A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

324 A Source Book for Ancient Church Historypresent with us, will on his return to you enter into more minutedetails, inasmuch as he is not only a participator in whatever istransacted, but has the principal direction of it. We have also toannounce the good news to you concerning the unanimity as tothe holy feast of Easter: that this by your prayers has been settledso that all the brethren in the East, who have hitherto kept thisfestival with the Jews, will henceforth conform to the Romansand to us, and to all who from the earliest times have observedour period of celebrating Easter. Rejoicing, therefore, on accountof a favorable termination of matters and in the extirpation ofall heresy, receive with the greater honor and more abundantlove our fellow-minister and your bishop, Alexander, who hasgreatly delighted us by his presence, and even at his advancedage has undergone extraordinary exertions in order that peacemight be re-established among you. Pray on behalf of us all, thatthe decisions to which we have so justly come may be inviolablymaintained through Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ,together with the Holy Spirit to whom be glory forever. Amen.(b) Council of Nicæa, Canon 8, On the Novatians, Bruns. I, 8.The Church recognized the substantial orthodoxy of the Novatians,and according to the principles laid down at Arles(cc. 8, 13, § 62 I, b) the ordination of the Novatians wasregarded as valid. The following canon, although a generousconcession on the part of the Church, did not bring about ahealing of the schism which lasted several centuries. The lastmention of the Novatians is contained in the 95th canon of thesecond Trullan Council, known as the Quinisext, A. D. 692.Canon 8. Concerning those who call themselves Cathari, whocome over to the Catholic and Apostolic Church, the great andholy synod decrees that they who are ordained shall continue asthey are among the clergy. But before all things it is necessary