Canons of the Council of Ancyra (complete)
Greek text: Pedalion (1800) (Greek text: the Pedalion (Nikodemos the Hagiorite and Agapios, 1800), transcription on Greek Wikisource, CC BY-SA).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).
Chapter 1
1Pedalion
Πρεσβυτέρους τοὺς ἐπιθύσαντας, εἶτα ἀναπαλαίσαντας, μήτε ἐκ μεθόδου τινός, ἀλλ᾽ ἐξ ἀληθείας, μήτε προκατασκευάσαντας, καὶ ἐπιτηδεύσαντας, καὶ πείσαντας, ἵνα δόξωσι μὲν βασάνοις ὑποβάλλεσθαι, ταύτας δὲ τῷ δοκεῖν καὶ τῷ σχήματι προσαχθῆναι· τούτους ἔδοξε, τῆς μὲν τιμῆς τῆς κατὰ τὴν καθέδραν μετέχειν· προσφέρειν δὲ αὐτούς, ἢ ὁμιλεῖν, ἢ ὅλως λειτουργεῖν τι τῶν ἱερατικῶν λειτουργιῶν, μὴ ἐξεῖναι.
Presbyterous tous epithysantas, eita anapalaisantas, mēte ek methodou tinos, all᾽ ex alētheias, mēte prokataskeuasantas, kai epitēdeusantas, kai peisantas, hina doxōsi men basanois hypoballesthai, tautas de tǭ dokein kai tǭ schēmati prosachthēnai; toutous edoxe, tēs men timēs tēs kata tēn kathedran metechein; prospherein de autous, ē homilein, ē holōs leitourgein ti tōn hieratikōn leitourgiōn, mē exeinai.
Presbyters who sacrificed and then took up the contest again, not by some trick but in truth, and who did not arrange, contrive, and persuade beforehand so as to seem to be put to tortures while these were applied only in appearance and for show: it is decided that these share the honor belonging to their seat, but that it not be permitted to them to offer, or to preach, or in any way to perform any of the priestly ministries.
Notes and citation
Summary: Presbyters who sacrificed under persecution but then genuinely resumed the struggle keep their rank but may not exercise their ministry.
- “Took up the contest again” (ἀναπαλαίσαντας): returned to the struggle, i.e. confessed Christ after having sacrificed. “Offer”: celebrate the eucharistic offering; “preach” renders ὁμιλεῖν (“address”).
Topics: Church office, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 1 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 2
2Pedalion
Διακόνους ὁμοίως θύσαντας, μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἀναπαλαίσαντας, τὴν μὲν ἄλλην τιμὴν ἔχειν, πεπαῦσθαι δὲ αὐτοὺς πάσης τῆς ἱερᾶς λειτουργίας, τῆς τε τοῦ ἄρτον ἢ ποτήριον ἀναφέρειν, ἢ κηρύσσειν. Εἰ μέντοι τινές τῶν ἐπισκόπων τούτοις συνίδοιεν κάματόν τινα, ἢ ταπείνωσιν πρᾳότητος, καὶ ἐθέλοιεν πλέον τι διδόναι, ἢ ἀφαιρεῖν, ἐπ᾽ αὐτοῖς εἶναι τὴν ἐξουσίαν.
Diakonous homoiōs thysantas, meta de tauta anapalaisantas, tēn men allēn timēn echein, pepausthai de autous pasēs tēs hieras leitourgias, tēs te tou arton ē potērion anapherein, ē kēryssein. Ei mentoi tines tōn episkopōn toutois synidoien kamaton tina, ē tapeinōsin prąotētos, kai etheloien pleon ti didonai, ē aphairein, ep᾽ autois einai tēn exousian.
Deacons who likewise sacrificed and afterward took up the contest again shall have their other honor, but shall cease from every sacred ministry, both from bringing up the bread or the cup and from proclaiming. If, however, some of the bishops see in them toil or humility of meekness, and wish to give them something more, or to take something away, the authority shall rest with them.
Notes and citation
Summary: Deacons who sacrificed but then confessed keep their honor without serving, though bishops may relax or tighten this.
- “Bringing up the bread or the cup”: presenting the eucharistic gifts. “Proclaiming” (κηρύσσειν): the deacon's public announcements and biddings in the liturgy.
Topics: Church office, Persecution, Eucharist
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 2 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 3
3Pedalion
Τοὺς φεύγοντας καὶ συλληφθέντας, ἢ ὑπὸ οἰκείων παραδοθέντας, ἢ ἄλλως τὰ ὑπάρχοντα ἀφαιρεθέντας, ἢ ὑπομείναντας βασάνους, ἢ εἰς δεσμωτήριον ἐμβληθέντας, βοῶντάς τε, ὅτι εἰσὶ Χριστιανοί, καὶ περισχισθέντας, ἢ τι εἰς τὰς χεῖρας πρὸς βίαν ἐμβαλλόντων τῶν βιαζομένων, ἢ βρῶμά τι πρὸς ἀνάγκην δεξαμένους, ὁμολογοῦντας δὲ διόλου ὅτι εἰσὶ Χριστιανοί, καὶ τὸ πένθος τοῦ συμβάντος ἀεὶ ἐπιδεικνυμένους τῇ πάσῃ καταστολῇ καὶ τῷ σχήματι, καὶ τῇ τοῦ βίου ταπεινότητί, τούτους, ὡς ἔξω ἁμαρτήματος ὄντας, τῆς κοινωνίας μὴ κωλύεσθαι· εἰ δὲ καὶ ἐκωλύθησαν ὑπό τινος, περισσοτέρας ἀκριβείας ἕνεκεν, ἢ καί τινων ἀγνοίᾳ, εὐθὺς προσδεχθῆναι. Τοῦτο δὲ ὁμοίως ἐπί τε τῶν ἐκ τοῦ κλήρου καὶ τῶν ἄλλων λαϊκῶν. Προσεξητάσθη δὲ κἀκεῖνο, εἰ δύνανται καὶ λαϊκοί, τῇ αὐτῇ ἀνάγκῃ ὑποπεσόντες, προάγεσθαι εἰς τάξιν· ἔδοξεν οὖν καὶ τούτους, ὡς μηδὲν ἡμαρτηκότας, εἰ καὶ ἡ προλαβοῦσα εὑρίσκοιτο ὀρθὴ τοῦ βίου πολιτεία, προχειρίζεσθαι.
Tous pheugontas kai syllēphthentas, ē hypo oikeiōn paradothentas, ē allōs ta hyparchonta aphairethentas, ē hypomeinantas basanous, ē eis desmōtērion emblēthentas, boōntas te, hoti eisi Christianoi, kai perischisthentas, ē ti eis tas cheiras pros bian emballontōn tōn biazomenōn, ē brōma ti pros anankēn dexamenous, homologountas de diolou hoti eisi Christianoi, kai to penthos tou symbantos aei epideiknymenous tę̄ pasę̄ katastolę̄ kai tǭ schēmati, kai tę̄ tou biou tapeinotēti, toutous, hōs exō hamartēmatos ontas, tēs koinōnias mē kōlyesthai; ei de kai ekōlythēsan hypo tinos, perissoteras akribeias heneken, ē kai tinōn agnoią, euthys prosdechthēnai. Touto de homoiōs epi te tōn ek tou klērou kai tōn allōn laïkōn. Prosexētasthē de kakeino, ei dynantai kai laïkoi, tę̄ autę̄ anankę̄ hypopesontes, proagesthai eis taxin; edoxen oun kai toutous, hōs mēden hēmartēkotas, ei kai hē prolabousa heuriskoito orthē tou biou politeia, procheirizesthai.
Those who fled and were caught, or were handed over by members of their own household, or were otherwise deprived of their property, or endured tortures, or were thrown into prison, crying out that they are Christians, and were dragged about, or had something forced into their hands by those using violence, or received some food under compulsion, yet confessed throughout that they are Christians, and continually show grief for what happened by their whole bearing and appearance and humility of life: these, as being free from sin, are not to be barred from communion; and if they have been barred by anyone, out of excessive strictness or through the ignorance of some, they are to be received at once. This holds equally for those of the clergy and for the other laity. It was further examined whether laymen too who fell under the same compulsion may be advanced to orders; it was decided, then, that these too, as having committed no sin, be appointed, if their previous conduct of life is found to be upright.
Notes and citation
Summary: Christians who were forced against their will to touch or eat sacrifices while confessing Christ have not sinned, keep communion, and may even be ordained.
- “Dragged about” renders περισχισθέντας, literally “torn round about”, perhaps of clothes torn from them; the exact sense is uncertain.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 3 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 4
4Pedalion
Περὶ τῶν πρὸς βίαν θυσάντων, ἐπὶ δὲ τούτοις καὶ τῶν δειπνησάντων εἰς τὰ εἴδωλα, ὅσοι μὲν ἀπαγόμενοι, καὶ σχήματι φαιδροτέρῳ ἀνῆλθον, καὶ ἐσθῆτι ἐχρήσαντο πολυτελεστέρα, καὶ μετέσχον τοῦ παρασκευασθέντος δείπνου ἀδιαφόρως, ἔδοξεν, ἐνιαυτὸν ἀκροᾶσθαι, ὑποπεσεῖν δὲ τρία ἔτη, εὐχῆς δὲ μόνης κοινωνῆσαι ἔτη δύο, καὶ τότε ἐλθεῖν ἐπὶ τὸ τέλειον.
Peri tōn pros bian thysantōn, epi de toutois kai tōn deipnēsantōn eis ta eidōla, hosoi men apagomenoi, kai schēmati phaidroterǭ anēlthon, kai esthēti echrēsanto polytelestera, kai meteschon tou paraskeuasthentos deipnou adiaphorōs, edoxen, eniauton akroasthai, hypopesein de tria etē, euchēs de monēs koinōnēsai etē dyo, kai tote elthein epi to teleion.
Concerning those who sacrificed under compulsion, and in addition to this also dined at the idols: as many as, when led away, went up with a more cheerful appearance, and wore more costly clothing, and shared in the prepared banquet without concern, it is decided that they be hearers for a year, prostrators for three years, and share in prayer only for two years, and then come to the full communion.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those forced to sacrifice who nevertheless feasted cheerfully at the idol banquet do six years of graded penance.
- The council uses the grades of public penance: “hearers” (ἀκρόασις) stood at the church door and heard the readings and sermon; “prostrators” or “kneelers” (ὑπόπτωσις) knelt inside and received the laying on of hands for penitents; those who “share in prayer only” stood with the faithful (the “co-standers”) but did not offer or receive; “the full communion” (τὸ τέλειον) is full participation in the eucharist.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 4 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 5
5Pedalion
Ὅσοι δὲ ἀνῆλθον μετὰ ἐσθῆτος πενθικῆς, καὶ ἀναπεσόντες ἔφαγον, μεταξύ δι᾽ ὅλης τῆς ἀνακλίσεως δακρύοντες, εἰ ἐπλήρωσαν τὸν τῆς ὑποπτώσεως τριετῆ χρόνον, χωρὶς προσφορᾶς δεχθήτωσαν· εἰ δὲ μὴ ἔφαγον, δύο ὑποπεσόντες ἔτη, τῷ τρίτῳ κοινωνησάτωσαν ἔτει χωρὶς προσφορᾶς, ἵνα τὸ τέλειον τῇ τετραετίᾳ λάβωσι. Τοὺς δὲ ἐπισκόπους ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν τὸν τρόπον τῆς ἐπιστροφῆς δοκιμάσαντας, φιλανθρωπεύεσθαι, ἢ πλείονα προστιθέναι χρόνον. Πρὸ πάντων δέ, καὶ ὁ προάγων βίος, καὶ ὁ μετὰ ταῦτα, ἐξεταζέσθω, καὶ οὕτως ἡ φιλανθρωπία ἐπιμετρείσθω.
Hosoi de anēlthon meta esthētos penthikēs, kai anapesontes ephagon, metaxy di᾽ holēs tēs anakliseōs dakryontes, ei eplērōsan ton tēs hypoptōseōs trietē chronon, chōris prosphoras dechthētōsan; ei de mē ephagon, dyo hypopesontes etē, tǭ tritǭ koinōnēsatōsan etei chōris prosphoras, hina to teleion tę̄ tetraetią labōsi. Tous de episkopous exousian echein ton tropon tēs epistrophēs dokimasantas, philanthrōpeuesthai, ē pleiona prostithenai chronon. Pro pantōn de, kai ho proagōn bios, kai ho meta tauta, exetazesthō, kai houtōs hē philanthrōpia epimetreisthō.
But as many as went up in mourning clothes and, reclining, ate, weeping the whole time they reclined: if they have fulfilled the three-year period of prostration, let them be received without the offering; but if they did not eat, after being prostrators for two years, let them communicate in the third year without the offering, so that they may receive the full communion in the fourth year. And the bishops are to have authority, having examined the manner of their conversion, to deal more kindly with them or to add more time. But above all, let both the preceding life and that which follows be examined, and so let the kindness be measured out.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who attended the idol banquet in grief receive lighter penance, and bishops may lessen or lengthen it after examining their lives.
- “Without the offering”: sharing in the prayers but not in the eucharistic offering (see canon 4).
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 5 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 6
6Pedalion
Περὶ τῶν ἀπειλῇ μόνον εἰξάντων κολάσεων, καὶ ἀφαιρέσεως ὑπαρχόντων, ἢ μετοικίας, καὶ θυσάντων, καὶ μέχρι τοῦ παρόντος καιροῦ μὴ μετανοησάντων, μηδὲ ἐπιστρεψάντων, νῦν δὲ παρὰ τὸν καιρὸν τῆς συνόδου προσελθόντων, καὶ εἰς διάνοιαν τῆς ἐπιστροφῆς γενομένων, ἔδοξε μέχρι τῆς μεγάλης ἡμέρας εἰς ἀκρόασιν δεχθῆναι, καὶ μετὰ τὴν μεγάλην ἡμέραν ὑποπεσεῖν τρία ἔτη, καὶ μετὰ ἄλλα δύο ἔτη κοινωνῆσαι, χωρὶς προσφορᾶς, καὶ οὕτως ἐλθεῖν ἐπὶ τὸ τέλειον, ὥστε τὴν πᾶσαν ἑξαετίαν πληρῶσαι. Εἰ δέ τινες πρὸ τῆς συνόδου ταύτης ἐδέχθησαν εἰς μετάνοιαν, ἀπ᾽ ἐκείνου τοῦ χρόνου λελογίσθαι αὐτοῖς τὴν ἀρχὴν τῆς ἑξαετίας. Εἰ μέν τοι κίνδυνος καὶ θανάτου προσδοκία ἐκ νόσου, ἢ ἄλλης τινὸς προφάσεως συμβαίη, τούτους ἐπὶ ὅρῳ δεχθῆναι.
Peri tōn apeilę̄ monon eixantōn kolaseōn, kai aphaireseōs hyparchontōn, ē metoikias, kai thysantōn, kai mechri tou parontos kairou mē metanoēsantōn, mēde epistrepsantōn, nyn de para ton kairon tēs synodou proselthontōn, kai eis dianoian tēs epistrophēs genomenōn, edoxe mechri tēs megalēs hēmeras eis akroasin dechthēnai, kai meta tēn megalēn hēmeran hypopesein tria etē, kai meta alla dyo etē koinōnēsai, chōris prosphoras, kai houtōs elthein epi to teleion, hōste tēn pasan hexaetian plērōsai. Ei de tines pro tēs synodou tautēs edechthēsan eis metanoian, ap᾽ ekeinou tou chronou lelogisthai autois tēn archēn tēs hexaetias. Ei men toi kindynos kai thanatou prosdokia ek nosou, ē allēs tinos prophaseōs symbaiē, toutous epi horǭ dechthēnai.
Concerning those who yielded only to the threat of punishments and of the confiscation of their property, or of exile, and sacrificed, and up to the present time have not repented nor turned back, but now, at the time of the synod, have come forward and have come to a mind to turn back: it is decided that they be received among the hearers until the Great Day, and after the Great Day be prostrators for three years, and after another two years communicate without the offering, and so come to the full communion, so as to complete the whole six years. But if some were received to repentance before this synod, the beginning of the six years is to be reckoned to them from that time. If, however, danger and expectation of death occur from illness or some other cause, these are to be received on condition.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who sacrificed merely at the threat of punishment and are only now repenting do six years of penance, with allowance in danger of death.
- “The Great Day”: Easter. “On condition” (ἐπὶ ὅρῳ): on condition that, if they recover, they complete the penance.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 6 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 7
7Pedalion
Περὶ τῶν συνεστιαθέντων ἐν ἐθνικῇ ἑορτῇ, ἐν τόπῳ ἀφωρισμένῳ τοῖς ἐθνικοῖς, ἴδια βρώματα ἐπικομισαμένων, καὶ φαγόντων, ἔδοξε διετίαν ὑποπεσόντας δεχθῆναι· τὸ δέ, εἰ χρὴ μετὰ τῆς προσφορᾶς ἕκαστον, τῶν ἐπισκόπων ἐστὶ δοκιμάσαι, καὶ τὸν ἄλλον βίον ἐφ᾽ ἑκάστου ἐξετάσαι.
Peri tōn synestiathentōn en ethnikę̄ heortę̄, en topǭ aphōrismenǭ tois ethnikois, idia brōmata epikomisamenōn, kai phagontōn, edoxe dietian hypopesontas dechthēnai; to de, ei chrē meta tēs prosphoras hekaston, tōn episkopōn esti dokimasai, kai ton allon bion eph᾽ hekastou exetasai.
Concerning those who feasted together at a pagan festival, in a place set apart for the pagans, but brought their own food and ate it: it is decided that they be received after being prostrators for two years; but whether each ought to be received with the offering is for the bishops to judge, and to examine the rest of each one's life.
Notes and citation
Summary: Christians who ate their own food at a pagan feast do two years' penance, at the bishops' discretion.
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 7 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-7). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 8
8Pedalion
Οἱ δὲ δεύτερον καὶ τρίτον θύσαντες μετὰ βίας, τετραετίαν ὑποπεσέτωσαν, δύο δὲ ἔτη χωρὶς προσφορᾶς κοινωνησάτωσαν, καὶ τῷ ἑβδόμῳ τελείως δεχθήτωσαν.
Hoi de deuteron kai triton thysantes meta bias, tetraetian hypopesetōsan, dyo de etē chōris prosphoras koinōnēsatōsan, kai tǭ hebdomǭ teleiōs dechthētōsan.
Those who sacrificed a second and a third time under compulsion shall be prostrators for four years, shall communicate without the offering for two years, and in the seventh year shall be fully received.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those forced to sacrifice two or three times do penance for six years and are fully restored in the seventh.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (dropped letter in the digital text (τετραετίαν, “four years”)): τετρατίαν → τετραετίαν.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 8 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-8). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 9
9Pedalion
Ὅσοι δὲ μὴ μόνον ἀπέστησαν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπανέστησαν, καὶ ἠνάγκασαν ἀδελφούς, καὶ αἴτιοι ἐγένοντο τοῦ ἀναγκασθῆναι, οὗτοι ἔτη μὲν τρία, τὸν τῆς ἀκροάσεως δεξάσθωσαν τόπον, ἐν δὲ ἄλλῃ ἑξαετίᾳ τὸν τῆς ὑποπτώσεως· ἄλλον δὲ ἐνιαυτὸν κοινωνησάτωσαν χωρὶς προσφορᾶς, ἵνα τὴν δεκαετίαν πληρώσαντες, τοῦ τελείου μετάσχωσιν· ἐν μέν τοι τούτῳ τῷ χρόνῳ, καὶ τὸν ἄλλον αὐτῶν ἐπιτηρεῖσθαι βίον.
Hosoi de mē monon apestēsan, alla kai epanestēsan, kai ēnankasan adelphous, kai aitioi egenonto tou anankasthēnai, houtoi etē men tria, ton tēs akroaseōs dexasthōsan topon, en de allę̄ hexaetią ton tēs hypoptōseōs; allon de eniauton koinōnēsatōsan chōris prosphoras, hina tēn dekaetian plērōsantes, tou teleiou metaschōsin; en men toi toutǭ tǭ chronǭ, kai ton allon autōn epitēreisthai bion.
But as many as not only fell away but also rose up against others and compelled brothers, and became the cause of their being compelled: these shall take the place of hearers for three years, and that of prostrators for another six years, and shall communicate without the offering for another year, so that, having completed the ten years, they may share in the full communion; yet during this time the rest of their life is also to be watched.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who not only lapsed but forced fellow Christians to sacrifice do ten years of penance.
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 9 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-9). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 10
10Pedalion
Διάκονοι, ὅσοι καθίστανται, παρ᾽ αὐτὴν τὴν κατάστασιν εἰ ἐμαρτύραντο καὶ ἔφασαν χρῆναι γαμῆσαι, μὴ δυνάμενοι οὕτω μένειν, οὗτοι μετὰ ταῦτα γαμήσαντες, ἔστωσαν ἐν τῇ ὑπηρεσίᾳ, διὰ τὸ ἐπιτραπῆναι αὐτοῖς ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐπισκόπου. Τοῦτο δέ, εἴ τινες σιωπήσαντες, καὶ καταδεξάμενοι ἐν τῇ χειροτονίᾳ μένειν οὕτω, μετὰ ταῦτα ἦλθον ἐπὶ γάμον, πεπαῦσθαι αὐτοὺς τῆς διακονίας.
Diakonoi, hosoi kathistantai, par᾽ autēn tēn katastasin ei emartyranto kai ephasan chrēnai gamēsai, mē dynamenoi houtō menein, houtoi meta tauta gamēsantes, estōsan en tę̄ hypēresią, dia to epitrapēnai autois hypo tou episkopou. Touto de, ei tines siōpēsantes, kai katadexamenoi en tę̄ cheirotonią menein houtō, meta tauta ēlthon epi gamon, pepausthai autous tēs diakonias.
Deacons, as many as are appointed, if at their very appointment they declared and said that they must marry, being unable to remain so: these, if they marry afterward, are to remain in their ministry, because it was permitted them by the bishop. But if any kept silent and accepted at their ordination to remain so, and afterward came to marriage, they are to cease from the diaconate.
Notes and citation
Summary: Deacons who declared at ordination that they intended to marry may do so; those who accepted celibacy at ordination and later marry lose their office.
Topics: Church office, Marriage
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 10 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-10). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 11
11Pedalion
Τὰς μνηστευθείσας κόρας, καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ὑπὸ ἄλλων ἁρπαγείσας, ἔδοξεν ἀποδίδοσθαι τοῖς προμνηστευσαμένοις, εἰ καὶ βίαν ὑπ᾽ αὐτῶν πάθοιεν.
Tas mnēsteutheisas koras, kai meta tauta hypo allōn harpageisas, edoxen apodidosthai tois promnēsteusamenois, ei kai bian hyp᾽ autōn pathoien.
Girls who have been betrothed and afterward carried off by others: it is decided that they be given back to those to whom they were first betrothed, even if they have suffered violence from them.
Notes and citation
Summary: A betrothed girl abducted by another man is to be returned to her betrothed, even if she was violated.
- “From them”: from the abductors.
Topics: Marriage
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 11 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-11). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 12
12Pedalion
Τοὺς πρὸ τοῦ βαπτίσματος τεθυκότας, καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα βαπτισθέντας, ἔδοξεν εἰς τάξιν προάγεσθαι, ὡς ἀπολουσαμένους.
Tous pro tou baptismatos tethykotas, kai meta tauta baptisthentas, edoxen eis taxin proagesthai, hōs apolousamenous.
Those who sacrificed before baptism and were afterward baptized: it is decided that they be advanced to orders, as having been washed clean.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who sacrificed before their baptism may be ordained, since baptism washed them clean.
Topics: Baptism, Church office
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 12 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-12). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 13
13Pedalion
Χωρεπισκόποις μὴ ἐξεῖναι πρεσβυτέρους ἢ διακόνους χειροτονεῖν, ἀλλὰ μὴν μηδὲ πρεσβυτέρους πόλεως, χωρὶς τοῦ ἐπιτραπῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐπισκόπου μετὰ γραμμάτων, ἐν ἑτέρᾳ παροικίᾳ.
Chōrepiskopois mē exeinai presbyterous ē diakonous cheirotonein, alla mēn mēde presbyterous poleōs, chōris tou epitrapēnai hypo tou episkopou meta grammatōn, en heterą paroikią.
It is not permitted to country bishops to ordain presbyters or deacons; nor indeed to presbyters of the city, without the bishop's permission given with letters, in another district.
Notes and citation
Summary: Country bishops may not ordain presbyters or deacons, nor may city presbyters act in another district without the bishop's written permission.
- “Country bishops” (χωρεπίσκοποι): bishops serving rural areas under the city bishop. The text of this canon is disputed; as printed (Pedalion) it is translated literally. “District” renders παροικία (later “diocese” or “parish”).
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 13 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-13). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 14
14Pedalion
Τοὺς ἐν κλήρῳ πρεσβυτέρους ἢ διακόνους ὄντας, ἀπεχομένους κρεῶν, ἔδοξεν ἐφάπτεσθαι, καὶ οὕτως, εἰ βούλοιντο, κρατεῖν ἑαυτῶν· εἰ δὲ μὴ βούλοιντο, ὡς μηδὲ τὰ μετὰ κρεῶν βαλλόμενα λάχανα ἐσθίειν, καὶ εἰ μὴ ὑπείκοιεν τῷ κανόνι, πεπαῦσθαι αὐτοὺς τῆς τάξεως.
Tous en klērǭ presbyterous ē diakonous ontas, apechomenous kreōn, edoxen ephaptesthai, kai houtōs, ei boulointo, kratein heautōn; ei de mē boulointo, hōs mēde ta meta kreōn ballomena lachana esthiein, kai ei mē hypeikoien tǭ kanoni, pepausthai autous tēs taxeōs.
Those in the clergy who are presbyters or deacons and abstain from meat: it is decided that they taste it, and then, if they wish, refrain; but if they do not wish to, so that they will not even eat vegetables cooked with meat, and if they do not submit to the canon, they are to cease from their order.
Notes and citation
Summary: Clergy who abstain from meat must at least taste it; if they refuse even vegetables cooked with meat, they are deposed.
- The canon is aimed at abstinence that treats meat as unclean (as some ascetic and dualist groups did), not at abstinence as self-discipline.
Topics: Church office, Fasting
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 14 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-14). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 15
15Pedalion
Περὶ τῶν διαφερόντων τῷ Κυριακῷ, ὅσα ἐπισκόπου μὴ ὄντος πρεσβύτεροι ἐπώλησαν, ἀνακαλεῖσθαι τὸ Κυριακόν. Ἐν δὲ τῇ κρίσει τοῦ ἐπισκόπου εἶναι, εἴπερ προσήκει ἀπολαβεῖν τὴν τιμήν, εἴτε καὶ μή, διὰ τὸ πολλάκις τὴν πρόσοδον τῶν πεπραγμένων ἀποδεδωκέναι αὐτοῖς τούτοις πλείονα τὴν τιμήν.
Peri tōn diapherontōn tǭ Kyriakǭ, hosa episkopou mē ontos presbyteroi epōlēsan, anakaleisthai to Kyriakon. En de tę̄ krisei tou episkopou einai, eiper prosēkei apolabein tēn timēn, eite kai mē, dia to pollakis tēn prosodon tōn pepragmenōn apodedōkenai autois toutois pleiona tēn timēn.
Concerning things belonging to the church which presbyters sold when there was no bishop: the church is to reclaim them. And it is to be at the bishop's judgment whether it is proper to receive back the price, or not, because often the income from the things sold has paid back to these very persons more than the price.
Notes and citation
Summary: Church property sold by presbyters during a vacancy is to be reclaimed, the bishop deciding whether to refund the buyers.
- “The church” renders τὸ Κυριακόν, the Lord's (house or property).
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 15 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-15). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 16
16Pedalion
Περὶ τῶν ἀλογευσαμένων, ἢ καὶ ἀλογευομένων, ὅσοι πρὶν εἰκοσαετεῖς γενέσθαι, ἥμαρτον, πέντε καὶ δέκα ἔτεσιν ὑποπεσόντες, κοινωνίας τυγχανέτωσαν τῆς εἰς τὰς προσευχάς· εἶτα ἐν τῇ κοινωνίᾳ διατελέσαντες ἔτη πέντε, τότε καὶ τῆς προσφορᾶς ἐφαπτέσθωσαν. Ἐξεταζέσθω δὲ αὐτῶν καὶ ὁ ἐν τῇ ὑποπτώσει βίος, καὶ οὕτω τυγχανέτωσαν τῆς φιλανθρωπίας. Εἰ δέ τινες κατακόρως ἐν τοῖς ἁμαρτήμασι γεγόνασι, τὴν μακρὰν ἐχέτωσαν ὑπόπτωσιν. Ὅσοι δὲ ὑπερβάντες τὴν ἡλικίαν ταύτην, καὶ γυναίκας ἔχοντες περιπεπτώκασι τῷ ἁμαρτήματι, πέντε καὶ εἴκοσιν ἔτεσιν ὑποπεσόντες, κοινωνίας τυγχανέτωσαν τῆς εἰς τὰς προσευχάς· εἶτα ἐκτελέσαντες πέντε ἔτη ἐν τῇ κοινωνίᾳ τῶν εὐχῶν, τυγχανέτωσαν τῆς προσφορᾶς. Εἰ δέ τινες καὶ γυναῖκας ἔχοντες, καὶ ὑπερβάντες τὸν πεντηκονταετῆ χρόνον ἥμαρτον, ἐπὶ τῇ ἐξόδῳ τοῦ βίου τυγχανέτωσαν τῆς κοινωνίας.
Peri tōn alogeusamenōn, ē kai alogeuomenōn, hosoi prin eikosaeteis genesthai, hēmarton, pente kai deka etesin hypopesontes, koinōnias tynchanetōsan tēs eis tas proseuchas; eita en tę̄ koinōnią diatelesantes etē pente, tote kai tēs prosphoras ephaptesthōsan. Exetazesthō de autōn kai ho en tę̄ hypoptōsei bios, kai houtō tynchanetōsan tēs philanthrōpias. Ei de tines katakorōs en tois hamartēmasi gegonasi, tēn makran echetōsan hypoptōsin. Hosoi de hyperbantes tēn hēlikian tautēn, kai gynaikas echontes peripeptōkasi tǭ hamartēmati, pente kai eikosin etesin hypopesontes, koinōnias tynchanetōsan tēs eis tas proseuchas; eita ektelesantes pente etē en tę̄ koinōnią tōn euchōn, tynchanetōsan tēs prosphoras. Ei de tines kai gynaikas echontes, kai hyperbantes ton pentēkontaetē chronon hēmarton, epi tę̄ exodǭ tou biou tynchanetōsan tēs koinōnias.
Concerning those who have acted irrationally, or are acting irrationally: as many as sinned before they were twenty years old, after being prostrators for fifteen years, are to obtain the communion of the prayers; then, after continuing in that communion for five years, they may then also touch the offering. But let their life during the prostration also be examined, and so let them obtain the kindness. But if any have been insatiable in these sins, let them have the long prostration. And as many as, having passed this age and having wives, have fallen into the sin, after being prostrators for twenty-five years, are to obtain the communion of the prayers; then, having completed five years in the communion of the prayers, let them obtain the offering. And if any who have wives and are over fifty years old have sinned, let them obtain communion at the departure from life.
Notes and citation
Summary: Penances for unnatural sexual sin are graded by age and marital state, from twenty years to communion only at death.
- “Acted irrationally” (ἀλογευσάμενοι, literally “behaved like irrational beasts”) is generally understood of bestiality; some interpreters include other unnatural sexual sins. The translation keeps the Greek's indirect term.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (OCR σ/ο confusion): προοευχάς → προσευχάς.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 16 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-16). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 17
17Pedalion
Τοὺς ἀλογευσαμένους καὶ λεπροὺς ὄντας, ἤτοι λεπρώσαντας, τούτους προσέταξεν ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος, εἰς τοὺς χειμαζομένους εὔχεσθαι.
Tous alogeusamenous kai leprous ontas, ētoi leprōsantas, toutous prosetaxen hē hagia synodos, eis tous cheimazomenous euchesthai.
Those who have acted irrationally and are lepers, that is, have infected others with leprosy: the holy synod has ordered that they pray among those who are storm-tossed.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those guilty of the same sin who have defiled others must pray among the most severely disciplined penitents.
- “Lepers … infected others with leprosy” is usually taken figuratively: those who spread the sin to others. “Those who are storm-tossed” (χειμαζόμενοι): the possessed, or penitents who stood outside the church in the weather; the exact sense is uncertain.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 17 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-17). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 18
18Pedalion
Εἴ τινες ἐπίσκοποι κατασταθέντες, καὶ μὴ δεχθέντες ὑπὸ τῆς παροικίας ἐκείνης, εἰς ἣν ὠνομάσθησαν, ἑτέραις βούλοιντο παροικίαις ἐπιέναι, καὶ βιάζεσθαι τοὺς καθεστῶτας, καὶ στάσεις κινεῖν κατ᾽ αὐτῶν, τούτους ἀφορίζεσθαι. Ἐὰν μέν τοι βούλοιντο εἰς τὸ πρεσβυτέριον καθέζεσθαι, ἔνθα ἦσαν πρότερον πρεσβύτεροι, μὴ ἀποβάλλεσθαι αὐτοὺς τῆς τιμῆς· ἐὰν δὲ διαστασιάζωσι πρὸς τοὺς καθεστῶτας ἐκεῖ ἐπισκόπους, ἀφαιρεῖσθαι αὐτοὺς καὶ τὴν τιμὴν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου, καὶ γίνεσθαι αὐτοὺς ἐκκηρύκτους.
Ei tines episkopoi katastathentes, kai mē dechthentes hypo tēs paroikias ekeinēs, eis hēn ōnomasthēsan, heterais boulointo paroikiais epienai, kai biazesthai tous kathestōtas, kai staseis kinein kat᾽ autōn, toutous aphorizesthai. Ean men toi boulointo eis to presbyterion kathezesthai, entha ēsan proteron presbyteroi, mē apoballesthai autous tēs timēs; ean de diastasiazōsi pros tous kathestōtas ekei episkopous, aphaireisthai autous kai tēn timēn tou presbyteriou, kai ginesthai autous ekkēryktous.
If any who were appointed bishops, and were not received by that district to which they were named, wish to go into other districts and to do violence to those already established and to stir up factions against them, these are to be excommunicated. If, however, they wish to sit in the presbytery where they were formerly presbyters, they are not to be deprived of that honor; but if they stir up strife against the bishops established there, the honor of the presbytery also is to be taken from them, and they are to become outcasts.
Notes and citation
Summary: Bishops rejected by their own see who intrude elsewhere are excommunicated, but may resume their former rank as presbyters if they keep the peace.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 18 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-18). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 19
19Pedalion
Ὅσοι παρθενίαν ἐπαγγελλόμενοι, ἀθετοῦσι τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τὸν τῶν διγάμων ὅρον ἐκπληρούτωσαν. Τὰς μέντοι συνερχομένας παρθένους τισὶν ὡς ἀδελφὰς ἐκωλύσαμεν.
Hosoi parthenian epangellomenoi, athetousi tēn epangelian, ton tōn digamōn horon ekplēroutōsan. Tas mentoi synerchomenas parthenous tisin hōs adelphas ekōlysamen.
As many as profess virginity and break their profession are to fulfill the term of the twice-married. But we have forbidden virgins to live with any men as sisters.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who break a vow of virginity do the penance of the twice-married, and virgins may not live with men as “sisters”.
- “The term of the twice-married” (τὸν τῶν διγάμων ὅρον): the penance laid on those who married a second time, apparently one or two years.
Topics: Marriage
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 19 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-19). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 20
20Pedalion
Ἐάν τινος γυνὴ μοιχευθῇ, ἢ μοιχεύσῃ τις, ἐν ἑπτὰ ἔτεσι δεῖ αὐτὸν τοῦ τελείου τυχεῖν, κατὰ τοὺς βαθμοὺς τοὺς προάγοντας.
Ean tinos gynē moicheuthę̄, ē moicheusę̄ tis, en hepta etesi dei auton tou teleiou tychein, kata tous bathmous tous proagontas.
If anyone's wife has committed adultery, or anyone commits adultery, he must obtain the full communion in seven years, according to the established grades.
Notes and citation
Summary: Adultery is punished by seven years of graded penance.
- The first clause is commonly understood of a wife's adultery that her husband connives at; as printed, the canon names both.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (breathing slip in the digital text): ἕτεσι → ἔτεσι.
Topics: Marriage
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 20 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-20). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 21
21Pedalion
Περὶ τῶν γυναικῶν τῶν ἐκπορνευουσῶν καὶ ἀναιρουσῶν τὰ γεννώμενα, καὶ σπουδαζουσῶν φθόρια ποιεῖν, ὁ μὲν πρότερος ὅρος μέχρις ἐξόδου ἐκώλυσε, καὶ τούτῳ συντίθενται. Φιλανθρωπότερον δέ τι εὑρόντες, ὡρίσαμεν δεκαετῆ χρόνον, κατὰ τοὺς βαθμοὺς τοὺς ὡρισμένους πληρῶσαι.
Peri tōn gynaikōn tōn ekporneuousōn kai anairousōn ta gennōmena, kai spoudazousōn phthoria poiein, ho men proteros horos mechris exodou ekōlyse, kai toutǭ syntithentai. Philanthrōpoteron de ti heurontes, hōrisamen dekaetē chronon, kata tous bathmous tous hōrismenous plērōsai.
Concerning women who commit sexual immorality and destroy what is conceived, and who take pains to make abortifacients: the former decree barred them until their departure from life, and some agree with this. But having found something more kindly, we have decreed that they fulfill a period of ten years, according to the established grades.
Notes and citation
Summary: Women who commit sexual immorality and procure abortion, previously refused communion until death, are now given ten years' penance.
- “The former decree” is often taken to be Elvira, canon 63, though that is uncertain.
Extrabiblical texts: Conc. Elv. 63 (Canons of the Council of Elvira; echo)
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 21 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-21). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 22
22Pedalion
Περὶ ἑκουσίων φόνων, ὑποπιπτέτωσαν μέν, τοῦ δὲ τελείου ἐν τῷ τέλει τοῦ βίου καταξιούσθωσαν.
Peri hekousiōn phonōn, hypopiptetōsan men, tou de teleiou en tǭ telei tou biou kataxiousthōsan.
Concerning voluntary murders: let them be prostrators, but let them be deemed worthy of the full communion at the end of life.
Notes and citation
Summary: Willful murderers do penance until death and receive communion only then.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 22 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-22). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 23
23Pedalion
Ἐπὶ ἀκουσίων φόνων, ὁ μὲν πρότερος ὅρος ἐν ἑπταετίᾳ κελεύει τοῦ τελείου μετασχεῖν κατὰ τοὺς ὡρισμένους βαθμούς· ὁ δὲ δεύτερος, τὸν πενταετῆ χρόνον πληρῶσαι.
Epi akousiōn phonōn, ho men proteros horos en heptaetią keleuei tou teleiou metaschein kata tous hōrismenous bathmous; ho de deuteros, ton pentaetē chronon plērōsai.
In the case of involuntary murders, the former decree orders them to share in the full communion after seven years, according to the established grades; the second, to complete a period of five years.
Notes and citation
Summary: Involuntary killing carries a penance of seven years under the earlier rule, five under the later.
- “The second” is usually read as the council's own milder ruling.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 23 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-23). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Chapter 24
24Pedalion
Οἱ καταμαντευόμενοι, καὶ ταῖς συνηθείαις τῶν ἐθνῶν ἐξακολουθοῦντες, ἢ εἰσάγοντές τινας εἰς τοὺς ἑαυτῶν οἴκους ἐπὶ ἀνευρέσει φαρμακειῶν, ἢ καὶ καθάρσει, ὑπὸ τὸν κανόνα πιπτέτωσαν τῆς πενταετίας, κατὰ τοὺς βαθμοὺς τοὺς ὡρισμένους, τρία ἔτη ὑποπτώσεως, καὶ δυὸ ἔτη εὐχῆς, χωρὶς προσφορᾶς.
Hoi katamanteuomenoi, kai tais synētheiais tōn ethnōn exakolouthountes, ē eisagontes tinas eis tous heautōn oikous epi aneuresei pharmakeiōn, ē kai katharsei, hypo ton kanona piptetōsan tēs pentaetias, kata tous bathmous tous hōrismenous, tria etē hypoptōseōs, kai dyo etē euchēs, chōris prosphoras.
Those who practice divination and follow the customs of the pagans, or bring persons into their own houses for the discovery of sorceries, or also for purification, are to fall under the canon of five years, according to the established grades: three years of prostration and two years of prayer without the offering.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who practice divination, sorcery, or pagan purifications do five years' penance.
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 24 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-24). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 25
25Pedalion
Μνηστευσάμενός τις κόρην, προσεφθάρη τῇ ἀδελφῇ αὐτῆς, ὡς καὶ ἐπιφορέσαι αὐτὴν· ἔγημε δὲ τὴν μνηστὴν μετὰ ταῦτα, ἡ δὲ φθαρεῖσα ἀπήγξατο· οἱ συνειδότες ἐκελεύσθησαν ἐν δεκαετίᾳ δεχθῆναι εἰς τοὺς συνεστῶτας κατὰ τοὺς ὡρισμένους βαθμούς.
Mnēsteusamenos tis korēn, prosephtharē tę̄ adelphę̄ autēs, hōs kai epiphoresai autēn; egēme de tēn mnēstēn meta tauta, hē de phthareisa apēnxato; hoi syneidotes ekeleusthēsan en dekaetią dechthēnai eis tous synestōtas kata tous hōrismenous bathmous.
A certain man, having betrothed a girl, defiled her sister beforehand, so that he even made her pregnant; and he afterward married the betrothed, and the one who had been defiled hanged herself. Those who were privy to it were ordered to be received among the co-standers after ten years, according to the established grades.
Notes and citation
Summary: A case of a man who seduced his fiancée's sister, who then killed herself: those involved do ten years' penance.
- “Co-standers” (συνεστῶτες): penitents who stand with the faithful in prayer but do not receive communion (see canon 4). “Those who were privy” (οἱ συνειδότες) includes the man himself and any accomplices.
Cite (SBL): Conc. Ancyr. 25 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-ancyra/1/#p-25). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek (Pedalion text); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.