Canon LXXVII.
It
is not right that those who
are dedicated to religion, whether clerics or ascetics,
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should wash in the bath with women,
nor should any Christian man or layman do so. For this is
severely condemned by the heathens. But if any one is caught in
this thing, if he is a cleric let him be deposed; if a layman, let him
be cut off.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
LXXVII.
A Christian man shall not bathe with women. Should
a cleric do so he is to be deposed, and a layman cut off.
This is a renewal of the
XXX
th
canon of Laodicea. It will be noted,
as Zonaras remarks, that the monks must be counted among the laymen who
are to be cut off, since they have no clerical character or
tonsure.
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The Latin adds
“that is to say ‘Exercisers,’ (
Exercitatores
)
or monks.”