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Apoteichisis
879–8803 bilingual canons

Canons of the Council in Hagia Sophia

Κανόνες τῆς ἐν τῷ Ναῷ τῆς Ἁγίας Σοφίας Συνόδου

The three canons of the council held in Hagia Sophia.

3 numbered canons · 3 direct English translations · 3 received Greek originals

Reading language
3 canons shown · Direct English translation
  1. Canon 1

    Direct English translation

    Direct English translation

    The holy and ecumenical Synod has determined that, if any clergy, laypeople, or bishops from Italy, while residing in Asia, Europe, or Libya, have been placed under bond, deposition, or anathema by the most holy Pope John, such persons are also to be held by Photius, the most holy Patriarch of Constantinople, under the same degree of penalty—that is, deposed, anathematized, or excommunicated. Likewise, those clergy, laypeople, or persons of the high-priestly and priestly order whom Photius, our most holy Patriarch, in whatever parish, places under excommunication, deposition, or anathema, the most holy Pope John and the holy Church of God of the Romans under him are also to hold under the same judgment of penalty; with nothing at all being innovated, either now or hereafter, in the privileges belonging to the most holy throne of the Church of the Romans or to its president.

  2. Canon 2

    Direct English translation

    Direct English translation

    Although until now some high priests, upon descending to the monastic habit, have insisted on remaining at the height of the high-priesthood, and while doing this have been overlooked, nevertheless this holy and ecumenical Synod, regulating this oversight also and bringing this disorderly practice back to the ecclesiastical ordinances, has determined that if any bishop or any other person of high-priestly dignity wishes to descend to the monastic life and fulfill the place of repentance, he is no longer to lay claim to the high-priestly dignity. For the covenants of monks have the character of obedience and discipleship, not of teaching or presidency; they profess not to shepherd others but to be shepherded. Therefore, as stated above, we decree that no one numbered among the high priests and regarded as a shepherd is any longer to lower himself into the place of those who are shepherded and repent. If anyone dares to do this after the promulgation and judgment of the decree now pronounced, having deprived himself of the high-priestly rank, he shall no longer return to the former dignity which by his own deeds he has renounced.

  3. Canon 3

    Direct English translation

    Direct English translation

    If any layman, acting with self-authority and despising the divine and imperial ordinances, and mocking the fearful institutions and laws of the Church, should dare to strike or imprison any bishop, either without a cause or by fabricating a cause, let such a person be anathema.

Text policy

The numbered entries above contain the canon text only. Editorial summaries, commentaries, epitomes, notes, and modern interpretations are excluded. English is a new direct translation and opens by default; the received Greek remains available beside it and controls wherever wording is disputed.