Canon XXIII. (Greek
xxvi.)
That bishops shall not go across seas.
Item
, That bishops shall not go
beyond seas without consulting the bishop of the primatial see of his
own province: so that from him they may be able to receive a
formed or commendatory letter.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XXIII.
A bishop is not to cross the seas unless he has received
from the Primate of his region a letter dimissory.
This is Canon xxvij. of Hippo, 393.
Johnson.
See note on Canons of the Apostles, 10 (13). [viz.:]
[The use of Letters Commendatory was very early in the
Church; St. Paul mentions them
II. Cor. iij. 1
. And it is not easy to be
conceived how discipline can be restored but by the reviving of this
practice. It is surely irregular to admit all chance comers to
the Communion, who, for aught we know, may stand excommunicated by
their own bishop. Of the difference between Commendatory and
Pacific and Formal Letters, see Can. Chalc., 11; Apost., 25, 26; Ant.,
6; Sardic., 13].