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Handout #75 |
Church Organization and links between churches |
| The
canons of the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.)
4. The bishop should be appointed by all the bishops in the province: but should this be difficult, either on account of urgent necessity or because of distance, three at least should meet together, and the suffrages of the absent also being given and communicated in writing, then the ordination should take place. But in every province the ratification of what is done should be left to the metropolitan. 6. Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya and the Pentapolis prevail, that the Bishop of Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, since the like is customary for the Bishop of Rome also. Likewise in Antioch and the other provinces, let the churches retain their privileges. 15. On account of the great disturbance and discords that occur, it is decreed that the custom prevailing in certain places, contrary to the canon, must wholly be done away; so that neither bishop, presbyter, nor deacon shall pass from city to city. And if any one, after this decree of the holy and great synod, shall attempt any such thing, or continue in any such course, his proceedings shall be utterly void, and he shall be restored to the church for which he was ordained bishop or presbyter. |
