# Canons of the Council of Orange (441) - Author: Anonymous - Latin title: *Concilium Arausicanum I* - Date: 441 (certain) - Source: Hermann Theodor Bruns, ed., Canones apostolorum et conciliorum veterum selecti, vol. 2 (Berlin: Reimer, 1839); text read from the archive.org OCR (Latin text: Bruns (1839), OCR of the archive.org scan) - 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. 2 (Berlin: Reimer, 1839); Charles Munier, ed., Concilia Galliae, A. 314 - A. 506, CCSL 148 (Turnhout: Brepols, 1963); Friedrich Maassen, ed., Concilia aevi Merovingici (Hannover: Hahn, 1893) - Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/ - Passages: 30 ## Canon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-1 - Source: Bruns 2:122 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Heretics in danger of death who wish to become catholics may be received by a presbyter with chrism if no bishop is present. ### Latin text Haereticos in mortis discrimine positos si catholici esse desiderant, si desit episcopus, a presbyteris cum chrismate et benedictione consignari placuit ### English translation (Claude) It was decided that heretics placed in danger of death, if they desire to be catholics, should, if a bishop is absent, be sealed by presbyters with chrism and the blessing. ### Translation notes - The first council of Orange (Arausio), 8 November 441, under Hilary of Arles. The Latin of the digitization is very poor; clear OCR slips are corrected by logged corrections, and unreadable passages are marked "…". ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 1 (Bruns 2:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-1). ## Canon 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-2 - Source: Bruns 2:122 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Baptizers must always use the chrism; one not anointed at baptism is to be anointed at confirmation, since the anointing is not repeated. ### Latin text Nullum ministrorum qui baptizandi recepit officium sine chrismate usquam debere progredi, quia inter nos placuit semel chrismari. De eo autem qui in baptismate quacumque necessitate faciente non chrismatus fuerit, in confirmatione sacerdos commonebitur. Nam inter quoslibet chrismatis ipsius nonnisi una benedictio est, non ut praejudicans quidquam, sed ut non necessaria habeatur repetita chrismatio. ### English translation (Claude) None of the ministers who has received the office of baptizing should ever proceed without chrism, because it has been decided among us that one should be chrismated once. But concerning one who, for whatever reason of necessity, was not chrismated in baptism, the bishop will be reminded at the confirmation. For among all, there is only one blessing of the chrism itself; not as prejudging anything, but so that a repeated chrismation may not be held necessary. ### Translation notes - "The bishop" renders sacerdos, here the bishop who confirms. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 2 (Bruns 2:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-2). ## Canon 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-3 - Source: Bruns 2:122 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Penitents in danger of death receive communion as viaticum without the reconciling laying on of hands; if they recover they complete their penance. ### Latin text Qui recedunt de corpore poenitentia accepta, placuit sine reconciliatoria manus impositione iis communicari, quod morientis sufficit consolationi secundum definitiones patrum, qui hujusmodi communionem congruenter viaticum nominarunt. Quod si supervixerint, stent in ordine poenitentium, et ostensis necessariis poenitentiae fructibus legitimam communionem cum reconciliatoria manus impositione percipiant. ### English translation (Claude) It was decided that those who depart from the body after receiving penance should be given communion without the reconciling imposition of hands, which suffices for the consolation of the dying according to the definitions of the fathers, who fittingly called such communion the viaticum. But if they survive, let them stand in the order of penitents, and, having shown the necessary fruits of penance, receive lawful communion with the reconciling imposition of hands. ### Extrabiblical texts - Conc. Nic. 13 (Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325)): allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - "The definitions of the fathers": Nicaea, canon 13, which calls the last communion the viaticum. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 3 (Bruns 2:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-3). ## Canon 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-4 - Source: Bruns 2:122 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Clerics who ask for penance are not to be refused. ### Latin text Poenitentiam desiderantibus clericis non negandam. ### English translation (Claude) Penance is not to be denied to clerics who desire it. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 4 (Bruns 2:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-4). ## Canon 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-5 - Source: Bruns 2:122 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Those who take refuge in a church are not to be handed over. ### Latin text Eos qui ad ecclesiam confugerint tradi non oportere, sed loci reverentia et intercessione defendi. ### English translation (Claude) Those who have taken refuge in a church ought not to be handed over, but defended by reverence for the place and by intercession. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 5 (Bruns 2:122; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-5). ## Canon 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-6 - Source: Bruns 2:123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Anyone who seizes clerics' slaves in retaliation for his own slaves who fled to a church is condemned. ### Latin text Si quis autem mancipia clericorum pro suis mancipiis ad ecclesiam confugientibus crediderit occupanda, per omnes ecclesias districtissima damnatione feriatur. ### English translation (Claude) But if anyone thinks he may seize the slaves of clerics in place of his own slaves who have taken refuge in a church, let him be struck with the strictest condemnation by all the churches. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 6 (Bruns 2:123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-6). ## Canon 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-7 - Source: Bruns 2:123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Those freed in church or commended to the church by will may not be reduced again to servitude. ### Latin text In ecclesia manumissos vel per testamentum ecclesiae commendatos si quis in servitutem vel obsequium vel ad colonariam conditionem imprimere tentaverit, animadversione ecclesiastica coerceatur. ### English translation (Claude) If anyone tries to force into slavery, or into service, or into the condition of a tenant farmer those freed in church or commended to the church by will, let him be restrained by church discipline. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 7 (Bruns 2:123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-7). ## Canon 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-8 - Source: Bruns 2:123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: A bishop may ordain a cleric from elsewhere only if he will reside with him and after consulting his former bishop. ### Latin text Si quis alibi consistentem clericum ordinandum putaverit, prius definiat ut cum ipso habitet. Sic quoque non sine consultatione ejus episcopi cum quo ante habitavit, eum qui fortasse non sine causa diu ab alio ordinatus non est ordinare praesumat ### English translation (Claude) If anyone thinks of ordaining a cleric who lives elsewhere, let him first settle that he live with him. Even so, let him not presume, without consulting the bishop with whom he lived before, to ordain one who perhaps, not without cause, has not long been ordained by the other. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 8 (Bruns 2:123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-8). ## Canon 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-9 - Source: Bruns 2:123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Bishops who ordain men belonging to another church must either keep them or obtain the other bishop's approval. ### Latin text Si qui autem alienos cives aut alibi consistentes ordinaverint, nec ordinati in ullo accusantur, aut ad se eos revocent aut gratiam ipsis eorum impetrent cum quibus habitaverunt. ### English translation (Claude) But if any have ordained citizens of others or persons living elsewhere, and those ordained are accused of nothing, let them either recall them to themselves or obtain favour for them from those with whom they lived. ### Translation notes - The sense of "recall them to themselves" is uncertain. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 9 (Bruns 2:123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-9). ## Canon 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-10 - Source: Bruns 2:123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: A bishop who builds a church in another's territory may not dedicate it; the local bishop dedicates and governs it, though he ordains the founder's choice of clergy. ### Latin text Si quis episcoporum in alienae civitatis territorio ecclesiam aedificare disponit, vel pro ftindi sui ^^^ot,o -^ut ecclesiastica utilitate vel pro quacumque sua opportunitate, permissa licentia aedificandi, quia prohibere hoc votum nefas est, non praesumat dedicationem, quae illi omnimodis reservatur in cujus territorio ecclesia assurgit, reservata aedificatori episcopo hac gratia, ut quos desiderat clericos in re sua videre, ipsos ordinet is cujus territorium est, vel si ordinati jam sunt ipsos habere acquiescat. Et omnis ecclesiae ipsius gubernatio ad eum in cujus civitatis territorio ecclesia surrexerit pertinebit. Quod si etiam saecularium quicumque ecclesiam aedificaverit, et alium magis quam eum in cujus territorio aedificat invitandum putaverit, tam ipse cui contra constitutionem ac disciplinam gratificari vult quam omnes episcopi qui ad hujusmodi dedicationem invitantur a conventu abstinebunt. Si qbis '^sHNMMeilt, ijti rdaloni dei,c,lliitiir: si qtti ixcesselit, irdiiieBi rMoptioscat. ### English translation (Claude) If any bishop plans to build a church in the territory of another city, whether for the sake of his estate … or for the good of the church, or for any convenience of his own, permission to build being granted, since it is wrong to forbid such a wish, let him not presume to dedicate it, which is wholly reserved to him in whose territory the church rises; this favour being reserved to the bishop who built it, that the clerics whom he wishes to see in his foundation, these the one whose territory it is shall ordain, or, if they are already ordained, shall agree to have them. And the whole government of that church shall belong to him in whose city's territory the church has risen. And if any layman builds a church and thinks another rather than the one in whose territory he builds should be invited, both the one whom he wishes to favour against the constitution and discipline, and all the bishops who are invited to such a dedication, shall abstain from the assembly. … ### Translation notes - A few words in the first sentence and the whole last sentence are unreadable in the digitization; marked "…". ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 10 (Bruns 2:123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-10). ## Canon 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-11 - Source: Bruns 2:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: A bishop who knowingly communicates with someone excommunicated by another bishop is liable; the case goes to the next synod. ### Latin text Placuit in reatum venire episcopum; qui admonitus de excommunicatione cujuscumque, sine reconciliatione ejus qui excommunicavit, ei communicare praesumpserit, ut integra omnia, si reconciliatio intercesserit, de justitia vel de iniquitate excommunicationis proximae synodo reserventur. ### English translation (Claude) It was decided that a bishop is liable who, having been informed of anyone's excommunication, presumes to communicate with him without the reconciliation of the one who excommunicated him; so that, if reconciliation has intervened, everything, as to the justice or injustice of the excommunication, be reserved intact for the next synod. ### Translation notes - Translated as printed ("si reconciliatio intercesserit"); the clause is often understood with a negative ("if reconciliation has not taken place"). ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 11 (Bruns 2:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-11). ## Canon 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-12 - Source: Bruns 2:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: One who suddenly loses speech may be baptized or receive penance on the testimony of others to his wish or by his own sign. ### Latin text Subito obmutescens, prout status est, baptizari aut poenitentiam accipere potest si voluntatis aut praeteritae testimonium aliorum verbis habet aut praesentis in suo nutu. ### English translation (Claude) One who suddenly becomes speechless may, according to his state, be baptized or receive penance, if he has the testimony of his previous will in the words of others, or of his present will in his own nod. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 12 (Bruns 2:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-12). ## Canon 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-13 - Source: Bruns 2:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: The insane are to receive the sacraments that piety allows. ### Latin text Amentibus quaecumque pietatis sunt conferenda. ### English translation (Claude) To the insane, whatever belongs to piety is to be granted. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 13 (Bruns 2:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-13). ## Canon 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-14 - Source: Bruns 2:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Baptized persons troubled by demons who submit to the clergy's care may receive communion. ### Latin text Energumeni baptizati, si de purgatione sua curant et se sollicitudini clericorum tradunt monitisque obtemperant, omnimodis communicent sacramenti ipsius virtute vel muniendi ab incursu daemonii quo infestantur vel purgandi quorum jam ostenditur vita purgatior. ### English translation (Claude) Baptized energumens, if they take care for their cleansing and give themselves over to the care of the clergy and obey their admonitions, are by all means to communicate, by the power of the sacrament itself, either to be protected from the attack of the demon by which they are troubled, or to be cleansed, whose life is already shown to be purer. ### Translation notes - "Energumens": those held to be troubled by demons. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 14 (Bruns 2:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-14). ## Canon 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-15 - Source: Bruns 2:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Catechumens troubled by demons may be baptized as need and opportunity allow. ### Latin text Energumenis catechumenis quantum vel necessitas exegerit vel opportunitas permiserit de baptismate consulendum. ### English translation (Claude) For energumen catechumens, provision is to be made for baptism as far as necessity requires or opportunity permits. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 15 (Bruns 2:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-15). ## Canon 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-16 - Source: Bruns 2:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Those who have been publicly possessed may not be ordained, and if ordained are removed. ### Latin text Qui palam aliquando arrepti sunt, non solum non assumendi ad ullum ordinem clericatus, sed et si jam aliqui ordinati sunt ab imposito officio repellendi. ### English translation (Claude) Those who have at some time been publicly seized are not only not to be taken up into any order of the clergy, but, if any have already been ordained, are to be removed from the office laid upon them. ### Translation notes - "Seized" (arrepti): by a demon. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 16 (Bruns 2:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-16). ## Canon 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-17 - Source: Bruns 2:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: The chalice is to be offered with the capsa and consecrated by mingling in the Eucharist. ### Latin text Cum capsa et calix offerendus est, et admixtione eucharistiae consecrandus. ### English translation (Claude) The chalice is to be offered together with the capsa, and consecrated by the mixing in of the Eucharist. ### Translation notes - The meaning is uncertain: the capsa is the vessel for the consecrated bread, and the canon seems to require that the chalice be offered with it and a portion of the Eucharist be mixed into it. Translated literally. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 17 (Bruns 2:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-17). ## Canon 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-18 - Source: Bruns 2:126 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: The Gospel is to be read to catechumens in all the churches of the provinces. ### Latin text Evangelia deinceps placuit catechumenis legi apud omnes provinciarum nostrarum ecclesias. ### English translation (Claude) It was decided that henceforth the Gospels be read to catechumens in the churches of all our provinces. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 18 (Bruns 2:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-18). ## Canon 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-19 - Source: Bruns 2:126 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Catechumens may not enter the baptistery. ### Latin text Ad baptisterium catechumeni nunquam admittendi. ### English translation (Claude) Catechumens are never to be admitted to the baptistery. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 19 (Bruns 2:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-19). ## Canon 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-20 - Source: Bruns 2:126 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Catechumens are not to share the blessing of the faithful even at household prayers, but are blessed separately. ### Latin text A fidelium benedictione etiam inter domesticas orationes in quantum caveri potest, segregandi informandique sunt ut se revocent, et signandos vel benedicendos semotim offerant. ### English translation (Claude) They are to be separated from the blessing of the faithful even in domestic prayers, as far as can be guarded against, and instructed to withdraw and to present themselves separately to be signed or blessed. ### Translation notes - "They": the catechumens. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 20 (Bruns 2:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-20). ## Canon 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-21 - Source: Bruns 2:126 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: If two bishops ordain an unwilling man bishop, both are deposed and he may take one of their sees; if he consented, he too is condemned. ### Latin text In nostris provinciis placuit de praesumptoribus, ut sicubi contigerit duos episcopos episcopum invitum facere, auctoribus damnatis, unius eorum ecclesiae ipse qui vim passus est substituatur, si tamen vita respondet; et alter in alterius dejecti loco nihilominus ordinetur. Si voluntarium duo fecerint, et ipse damnabitur, quo cautius ea quae sunt antiquitus statuta serventur ### English translation (Claude) It was decided in our provinces concerning presumptuous persons, that if anywhere it happens that two bishops make a bishop against his will, the authors being condemned, the one who suffered violence is to be put in the place of one of them, if his life answers to it; and another is nonetheless to be ordained in the place of the other who has been deposed. If two do it with his consent, he too shall be condemned, so that what was established of old may be the more carefully kept. ### Extrabiblical texts - Conc. Nic. 4 (Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325)): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The canon assumes the rule that three bishops are needed for an ordination (Nicaea, canon 4). ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 21 (Bruns 2:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-21). ## Canon 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-22 - Source: Bruns 2:126 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Married men may not be ordained deacons unless they first profess continence. ### Latin text Sedit praeterea ut deinceps non ordinentur diacones conjugati, nisi qui prius conversionis proposito professi fuerint castitatem. ### English translation (Claude) It was settled moreover that henceforth married men are not to be ordained deacons unless they have first professed chastity with a resolve of conversion. ### Translation notes - Translated as written. "Conversion" (conversio): the adoption of an ascetic life. "Sedit" ("it was settled") as printed. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 22 (Bruns 2:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-22). ## Canon 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-23 - Source: Bruns 2:126 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: A deacon who has relations with his wife after ordination is removed from office. ### Latin text Si quis autem post acceptam benedictionem leviticam cum uxore sua incontinens invenitur, ab of&Cio abjiciatur. ### English translation (Claude) But if anyone, after receiving the Levitical blessing, is found incontinent with his wife, let him be cast out of his office. ### Translation notes - "The Levitical blessing": ordination as deacon. Translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 23 (Bruns 2:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-23). ## Canon 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-24 - Source: Bruns 2:126 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Deacons ordained earlier who fail in continence are not to be promoted, following the synod of Turin. ### Latin text De his autem qui prius ordinati hoc ipsum inciderunt, Taurinatis synodi sequendam esse sententiam, qua jubentur non ulterius promoveri. ### English translation (Claude) But concerning those who were ordained before and have fallen into this very thing, the sentence of the synod of Turin is to be followed, by which they are ordered not to be promoted further. ### Extrabiblical texts - Conc. Taur. 8 (Canons of the Council of Turin): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The synod of Turin (398), canon 8. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 24 (Bruns 2:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-24). ## Canon 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-25 - Source: Bruns 2:126 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Worthy men who have married may be ordained, but not beyond the subdiaconate. ### Latin text De idoneis autem et probatioribus viris, quos clericatui alligari ipsa vitae gratia suggerit, si forte inciderunt matrimonii non ultra subdiaconatum ecclesiasticas capiant dignitates. ### English translation (Claude) But concerning suitable and more approved men, whom the very grace of their life suggests should be bound to the clergy, if perhaps they have fallen into marriage, they are not to receive ecclesiastical dignities beyond the subdiaconate. ### Translation notes - A passage of the edition's apparatus (on the punctuation of the canon) leaked into the text and is removed. The canon's exact sense is uncertain (it may concern men who married again, or who married after a vow); translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 25 (Bruns 2:126; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-25). ## Canon 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-26 - Source: Bruns 2:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Deaconesses are no longer to be ordained; existing ones receive the blessing with the laity. ### Latin text Diaconae omnimodis non ordinandae: si quae jam sunt, benedictioni quae populo impenditur capita submittant. ### English translation (Claude) Deaconesses are by no means to be ordained; if there are any already, let them bow their heads to the blessing that is given to the people. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 26 (Bruns 2:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-26). ## Canon 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-27 - Source: Bruns 2:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: A widow's vow is made before the bishop and marked by the widow's garment; her abductor, or she if she abandons it, is condemned. ### Latin text Viduitatis servandae professionem coram episcopo in secretario habitam, imposita ab episcopo veste viduali indicandam. Raptorem vero talium vel ipsam talis professionis desertricem merito esse damnandam. ### English translation (Claude) The profession of keeping widowhood, made before the bishop in the sacristy, is to be indicated by the widow's garment put on by the bishop. But the abductor of such women, or the woman herself who deserts such a profession, is rightly to be condemned. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 27 (Bruns 2:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-27). ## Canon 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-28 - Source: Bruns 2:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: Men and women who abandon a vow of chastity are transgressors and must do penance. ### Latin text In utroque sexu desertores professae castitatis praevaricatores habendi, et his omnibus per poenitentiam legitimam consulendum ### English translation (Claude) In both sexes, deserters of professed chastity are to be held transgressors, and for all of these provision is to be made through lawful penance. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 28 (Bruns 2:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-28). ## Canon 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-29 - Source: Bruns 2:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: The bishops confirm their decrees, rebuke absentees, and announce the next council for 18 October of the following year at Lucianum near Orange. ### Latin text Haec quae subscripsimus cum eorum qudque concor, ^ti toobehmA dedermit, ratK deikicepii inte,Bte ac nostros haberi volumus, et habenda saiieimua non ita praetereuntes qui syMdo aut pei se aut. per conseBSWi auei, vei ad vi- Bui per legatos destinandos adesse detrectant, ut sibi supra nos illi placeant qui patrum statuta despiciunt, quibus bis in anno, quod nobis pro temporum qualitate, difficile est, sanctum est conveniri; adjicientes quod si similibus deinceps paginis pro salubritate ac remediis ecclesiasticis congregare conventus voluerimus, constituamus ut nullus conventus sine alterius conventus denunciatione solvatur. Itaque sequenti anno, si domino ac deo nostro Jesu Christo permittente conceditur, die XV. Kalendas Novembres Luciano in Arausico territorio conventum habebimus: qui ideo tanto prius per conventum ipsum denunciatur, ut tam excusationis libertas quam invitationis necessitas non sit. De die enyn.8(0 kico p,i noi, ipsos eommondbimttt, stngtiii nobiscum in exemplaribus ea quae per nos sunt constituta referentes: reliquos qui defuerant beatissimi fratris nostri Hilarii sollicitudini relinquimus, datis ad ipsos horum exemplaribus commonendos. ### English translation (Claude) These things which we have subscribed … we wish to be held henceforth as ours, and we decree that they are to be held; not so passing over those who refuse to be present at the synod either in person or … through legates to be sent, that those may please themselves above us who despise the statutes of the fathers, by which it is sanctioned that we meet twice a year, which is difficult for us because of the nature of the times; adding that, if henceforth we wish to gather assemblies by similar pages for the welfare and remedies of the church, we establish that no assembly be dissolved without the announcement of another assembly. Therefore next year, if it is granted by the permission of our Lord and God Jesus Christ, on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of November, we will hold an assembly at Lucianum in the territory of Orange; which is announced so long beforehand by this very assembly so that there may be neither freedom to excuse oneself nor need of an invitation. … reporting with us in copies the things that have been decreed by us; the rest who were absent we leave to the care of our most blessed brother Hilary, copies of these being given to them for their admonition. ### Extrabiblical texts - Conc. Nic. 5 (Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325)): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Several stretches of this section are unreadable in the digitization and are marked "…". "The statutes of the fathers … twice a year": Nicaea, canon 5. "Hilary": Hilary of Arles. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 29 (Bruns 2:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-29). ## Canon 30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-30 - Source: Bruns 2:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17 Summary: A bishop disabled by illness must call in another bishop for episcopal functions rather than let presbyters perform them. ### Latin text Post omnia occurrit de imbeeillitatibus fragilitatis humanae, ut si quis episcopus per infirmitatem debilitateitite- Illi,- quam aut hebetudinem sensus inciderit, aut officium oris amiserit, ea quae non nisi per episcopos geruntur, non sub praesentia sua presbyteros agere permittat, sed episcopum evocet cui quod in ecclesia agendum fuerit imponat. ### English translation (Claude) After all this, the matter of the weaknesses of human frailty came up: that if any bishop, through infirmity, falls into some weakness or dullness of mind, or loses the use of speech, he is not to allow presbyters to perform in his presence the things that are done only by bishops, but should call in a bishop to whom he may commit what has to be done in the church. ### Translation notes - One word is garbled in the digitization ("debilitateitite- Illi,- quam", probably "debilitatem aliquam"); translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Conc. Araus. I 30 (Bruns 2:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-orange-441/1/#p-30).