Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 2/Canons/Canon LI

Canon LI.

holy and ecumenical synod altogether forbids those who are called &#8220;players,&#8221; and their &#8220;spectacles,&#8221; as well as the exhibition of hunts, and the theatrical dances.&#160; If any one despises the present canon, and gives himself to any of the things which are forbidden, if he be a cleric he shall be deposed, but if a layman let him be cut off.

Notes.

Whose shall play as an actor or shall attend theatrical representations or hunts shall be cut off.&#160; Should he be a cleric he shall be deposed.

Some one will enquire why canon xxiiij. decrees that those in holy orders and monks, who are constantly attending horse-races, and scenic plays, are to cease or be deposed:&#160; but the present canon says without discrimination, that those who give themselves over to such things if clergymen are to be deposed, and if laymen to be cut off.&#160; The solution is this.&#160; It is one thing and more easily to be endured, that a man should be present at a horse-race, or be convicted of going to see a play; and another thing, and one that cannot be pardoned, that he should give himself over to such things, and to exercise this continually as his business.&#160; Wherefore those who have once sinned deliberately, are admonished to cease.&#160; If they are not willing to obey, they are to be deposed.&#160; But those who are constantly engaged in this wickedness, if they are clerics, they must be deposed from their clerical place, if laymen they must be cut off.