Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325)

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the essence of the Father; God from God, light from light, true God from true God; begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father; through whom all things came into being, both the things in heaven and the things on earth; who for us human beings and for our salvation came down and was made flesh, became man, suffered, and rose on the third day, ascended into the heavens, and is coming to judge the living and the dead. And in the Holy Spirit. But those who say, “There was once when he was not,” or “He was not before he was begotten,” or “He came into being from things that are not,” or who assert that the Son of God is from another hypostasis or essence, or is created, or changeable, or alterable, these the catholic and apostolic church of God anathematizes.

If anyone has been operated on by physicians in illness, or has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain in the clergy. But if anyone in good health has castrated himself, it is proper that he cease, even if he is enrolled in the clergy; and from now on none of such persons ought to be advanced. But as it is evident that this is said of those who do the thing deliberately and dare to castrate themselves, so, if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians or by masters, but are otherwise found worthy, the canon admits such persons to the clergy.

Since many things have been done contrary to the ecclesiastical canon, either from necessity or because people were otherwise pressing, so that men who have just come to the faith from a pagan life, and have been instructed for a short time, are at once brought to the spiritual washing, and as soon as they are baptized are advanced to the episcopate or the presbyterate, it has seemed good that nothing of the kind be done in future. For the catechumen needs time, and after baptism a further testing. For the apostolic writing is clear, which says: “Not a recent convert, lest, being puffed up, he fall into condemnation and the snare of the devil.” But if, as time goes on, some sin of the soul is found in the person and he is convicted by two or three witnesses, let such a one cease from the clergy. And whoever acts contrary to these things, as one daring to oppose the great synod, will himself be in danger concerning his clerical office.

The great synod has entirely forbidden that it be permitted to a bishop, or a presbyter, or a deacon, or in general to anyone in the clergy, to have a woman brought in to live with him, except only a mother, or a sister, or an aunt, or such persons alone as are beyond all suspicion.

It is proper that a bishop be appointed by all the bishops in the province; but if this is difficult, either because of urgent necessity or because of the length of the journey, at least three should gather together, the absent also voting with them and consenting by letters, and then perform the ordination; and the confirmation of what is done is to be given in each province to the metropolitan.

Concerning those who have been excommunicated, whether of the clergy or of the lay order, by the bishops in each province, let the decision stand according to the canon which declares that those cast out by some are not to be received by others. But let it be examined whether they have been excluded from the congregation through pettiness, or contentiousness, or some such displeasure of the bishop. So that this may receive proper examination, it has seemed good that in each province synods be held twice every year, so that, all the bishops of the province being gathered together in common, such questions may be examined; and so those who have admittedly offended against their bishop may be seen by all to be with good reason excommunicated, until it seems good to the common body of the bishops to pronounce a kinder sentence for them. And let the synods be held, one before Lent, so that, all pettiness being removed, the gift may be offered pure to God, and the second about the season of autumn.

Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya, and Pentapolis prevail, so that the bishop in Alexandria has authority over all these, since this is customary for the bishop in Rome as well. Likewise also in Antioch and in the other provinces let the prerogatives be preserved to the churches. And this is altogether clear: that if anyone becomes a bishop without the consent of the metropolitan, the great synod has decreed that such a one ought not to be a bishop. If, however, two or three, through their own contentiousness, oppose the common vote of all, which is reasonable and in accordance with the ecclesiastical canon, let the vote of the majority prevail.

Since custom and ancient tradition have prevailed that the bishop in Aelia be honored, let him have the honor that follows from this, the metropolis keeping its own proper dignity.

Concerning those who once called themselves Cathars but are coming over to the catholic and apostolic church, it has seemed good to the holy and great synod that, hands being laid on them, they remain thus in the clergy. But above all it is proper that they confess this in writing, that they will agree with and follow the doctrines of the catholic and apostolic church: that is, that they will communicate both with the twice-married and with those who lapsed in the persecution, for whom a time has been set and a season appointed; so that they follow the doctrines of the catholic church in all things. Where, then, all, whether in villages or in cities, are found to have been ordained by them alone, those found in the clergy shall remain in the same rank. But if some come over where there is a bishop or presbyter of the catholic church, it is evident that the bishop of the church will have the dignity of the bishop, while the one named bishop among the so-called Cathars will have the honor of a presbyter, unless it seems good to the bishop that he share in the honor of the name. But if this does not please him, he will devise for him the place either of a country bishop or of a presbyter, so that he may appear to be wholly in the clergy, lest there be two bishops in the city.

If any have been advanced as presbyters without examination, or, when examined, have confessed their sins, and, although they confessed, men acting against the canon have laid hands on such persons, the canon does not admit them; for the catholic church insists on what is above reproach.

As many of the lapsed as have been advanced, whether through ignorance, or even with the knowledge beforehand of those who advanced them, this does not prejudice the ecclesiastical canon; for when they are known, they are deposed.

Concerning those who transgressed without compulsion, or without the confiscation of their property, or without danger, or anything of the kind, as happened under the tyranny of Licinius, it has seemed good to the synod that, even though they were unworthy of kindness, nevertheless it be shown to them. As many, then, as truly repent shall spend three years among the hearers, as believers, and shall be prostrators for seven years; and for two years they shall share with the people in the prayers without the offering.

But those who were called by grace and showed their first zeal and laid aside their belts, but afterward ran back to their own vomit like dogs, so that some even paid out money and by favors achieved re-enlistment: these shall be prostrators for ten years, after the time of three years' hearing. But in all these cases it is proper to examine their purpose and the kind of their repentance. For as many as show their conversion in deed and not in appearance, by fear and tears and endurance and good works, these, having fulfilled the appointed time of hearing, may fittingly share in the prayers, with permission to the bishop to resolve something kinder concerning them. But as many as took it indifferently, and thought that the appearance of entering the church was enough for their conversion, let them fulfill the time in full.

Concerning those who are departing, the ancient and canonical law shall be kept now too, so that, if anyone is departing, he is not to be deprived of the last and most necessary provision for the journey. But if, after being despaired of and receiving communion, he is again numbered among the living, let him be with those who share in the prayer only. And in general, concerning anyone whatever who is departing and asks to share in the eucharist, let the bishop, after examination, give him a share of the offering.

Concerning catechumens who have lapsed, it has seemed good to the holy and great synod that, after being hearers only for three years, they afterward pray with the catechumens.

Because of the great disturbance and the factions that arise, it has seemed good that the custom found in some places contrary to the apostolic canon be wholly done away with, so that neither bishop nor presbyter nor deacon pass from city to city. But if anyone, after the decree of the holy and great synod, attempts anything of the kind or gives himself to such a business, the arrangement shall be wholly void, and he shall be restored to the church in which the bishop or the presbyter was ordained.

As many as recklessly, neither having the fear of God before their eyes nor knowing the ecclesiastical canon, withdraw from their own church, whether presbyters or deacons or in general those enrolled in the canon, these ought by no means to be received in another church; but every pressure must be brought on them to return to their own districts, or, if they persist, it is proper that they be excommunicated. And if anyone dares to steal away one who belongs to another and ordain him in his own church without the consent of his own bishop, from whom the one enrolled in the canon withdrew, let the ordination be void.

Since many who are enrolled in the canon, pursuing greed and shameful gain, have forgotten the divine writing which says, “He did not give his money at interest,” and in lending demand one percent a month, the holy and great synod has judged that, if anyone after this decree is found taking interest, whether by direct dealing or by pursuing the business in some other way, or demanding the half again, or devising anything else whatever for the sake of shameful gain, he shall be deposed from the clergy and be a stranger to the canon.

It has come to the holy and great synod that in some places and cities the deacons give the eucharist to the presbyters, which neither the canon nor custom has handed down, that those who have no authority to offer should give the body of Christ to those who offer. And this too has become known, that some of the deacons now even touch the eucharist before the bishops. Let all these things, then, be done away with, and let the deacons remain within their own bounds, knowing that they are the servants of the bishop and inferior to the presbyters. Let them receive the eucharist in their order after the presbyters, either the bishop or the presbyter giving it to them. Nor let it be permitted to the deacons to sit among the presbyters; for what is done is contrary to the canon and contrary to order. And if anyone will not obey even after these decrees, let him cease from the diaconate.

Concerning those who have been Paulianists and then taken refuge in the catholic church, a decree has been set forth that they be rebaptized without exception. And if some in the past time were enrolled in the clergy, if they appear blameless and above reproach, let them, after being rebaptized, be ordained by the bishop of the catholic church. But if the examination finds them unfit, it is proper that they be deposed. And likewise concerning the deaconesses, and in general concerning those enrolled in the clergy, the same form shall be observed. And we have made mention of the deaconesses who have been enrolled in this status, since they do not have any laying on of hands, so that they are by all means to be numbered among the laity.

Since there are some who kneel on the Lord's day and on the days of Pentecost, in order that all things may be observed alike in every district, it has seemed good to the holy synod that prayers be offered to God standing.