Canon X.
That no cleric ought to leave his diocese and go into
another without the knowledge of the Bishop.
Since
certain of the clergy,
misinterpreting the canonical constitutions, leave their own diocese
and run into other dioceses, especially into this God-protected royal
city, and take up their abode with princes, celebrating liturgies in
their oratories, it is not permitted to receive such persons into any
house or church without the license of their own Bishop and also that
of the Bishop of Constantinople. And if any clerk shall do this
without such license, and shall so continue, let him be deposed.
With regard to those who have done this with the knowledge of the
aforesaid Bishops, it is not lawful for them to undertake mundane and
secular responsibilities, since this is forbidden by the sacred
canons. And if anyone is discovered holding the office of those
who are called Meizoteroi; let him either lay it down, or be deposed
from the priesthood. Let him rather be the instructor of the
children and others of the household, reading to them the Divine
Scriptures, for to this end he received the priesthood.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon X.
A clergyman who after leaving his own parish has settled
in another far off from his own bishop and from the bishop of
Constantinople, shall be received neither into house nor church.
And if he shall persevere in his course, he shall be deposed. But
if they shall do this with a knowledge of what we have said, they shall
not receive a secular position; or should they have received them, they
shall cease from them. And if they refuse they shall be
deposed.
Hefele.
On the office of the
μειζότεροι
, the Greek commentators Zonaras and Balsamon give us more exact
information. We give the substance of it, viz.: they were
majores domus
stewards of the estates of high personages.
Balsamon
.
On account of this canon it seems to me that the most
holy Patriarch at the time and his Chartophylax allow alien clergymen
to celebrate the liturgy in this royal city, even without letters
dimissory of the local bishop of each one.