Canon VII.
Persons
converted from heresies,
that is, of the Novatians, Photinians, and Quartodecimans, whether they
were catechumens or communicants among them, shall not be received
until they shall have anathematized every heresy, and particularly that
in which they were held; and afterwards those who among them were
called communicants, having thoroughly learned the symbols of the
faith, and having been anointed with the holy chrism, shall so
communicate in the holy Mysteries.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
VII.
Novatians and Photinians, and Quartodecimans, unless
they anathemathize their own and other heresies, are not to be
received. When they have been anointed, after their abjuration,
let them communicate.
I have allowed the word “Photinians” to
stand in the text although whether it is not an interpolation is by no
means certain. They certainly were heretical on the doctrine of
the Holy Trinity, and therefore differed from the other dissidents
mentioned in the canon, all of whom were orthodox on this matter.
It is also worthy of note that the word is not found in
Ferrandus’s Condensation (
Breviatio Canonum
, n. 177) nor
in Isidore’s version. Moreover there is a Latin codex in
Lucca, and also one in Paris (as is noted by Mansi, v. 585; ij. 591) in
which it is lacking. It was rejected by Baronius, Binius, and
Remi Ceillier.
The word “Catechumens” is wanting in many
Greek
mss.
but found in Balsamon, moreover,
Dionysius and Isidore had it in their texts.
This canon possesses a great interest and value to the
student from a different point of view. Its provisions, both
doctrinal and disciplinary, are in contrariety with the provisions of
the council held at Carthage in the time of St. Cyprian, and yet both
these canons, contradictory as they are, are accepted by the Council in
Trullo and are given such ecumenical authority as canons on discipline
ever can possess, by the Seventh Ecumenical. This is not
the only matter in which the
various conciliar actions adopted and ratified do not agree
inter
se
, and from this consideration it would seem evident that it was
not intended that to each particular of each canon of each local synod
adopted, the express sanction of the Universal Church was given, but
that they were received in block as legislation well calculated for the
good of the Church. And that this must have been the
understanding at the time is evinced by the fact that while the Trullan
canons condemned a number of Western customs and usages, as I shall
have occasion to point out in its proper place, no objection was made
by the Roman legates to the canon of the Seventh Ecumenical which
received them as authoritative.