# Canons of the Council of Antioch (in Encaeniis)

- Author: Anonymous
- Latin title: *Concilium Antiochenum in Encaeniis*
- Date: 341 (probable)
- Source: Nikodemos the Hagiorite and Agapios, eds., Πηδάλιον τῆς νοητῆς νηὸς τῆς μιᾶς ἁγίας καθολικῆς καὶ ἀποστολικῆς τῶν ὀρθοδόξων ἐκκλησίας (Leipzig: Breitkopf, 1800; reprinted Athens and Zakynthos), text as transcribed on Greek Wikisource (raw wikitext, canon text only) (Greek text: the Pedalion (Nikodemos the Hagiorite and Agapios, 1800), transcription on Greek Wikisource, CC BY-SA)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Editions and translations: Hermann Theodor Bruns, ed., Canones apostolorum et conciliorum veterum selecti, vol. 1 (Berlin: Reimer, 1839); Friedrich Lauchert, ed., Die Kanones der wichtigsten altkirchlichen Concilien (Freiburg i. B.: Mohr, 1896); Périclès-Pierre Joannou, ed., Discipline générale antique (IVe-IXe s.), vol. 1.2 (Grottaferrata: Tipografia Italo-Orientale, 1962)
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/
- Passages: 25

## Canon 1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-1
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Those who reject the Nicene decision on the date of Easter are excommunicated, and clergy who keep Easter with the Jews are deposed together with all who communicate with them.

### Greek text

Πάντας τοὺς τολμῶντας παραλύειν τὸν ὅρον τῆς ἁγίας καὶ μεγάλης συνόδου τῆς ἐν Νικαίᾳ συγκροτηθείσης ἐπὶ παρουσίᾳ τῆς εὐσεβείας τοῦ θεοφιλεστάτου βασιλέως Κωνσταντίνου, περὶ τῆς ἁγίας ἑορτῆς τοῦ σωτηριώδους Πάσχα, ἀκοινωνήτους καὶ ἀποβλήτους εἶναι τῆς ἐκκλησίας, εἰ ἐπιμένοιεν φιλονεικότερον ἐνιστάμενοι πρὸς τὰ καλῶς δεδογμένα, καὶ ταῦτα εἰρήσθω περὶ τῶν λαϊκῶν. Εἰ δέ τις τῶν προεστώτων τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ἐπίσκοπος, ἢ πρεσβύτερος, ἢ διάκονος, μετὰ τὸν ὅρον τοῦτον τολμήσειεν ἐπὶ διαστροφῇ τῶν λαῶν καὶ ταραχῇ τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν ἰδιάζειν, καὶ μετὰ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἐπιτελεῖν τὸ Πάσχα· τοῦτον ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος ἐντεῦθεν ἤδη ἀλλότριον ἔκρινε τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ὡς οὐ μόνον ἑαυτῷ ἁμαρτίας ἐπισωρεύοντα, ἀλλὰ πολλοῖς διαφθορᾶς καὶ διαστροφῆς γινόμενον αἴτιον· καὶ οὐ μόνον τοὺς τοιούτους καθαιρεῖ τῆς λειτουργίας, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοὺς τολμῶντας τούτοις κοινωνεῖν μετὰ τὴν καθαίρεσιν. Τοὺς δὲ καθαιρεθέντας ἀποστερεῖσθαι καὶ τῆς ἔξωθεν τιμῆς, ἧς ὁ ἅγιος κανὼν καὶ τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἱερατεῖον μετείληφεν.

### English translation (Claude)

All who dare to set aside the decree of the holy and great synod assembled at Nicaea, in the presence of the piety of the most God-beloved emperor Constantine, concerning the holy feast of the saving Pascha, are to be excommunicated and cast out of the church, if they persist in contentiously opposing what has been well decided; and let this be said concerning the laity. But if any of those who preside in the church, a bishop, or presbyter, or deacon, after this decree dares, to the perversion of the peoples and the disturbance of the churches, to separate himself and to celebrate Pascha with the Jews, the holy synod has judged him from this moment to be a stranger to the church, as one who not only heaps up sins upon himself but also becomes to many a cause of ruin and perversion; and it deposes from the ministry not only such persons, but also those who dare to communicate with them after their deposition. And those deposed are to be deprived also of the outward honor in which the holy canon and the priesthood of God have a share.

### Translation notes

- “Pascha” (Πάσχα) is Easter. The “decree” of Nicaea on its date is the council's decision recorded in its synodal letter, not one of its numbered canons.
- “The holy canon”: the church's roll of clergy, as in “those enrolled in the canon”.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 1 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-1).

## Canon 2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-2
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Those who attend church but refuse the common prayer or the eucharist are to be excluded until they repent, and no one may pray with the excommunicated.

### Greek text

Πάντας τοὺς εἰσιόντας εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ τῶν ἱερῶν Γραφῶν ἀκούοντας, μὴ κοινωνοῦντας δὲ εὐχῆς ἅμα τῷ λαῷ, ἢ ἀποστρεφομένους τὴν ἁγίαν μετάληψιν τῆς εὐχαριστίας κατά τινα ἀταξίαν, τούτους ἀποβλήτους γίνεσθαι τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ἕως ἂν ἐξομολογησάμενοι, καὶ δείξαντες καρποὺς μετανοίας, καὶ παρακαλέσαντες, τυχεῖν δυνηθῶσι συγγνώμης· μὴ ἐξεῖναι δὲ κοινωνεῖν τοῖς ἀκοινωνήτοις, μηδὲ κατ᾽ οἴκους συνελθόντας συνεύχεσθαι τοῖς μὴ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ συνευχομένοις, μηδὲ ἐν ἑτέρᾳ ἐκκλησίᾳ ὑποδέχεσθαι τοὺς ἐν ἑτέρᾳ ἐκκλησίᾳ μὴ συναγομένους. Εἰ δὲ φανείῃ τις τῶν ἐπισκόπων, ἢ πρεσβυτέρων, ἢ διακόνων, ἤ τις τοῦ κανόνος τοῖς ἀκοινωνήτοις κοινωνῶν, καὶ τοῦτον ἀκοινώνητον εἶναι, ὡς ἂν συγχέοντα τὸν κανόνα τῆς ἐκκλησίας.

### English translation (Claude)

All who come into the church and hear the holy Scriptures, but do not share in the prayer together with the people, or who turn away from the holy reception of the eucharist through some disorder, are to be cast out of the church, until, having confessed and shown fruits of repentance and made entreaty, they are able to obtain pardon. And it is not permitted to communicate with the excommunicated, nor to gather in houses and pray with those who do not pray with the church, nor to receive in one church those who do not assemble in another church. And if any of the bishops, or presbyters, or deacons, or anyone of the canon, is found communicating with the excommunicated, he too is to be excommunicated, as one who throws the canon of the church into confusion.

### Scripture references

- Matt 3:8: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Receive in one church those who do not assemble in another church”: people who stay away from their own church are not to be received in a different one.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 2 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-2).

## Canon 3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-3
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy who leave their own district and refuse their bishop's call to return are to be deposed, and a bishop who receives them is to be penalized.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις πρεσβύτερος, ἢ διάκονος, ἢ ὅλως τῶν τοῦ ἱερατείου τις, καταλιπὼν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παροικίαν, εἰς ἑτέραν ἀπέλθοι, ἔπειτα παντελῶς μεταστάς, διατρίβειν ἐν ἄλλῃ παροικίᾳ πειρᾶται ἐπὶ πολλῷ χρόνῳ, μηκέτι λειτουργεῖν, εἰ μάλιστα καλοῦντι τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ τῷ ἰδίῳ, καὶ ἐπανελθεῖν εἰς τὴν παροικίαν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παραινοῦντι, μὴ ὑπακούοι. Εἰ δὲ καὶ ἐπιμένοι τῇ ἀταξίᾳ, παντελῶς αὐτὸν καθαιρεῖσθαι τῆς λειτουργίας, ὡς μηκέτι χώραν ἔχειν ἀποκαταστάσεως. Εἰ δὲ καθαιρεθέντα διὰ ταύτην τὴν αἰτίαν δέχοιτο ἕτερος ἐπίσκοπος, κἀκεῖνον ἐπιτιμίας τυγχάνειν ὑπὸ κοινῆς συνόδου, ὡς παραλύοντα τοὺς θεσμοὺς τοὺς ἐκκλησιαστικούς.

### English translation (Claude)

If any presbyter or deacon, or anyone at all of the priesthood, leaves his own district and goes off to another, and then, having moved altogether, tries to stay in another district for a long time, he is no longer to minister, especially if he does not obey his own bishop when he calls him and urges him to return to his own district. And if he persists in the disorder, he is to be deposed from the ministry altogether, so that he no longer has any room for restoration. And if another bishop receives one deposed for this reason, he too is to receive a penalty from a common synod, as one who sets aside the ordinances of the church.

### Translation notes

- “District” renders παροικία, here the territory of a bishop's church.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 3 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-3).

## Canon 4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-4
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Deposed clergy who continue to minister lose all hope of restoration, and those who knowingly communicate with them are cast out.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ἐπίσκοπος ὑπὸ συνόδου καθαιρεθείς, ἢ πρεσβύτερος, ἢ διάκονος, ὑπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου, τολμήσειέ τι πρᾶξαι τῆς λειτουργίας, εἴτε ὁ ἐπίσκοπος κατὰ τὴν προάγουσαν συνήθειαν, εἴτε ὁ πρεσβύτερος, εἴτε ὁ διάκονος· μηκέτι ἐξὸν εἶναι αὐτῷ, μηδὲ ἐν ἑτέρᾳ συνόδῳ ἐλπίδα ἀποκαταστάσεως, μήτε ἀπολογίας χώραν ἔχειν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοὺς κοινωνοῦντας αὐτῷ πάντας ἀποβάλλεσθαι τῆς ἐκκλησίας, καὶ μάλιστα, εἰ μαθόντες τὴν ἀπόφασιν τὴν κατὰ τῶν προειρημένων ἐξενεχθεῖσαν, τολμήσειαν αὐτοῖς κοινωνεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

If any bishop deposed by a synod, or a presbyter or deacon deposed by his own bishop, dares to perform any act of the ministry, whether the bishop according to his former custom, or the presbyter, or the deacon, it shall no longer be permitted to him to have hope of restoration, even in another synod, nor to have room for a defense; but all who communicate with him are also to be cast out of the church, especially if, having learned of the sentence pronounced against the persons named, they dare to communicate with them.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 4 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-4).

## Canon 5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-5
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A presbyter or deacon who sets up a separate congregation against his bishop and ignores repeated summons is to be deposed, and if he persists, restrained by the civil power.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις πρεσβύτερος, ἢ διάκονος, καταφρονήσας τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου, ἀφώρισεν ἑαυτὸν τῆς ἐκκλησίας, καὶ ἰδίᾳ συνήγαγε, καὶ θυσιαστήριον ἔστησε, καί, τοῦ ἐπισκόπου προσκαλεσαμένου, ἀπειθοίη, καὶ μὴ βούλοιτο αὐτῷ πείθεσθαι, μηδὲ ὑπακούειν καὶ πρῶτον καὶ δεύτερον καλοῦντι, τοῦτον καθαιρεῖσθαι παντελῶς, καὶ μηκέτι θεραπείας τυγχάνειν, μηδὲ δύνασθαι λαμβάνειν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ τιμήν. Εἰ δὲ παραμένοι θορυβῶν καὶ ἀναστατῶν τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, διὰ τῆς ἔξωθεν ἐξουσίας ὡς στασιώδη αὐτὸν ἐπιστρέφεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

If any presbyter or deacon, despising his own bishop, has separated himself from the church, and gathered a congregation on his own, and set up an altar, and, when the bishop summons him, disobeys and will not obey him or heed him when he calls him a first and a second time, he is to be deposed altogether and no longer to receive any remedy, nor to be able to recover his own rank. And if he continues to disturb and unsettle the church, he is to be brought to order by the outside authority as a seditious person.

### Translation notes

- “The outside authority”: the civil power.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 5 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-5).

## Canon 6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-6
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: One excommunicated by his own bishop may be received only by that bishop or after a synod has reversed the sentence.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ὑπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου ἀκοινώνητος γέγονε, μὴ πρότερον αὐτὸν παρ᾽ ἑτέρων δεχθῆναι, εἰ μὴ ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ παραδεχθείη τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου, ἤ, συνόδου γενομένης, ἀπαντήσας ἀπολογήσεται, πείσας τε τὴν σύνοδον, κατεδέξοιτο ἑτέραν ἀπόφασιν. Ὁ αὐτὸς δὲ ὅρος ἐπὶ λαϊκῶν, καὶ πρεσβυτέρων καὶ διακόνων, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν τῷ κανόνι.

### English translation (Claude)

If anyone has been excommunicated by his own bishop, he is not to be received by others before he is readmitted by his own bishop himself, or until, when a synod is held, he appears and makes his defense and, having persuaded the synod, receives a different sentence. And the same rule holds for laity, and presbyters and deacons, and all who are in the canon.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 6 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-6).

## Canon 7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-7
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Travellers are not to be received into communion without letters of peace.

### Greek text

Μηδένα ἄνευ εἰρηνικῶν δέχεσθαι τῶν ξένων.

### English translation (Claude)

No one is to receive any of the strangers without letters of peace.

### Translation notes

- “Letters of peace” (εἰρηνικά): letters from one's own bishop attesting that the bearer is in communion.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 7 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-7).

## Canon 8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-8
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Country presbyters may not issue canonical letters, but blameless chorepiscopi may issue letters of peace.

### Greek text

Μηδὲ πρεσβυτέρους τοὺς ἐν ταῖς χώραις κανονικὰς ἐπιστολὰς διδόναι, ἢ πρὸς μόνους τοὺς γείτονας ἐπισκόπους ἐπιστολὰς ἐκπέμπειν· τοὺς δὲ ἀνεπιλήπτους χωρεπισκόπους διδόναι εἰρηνικάς.

### English translation (Claude)

Nor are presbyters in the country districts to give canonical letters, except that they may send letters to the neighboring bishops only; but chorepiscopi who are above reproach may give letters of peace.

### Translation notes

- “Chorepiscopi” (χωρεπίσκοποι): “country bishops”, assistants of a city bishop in the rural districts.
- “Except that they may send letters”: the clause (ἢ πρὸς μόνους …) can also be read as a second permitted option, “or let them send letters only to the neighboring bishops”.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 8 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-8).

## Canon 9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-9
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The metropolitan bishop has precedence and the care of the province; other bishops govern their own districts but undertake nothing more without him, nor he without them.

### Greek text

Τοὺς καθ᾽ ἑκάστην ἐπαρχίαν ἐπισκόπους εἰδέναι χρὴ τὸν ἐν τῇ μητροπόλει προεστῶτα ἐπίσκοπον, καὶ τὴν φροντίδα ἀναδέχεσθαι πάσης τῆς ἐπαρχίας, διὰ τὸ ἐν τῇ μητροπόλει πανταχόθεν συντρέχειν πάντας τοὺς τὰ πράγματα ἔχοντας. Ὅθεν ἔδοξε καὶ τῇ τιμῇ προηγεῖσθαι αὐτόν, μηδέν τε πράττειν περιττὸν τοὺς λοιποὺς ἐπισκόπους ἄνευ αὐτοῦ, κατὰ τὸν ἀρχαῖον κρατήσαντα ἐκ τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν κανόνα· ἢ ταῦτα μόνα, ὅσα τῇ ἑκάστου ἐπιβάλλει παροικίᾳ, καὶ ταῖς ὑπ᾽ αὐτὴν χώραις. Ἕκαστον γὰρ ἐπίσκοπον ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν τῆς ἑαυτοῦ παροικίας, διοικεῖν τε κατὰ τὴν ἑκάστῳ ἐπιβάλλουσαν εὐλάβειαν, καὶ πρόνοιαν ποιεῖσθαι τῆς χώρας τῆς ὑπὸ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ πόλιν· ὡς καὶ χειροτονεῖν πρεσβυτέρους καὶ διακόνους, καὶ μετὰ κρίσεως ἕκαστα διαλαμβάνειν· περαιτέρω δὲ μηδὲν πράττειν ἐπιχειρεῖν, δίχα τοῦ τῆς μητροπόλεως ἐπισκόπου, μηδὲ αὐτὸν ἄνευ τῆς τῶν λοιπῶν γνώμης.

### English translation (Claude)

The bishops in each province must recognize that the bishop who presides in the metropolis also takes on the care of the whole province, because all who have business come together from every quarter to the metropolis. Hence it has seemed good that he also have precedence in honor, and that the other bishops do nothing beyond the ordinary without him, according to the ancient canon of our fathers that has prevailed, except only those things that pertain to each one's own district and the country areas under it. For each bishop has authority over his own district, to govern it according to the reverence fitting for each, and to provide for the whole countryside under his own city, so as even to ordain presbyters and deacons and to settle each matter with judgment; but he is not to attempt anything further without the bishop of the metropolis, nor is the latter to do so without the counsel of the rest.

### Translation notes

- “The ancient canon of our fathers”: probably the rule preserved as Apostolic Canon 34.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 9 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-9).

## Canon 10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-10
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Chorepiscopi may appoint readers, subdeacons and exorcists but may not ordain presbyters or deacons without the city bishop, who appoints them.

### Greek text

Τοὺς ἐν ταῖς κώμαις, ἢ ταῖς χώραις, ἢ τοὺς καλουμένους χωρεπισκόπους, εἰ καὶ χειροθεσίαν εἶεν ἐπισκόπου εἰληφότες, ἔδοξε τῇ ἁγίᾳ συνόδῳ εἰδέναι τὰ ἑαυτῶν μέτρα, καὶ διοικεῖν τὰς ὑποκειμένας αὐτοῖς ἐκκλησίας, καὶ τῇ τούτων ἀρκεῖσθαι φροντίδι καὶ κηδεμονίᾳ, καθιστᾶν δὲ ἀναγνώστας, καὶ ὑποδιακόνους, καὶ ἐφορκιστάς, καὶ τῇ τούτων ἀρκεῖσθαι προαγωγῇ· μήτε δὲ πρεσβύτερον, μήτε διάκονον χειροτονεῖν τολμᾶν δίχα τοῦ ἐν τῇ πόλει ἐπισκόπου, ᾗ ὑπόκεινται αὐτός τε καὶ ἡ χώρα. Εἰ δὲ τολμήσειέ τις παραβῆναι τὰ ὁρισθέντα, καθαιρεῖσθαι αὐτὸν καὶ ἧς μετέχει τιμῆς. Χωρεπίσκοπον δὲ γίνεσθαι ὑπὸ τοῦ τῆς πόλεως, ᾗ ὑπόκειται, ἐπισκόπου.

### English translation (Claude)

It has seemed good to the holy synod that those in the villages or the country districts, or those called chorepiscopi, even if they have received the laying on of hands as bishops, should know their own limits and govern the churches subject to them, and be content with the care and oversight of these; and they may appoint readers and subdeacons and exorcists and be content with the promotion of these; but they are not to dare to ordain either a presbyter or a deacon without the bishop in the city to which both he and the district are subject. And if anyone dares to transgress what has been decreed, he is to be deposed even from the rank he holds. And a chorepiscopus is to be appointed by the bishop of the city to which he is subject.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 10 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-10).

## Canon 11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-11
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy may not go to the emperor without the consent and letters of the provincial bishops, especially the metropolitan.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ἐπίσκοπος, ἢ πρεσβύτερος, ἢ ὅλως τοῦ κανόνος, ἄνευ γνώμης καὶ γραμμάτων τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐπαρχίᾳ ἐπισκόπων, καὶ μάλιστα τοῦ κατὰ τὴν μητρόπολιν, ὁρμήσειε πρὸς βασιλέα ἀπελθεῖν, τοῦτον ἀποκηρύττεσθαι, καὶ ἀπόβλητον γίνεσθαι, οὐ μόνον τῆς κοινωνίας, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀξίας, ἧς μετέχων τυγχάνει· ὡς παρενοχλεῖν τολμῶντα τὰς τοῦ θεοφιλεστάτου βασιλέως ἡμῶν ἀκοάς, παρὰ τὸν θεσμὸν τῆς ἐκκλησίας. Εἰ δὲ ἀναγκαία καλοίη χρεία πρὸς βασιλέα ὁρμᾶν, τοῦτο πράττειν μετὰ σκέψεως καὶ γνώμης τοῦ κατὰ τὴν μητρόπολιν τῆς ἐπαρχίας ἐπισκόπου καὶ τῶν ἐν αὐτῇ, τοῖς τε τούτων γράμμασιν ἐφοδιάζεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

If any bishop, or presbyter, or anyone at all of the canon, sets out to go to the emperor without the consent and letters of the bishops in the province, and especially of the bishop of the metropolis, he is to be publicly condemned and cast out not only from communion but also from the rank he holds, as one who dares to trouble the ears of our most God-beloved emperor contrary to the law of the church. But if a necessary need calls him to go to the emperor, he is to do this with the deliberation and consent of the bishop of the metropolis of the province and of those in it, and to be furnished with their letters.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 11 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-11).

## Canon 12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-12
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Deposed clergy who appeal to the emperor instead of a larger synod of bishops lose all hope of pardon or restoration.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ὑπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου καθαιρεθεὶς πρεσβύτερος ἢ διάκονος, ἢ καὶ ἐπίσκοπος ὑπὸ συνόδου, ἐνοχλῆσαι τολμήσειε τὰς βασιλέως ἀκοάς, δέον ἐπὶ μείζονα ἐπισκόπων σύνοδον τρέπεσθαι, καί, ἃ νομίζει δίκαια ἔχειν, προσαναφέρειν πλείοσιν ἐπισκόποις, καὶ τὴν παρ᾽ αὐτῶν ἐξέτασίν τε καὶ ἐπίκρισιν ἐκδέχεσθαι, ὁ δέ, τούτων ὀλιγωρήσας ἐνοχλήσειε τῷ βασιλεῖ· καὶ τοῦτον μηδεμιᾶς συγγνώμης ἀξιοῦσθαι, μηδὲ χώραν ἀπολογίας ἔχειν, μηδ᾽ ἐλπίδα μελλούσης ἀποκαταστάσεως προσδοκᾶν.

### English translation (Claude)

If any presbyter or deacon deposed by his own bishop, or a bishop deposed by a synod, dares to trouble the emperor's ears, when he ought to turn to a greater synod of bishops and lay before more bishops what he thinks are his just claims, and await their examination and judgment; if instead, disregarding these, he troubles the emperor, he too is to be deemed worthy of no pardon, nor to have room for a defense, nor to look for hope of future restoration.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 12 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-12).

## Canon 13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-13
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop may not ordain or act in another province unless invited by its metropolitan and bishops; uninvited acts are void and he is deposed.

### Greek text

Μηδένα ἐπίσκοπον τολμᾶν ἀφ᾽ ἑτέρας ἐπαρχίας εἰς ἑτέραν μεταβαίνειν, καὶ χειροτονεῖν ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ τινὰς εἰς προαγωγὴν λειτουργίας, μηδὲ εἰ συνεπάγοιτο ἑαυτῷ ἑτέρους, εἰ παρακληθεὶς ἀφίκοιτο διὰ γραμμάτων τοῦ τε μητροπολίτου καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτῷ ἐπισκόπων, ὧν εἰς τὴν χώραν παρέρχοιτο. Εἰ δὲ μηδενὸς καλοῦντος ἀπέλθοι ἀτάκτως ἐπὶ χειροθεσίᾳ τινῶν, καὶ καταστάσει τῶν ἐκκλησιαστικῶν πραγμάτων, μὴ προσηκόντων αὐτῷ, ἄκυρα μὲν τὰ ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ πραττόμενα τυγχάνειν, καὶ αὐτὸν δὲ ὑπέχειν τῆς ἀταξίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῆς παραλόγου ἐπιχειρήσεως τὴν προσήκουσαν δίκην, καθῃρημένον ἐντεῦθεν ἤδη ὑπὸ τῆς ἁγίας συνόδου.

### English translation (Claude)

No bishop is to dare to pass over from one province into another and ordain persons in a church for advancement in the ministry, not even if he brings others with him, unless he comes at the invitation of letters from the metropolitan and the bishops with him into whose territory he is passing. But if, with no one inviting him, he goes in a disorderly way to lay hands on some and to settle church affairs that do not concern him, what he does is invalid, and he himself is to undergo the fitting penalty for his disorder and his unreasonable undertaking, being deposed from this moment by the holy synod.

### Translation notes

- “Unless”: the text as printed reads only εἰ (“if”); the sense requires “unless” (εἰ μή), as the next sentence shows. Translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 13 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-13).

## Canon 14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-14
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: When the bishops of a province disagree over the guilt of an accused bishop, the metropolitan is to call in judges from a neighboring province.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ἐπίσκοπος ἐπί τισιν ἐγκλήμασι κρίνοιτο, ἔπειτα συμβαίη περὶ αὐτοῦ διαφωνεῖν τοὺς ἐν τῇ ἐπαρχίᾳ ἐπισκόπους, τῶν μὲν ἀθῷον τὸν κρινόμενον ἀποφαινόντων, τῶν δὲ ἔνοχον· ὑπὲρ ἀπαλλαγῆς πάσης ἀμφισβητήσεως, ἔδοξε τῇ ἁγίᾳ συνόδῳ, τὸν τῆς μητροπόλεως ἐπίσκοπον ἀπὸ τῆς πλησιοχώρου ἐπαρχίας μετακαλεῖσθαι ἑτέρους τινάς, τοὺς ἐπικρινοῦντας, καὶ τὴν ἀμφισβήτησιν διαλύσοντας, τοῦ βεβαιῶσαι σὺν τοῖς τῆς ἐπαρχίας τὸ παριστάμενον.

### English translation (Claude)

If a bishop is tried on certain charges, and it then happens that the bishops in the province disagree about him, some declaring the accused innocent and others guilty, then, for the removal of all dispute, it has seemed good to the holy synod that the bishop of the metropolis call in certain others from the neighboring province, who are to judge further and resolve the dispute, so as to confirm, together with those of the province, what is found right.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 14 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-14).

## Canon 15

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-15
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A unanimous verdict of all the bishops of a province against a bishop is final.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ἐπίσκοπος, ἐπί τισιν ἐγκλήμασι κατηγορηθείς, κριθείη ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐπαρχίᾳ ἐπισκόπων, πάντες τε σύμφωνοι μίαν κατ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἐξενέγκοιεν ψῆφον, τοῦτον μηκέτι παρ᾽ ἑτέροις δικάζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ μένειν βεβαίαν τὴν σύμφωνον τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς ἐπαρχίας ἐπισκόπων ἀπόφασιν.

### English translation (Claude)

If a bishop accused on certain charges is judged by all the bishops in the province, and all unanimously pronounce one verdict against him, he is no longer to be tried by others, but the unanimous sentence of the bishops of the province is to stand firm.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 15 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-15).

## Canon 16

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-16
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop without a see who takes over a vacant church without a full synod, including the metropolitan, is to be expelled even if the people want him.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ἐπίσκοπος σχολάζων, ἐπὶ σχολάζουσαν ἐκκλησίαν ἑαυτὸν ἐπιρρίψας, ὑφαρπάζοι τὸν θρόνον δίχα συνόδου τελείας, τοῦτον ἀπόβλητον εἶναι, κἂν εἰ πᾶς ὁ λαός, ὃν ὑφήρπασεν, ἕλοιτο αὐτόν. Τελείαν δὲ ἐκείνην εἶναι σύνοδον, ᾗ συμπάρεστι καὶ ὁ τῆς μητροπόλεως.

### English translation (Claude)

If a bishop without a see throws himself upon a vacant church and seizes its throne without a full synod, he is to be cast out, even if all the people whom he has seized should choose him. And that is a full synod at which the bishop of the metropolis is also present.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 16 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-16).

## Canon 17

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-17
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop who refuses to take up the church to which he was ordained is excommunicated until he accepts or a full synod decides.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ἐπίσκοπος χειροθεσίαν ἐπισκόπου λαβών, καὶ ὁρισθεὶς προεστάναι λαοῦ, μὴ καταδέξοιτο τὴν λειτουργίαν, μηδὲ πείθοιτο ἀπιέναι εἰς τὴν ἐγχειρισθεῖσαν αὐτῷ ἐκκλησίαν, τοῦτον εἶναι ἀκοινώνητον, ἕως ἂν ἀναγκασθεὶς κατεδέξοιτο, ἢ ὁρίσοι τι περὶ αὐτοῦ ἡ τελεία σύνοδος τῶν κατὰ τὴν ἐπαρχίαν ἐπισκόπων.

### English translation (Claude)

If any bishop, having received the laying on of hands as bishop and been appointed to preside over a people, does not accept the ministry and will not be persuaded to go to the church entrusted to him, he is to be excommunicated until, being compelled, he accepts it, or until the full synod of the bishops of the province determines something about him.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 17 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-17).

## Canon 18

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-18
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop prevented without fault of his own from taking up his see keeps his honor and ministry, pending the provincial synod's decision.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ἐπίσκοπος χειροτονηθεὶς εἰς παροικίαν, μὴ ἀπέλθῃ εἰς ἣν ἐχειροτονήθη, οὐ παρὰ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ αἰτίαν, ἀλλ᾽ ἤτοι διὰ τὴν τοῦ λαοῦ παραίτησιν, ἢ δι᾽ ἑτέραν αἰτίαν οὐκ ἐξ αὐτοῦ γενομένην, τοῦτον μετέχειν τῆς τιμῆς καὶ τῆς λειτουργίας, μόνον μηδὲν παρενοχλοῦντα τοῖς πράγμασι τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ἔνθα ἂν συνάγοιτο· ἐκδέχεσθαι δὲ τοῦτον, ὃ ἂν ἡ τῆς ἐπαρχίας τελεία σύνοδος κρίνασα τὸ παριστάμενον ὁρίσῃ.

### English translation (Claude)

If a bishop ordained to a district does not go to the one for which he was ordained, not through his own fault, but either because of the people's refusal or for another reason that did not arise from himself, he is to share in the honor and the ministry, provided only that he does not trouble the affairs of the church where he may be assembling; and he is to await whatever the full synod of the province, having judged the case, determines.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 18 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-18).

## Canon 19

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-19
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop is to be ordained by a synod with the metropolitan present and the majority of the province's bishops present or voting by letter.

### Greek text

Ἐπίσκοπον μὴ χειροτονεῖσθαι δίχα συνόδου καὶ παρουσίας τοῦ ἐν τῇ μητροπόλει τῆς ἐπαρχίας· τούτου δὲ παρόντος ἐξάπαντος, βέλτιον μὲν συνεῖναι αὐτῷ πάντας τοὺς ἐν τῇ ἐπαρχίᾳ συλλειτουργούς, οὓς καὶ προσήκει δι᾽ ἐπιστολῆς τὸν ἐν τῇ μητροπόλει συγκαλεῖν. Καὶ εἰ μὲν ἀπαντοῖεν οἱ πάντες, βέλτιον· εἰ δὲ δυσχερὲς τοῦτο εἴη, τούς γε πλείους ἐξάπαντος παρεῖναι δεῖ, ἢ διὰ γραμμάτων ὁμοψήφους γενέσθαι, καὶ οὕτω μετὰ τῆς τῶν πλειόνων ἤτοι παρουσίας, ἢ ψήφου, γίνεσθαι τὴν κατάστασιν· Εἰ δὲ ἄλλως παρὰ τὰ ὡρισμένα γίγνοιτο, μηδὲν ἰσχύειν τὴν χειροτονίαν. Εἰ δὲ κατὰ τὸν ὡρισμένον κανόνα γίγνοιτο ἡ κατάστασις, ἀντιλέγοιεν δέ τινες δι᾽ οἰκείαν φιλονεικίαν, κρατεῖν τὴν τῶν πλειόνων ψῆφον.

### English translation (Claude)

A bishop is not to be ordained without a synod and the presence of the bishop in the metropolis of the province. And when he is certainly present, it is better that all his fellow ministers in the province be with him, whom it is also proper for the bishop in the metropolis to summon by letter. And if all come, that is better; but if this is difficult, the greater number must certainly be present or give their vote by letter, and so the appointment is to take place with either the presence or the vote of the majority. But if it is done otherwise, contrary to what has been decreed, the ordination is to have no force. And if the appointment is made according to the established canon, but some object out of their own contentiousness, the vote of the majority is to prevail.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 19 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-19).

## Canon 20

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-20
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Provincial synods are to meet twice a year, in the fourth week after Easter and on 15 October, to hear complaints, and none may be held without the metropolitan.

### Greek text

Διὰ τὰς ἐκκλησιαστικὰς χρείας, καὶ τὰς τῶν ἀμφισβητουμένων διαλύσεις, καλῶς ἔχειν ἔδοξε συνόδους καθ᾽ ἑκάστην ἐπαρχίαν τῶν ἐπισκόπων γίνεσθαι δεύτερον τοῦ ἔτους· ἅπαξ μὲν μετὰ τὴν τρίτην ἑβδομάδα τῆς ἑορτῆς τοῦ Πάσχα, ὥστε τῇ τετάρτῃ ἑβδομάδι τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς ἐπιτελεῖσθαι τὴν σύνοδον, ὑπομιμνήσκοντος τοὺς ἐπαρχιώτας τοῦ ἐν τῇ μητροπόλει· τὴν δὲ δευτέραν σύνοδον, γίνεσθαι εἰδοῖς ὀκτωβρίαις, ἥτις ἐστὶ δεκάτη Ὑπερβερεταίου· ὥστε ἐν αὐταῖς ταύταις ταῖς συνόδοις προσιέναι πρεσβυτέρους, καὶ διακόνους, καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἠδικεῖσθαι νομίζοντας, καὶ παρὰ τῆς συνόδου ἐπικρίσεως τυγχάνειν. Μὴ ἐξεῖναι δέ τινας καθ᾽ ἑαυτοὺς συνόδους ποιεῖσθαι, ἄνευ τῶν πεπιστευμένων τὰς μητροπόλεις.

### English translation (Claude)

Because of the needs of the church and the settling of disputes, it has seemed good that synods of the bishops be held in each province twice a year: once after the third week of the feast of Pascha, so that the synod is completed in the fourth week of Pentecost, the bishop in the metropolis reminding those of the province; and the second synod on the Ides of October, which is the tenth of Hyperberetaeus; so that at these very synods presbyters and deacons and all who think themselves wronged may come forward and obtain a judgment from the synod. And it is not permitted for any to hold synods by themselves without those who have been entrusted with the metropolises.

### Extrabiblical texts

- Conc. Nic. 5 (Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325)): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Pentecost” here means the fifty days after Easter. Hyperberetaeus is a month of the Syro-Macedonian calendar; the canon equates its tenth day with the Ides of October (15 October).

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 20 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-20).

## Canon 21

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-21
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop is not to be transferred from one see to another for any reason.

### Greek text

Ἐπίσκοπον ἀπὸ παροικίας ἑτέρας εἰς ἑτέραν μὴ μεθίστασθαι, μήτε αὐθαιρέτως ἐπιρρίπτοντα ἑαυτόν, μήτε ὑπὸ λαῶν ἐκβιαζόμενον, μήτε ὑπὸ ἐπισκόπων ἀναγκαζόμενον· μένειν δὲ εἰς ἣν ἐκληρώθη ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ μὴ μεθίστασθαι αὐτῆς, κατὰ τὸν ἤδη πρότερον περὶ τούτου ἐξενεχθέντα ὅρον.

### English translation (Claude)

A bishop is not to move from one district to another, neither thrusting himself in of his own accord, nor forced by the peoples, nor compelled by bishops; but he is to remain in the church to which he was allotted by God from the beginning, and not move from it, according to the decree already issued earlier on this matter.

### Extrabiblical texts

- Conc. Nic. 15 (Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325)): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “The decree already issued earlier”: Nicaea, canon 15.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 21 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-21).

## Canon 22

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-22
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop may not ordain in a city or district belonging to another bishop without that bishop's consent.

### Greek text

Ἐπίσκοπον μὴ ἐπιβαίνειν ἀλλοτρίᾳ πόλει τῇ μὴ ὑποκειμένῃ αὐτῷ, μηδὲ χώρᾳ τῇ αὐτῷ μὴ διαφερούσῃ, ἐπὶ χειροτονίᾳ τινός, μηδὲ καθιστᾶν πρεσβυτέρους ἢ διακόνους εἰς τόπους ἑτέρῳ ἐπισκόπῳ ὑποκειμένους, εἰ μὴ ἄρα μετὰ γνώμης τοῦ οἰκείου τῆς χώρας ἐπισκόπου. Εἰ δὲ τολμήσειέ τις τοιοῦτον, ἄκυρον εἶναι τὴν χειροθεσίαν, καὶ αὐτὸν ἐπιτιμίας ὑπὸ τῆς συνόδου τυγχάνειν.

### English translation (Claude)

A bishop is not to intrude on another city not subject to him, nor on a country district not belonging to him, to ordain anyone, nor to appoint presbyters or deacons to places subject to another bishop, except with the consent of the proper bishop of the district. And if anyone dares to do such a thing, the laying on of hands is to be invalid, and he himself is to receive a penalty from the synod.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 22 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-22).

## Canon 23

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-23
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop may not name his own successor; a new bishop is chosen only by a synod of the bishops with that authority.

### Greek text

Ἐπίσκοπον μὴ ἐξεῖναι ἀντ᾽ αὐτοῦ καθιστᾶν ἕτερον ἑαυτοῦ διάδοχον, κἂν πρὸς τῇ τελευτῇ τοῦ βίου τυγχάνῃ· εἰ δέ τι, τοιοῦτον γίγνοιτο, ἄκυρον εἶναι τὴν κατάστασιν. Φυλάττεσθαι δὲ τὸν θεσμὸν τὸν ἐκκλησιαστικὸν περιέχοντα, μὴ δεῖν ἄλλως γίνεσθαι ἐπίσκοπον, ἢ μετὰ συνόδου καὶ ἐπικρίσεως ἐπισκόπων, τῶν μετὰ τὴν κοίμησιν τοῦ ἀναπαυσαμένου τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἐχόντων τοῦ προάγεσθαι τὸν ἄξιον.

### English translation (Claude)

It is not permitted for a bishop to appoint another as his own successor in his place, even if he is at the end of his life; and if any such thing is done, the appointment is to be invalid. And the law of the church is to be kept, which provides that a bishop must not be made otherwise than with a synod and the judgment of the bishops who, after the falling asleep of the one who has gone to his rest, have the authority to promote the worthy man.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 23 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-23).

## Canon 24

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-24
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The church's property is to be kept distinct from the bishop's own, with the knowledge of the presbyters and deacons, so that neither suffers at his death.

### Greek text

Τὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ καλῶς ἔχειν φυλάττεσθαι δεῖ μετὰ πάσης ἐπιμελείας, καὶ ἀγαθῆς συνειδήσεως, καὶ πίστεως τῆς εἰς τὸν πάντων ἔφορον καὶ κριτὴν Θεόν. Ἃ καὶ διοικεῖσθαι προσήκει μετὰ κρίσεως καὶ ἐξουσίας τοῦ ἐπισκόπου, τοῦ πεπιστευμένου πάντα τὸν λαόν, καὶ τὰς ψυχὰς τῶν συναγομένων. Φανερὰ δὲ εἶναι τὰ διαφέροντα τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ, μετὰ γνώσεως τῶν περὶ αὐτὸν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ διακόνων, ὥστε τούτους εἰδέναι καὶ μὴ ἀγνοεῖν, τίνα ποτὲ τὰ ἴδιά ἐστι τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ὥστε μηδὲν αὐτοὺς λανθάνειν· ἵν᾽ εἰ συμβαίη τὸν ἐπίσκοπον μεταλλάττειν τὸν βίον, φανερῶν ὄντων τῶν διαφερόντων τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ πραγμάτων, μήτε αὐτὰ διαπίπτειν καὶ ἀπόλλυσθαι, μήτε τὰ ἴδια τοῦ ἐπισκόπου ἐνοχλεῖσθαι, προφάσει τῶν ἐκκλησιαστικῶν πραγμάτων. Δίκαιον γὰρ καὶ ἀρεστὸν παρά τε Θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις, τὰ ἴδια τοῦ ἐπισκόπου, οἷς ἂν αὐτὸς βούληται καταλιμπάνεσθαι· τὰ μέντοι τῆς ἐκκλησίας αὐτῇ φυλάττεσθαι· καὶ μήτε τὴν ἐκκλησίαν ὑπομένειν τινὰ ζημίαν, μήτε τὸν ἐπίσκοπον προφάσει τῆς ἐκκλησίας δημεύεσθαι, ἢ καὶ εἰς πράγματα ἐμπίπτειν τοὺς αὐτῷ διαφέροντας, μετὰ τοῦ καὶ αὐτὸν μετὰ θάνατον δυσφημίᾳ περιβάλλεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

The things of the church must be well kept for the church with all care and a good conscience and faith in God, the overseer and judge of all. They must also be managed with the judgment and authority of the bishop, who has been entrusted with all the people and the souls of those who assemble. And what belongs to the church is to be made known, with the knowledge of the presbyters and deacons around him, so that they may know and not be ignorant of what the church's own property is, so that nothing escapes them; so that, if the bishop should happen to depart this life, the property belonging to the church being known, it may neither be scattered and lost, nor the bishop's own property be harassed on the pretext of the church's affairs. For it is just and pleasing before God and men that the bishop's own property be left to whomever he wishes, but that what is the church's be kept for it; and that neither the church suffer any loss, nor the bishop's goods be confiscated on the pretext of the church, nor those connected with him fall into lawsuits, with the result that he himself after his death is also covered with ill repute.

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 8:21: echo, low confidence
- Prov 3:4: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Before God and men” echoes Prov 3:4 and 2 Cor 8:21.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 24 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-24).

## Canon 25

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-25
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The bishop administers church property for the needy and may take what he needs, but misuse of it for himself or his family is to be judged by the provincial synod.

### Greek text

Ἐπίσκοπον ἔχειν τῶν τῆς ἐκκλησίας πραγμάτων ἐξουσίαν ὥστε αὐτὰ διοικεῖν εἰς πάντας τοὺς δεομένους, μετὰ πάσης εὐλαβείας καὶ φόβου Θεοῦ· μεταλαμβάνειν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸν τῶν δεόντων, εἴγε δέοιτο, εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας αὐτοῦ χρείας, καὶ τῶν παρ᾽ αὐτῷ ἐπιξενουμένων ἀδελφῶν, ὡς κατὰ μηδένα τρόπον αὐτοὺς στερεῖσθαι, κατὰ τὸν θεῖον Ἀπόστολον, λέγοντα· Ἔχοντες διατροφὰς καὶ σκεπάσματα, τούτοις ἀρκεσθησόμεθα· εἰ δὲ μὴ τούτοις ἀρκοῖτο, μεταβάλλοι δὲ τὰ πράγματα εἰς οἰκείας αὐτοῦ χρείας, καὶ τοὺς πόρους τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ἢ τοὺς τῶν ἀγρῶν καρπούς, μὴ μετὰ γνώμης τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἢ τῶν διακόνων χειρίζοι, ἀλλ᾽ οἰκείοις αὐτοῦ καὶ συγγενέσιν, ἢ ἀδελφοῖς, ἢ υἱοῖς παράσχοιτο τὴν ἐξουσίαν, ὥστε διὰ τῶν τοιούτων λεληθότως βλάπτεσθαι τοὺς λόγους τῆς ἐκκλησίας, τοῦτον εὐθύνας παρέχειν τῇ συνόδῳ τῆς ἐπαρχίας. Εἰ δὲ καὶ ἄλλως διαβάλλοιτο ὁ ἐπίσκοπος, ἢ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ πρεσβύτεροι, ὡς τὰ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ διαφέροντα, ἤτοι ἐξ ἀγρῶν, ἢ καὶ ἐξ ἑτέρας προφάσεως ἐκκλησιαστικῆς, εἰς ἑαυτοὺς ἀποφερόμενοι, ὡς θλίβεσθαι μὲν τοὺς πένητας, διαβολὴν δὲ καὶ δυσφημίαν προστρίβεσθαι τῷ τε λόγῳ καὶ τοῖς οὕτω διοικοῦσι, καὶ τούτους διορθώσεως τυγχάνειν, τὸ πρέπον δοκιμαζούσης τῆς ἁγίας συνόδου.

### English translation (Claude)

The bishop is to have authority over the church's property, so as to dispense it to all who are in need, with all reverence and fear of God; and he himself may also partake of what is needed, if he needs it, for his own necessary uses and those of the brothers staying with him as guests, so that they are in no way deprived, according to the divine apostle, who says, “Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” But if he is not content with these, but turns the property to his own private uses, and does not manage the revenues of the church or the produce of the fields with the consent of the presbyters or the deacons, but gives the authority to his own household and relatives, or brothers, or sons, so that through such persons the accounts of the church are secretly harmed, he is to give account to the synod of the province. And if, on the other hand, the bishop or the presbyters with him are accused of appropriating to themselves what belongs to the church, whether from fields or from any other church source, so that the poor are oppressed, and slander and ill repute are brought upon the accounts and upon those who so manage them, they too are to be corrected, the holy synod determining what is fitting.

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 6:8: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is 1 Tim 6:8.
- “The accounts” renders τῷ λόγῳ; it could also mean “the word” (the Christian message) being brought into disrepute.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Antioch. 25 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-antioch-341/1/#p-25).