A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

(B) The Hierarchical Organization 395Lent (that the pure gift may be offered to God after all bitterness [361]has been put away) and let the second be held about autumn.Canon 6. Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya, andPentapolis prevail, that the bishop of Alexandria shall have jurisdictionin all these, since the like is customary for the bishop ofRome also. 127 Likewise in Antioch and the other provinces, letthe churches retain their privileges. And this is to be universallyunderstood, that if any one be made bishop without the consentof his metropolitan, the great synod has declared that such aman ought not to be bishop. If, however, two or three bishopsshall, from natural love of contradiction, oppose the commonsuffrage of the rest, it being reasonable and in accordance withthe ecclesiastical law, then let the choice of the majority prevail.Canon 7. Since custom and ancient tradition have prevailedthat the bishop of Ælia [i.e., Jerusalem] should be honored, lethim, saving its due dignity to the metropolis, have the next placeof honor.Canon 15. On account of the great disturbance and discordsthat occur, it is decreed that the custom prevailing in certainplaces contrary to the canon must wholly be done away; sothat neither bishop, presbyter, nor deacon shall pass from cityto city. And if any one, after this decree of the holy and greatsynod, shall attempt any such thing or continue in such course,his proceedings shall be utterly void, and he shall be restored tothe church for which he was ordained bishop or presbyter.Canon 16. Neither presbyters, nor deacons, nor any othersenrolled among the clergy, who, not having the fear of Godbefore their eyes, nor regarding the ecclesiastical canon, shallrecklessly remove from their own church, ought by any meansto be received by another church; but every constraint should [362]127 This sixth canon of Nicæa very early received the title: “Concerning thePrimacy of the Roman Church.” and had this addition placed as its first clause:“The Roman Church has always had the primacy.” In this form the canon wascited by the Roman legates at the Council of Chalcedon in 451.