Canon
VIII.
(
Greek
.)
Bishop
Hosius
said: This also let your sagacity determine,
that
391
—inasmuch as this was decreed in
order that a bishop might not fall under censure by going to the
Court—that if any have such petitions as we mentioned above, they
should send these by one of their deacons. For the person of a
subordinate does not excite jealousy, and what shall be granted [by the
Emperor] can thus be reported more quickly.
All answered: Be this also decreed.
(
Latin
.)
Bishop
Hosius
said: This also your forethought should
provide for—inasmuch as ye have made this decree in order that
the audacity of bishops might not labour [or, be observed] to go to
Court. Whosoever therefore shall have or receive petitions such
as we have mentioned above, let them send these [each] by a deacon of
his, because the person of a minister is not an object of jealousy, and
he will be able to report more quickly what he has obtained.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
VIII.
[Lacking.]
Van Espen.
This decree is threefold. First, that the bishop
in going to Court should not fall under suspicion either at Court or of
his own people that he was approaching the Prince to obtain some cause
of his own. Second, according to the interpretation of Zonaras,
“that no one should be angry with the Minister or Deacon who
tarried in camp, as the bishop had departed thence.” And
third, that the Minister could carry away what he had asked for, that
is (according to Zonaras), the letters of the Emperor pardoning the
fault, or such like other matters.
391
Here the Greek text
begins as given by Bev.