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Canon VII. (7)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall celebrate the holy day of Easter
(Pascha) before the vernal equinox, with the Jews, let him be deposed.
Concord
The Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed to remove the following
(with the Jews) because in the West the celebration of Pascha is based on the
Gregorian calendar where Pascha sometimes coincides with the Jewish
celebration. Also the Holy Church has discovered that this may lead to
discrimination, violence and bigotry towards the Jews and any form of bigotry is
abhor by the Holy Church.
“25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be
conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles
has come in (Rom 11:25).
Canon VIII. (8)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one on the sacerdotal list, when the
offering is made, does not partake of it, let him declare the cause; and if it be a
reasonable one, let him be excused; but if he does not declare it, let him be
excommunicated, as being a cause of offence to the people, and occasioning a
suspicion against the offender, as if he had not made the offering properly.
Canon IX. (9)
All the faithful who come in and hear the Scriptures, but do not stay for the
prayers and the Holy Communion, are to be excommunicated, as causing disorder
in the Church.
Canon X. (10)
If anyone shall pray, even in a private house, with an excommunicated person, let
him also be excommunicated.
Canon XI. (11)
If any clergyman shall join in prayer with a deposed clergyman, as if he were a
clergyman let him also be deposed.
Canon XII. (12)
If any one of the clergy or laity who is excommunicated, or not to be received,
shall go away, and be received in another city without commendatory letters, let
both the receiver and the received be excommunicated.
Canon XIII. (13)
But if he be excommunicated already, let the time of his excommunication be
lengthened.
Canon XIV. (14)
A bishop is not to be allowed to leave his own parish, and pass over into another,
although he may be pressed by many to do so, unless there is some proper cause
constraining him, as if he can confer some greater benefit upon the persons of
that place in the word of godliness. And this must be done not of his own accord,
but by the judgment of many bishops, and at their earnest exhortation
Canon XV. (15)
If any presbyter, or deacon, or any other of the list of the clergy, shall leave his
own parish, and go into another, and having entirely forsaken his own, shall
make his abode in the other parish without the permission of his own bishop, we
ordain that he shall no longer perform divine service; more especially if his own
bishop having exhorted him to return he has refused to do so, and persists in his
disorderly conduct. But let him communicate there as a layman.
Canon XVI. (16)
If, however, the bishop, with whom any such persons are staying, shall disregard
the command that they are to cease from performing divine offices, and shall
receive them as clergymen, let him be excommunicated, as a teacher of disorder.
Canon XVII. (17)
He who has been thrice married after baptism, or who has had a concubine,
cannot become a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any other of the sacerdotal list.
Canon XVIII. (18)
He who married a widow, or a divorced woman, or a harlot, or a servant-maid,
or an actress, cannot become a bishop, or a presbyter, or a deacon, or any other
of the sacerdotal list.
Canon XIX. (19)
He who has married two sisters, or a niece, cannot become a member of the
clergy.
Canon XX. (20)
If a member of the clergy becomes surety (legally liable) for any one, let them be
deposed.
Canon XXI. (21)
An eunuch, if he has been made so by the violence of men or if his virilia (male
sexual organs) have been amputated in times of persecution, or if he has been
born so, if in other respects he is worthy, may be made a bishop
Canon XXII. (22)
Whoever mutilates themselves, cannot become a member of the clergy, for they
are a self-murderer, and an enemy to the workmanship of God.
Canon XXIII. (23)
If any member of the clergy shall mutilate themselves, let them be deposed, for
they are a self-murderer, and an enemy to the workmanship of God.
Canon XXIV. (24)
If a layperson mutilates themselves, let them be excommunicated for three years,
as an act against their own life.
Canon XXV (25)
If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon be found guilty of fornication, perjury, or theft,
let them be deposed, but let them not be excommunicated; for the Scripture says,
"thou shall not punish a man twice for the same offence." In like manner the
other clergy shall be subject to the same proceeding [or, in like manner with
respect to the other clergy].
Canon XXVI (26)
Of those who have been admitted to the clergy unmarried, we ordain, [that
Priests, Deacons] readers and singers only may, if they will, marry.
Concord
The Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed to add Priest and
Deacon for it unfair to condemn anyone to a life of celibacy if they are not call to
do so.
Canon XXVII. (27)
If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon shall strike any of the faithful who have sinned,
or of the unbelievers who have done wrong, with the intention of frightening
them, we command that they be deposed. For our Lord has by no means taught
us to do so, but, on the contrary, when he was smitten he smote not again, when
he was reviled he reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened not (1 Peter 2:
23).
Canon XXVIII. (28)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, having been justly deposed upon open
accusations, shall dare to meddle with any of the divine offices which had been
entrusted to them, let them be altogether cut off from the Church.
Canon XXIX. (29)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, having been justly deposed upon open
accusations, shall dare to meddle with any of the divine offices which had been
entrusted to them, let them be altogether cut off from the Church as Simon
Magus was by me Peter (1 Peter 2:23).
Canon XXX. (30)
If any bishop obtain possession of a church by the aid of the temporal powers, let
him be deposed and excommunicated, and all who communicate with him.
Canon XXXI. (31)
If any bishop or presbyter, despising the Head* of his church, shall collect a
separate congregation, and erect another altar, not having any grounds for
condemning the Head* of the Church with regard to religion or justice, let him
be deposed for his ambition; for he is a tyrant; in like manner also the rest of the
clergy, and as many as join him; and let laymen be excommunicated. Let this,
however, be done after a first, second, and third admonition from the Head*.
Concord
The Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed to add the word
(Bishop) and the term (Head) that will represent the following: Primus, Exarch,
Metropolitan and Bishop in order to stop the proliferation of Vagante Bishops
and sects.
Canon XXXII. (32)
If any presbyter or deacon has been excommunicated by a bishop, he may not be
received into communion again by any other than by him who excommunicated
them, unless it happen that the bishop who excommunicated them be dead.
Canon XXXIII. (33)
No foreign bishop, presbyter, or deacon, may be received without commendatory
letters; and when they are produced let the persons be examined; and if they be
preachers of godliness, let them be received. Otherwise, although you supply
them with what they need, you must not receive them into communion, for many
things are done surreptitiously.
Canon XXXIV. (34)
The bishops of every nation must acknowledge him who is first among them and
account him as their head, and do nothing of consequence without his consent;
but each may do those things only which concern his own parish, and the
country places which belong to it. But neither let him (who is the first) do
anything without the consent of all; for so there will be unanimity, and God will
be glorified through the Lord in the Holy Spirit.
Canon XXXV. (35)
Let not a bishop dare to ordain beyond his own limits, in cities and places not
subject to him, but if he be convicted of doing so, without the consent of those
persons who have authority over such cities and places, let him be deposed, and
those also whom he has ordained.
Canon XXXVI. (36)
If any person, having been ordained bishop, does not undertake the ministry, and
the care of the people committed to him, let him be excommunicated until he does
undertake it. In like manner a presbyter or deacon. But if he has gone and has
not been received, not of his own will but from the perverseness of the people, let
him continue bishop; and let the clergy of the city be excommunicated, because
they have not corrected the disobedient people.
Canon XXXVII. (37)
Let there be a meeting of the bishops twice a year, and let them examine amongst
themselves the decrees concerning religion and settle the ecclesiastical
controversies which may have occurred. One meeting to be held in the fourth
week of Pentecost [i.e., the fourth week after Easter (Pascha)], and the other on
the 12th day of the month Hyperberetaeus [i.e., October].
Canon XXXVIII. (38)
Let the bishop have the care of all the goods of the Church, and let him
administer them as under the inspection of God. But he must not alienate any of
them or give the things which belong to God to his own relations. If they be
poor let him relieve them as poor; but let him not, under that pretense, sell the
goods of the Church.
Canon XXXIX. (39)
Let not the presbyters or deacon do anything without the sanction of the bishop;
for he is who is entrusted with the people of the Lord, and of whom will be
required the account of their souls.
Canon XL. (40)
Let the private goods of the bishop, if he have any such, and those of the Lord, be
clearly distinguished, that the bishop may have the power of leaving his own
goods, when he dies, to whom he will, and how he will, and that the bishop's own
property may not be lost under pretense of its being the property of the Church:
for it may be that he has a wife, or children, or relations, or servants; and it is
just before God and man, that neither should the Church suffer any loss through
ignorance of the bishop's own property, nor the bishop or his relations be injured
under pretext of the Church: nor that those who belong to him should be
involved in contests, and cast reproaches upon his death.
Canon XLI. (41)
We ordain that the bishop have authority over the goods of the Church: for if he
is to be entrusted with the precious souls of men, much more are temporal
possessions to be entrusted to him. He is therefore to administer them all of his
own authority, and supply those who need, through the presbyters and deacon,
in the fear of God, and with all reverence. He may also, if need be, take what is
required for his own necessary wants, and for the brethren to whom he has to
show hospitality, so that he may not be in any want. For the law of God has
ordained that they who wait at the altar should be nourished of the altar. Neither
does any soldier bear arms against an enemy at his own cost.
Canon XLII. (42)
If a bishop or presbyter, or deacon, has any form of addiction, let them either
give it over, or be deposed.
Concord
The Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed to change (from: is
addicted to dice or drinking to: has any form of addiction).
Canon XLIII. (43)
If a sub-deacon, reader, or singer, commits the same things, let them either give
over, or be excommunicated, so also laymen.
Canon XLIV. (44)
Let a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, who takes usury from those who borrow of
them, give up doing so, or be deposed.
Canon XLV. (45)
Let a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, who has only prayed with heretics, be
excommunicated: but if they have permitted them to perform any clerical office,
let them be deposed.
Canon XLVI. (46)
We ordain that a bishop, or presbyter, who has admitted the baptism or sacrifice
of heretics, be deposed. For what concord hath Christ with Belial, or what part
hath a believer with an infidel?
Canon XLVII. (47)
Let a bishop or presbyter who shall baptize again one who has rightly received
baptism, or who shall not baptize one who has been polluted by the ungodly, be
deposed, as despising the cross and death of the Lord, and not making a
distinction between the true priests and the false.
Canon XLVIII. (48)
If any layman put away his wife [without a proper annulment] and marries
another, let him be excommunicated.
Canon XLIX. (49)
If any bishop or presbyter, contrary to the ordinance of the Lord, does not
baptize into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, but into three Un-
originated Beings, or three Sons, or three Comforters, let him be deposed.
Canon L. (50)
If any bishop or presbyter does not perform the one initiation with three
immersions, but with giving one immersion only, into the death of the Lord, let
him be deposed. For the Lord said not, Baptize into my death, but, "Go, make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost." If it is a sick infant/person or there is scarcity of water
it is permitted with the permission of the Bishop to baptize by the pouring of
water three times, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Concord
The Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed to add the following: If
it is a sick infant/person or there is scarcity of water it is permitted with the
permission of the Bishop to baptize by the pouring of water three times, in the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Canon LI. (51)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the sacerdotal list, abstains
from marriage, or meat, or wine, not by way of religious restraint, but as
abhorring them, forgetting that God made all things very good, and that he
made male and female, and blaspheming the work of creation, let them be
corrected, or else be deposed, and cast out of the Church, in like manner a layman.
Canon LII. (52)
If any bishop, presbyter or deacon does not receive them who turns away from
their sin, but rejects them, let them be deposed; for he grieveth Christ who said,
"There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:7).
Canon LIII. (53)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, does not on festival days partake of meat and
wine, from an abhorrence of them, and not out of religious restraint, let them be
deposed, as being seared in their own conscience, and being the cause of offence
to many.
Canon LIV. (54)
If any of the clergy be found eating in a tavern, let them be excommunicated,
unless they have been constrained by necessity, on a journey, to lodge in an inn.
Canon LV. (55)
If any of the clergy insult or disobeys the bishop, let them be deposed. For “thou
shalt nor speak evil of the ruler of thy people” (Acts 23:5).
Canon LVI. (56)
If any of the clergy insult a presbyter, or deacon, let them be excommunicated.
Canon LVII. (57)
If any of the clergy mock the lame, or the deaf, or the blind, or they who are
infirm in their legs, let them be excommunicated. In like manner any of the laity.
Canon LVIII. (58)
If any bishop or presbyter neglects the clergy or the people, and does not instruct
them in the way of godliness, let him be excommunicated, and if he persists in his
negligence and idleness, let him be deposed.
Canon LIX. (59)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, when any of the clergy is in want, does not
supply them with what they needs, let them be excommunicated; but if they
persists, let them be deposed, as one who has killed his brother.
Canon LX. (60)
If any one reads publicly in the church the falsely inscribed [pseudepigrapha-
bearing false inscriptions] books of impious men, as if they were Holy Scripture,
to the destruction of the people and clergy, let them be deposed.
Canon LXI. (61)
If any accusation be brought against a believer of fornication or adultery, or any
forbidden action, and they be convicted, let them not be promoted to the clergy.
Canon LXII. (62)
If any of the clergy, through fear of men, whether non-Christian, heathen, or
heretic, shall deny the name of Christ, let them be cast out. If they deny the name
of a clergyman, let them be deposed. If they repent, let them be received as a
layman.
Canon LXIII. (63)
If any of the clergy, shall eat flesh, with the blood of the life thereof, or anything
killed by beasts, or that dies of itself, let them be deposed. For the law has
forbidden this. If they be a layman, let them be excommunicated.
Canon LXIV. (64)
If any of the clergy be found fasting on the Lord's day [i.e. Sunday], or on the
Sabbath [i.e. Saturday], excepting the one only [i.e. Holy Saturday], let them be
deposed. If a layman, let them be excommunicated.
Canon LXV. (65)
If any clergy or layman shall enter into a place of worship of a heathens, heretics
and unbelievers to pray, let the former be deposed and let the latter be
excommunicated.
Concord
The Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed remove the following:
(synagogue of the Jews) for our Lord entered and prayed in the synagogues and
never forbade anyone to do so. “25I do not want you to be ignorant of this
mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a
hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in (Rom 11:25).
When it comes to heathens, heretics and unbelievers in doing this one may
appear to believe that their false ceremonies and rites are true, and that their
tainted mysteries are genuine.
Canon LXVI. (66)
If any clergyman shall strike anyone in a contest, and kills them with one blow,
let them be deposed for their violence. If a layman do so, let them be
excommunicated.
Canon LXVII. (67)
If anyone shall force and keep a virgin not espoused, let them be excommunicated.
And they may not take any other, but must retain whom they have chosen,
though they be a poor person.
Canon LXVIII. (68)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall receive from anyone a second
ordination, let both the ordained and the one that ordained them be deposed;
unless indeed it be proved that they had their ordination from heretics; for those
who have been baptized or ordained by such persons cannot be either of the
faithful or of the clergy.
Canon LXIX. (69)
If any bishop, presbyter, deacon, reader or singer does not fast the holy
Quadragesimal (Lent) fast of Easter, The fourth day (Wednesday) is dedicated to
the Holy Cross of the Lord. It was on this day that Judas agreed to betray
Christ, thus setting in motion the events of the Passion. This is a fast day which
is obligatory for all Orthodox Christians, or The day of Preparation the sixth
day (Friday) which is the day of Christ's crucifixion, is again dedicated to the
Holy Cross. Like Wednesday, it is a fast day for all Orthodox Christians let them
be deposed, unless they be hindered by some bodily infirmity. If they be a layman,
let them be excommunicated
Canon LXX. (70)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the list of clergy, keeps fast or
festival with the heathens, heretics and unbelievers , or receives from them any of
the gifts of their feasts, let them be deposed. If they be a layman, let them be
excommunicated.
Concord
The Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed to remove the following
(with the Jews) because in the West the celebration of Pascha is based on the
Gregorian calendar where Pascha sometimes coincides with the Jewish
celebration. Also the Holy Church has discovered that this may lead to
discrimination, violence and bigotry towards the Jews and any form of bigotry is
abhorred by the Holy Church.
“25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be
conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles
has come in (Rom 11:25). (With the Jews) was replaced with (heathens, heretics
and unbelievers).
When it comes to heathens, heretics and unbelievers in doing this one may
appear to believe that their false fasts, festivals and gifts are true, and that their
tainted believes are genuine.
Canon LXXI. (71)
If any Christian brings oil into a temple of heathens, heretics and unbelievers, at
their feast, or lights lamps, let them be excommunicated.
Concord
The Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed to remove the following
(or into the synagogue of the Jews) for the same reasons mention above and
replaced it with (into a temple of heathens, heretics and unbelievers).
When it comes to heathens, heretics and unbelievers in doing this one may
appear to believe that their false ceremonies and rites are true, and that their
tainted mysteries are genuine.
Canon LXXII. (72)
If any clergyman or layman takes away wax or oil from the holy Church, let
them be excommunicated, and let them restore a fifth part more than he took.
Canon LXXIII. (73)
Let no one convert to his own use any vessel of gold or silver, or any veil which
has been sanctified, for it is contrary to law; and if anyone be detected doing so,
let them be excommunicated.
Canon LXXIV. (74)
If any bishop has been accused of anything by men worthy of credit, he must be
summoned by the bishops; and if he appears, and confesses, or is convicted, a
suitable punishment must be inflicted upon him. But if when he is summoned he
does not attend, let him be summoned a second time, two bishops being sent to
him, for that purpose. If even then he will not attend, let him be summoned a
third time, two bishops being again sent to him. But if even then he shall
disregard the summons and not come, let the synod pronounce such sentence
against him as appears right, that he may not seem to profit by avoiding
judgment.
Canon LXXV. (75)
A heretic is not to be received as witness against a bishop, neither only one
believer; for "in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word shall be established" (Matt
18:16).
Canon LXXVI. (76)
A bishop must not, out of favor to a brother or a son, or any other relation,
ordain whom he will to the Episcopal dignity; for it is not right to make heirs of
the bishopric, giving the things of God to human affections. Neither is it fitting
to subject the Church of God to heirs. But if anyone shall do so let the ordination
be void, and the bishop himself be punished with excommunication.
Canon LXXVII. (77)
If anyone be deprived of an eye, or lame of a leg, but in other respects be worthy
of a bishopric, he may be ordained, for the defect of the body does not defile a
man, but the pollution of the soul.
Canon LXXVIII. (78)
But if a man be deaf or blind, he may not be made a bishop, not indeed as if he
were thus defiled, but that the affairs of the Church may not be hindered.
Canon LXXIX. (79)
If anyone has a devil, let them not be made a member of the clergy, neither let
them pray with the faithful; but if they be freed, let them be received into
communion, and if they are worthy may be ordained.
Canon LXXX. (80)
It is not allowed that a man who has come over from an heathen life, and been
baptized or who has been converted from an evil course of living, should be
immediately made a bishop, for it is not right that he who has not been tried
himself should be a teacher of others. Unless indeed this be done upon a special
manifestation of Divine grace in his favor.
Canon LXXXI. (81)
We have said that a bishop or presbyter must not give himself to the
management of public affairs, but devote himself to ecclesiastical business. Let
him then be persuaded to do so, or let him be deposed, for no man can serve two
masters, according to the Lord's declaration.
Concord
In order to stop the abuse the of clergy with the tithing's given by the faithful to
the Holy Church, the Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed that
no one will be ordained until they first have a profession and are self supported.
The funds of the Holy Church will never be used to give the clergy an exuberant
lifestyle. It is permitted for a parish if willing to support the clergy in order for
them to be full-time staff.
"Paul went to see them, and because he was a tent-maker as they were, he stayed and
worked with them" (Acts 18:3).
Canon LXXXII. (82)
We do not allow any servants to be promoted to the clergy without the consent
of their masters, to the troubling of their houses. But if any servant should
appear worthy of receiving an order, as our Onesimus appeared, and his masters
agree and liberate him, and send him out of their house, he may be ordained.
Concord
[note: this canon is no longer functional because slavery is not permitted or
accepted the by The Holy Church. It will remain in the list as a reminder that
God sees no difference when He calls someone to His Holy Service.
Canon LXXXIII. (83)
If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall serve in the army, and wish to retain both
the magistracy and the priestly office, let them be deposed; "Give to Caesar what is
Caesar's, and to God what is God's"(Matt 22:21).
Canon LXXXIV. (84)
Whosoever shall insult the King, ruler or Head of State, contrary to what is
right, let him suffer punishment. If he be a clergyman, let them be deposed; if a
layman excommunicated.
Canon LXXXV. (85)
Let the following books be counted venerable and sacred by all of you, both
clergy and Laity.
The Old Testament Canon
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua (Jesus Navi)
Judges
Ruth
I Kingdoms (I Samuel)
II Kingdoms (II Samuel)
III Kingdoms (I Kings)
IV Kingdoms (II Kings)
I Paraleipomenon (I Chronicles)
II Paraleipomenon (II Chronicles)
I Esdras
II Esdras (Ezra)
Nehemiah
Joel
Tobit (Tobias)
Judith
Esther
I Maccabees
II Maccabees
III Maccabees
IV Maccabees
Psalms (151 in number)
Job
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes (The Preacher)
Song of Solomon (Song of Songs)
Wisdom of Solomon
Wisdom of Sirach (Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus)
Hosea (Osee)
Amos
Micah
Obadiah (Abdias)
Jonah
Nahum
Habakkuk (Avakkum, Abbacum)
Zephaniah (Sophonias)
Haggai (Aggaeus)
Zechariah
Malachi
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Baruch
Lamentations of Jeremiah (Lamentations)
Epistle of Jeremiah
Ezekiel
Daniel
The New Testament Canon
Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Luke
Gospel of John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
I Thessalonians
II Thessalonians
I Timothy
II Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
I Peter
II Peter
I John
II John
III John
Jude
Revelation (Apocalypse)
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