Canon VI.
Likewise
, if any should in any
way attempt to set aside the orders in each case made by the holy Synod
at Ephesus, the holy Synod decrees that, if they be bishops or
clergymen, they shall absolutely forfeit their office; and, if laymen,
that they shall be excommunicated.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon VI.
If any layman shall resist the Synod, let him be
excommunicated. But if it be a cleric let him be discharged.
How courageous the passing of this canon was can only be
justly appreciated by those who are familiar with the weight of the
imperial authority at that day in ecclesiastical matters and who will
remember that at the very time this canon was passed it was extremely
difficult to say whether the Emperor would support Cyril’s or
John’s synod.
Observation of the
Roman Editors (Ed: 1608).
In the Vatican books and in some others only these six
canons are found; but in certain texts there is added, under the name
of Canon VII., the definition of the same holy Synod put forth after
the Presbyter Charisius had stated his case, and for Canon VIII.
another decree of the synod concerning the bishops of Cyprus.
Observation of Philip Labbe, S.J.P.
In the Collections of John Zonaras and of Theodore
Balsamon, also in the “Code of the Universal Church” which
has John Tilius, Bishop of St. Brieuc and Christopher Justellus for its
editors, are found eight canons of the Ephesine council, to wit the six
which are appended to the foregoing epistle and two others: but
it is altogether a subject of wonder that in the Codex of Canons, made
for the Roman Church by Dionysius Exiguus, none of these canons are
found at all. I suppose that the reason of this is that the
Latins saw that they were not decrees affecting the Universal Church,
but that the Canons set forth by the Ephesine fathers dealt merely with
the peculiar and private matters of Nestorius and of his followers.
The Decree of the same holy Synod, pronounced after
hearing the Exposition [of the Faith] by the Three hundred and eighteen
holy and blessed Fathers in the city of Nice, and the impious formula
composed by Theodore of Mopsuestia, and given to the same holy Synod at
Ephesus by the Presbyter Charisius, of Philadelphia: