Canon XXVI. (Greek
xxix.)
That no one should take from the possessions of the
Church.
428
Likewise
it seemed good that no
one should sell anything belonging to the Church: that if there
was no revenue, and other great necessity urged thereto, this might be
brought before the Metropolitan of the province that he might
deliberate with the appointed number of bishops whether this should be
done: that if such urgent necessity lay upon any church that it
could not take counsel beforehand, at least let it call together the
neighbouring bishops as witnesses, taking care to refer all the
necessities of his church to the council: and that if he shall
not do this, he shall be held as responsible toward God, and as a
seller in the eye of the council, and he shall have lost thereby his
honour.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XXVI.
Church goods must not be sold. If they bring in no
revenue they may be sold at the will of the bishops. If the
necessity does not allow that consultation should take place, he who
sells shall call together the neighbouring bishops. If he does
not do so he shall be held responsible to God and to the Synod.
This is Canon v. of the Synod of Carthage, Sept. 13th,
401.
Johnson.
“Appointed number,” i.e., Twelve, see Canon
12.
428
Not found in the
Greek of Beveridge, but in that given by Labbe.