Canon LXXXI. (Greek lxxxiv.)
Of bishops who appoint heretics or heathens as their heirs.
Item, it was ordained that if any bishop should prefer to his Church strangers to blood relationship with him, or his heretical relatives, or pagans as his heirs, he shall be anathematized even after his death, and his name shall by no means be recited among those of the priests of God. Nor can he be excused if he die intestate, because being a bishop he was bound not to postpone making such a disposition of his goods as was befitting his profession.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXXI.
Let a bishop be anathema if he make heretics and heathen his heirs.
This is Canon xv. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
Johnson.
There were in this age two written tables kept in every church, whereof one contained the names of all eminent bishops and clergymen now living, with whom that church held communion and correspondence; the other, the names of all eminent bishops, and other men of their own or other churches, now dead. The deacon rehearsed all the names, in both tables at the altar, whenever the Eucharist was celebrated. These tables were by the Greeks called Diptucha, and by some English writers "diptychs." See Can. of Peter of Alex., 14.
Canon LXXXII. (Greek lxxxv.)
Of manumissions.
Item, it seemed good that the Emperor be petitioned with regard to announcing manumissions in church.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXXII.
The imperial permission must be asked for the making of the manumission of slaves in churches.
Aristenus.
This is the same as the sixty-fourth [Greek numbering] canon, and is there explained.
This is Canon xvj. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
Johnson.
A repetition of Canon 64 (67).
Canon LXXXIII. (Greek lxxxvi.)
Of false Memories of Martyrs.
Item, it seemed good that the altars which have been set up here and there, in fields and by the wayside as Memories of Martyrs, in which no body nor reliques of martyrs can be proved to have been laid up, should be overturned by the bishops who rule over such places, if such a thing can be done. But should this be impossible on account of the popular tumult it would arouse, the people should none the less be admonished not to frequent such places, and that those who believe rightly should be held bound by no superstition of the place. And no memory of martyrs should at all be accepted, unless where there is found the body or some reliques, on which is declared traditionally and by good authority to have been originally his habitation, or possession, or the scene of his passion. For altars which have been erected anywhere on account of dreams or inane quasi-revelations of certain people, should be in every way disapproved of.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXXIII.
An altar in the fields or in a vineyard which lacks the reliques of the martyrs should be thrown down unless it would cause a public tumult to do so: and the same is the case with such as have been set up on account of dreams and false revelations.
This is Canon xvij. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
Canon LXXXIV. (Greek lxxxvii.)
Of extirpating the remains of the idols.
Item, it seemed good to petition the most glorious Emperors that the remains of idolatry not only in images, but in any places whatever or groves or trees, should altogether be taken away.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXXIV.
Let all remains of idolatry be abolished whether in statues, or in places, or groves or trees.
This is Canon xviij. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
Johnson.
See Canon 58 (62.)
Canon LXXXV. (Greek lxxxviii.)
That by the bishop of Carthage, when there shall be need, letters shall be written and subscribed in the name of all the bishops.
It was said by all the bishops: If any letters are to be composed in the name of the council it seemed good that the venerable bishop who presides over this See should vouchsafe to dictate and sign them in the name of all, among which also are those to the episcopal legates, who are to be sent throughout the African provinces, in the matter of the Donatists; and it seemed good that the letters given them should contain the tenor of the mandate which they are not to go beyond. And they subscribed: I, Aurelius, bishop of the church of Carthage have consented to this decree and having read it have signed it. Likewise all the rest of the bishops subscribed.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon LXXXV.
It seemed good that whatever letters were to be sent from the Synod should be written and subscribed by the bishop of Carthage in the name of all.
This is Canon xix. of Carthage, September, a.d. 401.
In this Council previous decrees are confirmed.
In the fifth consulate of the most glorious Emperors Arcadius and Honorius, Augusti, the VI Calends of September, in the City of Milevis, in the secretarium of the basilica, when Aurelius the bishop of Carthage had taken his seat in plenary council, the deacons standing by, Aurelius, the bishop, said: Since the body of the holy Church is one, and there is one head of all the members, it has come to pass by the divine permission and assistance given to our weakness, that we, invited out of brotherly love, have come to this church. Wherefore I beg your charity to believe that our coming to you is neither superfluous, nor unacceptable to all; and that the consent of all of us may make it manifest that we agree with the decrees already confirmed by the Council at Hippo or which were defined afterwards by a larger synod at Carthage, these shall now be read to us in order. Then at last the agreement of your holiness will appear clearer than light, if they know that the things lawfully defined by us in former councils, ye have set forth, not only by your consent to these acts, but also by your subscriptions.
Xantippus, bishop of the first see of Numidia said: I believe what pleased all the brethren and the statutes they confirmed with their hands; we by our subscribing our names shew that it pleases us also, and have confirmed them with our superscription.
Nicetius, the bishop of the first see of Mauritania Sitifensis said: The decrees which have been read, since they do not lack reason, and have been approved by all, these also are pleasing to my littleness, and I will confirm them with my subscription.