Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 1/The Council of Ancyra/Canons/Canon XXI

Canon XXI.

women who commit fornication, and destroy that which they have conceived, or who are employed in making drugs for abortion, a former decree excluded them until the hour of death, and to this some have assented.&#160; Nevertheless, being desirous to use somewhat greater lenity, we have ordained that they fulfil ten years [of penance], according to the prescribed degrees.

Notes.

Harlots taking injurious medicines are to be subjected to penance for ten years.

The phrase &#8220;and to this some have assented&#8221; is the translation of Hervetus, Van Espen, and Hefele.&#160; Dr. Routh suggests to understand &#7937;&#953; and translate, &#8220;the same punishment will be inflicted on those who assist in causing miscarriages,&#8221; but this seems rather an unnatural and strained rendering of the Greek.