Canon VI.
Since
it is declared in the
apostolic canons that of those who are advanced to the clergy
unmarried, only lectors and cantors are able to marry; we also,
maintaining this, determine that henceforth it is in nowise lawful for
any subdeacon, deacon or presbyter after his ordination to contract
matrimony but if he shall have dared to do so, let him be
deposed. And if any of those who enter the clergy, wishes to be
joined to a wife in lawful marriage before he is ordained subdeacon,
deacon, or presbyter, let it be done.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon VI.
If any ordained person contracts matrimony, let him be
deposed. If he wishes to be married he should become so before
his ordination.
Aristenus points out how this canon annuls the tenth
canon of Ancyra, which allows a deacon and even a presbyter to marry
after ordination and continue in his ministry, provided at the time of
his ordination he had in the presence of witnesses declared his
inability to remain chaste or his desire to marry. This present
canon follows the
XXVI
th
of the
Apostolic canons.
The last clause of this canon, limited in its
application to subdeacons, is found in the
Corpus Juris
Canonici
, Gratian’s
Decretum
, Pars I., Dist. XXXII.,
c. vi.