A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

675This is one of the most important councils of the period. Itsvarious canons have all been embodied in the Canon Law;for the references to the Decretum of Gratian, in which theyappear, see Hefele, § 222. It is to be noted that it was heldunder Alarich, the Arian king of the Visigoths. The prefaceis, therefore, given as being significant.Since this holy synod has been assembled in the name of theLord and with the permission of our most glorious, magnificent,and most pious king in the city of Agde, there, with knees bentand on the ground, we have prayed for his kingdom, his long [617]life, for the people, that the lord who has given us permission toassemble, may happily extend his kingdom, that he may governjustly and protect valiantly; we have assembled in the basilicaof St. Andrew to treat of the discipline and the ordination ofpontiffs and other things of utility to the Church.Canon 21. If any one wishes to have an oratory in the fieldsoutside of the parishes, in which the gathering of the people islawful and appointed, we permit him to have a mass there withthe proper license on the other festivals, on account of the wearinessof the family [i.e., in going to the distant parish church], buton Easter, Christmas, Epiphany, Ascension Day, Pentecost andthe Nativity of St. John the Baptist, or if there are any other veryhigh festival days observed, let them hold no masses except inthe cities and parishes. But if the clergy, without the commandor permission of the bishop, hold and perform the masses on thefestivals above mentioned in the oratories, let them be drivenfrom the communion.Canon 30. Because it is appropriate that the service of theChurch be observed in the same way by all, it is to be desired thatit be done so everywhere. After the antiphones the collects shallbe said in order by the bishops and presbyters, and the hymns ofMatins and Vespers be sung daily; and at the conclusion of the