Canons of the Council of Sardica

Direct English translation

Hosius, bishop of the city of Corduba, said: It is not so much an evil custom as a most harmful corruption of affairs that must be uprooted from the very foundations, so that no bishop may be permitted to transfer from a small city to another city. The pretext of the cause for which such things are attempted is plain. For no bishop has ever been found who was eager to transfer from a greater city to a very small city. From this it is established that such men are inflamed by a burning disposition of greed and serve arrogance rather, in order that they may appear to possess greater authority. If this therefore pleases all, so that such perversity be punished more severely—for I judge that such persons ought not even to have lay communion—all the bishops said: It pleases all.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: If any such person should be found so frantic or rash as to think he can offer an excuse in matters of this kind by asserting that he has received letters from the multitude, it is plain that a few persons, corrupted by payment and reward, could have stirred up faction in the Church as though demanding to have that man as bishop. I therefore judge that such frauds and devices are by no means to be accepted, but rather punished, so that no such person be deemed worthy even at the end of lay communion. If this opinion pleases you, answer. They answered: What has been said pleases us.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: It is necessary to add this also: let no bishop pass from his own province into another province in which there are bishops, unless he has been invited by his own brethren, lest we appear to close the doors of love. Likewise care must be taken that, if in any province one bishop has a case against his brother and fellow bishop, neither of them call bishops from another province as judges. But if any bishop seems to have been condemned in some matter and thinks that his case is not unsound but good, so that the judgment ought to be renewed, then, if it pleases your charity, let us honor the memory of Peter the Apostle, and let those who judged write to Julius, bishop of Rome, so that, if necessary, the tribunal may be renewed through bishops neighboring the province and he may provide judges. But if the bishop cannot establish that his case is of such a kind as to require a second judgment, let what has once been judged not be dissolved, but let the existing decision remain firm.

Direct English translation

Gaudentius the bishop said: If any bishop is deposed by the judgment of the bishops who are his neighbors and says that a matter of defense still lies before him, let no other be appointed to his chair until the bishop of Rome, having examined the matter, issues a determination concerning it.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: It has pleased us that, if any bishop is accused and the bishops of the same province assemble and remove him from his rank, and he appeals and takes refuge with the most blessed bishop of the Church of the Romans, and that bishop wishes to hear him and judges it right that the examination of his case be renewed, he may deem it proper to write to the bishops neighboring the province so that they themselves carefully and exactly investigate every matter and, according to fidelity to the truth, issue a judgment concerning the case. But if someone asks that his case be heard again, and by his petition the bishop of the Romans judges that presbyters should be sent from his own side, let it be in the power of that bishop, if he examines the matter and determines that it is good and necessary, to send persons who will judge together with the bishops and who have the authority of the one by whom they were sent; and this is to be established. But if he considers the bishops sufficient for the examination and decision of the matter, he will do whatever seems good to his most prudent counsel. The bishops answered: What has been said pleases us.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: If it happens in one province, in which there are many bishops, that one bishop remains apart and through some negligence is unwilling to assemble and consent to the appointment of the bishops, while the multitudes have assembled and request that the bishop whom they seek be appointed, the bishop who remains apart must first be reminded by letters of the exarch of the province—that is, the bishop of the metropolis—that the multitudes request that a shepherd be given to them. I judge it good to wait for him also, so that he may come. But if, after being requested by letters, he neither comes nor writes in reply, the desire of the multitude ought to be sufficiently satisfied. The bishops of the neighboring province must also be summoned for the appointment of the bishop of the metropolis. But it is not permitted simply to appoint a bishop in a village or small city for which one presbyter alone is sufficient; for it is not necessary to establish bishops there, lest the name and authority of the bishop be brought into contempt. Rather, as I said before, the bishops of the province ought to appoint bishops in those cities in which bishops were formerly established. But if a city is found to have grown to such a multitude of people that it is judged worthy also of a bishopric, let it receive one. Does this please all? All answered: It pleases us.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: Our importunity, repeated attendance, and unjust requests have caused us not to possess as much favor and freedom of speech as we ought. For many bishops do not cease going 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 disregard them, so that one man carries to the court many different petitions that cannot benefit the churches, and does not, as ought to be done, aid and assist the poor, laypeople, or widows, but seeks worldly dignities and offices for certain persons. This perversity causes us injury together with scandal and condemnation. I have therefore judged it more fitting for a bishop to provide his help to someone who is oppressed by another, or to a widow who is wronged, or again to an orphan who is deprived of what belongs to him, provided that these cases have a just claim. If therefore, beloved brethren, this seems good to all, determine that no bishop ought to go to the imperial court except those whom our most pious emperor summons by his own letters. Yet because it often happens that persons in need of mercy flee to the Church—those condemned because of their offenses to confinement or to an island, or subjected to some other sentence—help is not to be denied to such persons, but pardon is to be requested for them without delay and without hesitation. If this also pleases you, let all give their vote. All answered: Let this also be established.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: Let your discernment judge this also: since it has been decided, in order that none of the bishops going to the imperial court fall under condemnation, that if any of them have petitions such as those mentioned above, they should send them through their own deacon. For the person of a servant is not an object of envy, and the matters granted can be conveyed more quickly. All answered: Let this also be established.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: I think this also follows: if in any province bishops send petitions to their brother and fellow bishop who happens to be in the greater city, that is, the metropolis, he himself is to send his own deacon and the petitions, giving him also letters of recommendation and writing in due order to our fellow brothers and fellow bishops who at that time may be staying in the places or cities in which the most pious emperor administers public affairs. But if any bishop has friends in the palace court and wishes to request something that is most fitting, he is not to be prevented from making the request through his own deacon and instructing those whom he believes able to provide their good assistance to his request. Those, however, who go to Rome, as I said before, ought to present the petitions they have to our beloved brother and fellow bishop Julius, so that he first examines whether any of them are shameless, and then, providing his protection and care, sends them to the imperial court. All the bishops answered that this pleased them and that this counsel was most fitting.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: I think this also necessary, that it be examined with all exactness and care, so that if a wealthy man or a man trained in public affairs is deemed worthy from the marketplace to become a bishop, he is not to be appointed before he has fulfilled the service of reader, deacon, and presbyter, so that through each degree, if he is judged worthy, he may by progress be able to pass to the summit of the episcopate. Each degree of the order is to have a period of no small length, through which his faith, goodness of character, steadfastness, and gentleness may become known, and he, having been judged worthy of the divine priesthood, may enjoy the greatest honor. For neither is it fitting, nor do knowledge and good conduct permit, that one proceed rashly and lightly in this matter so that a bishop, presbyter, or deacon be appointed hastily; for thus he would rightly be considered newly planted. Especially since the most blessed Apostle, who became teacher of the nations, is seen to have forbidden appointments to be made quickly; for a trial of a very long time can reasonably reveal the conduct and character of each person. All said that this pleased them and that these things must in no way be overturned.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: We ought to determine this also: when a bishop comes from another city into another city, or from another province into another province, and, being served for the sake of display by praises of himself or under pretext of religious devotion, wishes to remain a longer time, if the bishop of that city is not experienced in teaching, let him not despise him and speak more frequently in an effort to shame and belittle the person of the bishop there. For this pretext is accustomed to produce disturbances, and through such craftiness a man may strive to betroth to himself and seize another's chair, not hesitating to leave the Church entrusted to him and transfer to another. A time must therefore be determined in this matter, since refusing hospitality to a bishop has been considered inhuman and harsh. Remember that in former times our Fathers judged that if a layman living in a city did not assemble for three Lord's Days in three weeks, he was to be removed from communion. If this has been enacted concerning laypeople, it is neither right, fitting, nor beneficial for a bishop, unless he has some weightier necessity or difficult matter, to remain away from his own Church for a very long time and grieve the people entrusted to him. All the bishops said: We determine that this judgment also is exceedingly fitting.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: Since nothing is to be omitted, let this also be determined. Some of our brethren and fellow bishops appear to possess very little private property in the cities in which they are established as bishops, but large estates in other places, from which they are also able to assist the poor. I therefore judge that they are to be permitted, when they are going to their own estates and gathering the fruits, to spend three Lord's Days, that is three weeks, on their own properties, and to assemble and celebrate the Liturgy in the neighboring church in which a presbyter holds the assembly, so that they may not appear to be without church assembly, and not to come more frequently to the city in which they are bishop. In this way their own affairs will suffer no harm through their absence, and they will appear to avoid the accusation of ostentation and pride. All the bishops said: This regulation also pleases us.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: Let this also please all: if a deacon, presbyter, or any cleric becomes excluded from communion and takes refuge with another bishop who knows him and knows that he has been removed from communion by his own bishop, that bishop ought not, by insulting his brother and fellow bishop, to provide him communion. If he should dare to do this, let him know that, when the bishops assemble, he will be liable to give an account. All the bishops said: This judgment will always preserve peace and maintain the concord of all.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: I ought not to pass over in silence something that continually troubles me. If a bishop should be found quick-tempered—which ought not to characterize such a man—and, being harshly moved against a presbyter or deacon, should wish to cast him out of the Church, care must be taken that such a person is not suddenly condemned and deprived of communion. All the bishops said: Let the one who is cast out have authority to take refuge with the bishop of the metropolis of the same province; and if the metropolitan is absent, let him run to the nearest bishop and request that his case be examined with exactness, for those who ask to be heard ought not to be denied a hearing. The bishop who cast him out, whether justly or unjustly, ought courageously to bear that the matter be examined, so that his decision may either be confirmed or receive correction. But before everything has been carefully and faithfully examined, the one who lacks communion ought not, before the case is decided, to vindicate communion for himself. If some of the assembled clerics perceive his contemptuousness and arrogance, since it is not fitting to endure insult or unjust reproach, they ought to correct him with sharper and weightier words, so that he may serve and obey the one who commands what is fitting. For just as the bishop owes sincere love and goodwill to his ministers, so in the same way those who are subject ought to fulfill their service toward the bishops without deceit.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: Let us all determine this also: if any bishop wishes to appoint to some rank an attendant belonging to another parish, without the consent of that attendant's own bishop, such an appointment is to be regarded as invalid and without force. If any permit this to themselves, they ought to be admonished and corrected by our brethren and fellow bishops. All said: This determination also shall remain unshaken.

Direct English translation

Aetius the bishop said: You are not unaware of the character and greatness of the metropolis of the Thessalonians. Presbyters and deacons from other provinces often come to it and, not being content with a short stay, remain there and continue spending all their time there, or only with difficulty after a very long time are compelled to return to their own churches. A determination must therefore be made concerning them. Hosius the bishop said: Let the rules that have been established for bishops be observed also concerning these persons.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: At the proposal also of our brother Olympius, this has pleased us: if any bishop, having suffered violence, is unjustly expelled either because of his knowledge, because of his confession of the Catholic Church, or because of his defense of the truth, and, fleeing danger while innocent and devoted to God, comes to another city, let him not be prevented from remaining there until he returns or is able to find release from the insult done to him. For it is harsh and exceedingly grievous that one who has endured unjust persecution should not be received by us; such a person ought to be received with the greatest goodness and kindness. All said: This also pleased us.

Direct English translation

Gaudentius the bishop said: You know, brother Aetius, that when you were appointed bishop, peace thereafter prevailed. In order that no remnants of discord concerning ecclesiastical matters remain, it has seemed good that all those appointed by Musaeus and those appointed by Eutychianus be received, since no charge is found against them.

Direct English translation

Hosius the bishop said: The judgment of my moderation is this: since we ought to be peaceable and patient and to maintain enduring compassion toward all, those who have once been advanced into the ecclesiastical clergy by some of our brethren, if they are unwilling to return to the churches to which they were appointed, are no longer to be received elsewhere. Eutychianus is not to claim for himself the name of bishop, nor is Musaeus to be regarded as a bishop; but if they request lay communion, it ought not to be denied them. All said: It pleases us.

Direct English translation

Gaudentius the bishop said: These things, having been determined savingly, consistently, and fittingly for the discipline of us priests, and being pleasing to God and to men, will not be able to retain their force and strength unless fear also follows the decisions that have been issued. For we ourselves know that often, because of the shamelessness of a few, the divine and most venerable name of the priesthood has come under condemnation. If therefore anyone should dare, contrary to what has pleased all, to do something else, striving to please pride and arrogance rather than God, let him know already that he makes himself liable to answer for an accusation and to lose the honor and dignity of the episcopate. All answered: Such a judgment is fitting and pleasing to us.

Direct English translation

This will become especially known and be fulfilled if each of us bishops established along the routes, that is, the public roads, upon seeing a bishop traveling, asks the reason for his journey and where he is going. If he finds that he is going to the imperial court, he is to inquire into the grounds set out above; and if he is going because he has been summoned, let no obstacle be placed in his way. But if he is hastening to the court for display, as has been said to your charity, or because of petitions for certain persons, let no one sign his letters or communicate with such a person. All said: Let this also be determined.