Canon XXXIV.
No
Christian shall forsake the
martyrs of Christ, and turn to false martyrs, that is, to those of the
heretics, or those who formerly were heretics; for they are aliens from
God. Let those, therefore, who go after them, be anathema.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XXXIV.
Whoso honours an heretical pseudo-martyr let him be
anathema.
Hefele.
This canon forbids the honouring of martyrs not
belonging to the orthodox church. The number of Montanist martyrs
of Phrygia was probably the occasion of this canon.
The phrase which I have translated “to those who
formerly were heretics” has caused great difficulty to all
translators and scarcely two agree. Hammond reads “those
who have been reputed to have been heretics;” and with him Fulton
agrees, but wrongly (as I think) by omitting the
“to.” Lambert translates “to those who before
were heretics” and correctly. With him agrees Van Espen,
thus,
vel eos qui prius heretici fuere
.