreed in
the case of laymen, it is far less lawful and fitting that a bishop, if there
be no grave necessity detaining him, should be absent from his church longer
than the time above written.

All said that such was their pleasure.

CANON XII.

(Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: Since no case should be left unprovided for [let this
also be decreed]. There are some of our brother-bishops, who do not reside in
the city in which they are appointed bishops, either because they have but
little property there, while they are known to have considerable estates
elsewhere, or, it may be, through affection for kith and kin and in
complaisance to these. Let this much be permitted them, to go to their estates
to superintend and dispose of their harvest, and [for this purpose] to remain
over three Sundays, that is, for three weeks, if it be necessary, on their
estates; or else, if there is a neighbouring city in which there is a
presbyter, in order that they may not be seen to pass Sunday without church,
let them go thither, so that fin this way] neither will their private affairs
suffer loss from their absence, nor will they, by frequent going to the city
in which a bishop is resident, incur the suspicion of ambition and
place-seeking. All said that this was approved by them.

CANON XIII.

(Greek.)

 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 final 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: Be this also the pleasure of all. If a deacon or
presbyter or any of the clergy be refused communion by his own bishop and go
to another bishop, and he with whom he has taken refuge shall know that he has
been repelled by his own bishop, then must he not grant him communion. But if
he shall do so, let him know that he must give account before an assembly of
bishops.

 All said: This decision will preserve peace and maintain concord.

CANON XIV.

(Greek.)

 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 aqwon, 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: I must not fail to speak of a matter which further
moveth me. If some bishop is perchance quick to anger (which ought not to be
the case) and, moved hastily and violently against one of his presbyters or
deacons, be minded to cast him out of the Church, provision must be made that
an innocent man be not condemned or deprived of communion.

 Therefore let him that is cast out be authorized to appeal to the
neighbouring bishops and let his case be heard and examined into more
diligently. For a hearing ought not to be denied one who asks it.

 And let that bishop who cast him out, justly or unjustly, take it
patiently that the matter is discussed, so that his sentence may either be
approved by a number judges] or else revised. Nevertheless, until all the
particulars shall be examined with care and fidelity, no one else ought to
presume to admit to communion him who was excluded therefrom in advance of the
decision of his case. If, however, those who meet to hear it observe arrogance
and pride in [such] clergy, inasmuch as it surely is not fitting for a bishop
to suffer wrong or insult, let them correct them with some severity of
language, that they may obey a bishop whose commands are proper and right. For
as he [the bishop] ought to manifest sincere love and charity to his clergy,
so his ministers ought for their part to render unfeigned obedience to their
bishop.

[AFTER CANON XIV.]

CANON XVIII. (Of the Latin.)

 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

CANON XV.

 (Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: This also we all decree, that if any [bishop] should
ordain the minister of another from another diocese without the consent and
will of his own bishop, his ordination be not ratified. And whoever shall have
taken upon himself to do this ought to be admonished and corrected by our
brethren and fellow-bishops.

CANON XVI.

(Greek.)

 BISHOP AETIUS 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.

(Latin.)

 BISHOP AETIUS said: Ye are not ignorant how large and important is the
city of Thessalonica. Presbyters and deacons often come to it from other
regions, and are not content to remain a short time, but either make their
residence there or at least are with difficulty compelled to return after a
long interval to their own place.

 All said: Those limits of time which have been decreed in the case of
bishops ought to be observed as to these persons also.

CANON XVII.

(Greek.)

 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.

(Latin.)

 AT the suggestion of our brother Olympius, we are pleased to decree this
also: That if any suffer violence and is unjustly cast out on account of his
discipline and his Catholic confession or for his defence of the truth, and,
fleeing from dangers, although innocent and devout, comes to another city, let
him not be forbidden to stay there until he can return or his wrong has been
redressed. For it is harsh and unfeeling that he who is suffering persecution
should not be received; indeed, great cordiality and abundant consideration
should be shown him.

 All the synod said: All that has been decreed the Catholic Church spread
abroad throughout all the world will preserve and maintain.

 And all the bishops of the various provinces who had assembled subscribed
thus: I, N., bishop of the city of N. and the province of N., so believe as
above is written.

CANON XVIII.

(Greek.)

 BISHOP GAUDENTIUS said: Thou knowest, brother Aetius, 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 Musaeus and by Eutychianus, provided no fault be found in
them, should all be received.

(This canon is wanting in the Latin.)

CANON XIX.

(Greek.)

 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 Musaeus 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.

(This canon is wanting in the Latin.)

CANON XX.

(Greek.)

 BISHOP GAUDENTIUS said: These things wholesomely, duly, and filly decreed,
in the estimation of us the bishops [twn ierewn]
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 ths
ierwsunhs] 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

(Latin.)

 BISHOP GAUDENTIUS said: These things which you have wholesomely and
suitably provided [in your decrees] pleasing in [or, to] the estimation of all
both [or, and] to God and to men, can obtain force and validity only in case
fear [of a penalty] be added to this your action. For we ourselves know that
through the shamelessness of a few the sacred and venerable sacerdotal
[--episcopal] name hath been many times and oft brought to blame. If therefore
anyone attempts to oppose the judgment of all and seeks to serve ambition
rather than please God, he must be given to know that he will have to render
an account and lose office and rank.

 This can be carried into effect only provided each of us whose see is on
the highway shall, if he sees a bishop pass, inquire into the cause of his
journey, ascertain his destination, and if he finds that he is on his way to the Court, satisfy himself as
to what is contained above [i.e., as to his objects at Court], lest perhaps he
has come by invitation, that permission may be given him to proceed. If,
however, as your holiness mentioned above, he is going to Court to urge
petitions and applications for office, let neither his letters be signed nor
let him be received to communion.

 All said that this was proper and right and that this regulation was
approved by them.

[AFTER CANON XX.]

CANON XII. (Of the Latin Texts.)

 BISHOP HOSIUS said: But some discretion is here requisite, brethren dearly
beloved, in case some should come to those cities which are on the highway
still ignorant of what has been decreed in the council. The bishop of such a
city ought therefore to admonish him [a bishop so arriving], and instruct him
to send his deacon from that place. Upon this admonition he must, however,
himself return to his diocese.