Canon
XXV.
One
who had betrothed a maiden,
corrupted her sister, so that she conceived. After that he
married his betrothed, but she who had been corrupted hanged
herself. The parties to this affair were ordered to be received
among the co-standers after ten years [of penance] according to the
prescribed degrees.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome to Canon
XXV.
A certain body after being engaged to marry a young
girl, violates her sister and then takes her to wife. The first
is suffocated. All who were cognizant of the affair are to be
subject to penance for ten years.
I have followed the usual translation “hanged
herself,” which is the ordinary dictionary-meaning of
ἀπάγχω
, but
Hefele says that it signifies any and every variety of suicides.
Balsamon.
In this case we have many nefarious crimes committed,
fornication, unlawful marriage [i.e. with the sister of one’s
mistress] and murder. In that case [mentioned by St. Basil in
Canon lxxviij. where only seven years penance is enjoined] there is
only a nefarious marriage [i.e. with a wife’s
sister].