Canon LXXIII. (Greek lxxvi.)
The date of Easter and the date of the Council should be announced.
Item, it seemed good that the day of the venerable Easter should be intimated to all by the subscription of formed letters; and that the same should be observed with regard to the date of the Council, according to the decree of the Council of Hippo, that is to say the X. Calends of September, and that it should be written to the primates of each province so that when they summon their councils they do not impede this day.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXIII.
It seemed good that the day of the Holy Easter should be announced on the day of the annual Synod, or on the tenth day before the calends of September.
This is Canon viij. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
Johnson.
See Can. 51 (55).
"The time of council," i.e., of the national council at Carthage.
The Greek canon says he pro deka kalandon Septembrion, and Zonaras makes this the 21st of August, but he mistakes in his calculation.
Canon LXXIV. (Greek lxxvii.)
That no bishop who is an intercessor is to hold the see where he is intercessor.
Item, it has been decreed that it is not lawful to any intercessor to retain the see to which he has been appointed as intercessor, by any popular movements and seditions; but let him take care that within a year he provide them with a bishop: but if he shall neglect to do so, when the year is done, another intercessor shall be appointed.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXIV.
It seemed good that the bishop who had been called in as an intercessor, by the zeal and dissensions of the people, should not be allowed to become the occupant of its throne: but let a bishop be provided within a year, or else in the next year let another intercessor be appointed.
This is Canon IX. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
Johnson.
We here call this officer "Guardian of the spiritualities" in the vacancy of the see.
Canon LXXV. (Greek lxxviii.)
Of asking from the Emperors defenders of the Churches.
On account of the afflictions of the poor by whose troubles the Church is worn out without any intermission, it seemed good to all that the Emperors be asked to allow defenders for them against the power of the rich to be chosen under the supervision of the bishops.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXV.
That the bishop be not annoyed, let Defensors be appointed.
This is Canon X. of Carthage, September, 401.
Johnson.
See note on Can. Chalcedon, 23.
Canon LXXVI. (Greek lxxix.)
Of bishops who do not put in an appearance at Council.
Item, it seemed good that as often as the council is to be assembled, the bishops who are impeded neither by age, sickness, or other grave necessity, come together, and that notice be given to the primates of their several provinces, that from all the bishops there be made two or three squads, and of each of these squads there be elected some who shall be promptly ready on the council day: but should they not be able to attend, let them write their excuses in the tractory, [465] or if after the coming of the tractory certain necessities suddenly arise by chance, unless they send to their own primate an account of their impediment, they ought to be content with the communion of their own Church.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXVI.
Those who do not attend the annual synod, unless they be involuntarily prevented, must be satisfied with the communion of their own churches.
This is Canon xj., of Carthage, September, 401.
Johnson.
"Tractory" has several significations; here it seems to denote the written return made by the Primate of the province to the synodical letter sent by the Bishop of Carthage. In the acts inserted between canon 90th and 91st "Tractoria" seems to denote the letter of the Primate to the inferior bishops for choosing legates, if it do not rather denote the Bishop of Carthage's circular-letter to all the primates, as it does in the next paragraph.
[The penalty in the last clause is] a very singular sort of censure, and very moderate. See Can. 80 (83).
[465] All mention of the "tractory" is omitted in the Greek version.