Canons of the Council of Ancyra

Direct English translation

Concerning presbyters who sacrificed and afterwards took up the struggle again—not by any contrivance but in truth, without having arranged beforehand, staged the matter, or persuaded others so that they might only appear to be subjected to tortures which were brought upon them merely in appearance and form—it has seemed good that they retain the honour belonging to their seat; but they are not permitted to offer, to preach, or in general to perform any of the priestly ministries.

Direct English translation

Likewise, deacons who sacrificed and afterwards took up the struggle again are to retain their other honour, but are to cease from every sacred ministry, whether presenting the bread or the cup or proclaiming. Nevertheless, if any of the bishops perceive in them some labour or humility of meekness and wish either to grant something more or to withhold something, the authority rests with them.

Direct English translation

Those who fled and were captured, or were betrayed by their own people, or otherwise had their possessions taken away, or endured tortures, or were cast into prison, while crying out that they were Christians and being torn, or having something forced into their hands by those using violence, or being compelled to receive some food, yet throughout confessing that they were Christians and continually displaying grief over what had happened through their whole demeanour, appearance, and humility of life, are not to be barred from communion, since they are without sin. If they were barred by anyone because of excessive strictness or through ignorance, they are to be received immediately. This applies alike to clerics and to other laypersons. It was also examined whether laypersons who had undergone the same compulsion could be promoted to an ecclesiastical rank; and it seemed good that these too, having committed no sin, may be appointed, provided that their previous manner of life is found upright.

Direct English translation

Concerning those who sacrificed under compulsion and thereafter also ate at an idolatrous banquet: those who, when led away, went up with a more cheerful bearing, put on more splendid clothing, and partook indifferently of the meal prepared are to spend one year among the hearers, three years among those who fall down in repentance, and two years sharing in prayer alone; then they may come to full communion.

Direct English translation

Those who went up in mourning clothing and, after reclining, ate while weeping throughout the whole meal, if they have completed the three-year period of prostration are to be received without participation in the offering. But if they did not eat, after two years of prostration they are to share communion in the third year without participation in the offering, so that they receive full communion in the fourth year. The bishops are to have authority, after examining the manner of their conversion, either to deal more mercifully or to add more time. Above all, both their previous life and their life afterward are to be examined, and in this way mercy is to be measured out.

Direct English translation

Concerning those who yielded merely to the threat of punishments, confiscation of possessions, or exile, and sacrificed, and who until the present time have neither repented nor returned, but now at the time of the synod have approached and come to the intention of conversion: it has seemed good that until the Great Day they be admitted among the hearers, and after the Great Day spend three years among those who fall down in repentance, then another two years sharing in communion without the offering, and in this way come to full communion, completing the whole six-year period. If some were received into repentance before this synod, the beginning of the six years is to be reckoned for them from that time. But if danger and expectation of death should arise through sickness or some other cause, they are to be received on condition.

Direct English translation

Concerning those who ate together at a pagan festival in a place set apart for pagans, while bringing their own food and eating it, it has seemed good that they be received after two years of prostration. Whether each should then be received with participation in the offering is for the bishops to examine, after also investigating the rest of each person's life.

Direct English translation

Those who sacrificed a second and third time under compulsion are to spend four years among those who fall down in repentance, then two years in communion without the offering, and in the seventh year are to be received fully.

Direct English translation

Those who not only apostatized but also rose up against the brethren, compelled them, and became the cause of their being compelled are to spend three years in the place of the hearers, another six years among those who fall down in repentance, and another year in communion without the offering, so that after completing ten years they may partake of full communion. During this time the rest of their manner of life is also to be observed.

Direct English translation

Deacons who, at the very time they are appointed, testify and state that they need to marry because they are unable to remain unmarried, if they marry afterwards are to remain in the ministry because this was permitted to them by the bishop. But if some remain silent and at their ordination accept that they are to remain unmarried, and afterwards enter into marriage, they are to cease from the diaconal ministry.

Direct English translation

Girls who have been betrothed and are afterwards abducted by other men are to be restored to those to whom they were previously betrothed, even if they have suffered violence from their abductors.

Direct English translation

Those who sacrificed before baptism and were afterwards baptized have seemed fit to be promoted to ecclesiastical rank, as persons who have been washed clean.

Direct English translation

Chorepiscopi are not permitted to ordain presbyters or deacons; nor, indeed, may city presbyters act in another parish without the bishop's permission given by letters.

Direct English translation

Concerning presbyters or deacons among the clergy who abstain from meat, it has seemed good that they should taste it and then, if they wish, continue to exercise self-restraint. But if they are unwilling to do this, so that they will not even eat vegetables cooked together with meat, and if they refuse to submit to the canon, they are to cease from their rank.

Direct English translation

Concerning things belonging to the Lord's house which presbyters sold while there was no bishop, the property is to be restored to the Lord's house. It rests with the bishop's judgment whether the purchase price ought to be returned or not, since frequently the income from the property sold has already repaid to those purchasers more than the price they paid.

Direct English translation

Concerning those who have committed, or continue committing, bestiality: those who sinned before reaching twenty years of age, after spending fifteen years among those who fall down in repentance, are to receive communion in the prayers; then, after remaining in that communion for five years, they may also partake of the offering. Their manner of life during the period of prostration is also to be examined, and thus they are to receive mercy. But those who have been deeply immersed in the sins are to undergo the longer period of prostration. Those who, having passed that age and being married, have fallen into the sin are, after twenty-five years among those who fall down, to receive communion in the prayers; then, after completing five years in the communion of prayers, they may partake of the offering. If some, being married and having passed fifty years of age, have sinned, they are to receive communion at the end of life.

Direct English translation

Those who have committed bestiality and are leprous, or have become leprous, the holy synod has commanded to pray among those who are afflicted.

Direct English translation

If any bishops, after being appointed, are not received by the parish to which they were designated and wish to intrude upon other parishes, to force the bishops established there, and to stir up factions against them, they are to be excommunicated. If, however, they wish to sit in the presbyterium where they were formerly presbyters, they are not to be deprived of that honour. But if they stir up factions against the bishops established there, they are also to be deprived of the honour of the presbyterium and are to be expelled.

Direct English translation

Those who have professed virginity and afterwards break their profession are to fulfil the rule appointed for those who marry twice. We have also forbidden virgins to live together with men as though they were sisters.

Direct English translation

If a man's wife commits adultery, or if a man commits adultery, he is to attain full communion in seven years according to the prescribed stages.

Direct English translation

Concerning women who prostitute themselves, destroy what is conceived, and endeavour to cause abortions: the former rule barred them until the end of life, and some concur with this. But having found a more merciful measure, we have determined that they complete a period of ten years according to the prescribed stages.

Direct English translation

Concerning voluntary murders, those guilty are to remain among those who fall down in repentance, but at the end of life are to be deemed worthy of full communion.

Direct English translation

Concerning involuntary murders, the former rule commands that full communion be received in seven years according to the prescribed stages; but the later rule requires the completion of five years.

Direct English translation

Those who practise divination, follow the customs of the pagans, or bring persons into their own homes for the discovery of sorceries or for purification are to fall under the five-year rule according to the prescribed stages: three years among those who fall down in repentance and two years in prayer without the offering.

Direct English translation

A certain man who had betrothed a girl corrupted her sister and even made her pregnant; afterwards he married the woman to whom he had been betrothed, while the woman who had been corrupted hanged herself. Those who were privy to the matter were commanded to be received among those who stand with the faithful after ten years, according to the prescribed stages.