A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

725concerning the incarnation of God the Word, but with the purposethat all further strife in regard to the aforesaid questions cease,and in this matter we follow and hold as sufficient only the HolyScriptures and the tradition of the five holy general councils andthe simple statements and unquestioned usage and expressionsof the approved Fathers (of which the dogmas, rules, and laws [664]of God's holy Catholic and Apostolic Church consists), withoutadding to or taking from them anything, or without explainingthem against their proper meaning, but everywhere shall be preservedthe former customs, as before the disputes broke out, asif no such dispute had existed. As to those who have hithertotaught one will and one energy or two wills and two energies,there shall be no accusation on this account; excepting only thosewho have been cast forth as heretics, together with their impiousdoctrines and writings, by the five holy universal councils andother approved orthodox Fathers. But to complete the unityand fellowship of the churches of God, and that there remainno further opportunity or occasion to those who are eager forendless dispute, we order that the document, 291 which for a longtime has been posted up in the narthex of the most holy principalchurch of this our God-preserved royal city, and which touchesupon the points in dispute, shall be taken down. Whoever daresto transgress this command is subject before all to the fearfuljudgment of Almighty God, and then also will be liable to thepunishment for such as despise the imperial commands. If hebe a bishop or clergyman, he will altogether be deposed fromhis priesthood or clerical order; if a monk, excommunicated anddriven out of his residence; if a civil or military officer, he shalllose his rank and office; if a private citizen, he shall, if noble, bepunished pecuniarily, if of lower rank, be subjected to corporalpunishment and perpetual exile.291 The Ecthesis.