Canon XVIII.
Those
clerics who in consequence
of a barbaric incursion or on account of any other circumstance have
gone abroad, we order to return again to their churches after the cause
has passed away, or when the incursion of the barbarians is at an
end. Nor are they to leave them for long without cause. If
anyone shall not have returned according to the direction of this
present canon—let him be cut off until he shall return to his own
church. And the same shall be the punishment of the bishop who
received him.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XVIII.
Whoever has emigrated on account of an invasion of the
barbarians, shall return to the Church to whose clergy he belongs as
soon as the incursion ceases. But if he shall not do so, he shall
be cut off together with him to whom he has gone.
Balsamon.
The Fathers are worthy of great praise. For having
regard to the honour of the ecclesiastical order and of each bishop,
they have decreed that clergymen, who from just and valid causes have
gone forth without letters dimissory from those who ordained them,
should return to their own clergy soon as the cause which drove them
forth ceases; and that they should not be enrolled on the clergy list
of any other church. But whosoever cannot be persuaded to return
is to be cut off, as well as the bishop who detains him. But
someone will say, If a bishop who does such a thing is cut off by his
Metropolitan; and likewise if a Metropolitan spurns this canon he is
punished by the Patriarch. But if an autocephalous archbishop or
a Patriarch other than the Patriarch of Constantinople (for he has a
faculty for doing so) should be convicted of a breach of this Canon, by
whom would he be cut off? I suppose by the Supreme
Pontiff
364
(
οἴομαι οὖν
παρά τοῦ
μείζονος
ἀρχιερέως
).
364
Can this mean the
Pope?