and that the people should elect them, the Bishop of Alexandria also ratifying their choice.

[§ 10] This privilege is conceded to all the others indeed, but to Melitius personally we by no means grant the same licence, on account of his former disorderly conduct; and because of the rashness and levity of his character, he is deprived of all authority and jurisdiction, as a man liable again to create similar disturbances.

[§ 11] These are the things which specially affect Egypt, and the most holy Church of the Alexandrians; and, if any other canon or ordinance should be established, our lord and most honoured fellow-minister and brother Alexander being present with us, will on his return to you enter into more minute details, inasmuch as he is not only a participator in whatever is transacted, but has the principal direction of it.

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[§ 12] We have also gratifying intelligence to municate to you relative to unity of judgment on the subject of the most holy feast of Easter; for this point also has been happily settled through your prayers: so that all the brethren in the East who have heretofore kept this festival when the Jews did, will henceforth conform to the Romans and to us, and to all who from the earliest time have observed our period of celebrating Easter.

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[§ 13] Rejoicing, therefore, in this most desirable conclusion, and in the general unanimity and peace, as well as in the extirpation of all heresy, receive with the greater honour and more abundant love our fellow-minister and your Bishop Alexander, who has greatly delighted us by his presence, and even at his advanced age has undergone extraordinary exertions in order that peace might be reestablished among you.

[§ 14] Pray on behalf of us all that the decisions, to which we have so justly come, may be inviolably maintained through Almighty God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Spirit; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.-Greek Eccl. Hist. iii. 35-9 (Bagster, 1844).

No. 10. The Nicene Decisions about the
Paschal Question, 325

From Constantine's letter to the Churches, ap. Socrates, H.E. I. ix. §§ 32-46.

[§ 32] Having experienced from the flourishing condition of public affairs, how great has been the grace of divine power, I judged this to be an object above all things claiming my care, that one faith, sincere love, and uniform piety toward Almighty God should be maintained amongst the most blessed assemblies of the Catholic Church.

[§ 33] But I perceived this could not be firmly and permanently established, unless all, or at least the greatest part, of the bishops could be convened in the same place, and every point of our most holy religion should be discussed by them in council. For this reason as many as possible were assembled, and I myself also as one of you was present; for I will not deny what I specially rejoice in, that I am your fellow-servant. All points were then minutely investigated, until a decision, acceptable to Him Who is the inspector of all things, was published for the promotion of uniformity of judgment and practice; so that nothing might be henceforth left for dissension or controversy in matters of faith.

[§ 34] There also the question having been considered relative to the most holy day of Easter, it was determined by common consent that it would be proper that all should celebrate it on one and the same day everywhere.

[§ 35] For what can be more appropriate, or what more solemn, than that this feast from which we have received the hope of immortality, should be invariably kept in one order, and for an obvious reason among all? And in the first place it seemed very unsuitable in the celebration of this sacred feast, that we should follow the custom of the Jews; a people who, having imbued their hands in a most heinous outrage, and thus polluted their souls, are deservedly blind. Having, therefore, cast aside their usage, it becomes us to take care that the celebration of this observance should occur in future in the more correct order which we have kept from the first day of the Passion until the present time.

[§ 36] Let us then have nothing in common with that most hostile people, the Jews. We have received from the Saviour another way; for there is set before us a legitimate and accurate course in our holy religion: unanimously pursuing this, let us, most honoured brethren, withdraw ourselves from that detestable association. How truly absurd of them it is to boast that we are incapable of rightly observing these things without their instruction!

[§ 37] For on what subject will they themselves be competent to form a correct judgment, who, after the murder of their Lord, having been bereft of their senses, are led, not by any rational motive, but by an ungovernable impulse, wherever their innate fury may drive them? Thence it is, therefore, that, even in this particular they do not perceive the truth, so that they, constantly erring in the utmost degree, instead of making a suitable correction, celebrate the Feast of the Passover a second time in the same year.

[§ 38] Why then should we follow the example of those who are acknowledged to be infected with grievous error? Surely we should never suffer Easter to be kept twice in one and the same year! But even if these considerations were not laid before you, it became your prudence at all times to take heed, both by diligence and prayer, that the purity of your soul should in nothing have communion, or seem to have accordance with, the customs of men so utterly depraved.

[§ 39] Moreover, this should be also considered, that in a matter so important and of such religious significancy, the slightest disagreement is to be deprecated. For our Saviour left us but one day to be observed in commemoration of our deliverance, that is the day of His most holy Passion; He also wished His Catholic Church to be one; the members of which, however much they may be scattered in various places, are notwithstanding cherished by one Spirit, that is by the will of God.

[§ 40] Let the prudence consistent with your sacred character consider how grievous and indecorous it is, that on the same days some should be observant of fasts, while others are celebrating feasts; and especially that this should be the case on the days immediately after Easter.

are all aware.

[§ 41] On this account, therefore, Divine Providence directed that an appropriate correction should be effected, and uniformity of practice established, as I suppose you Since then it was desirable that this should be so amended that we should have nothing in common with that nation of parricides, and of those who slew their Lord; and since the order is a becoming one which is observed by all the Churches of the Western, Southern and Northern parts, and by some also in the Eastern; from these considerations all have, on the present occasion, thought it to be expedient, and I pledged myself that it would be satisfactory to your prudent penetration,

[§ 42] that what is observed with such general unanimity of sentiment in the city of Rome, throughout Italy, Africa, all Egypt, Spain, France, Britain, Libya, the whole of Greece, and the dioceses of Asia, Pontus and Cilicia, your intelligence also would readily concur in. Reflect too that not only is there a greater number of Churches in the places before mentioned, but also that this in particular is a most sacred obligation, that all should in common desire whatever strict reason seems to demand, and which has no communion with the perjury of the Jews.

[§ 43] But, to sum up matters briefly, it was determined by common consent that the most holy festival of Easter should be solemnized on one and the same day; for in such a hallowed solemnity any difference is unseemly; and it is more commendable to adopt that opinion in which there will be no intermixture of strange error, or deviation from what is right.

[§ 44] These things, therefore, being thus ordered, do you gladly receive this heavenly and truly Divine command: for whatever is done in the sacred assemblies of the bishops is referable to the Divine will.

[§ 45] Wherefore when ye have indicated the things, which have been prescribed, to all our beloved brethren, it behoves you both to assent to the reasoning which has been adduced, and to establish this observance of the most holy day; that when I arrive at the long and earnestly desired view of your order, I may be able to celebrate the sacred festival with you on one and the same day;

[§ 46] and may rejoice with you for all things, in seeing

Satanic cruelty frustrated by Divine power through our efforts, while your faith, peace and concord are everywhere flourishing. May God preserve you, beloved brethren. The Greek Ecclesiastical Historians, iii. 39-47 (Bagster, 18.44).

No. 11. The Canons of the Council of

Nicæa, 325

From W. Bright, Canons of the First Four Councils,2 ix-xv.

I. If any one has been obliged to undergo a surgical operation from disease, or has been castrated by barbarians, let him continue in the clergy. But if any one in good health has so mutilated himself, it is right that, if he be enrolled amongst the clergy, he should cease from his ministrations; and that from henceforth no such person should be promoted. As, however, it is plain that this is said with reference to those who dare to mutilate themselves, therefore, if any persons have been so mutilated by barbarians, or by their own masters, and in other respects are found worthy, the canon allows them to be admitted to the clerical office.

II. Since many things have been done by men either from necessity, or some other pressing cause, contrary to the canons of the Church, as that persons who have lately come over to the faith from a heathen life, and have been taught for a short time, have been presently brought to the spiritual laver, and at the same time that they have been baptized, have been promoted to the episcopate or presbyterate it appears right to determine that nothing of the sort shall be done for the future; for some time is necessary for the state of a catechumen, and a fuller probation after baptism; for the Apostolic decree is clear, which says, "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into a snare, and the condemnation of the devil." But if, in process of time, any natural fault should be discovered about the person, let him be deposed from the clergy. Whosoever shall act contrary to these rules will endanger his own orders, as boldly opposing the great Synod.

III. The great Synod altogether forbids any bishop, presbyter or deacon, or any one of the clergy, to have a