Canon LXXVI.
It
is not right that those who
are responsible for reverence to churches should place within the
sacred bounds an eating place, nor offer food there, nor make other
sales. For God our Saviour teaching us when he was tabernacling
in the flesh commanded not
to make
his Father’s house a house of merchandize. He also poured
out the small coins of the money-changers, and drave out all those who
made common the temple. If, therefore, anyone shall be taken in
the aforesaid fault let him be cut off.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
LXXVI.
A public house should not be established within the
sacred precincts; and it is wrong to sell food there; and whosoever
shall do so shall be cut off.
Both Balsamon and Zonaras remark that this canon refers
to the vestibule of the church and to the rest of the sacred inclosure,
and not to the interior of the church proper, for there no one would
ever think of having a shop.