Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 3/The Council of Sardica/Canons/Canon XIII

Canon XIII.

(Greek.)

said:&#160; Be this also the pleasure of all.&#160; If any deacon or presbyter or any of the clergy be excommunicated and take refuge with another bishop who knows him and who is aware that he has been removed from communion by his own bishop, [that other bishop] must not offend against his brother bishop by admitting him to communion. &#160; And if any dare to do this, let him know that he must present himself before an assembly of bishops and give account.

All the bishops said:&#160; This decision will assure peace at all times and preserve the concord of all.

(Latin.)

said:&#160; Be this also the pleasure of all.&#160; If a deacon or presbyter or any of the clergy be refused communion by his own bishop and go to another bishop, and he with whom he has taken refuge shall know that he has been repelled by his own bishop, then must he not grant him communion.&#160; But if he shall do so, let him know that he must give account before an assembly of bishops.

All said:&#160; This decision will preserve peace and maintain concord.

Notes.

Whoso knowingly admits to communion one excommunicated by his own bishop is not without blame.

This is Canon XVI. of the Latin.

The present canon agrees with Canon V. of Nice and with Canon IV. of Antioch, on which canons see the notes.&#160; The Synod&#8217;s approbation of this canon is found in Dionysius, Isidore, and in the Roman Codex apud Hervetus; but it is lacking from Balsamon and Zonaras.