The
First Ecumenical Synod
The First Ecumenical Synod was converted at Nicaea of Asia Minor, called by Constantine the Great in 325, with 318 bishops present. This Synod condemned the teaching of Arius, who taught that Christ was inferior to God the Father; it proclaimed the first seven Article of the Nicene Creed, and determined the method of calculating Easter Sunday. Also, this Synod issued 20 canons, referring to the ordination and promotion of clergymen and other aspects of ecclesiastical order.
EPITOME
of CANON 1
Eunuchs may be received into the number of the clergy, but those who castrate themselves shall not be received.
Cf.
8,
21, 22, 23; 9, 8
EPITOME
of CANON 2
Those who have come from the heathen shall not be immediately advanced to the presbyterate. For without a probation of some time a neophyte is of no advantage. But if after ordination it be found out that he had sinned previously, let him then be expelled from the clergy.
Cf.
8,
80; 9, 17; 17, 10; 16, 3; 30, 4
EPITOME
of CANON 3
No one shall have a woman in his house except his mother, and sister, and persons altogether beyond suspicion.
Cf.
6,
5; 7, 18, 22; 12, 19; 11, 45; 24, 88
EPITOME of CANON 4
A bishop is to be chosen by all the bishops of the province, or at least by three, the rest giving by letter their assent; but this choice must be confirmed by the Metropolitan.
Cf.
8,
1; 7, 3; 15, 19; 17, 6; 16, 12; 19,
12, 58, 59
EPITOME of CANON 5
Such as have been excommunicated by certain bishops shall not be resorted by others, unless the excommunication was the result of pusillanimity, or strife, or some other similar cause. And that this may be duly attended to, there shall be in each year two synods in every province -- the one before Lent, the other toward autumn.
Cf.
8,
12, 13, 32, 37; 4, 19; 6, 8; 15, 6, 20;
17,
10, 20; 19, 26, 37, 104, 116, 141
EPITOME of CANON 6
The Bishop of Alexandria shall have jurisdiction over Egypt, Libys, and Pentapolis. As also the Roman bishop over those subject to Rome. So, too, the Bishop of Antioch and the rest over those who are under them. If any be a bishop contrary to the judgment of the Metropolitan, let him be no bishop. Provided it be in accordance with the canons by the suffrage of the majority, if three object, their objections shall be of no force.
Cf.
8,
36; 2, 2, 3; 3, 8; 4, 28; 6, 36;
15,
19; 19, 13
EPITOME
of CANON 7
Let the Bishop of Elia be honored, the rights of the Metropolis being preserved intact.
Cf.
8,
34; 2, 2, 3; 3, 8; 4, 28; 6, 36;
15,
19
EPITOME of CANON 8
If those called Cathari come over, let them first make profession that they are willing to communicate with the twice married, and to grant pardon to the lapsed. An on this condition he who happen to be in orders, shall continue in the same order, so that a bishop shall still be bishop. Whoever was a bishop among the Cathari let him, however, become a Chor-episcopus, or let him enjoy the honour of a presbyter or of a bishop. For in one church there shall not be two bishops.
Cf.
8,
46, 47, 68; 2, 7; 6, 95; 16, 7, 8; 19, 66;
24,
1, 47; 29, 12; 7, 14; 12, 13; 13, 14; 15,
8, 10
EPITOME of CANON 9
Whoever are ordained without examination, shall be deposed if it be found out afterwards that they have been guilty.
Cf.
8,
25, 61; 13, 9, 10; 29, 3, 5, 6
EPITOME of CANON 10
Whoso had lapsed are to be deposed whether those who ordained and promoted them did so conscious of their guilt or unknowing of it.
Cf.
8,
62; 12, 13, 12; 22, 10
EPITOME
of CANON 11
As many as fell without necessity, even if therefore undeserving of indulgence, yet some indulgence shall be shown them and they shall be prostrators for twelve years.
Cf.
12,
6; 22, 3; 24, 73, 81; 25, 2
EPITOME
of CANON 12
Those who endured violence and were seen to have resisted, but who afterwards yielded to wickedness, and returned to the army, shall be excommunicated for ten years. But in every case the way in which they do their penance must be scrutinized. And if anyone who is doing penance shows himself zealous in its performance, the bishop shall treat him more leniently than had he been cold and indifferent.
Cf.
22,
9, 11; 6, 102; 12, 2, 5, 7; 16, 1, 2; 24, 2,
3, 74, 84; 25, 4, 5, 7, 8
EPITOME of CANON 13
The dying are to be communicated. But if any such get well, he must be placed in the number of those who share in the prayers, and with these only.
Cf.
12,
6
EPITOME of CANON 14
If any of the catechumens shall have fallen for three years he shall be a hearer only, and then let him pray with the catechumens.
Cf.
13,
5; 16, 19; 24, 20; 28, 6; 30, 5
EPITOME of CANON 15
Neither bishop, presbyter, nor deacon shall pass from city to city. But they shall be sent back, should they attempt to do so, to the Churches in which they were ordained.
Cf.
8,
14, 15; 4, 6; 15, 3, 21; 17, 1, 16; 19, 57
EPITOME of CANON 16
Such presbyters or deacons as desert their own Church are not to be admitted into another, but are to be sent back to their own diocese. But if any bishop should ordain one who belongs to another Church without the consent of his own bishop, the ordination shall be cancelled.
Cf.
1,
15
EPITOME
of CANON 17
If anyone shall receive usury of 150 per cent, he shall be cast forth and deposed, according to this decree of the Church.
Cf.
8,
44; 6, 10; 16, 4; 19, 5, 20; 24, 4
EPITOME
of CANON 18
Deacons must abide within their own bounds. They shall not administer the Eucharist to presbyters, nor touch it before them, nor sit among the presbyters, nor touch it before them, nor sit among the presbyters. For all this is contrary to canon, and to decent order.
Cf.
16,
20; 6, 7
EPITOME of CANON 19
Paulianists must be rebaptized, and if such as are clergymen seem to be blameless let them be ordained. If they do not seem to be blameless, let them be deposed. Deaconess who have been led astray, since they are not sharers of ordination, are to be reckoned among the laity.
Cf.
8,
47; 1, 2, 6, 95; 16, 7, 8; 19, 66; 4, 15; 6,
14, 40; 24, 44; 19, 6, 51, 135
EPITOME of CANON 20
On Lords days and at Pentecost all must pray standing and not kneeling.
Cf.
6,
90; 22, 15
GO TO: Second Ecumenical Synod, In Constantinople, 381
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Go To: Seven Ecumenical Councils
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