Canon CXXXV. (Not numbered in the Greek.)
Here begin the rescripts to the African Council from Cyril bishop of Alexandria in which he sends the authentic proceedings of the Nicene Council, [490] translated from the Greek by Innocent the presbyter: these letters with the same Nicene council were also sent through the aforementioned presbyter Innocent and by Marcellus a subdeacon of the Church of Carthage, to the holy Boniface, bishop of the Roman Church, on the sixth day before the calends of December in the year 419. [491]
To the most honourable lords, our holy brethren and fellow bishops, Aurelius, Valentinus, as well as to the whole holy synod met in Carthage, Cyril salutes your holiness in God.
I have received with all joy at the hands of our son, the presbyter Innocent, the letters of your reverence so full of piety, in which you express the hope that we will send you most accurate copies of the decrees of the holy Fathers at the Synod held at Nice the metropolis of Bithynia from the archives of our church; with our own certificate of accuracy attached thereto. In answer to which request, most honourable lords and brethren, I have thought it necessary to send to you, with our compliments, by our son, Innocent the presbyter, the bearer of these, most faithful copies of the decisions of the synod held at Nice in Bithynia. And when ye have sought in the history of the church, you will find them there also. Concerning Easter, as you have written, we announce to you that we shall celebrate it on the xviii^th [492] before the calends of May of the next indiction. The subscription. May God and our Lord preserve your holy synod as we desire, dear brethren.
Ancient Epitome of Canon CXXXV.
According to your written request, we have sent to your charity most faithful copies of the authentic decrees of the Synod which was held at Nice, a city of Bithynia.
[490] The Greek adds "and the canons."
[491] No year is given in the Greek nor in Migne's Latin.
[492] Bruns says "all the books" read "xvij. Kal.," but, as a fact, Easter was "xiv. Kal." that year.
Canon CXXXVI. (Not numbered in the Greek but with a new heading.)
Here beginneth the letter of Atticus, bishop of Constantinople to the same.
To our holy lords, and rightly most blessed brethren and fellow bishops, Aurelius, Valentine, and [493] to the other beloved ones met together in the Synod held at Carthage, Atticus the bishop.
By our son Marcellus the subdeacon, I have received with all thanksgiving the writings of your holiness, praising the Lord that I enjoyed the blessing of so many of my brethren. O my lords and most blessed brethren, ye have written asking me to send you most accurate copies of the canons enacted at the city of Nice, the metropolis of Bithynia, by the Fathers for the exposition of the faith. And who is there that would deny to his brethren the common faith, or the statutes decreed by the Fathers. Wherefore by the same son of mine, Marcellus, your subdeacon, who was in great haste, I have sent to you the canons in full as they were adopted by the Fathers in the city of Nice; and I ask of you that your holy synod would have me much in your prayers. The subscription. May our God keep your sanctity, as we desire, most holy brethren.
[493] So in the Greek, vel in Latin.
Canon CXXXVII. (Continuation of the last in the Greek.)
Here begin the examples of the Nicene Council, sent on the sixth day before the calends of December in the year 419, [494] after the consulate of the most glorious emperor Honorius for the XII^th time, and Theodosius for the IX^th time, [495] Augustuses, to Boniface the bishop of the City of Rome.
We believe in one God etc....the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes them. [496]
To this symbol of the faith there were also annexed copies of the statutes of the same Nicene Councils from the aforenamed pontiffs, in all respects as are contained above; which we do not think it necessary to write out here again.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon CXXXVII.
The Canons of the Synod of Nice are sent, as they were decreed by the Fathers, in accordance with your letters.
[Here follows the Nicene Creed in full.]
[494] No year in the Greek nor in Migne's Latin.
[495] Bruns notes with Justellus and Hardouin and the Codd. Hisp. this should read viii. for ix.
[496] In the Greek the creed is not given here in full, but as follows: "We believe in one God the Father; and then the holy creed as written in the first synod."