Canon XXXIII.
Since
we know that, in the
region of the Armenians, only those are appointed to the clerical
orders who are of priestly descent (following in this Jewish customs);
and some of those who are even untonsured are appointed to succeed
cantors and readers of the divine law, we decree that henceforth it
shall not be lawful for those who wish to bring any one into the
clergy, to pay regard to the descent of him who is to be ordained; but
let them examine whether they are worthy (according to the decrees set
forth in the holy canons) to be placed on the list of the clergy, so
that they may be ecclesiastically promoted, whether they are of
priestly descent or not; moreover, let them not permit any one at all
to read in the ambo, according to the order of those enrolled in the
clergy, unless such an one have received the priestly tonsure and the
canonical benediction of his own pastor; but if any one shall have been
observed to act contrary to these directions, let him be cut off.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XXXIII.
Whoever is worthy of the priesthood should be ordained
whether he is sprung of a priestly line or no. And he that has
been blessed untonsured shall not read the Holy Scriptures at the
ambo.
Van Espen.
Here not obscurely does the canon join the clerical
tonsure received from the bishop with the office of Reader, so much so
that he that has been tonsured by the bishop is thought to have
received at the same time the tonsure and the order of
lector.