# Canons of the Council of Chalcedon

- Author: Anonymous
- Latin title: *Concilium Chalcedonense*
- Date: 451 (certain)
- Source: Nikodemos the Hagiorite and Agapios, eds., Πηδάλιον τῆς νοητῆς νηὸς τῆς μιᾶς ἁγίας καθολικῆς καὶ ἀποστολικῆς τῶν ὀρθοδόξων ἐκκλησίας (Leipzig: Breitkopf, 1800; reprinted Athens and Zakynthos), text as transcribed on Greek Wikisource (raw wikitext, canon text only) (Greek text: the Pedalion (Nikodemos the Hagiorite and Agapios, 1800), transcription on Greek Wikisource, CC BY-SA)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Editions and translations: Hermann Theodor Bruns, ed., Canones apostolorum et conciliorum veterum selecti, vol. 1 (Berlin: Reimer, 1839); Friedrich Lauchert, ed., Die Kanones der wichtigsten altkirchlichen Concilien (Freiburg i. B.: Mohr, 1896); Périclès-Pierre Joannou, ed., Discipline générale antique (IVe-IXe s.), vol. 1.2 (Grottaferrata: Tipografia Italo-Orientale, 1962)
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/
- Passages: 30

## Canon 1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-1
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The canons of earlier synods are confirmed.

### Greek text

Τοὺς παρὰ τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων καθ' ἑκάστην σύνοδον ἄχρι τοῦ νῦν ἐκτεθέντας κανόνας κρατεῖν ἐδικαιώσαμεν.

### English translation (Claude)

We have judged it right that the canons set forth by the holy fathers at each synod up to the present should remain in force.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 1 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-1).

## Canon 2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-2
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Bishops who ordain or appoint church officers for money, those so ordained, and their go-betweens are punished.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις ἐπίσκοπος, ἐπὶ χρήμασι χειροτονίαν ποιήσαιτο, καὶ εἰς πρᾶσιν καταγάγοι τὴν ἄπρατον χάριν, καὶ χειροτονήσοι ἐπὶ χρήμασιν ἐπίσκοπον, ἢ χωρεπίσκοπον, ἢ πρεσβυτέρους, ἢ διακόνους, ἢ ἕτερόν τινα τῶν ἐν τῷ κλήρῳ κατηριθμημένων, ἢ προβάλλοιτο ἐπὶ χρήμασιν οἰκονόμον, ἢ ἔκδικον, ἢ παραμονάριον, ἢ ὅλως τινὰ τοῦ κανόνος, δι’ αἰσχροκέρδειαν οἰκείαν, ὁ τοῦτο ἐπιχειρήσας, ἐλεγχθείς, κινδυνευέτω περὶ τὸν οἰκεῖον βαθμόν· καὶ ὁ χειροτονούμενος, μηδὲν ἐκ τῆς κατ' ἐμπορίαν ὠφελείσθω χειροτονίας, ἢ προβολῆς· ἀλλ’ ἔστω ἀλλότριος τῆς ἀξίας, ἢ τοῦ φροντίσματος, οὗπερ ἐπὶ χρήμασιν ἔτυχεν. Εἰ δέ τις καὶ μεσιτεύων φανείη τοῖς οὕτως αἰσχροῖς καὶ ἀθεμίτοις λήμμασι, καὶ οὗτος, εἰ μὲν κληρικὸς εἴη, τοῦ οἰκείου ἐκπιπτέτω βαθμοῦ· εἰ δὲ λαϊκός, ἢ μονάζων, ἀναθεματιζέσθω.

### English translation (Claude)

If any bishop performs an ordination for money, and brings down to sale the grace that cannot be sold, and for money ordains a bishop, or a chorepiscopus, or presbyters, or deacons, or any other of those numbered among the clergy; or for money appoints a steward, or an advocate, or a warden, or anyone at all of the canon, for his own base gain: he who has attempted this, if convicted, is to be in danger of losing his own rank; and the one ordained is to have no benefit from the ordination or appointment obtained by trade, but is to be a stranger to the dignity or the charge which he obtained for money. And if anyone is found acting as go-between in such shameful and unlawful dealings, he too, if he is a cleric, is to fall from his own rank; and if he is a layman or a monk, he is to be anathematized.

### Scripture references

- Acts 8:20: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Advocate” (ἔκδικος): the church's legal representative; “warden” (παραμονάριος): a custodian of a church or shrine. Buying church office (later called simony) recalls Simon in Acts 8:18–20.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 2 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-2).

## Canon 3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-3
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy and monks are not to lease estates or manage secular business, except legal guardianships or charitable tasks given by the bishop.

### Greek text

Ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν σύνοδον, ὅτι τῶν ἐν τῷ κλήρῳ κατειλεγμένων τινές, δι’ αἰσχροκέρδειαν, ἀλλοτρίων κτημάτων γίνονται μισθωτοί, καὶ πράγματα κοσμικὰ ἐργολαβοῦσι, τῆς μὲν τοῦ Θεοῦ λειτουργίας καταρραθυμοῦντες, τοὺς δὲ τῶν κοσμικῶν ὑποτρέχοντες οἴκους, καὶ οὐσιῶν χειρισμοὺς ἀναδεχόμενοι διὰ φιλαργυρίαν. Ὥρισε τοίνυν ἡ ἁγία καὶ μεγάλη σύνοδος, μηδένα τοῦ λοιποῦ, μὴ ἐπίσκοπον, μὴ κληρικόν, μὴ μονάζοντα, ἢ μισθοῦσθαι κτήματα, ἢ πραγμάτων ἐπεισάγειν ἑαυτὸν κοσμικαῖς διοικήσεσι· πλὴν εἰ μήπου ἐκ νόμων καλοῖτο εἰς ἀφηλίκων ἀπαραίτητον ἐπιτροπήν· ἢ ὁ τῆς πόλεως ἐπίσκοπος ἐκκλησιαστικῶν ἐπιτρέψοι φροντίζειν πραγμάτων, ἢ ὀρφανῶν, ἢ χηρῶν ἀπρονοήτων, καὶ τῶν προσώπων τῶν μάλιστα τῆς ἐκκλησιαστικῆς δεομένων βοηθείας, διὰ τὸν φόβον τοῦ Θεοῦ. Εἰ δέ τις παραβαίνων τὰ ὡρισμένα τοῦ λοιποῦ ἐπιχειρήσοι, ὁ τοιοῦτος ἐκκλησιαστικοῖς ὑποκείσθω ἐπιτιμίοις.

### English translation (Claude)

It has come to the holy synod that some of those enrolled in the clergy, for base gain, become hirers of other people's estates and contract for secular business, neglecting the service of God, frequenting the houses of worldly men, and undertaking the management of property out of love of money. The holy and great synod has therefore decreed that henceforth no one, neither bishop, nor cleric, nor monk, is to hire estates or involve himself in the secular management of affairs, unless perhaps he is called by the laws to the unavoidable guardianship of minors, or the bishop of the city entrusts him with the care of church affairs, or of orphans or widows without provision, and of persons especially in need of the church's help, for the fear of God. And if anyone henceforth attempts to transgress what has been decreed, such a one is to be subject to church penalties.

### Scripture references

- 2 Tim 2:4: echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 3 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-3).

## Canon 4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-4
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Monks are subject to the bishop, may not found monasteries or leave them for outside affairs without his consent, and may not receive slaves without their masters' consent.

### Greek text

Οἱ ἀληθῶς καὶ εἰλικρινῶς τὸν μονήρη μετιόντες βίον, τῆς προσηκούσης ἀξιούσθωσαν τιμῆς. Ἐπειδὴ δέ τινες τῷ μοναχικῷ κεχρημένοι προσχήματι, τάς τε ἐκκλησίας, καὶ τὰ πολιτικὰ διαταράσσουσι πράγματα, περιϊόντες ἀδιαφόρως ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν, οὐ μὴν ἀλλὰ καὶ μοναστήρια ἑαυτοῖς συνιστᾷν ἐπιτηδεύοντες, ἔδοξε, μηδένα μὲν μηδαμοῦ οἰκοδομεῖν, μηδὲ συνιστᾷν μοναστήριον, ἢ εὐκτήριον οἶκον, παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ τῆς πόλεως ἐπισκόπου· τοὺς δὲ καθ’ ἑκάστην πόλιν καὶ χώραν, μονάζοντας, ὑποτετάχθαι τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ, καὶ τὴν ἡσυχίαν ἀσπάζεσθαι, καὶ προσέχειν μόνῃ τῇ νηστείᾳ, καὶ τῇ προσευχῇ, ἐν οἷς τόποις ἀπετάξαντο, προσκαρτεροῦντες· μήτε δὲ ἐκκλησιαστικοῖς, μήτε βιωτικοῖς παρενοχλεῖν πράγμασιν, ἢ ἐπικοινωνεῖν, καταλιμπάνοντας τὰ ἴδια μοναστήρια, εἰ μήποτε ἄρα ἐπιτραπεῖεν διὰ χρείαν ἀναγκαίαν ὑπὸ τοῦ τῆς πόλεως ἐπισκόπου· μηδένα δὲ προσδέχεσθαι ἐν τοῖς μοναστηρίοις δοῦλον ἐπὶ τῷ μονάσαι, παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἰδίου δεσπότου· τὸν δὲ παραβαίνοντα τοῦτον ἡμῶν τὸν ὅρον, ὡρίσαμεν ἀκοινώνητον εἶναι, ἵνα μὴ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ βλασφημῆται. Τὸν μέν τοι ἐπίσκοπον τῆς πόλεως, χρὴ τὴν δέουσαν πρόνοιαν ποιεῖσθαι τῶν μοναστηρίων.

### English translation (Claude)

Those who truly and sincerely pursue the solitary life are to be deemed worthy of the honor that befits them. But since some, using the monastic habit as a pretext, disturb both the churches and civil affairs, going about indiscriminately in the cities, and even taking it upon themselves to set up monasteries for themselves, it has seemed good that no one anywhere is to build or set up a monastery or house of prayer against the will of the bishop of the city; and that the monks in each city and country district are to be subject to the bishop, and embrace quiet, and give attention only to fasting and prayer, remaining steadfast in the places where they renounced the world; and they are not to trouble themselves with, or take part in, either church or secular affairs, leaving their own monasteries, unless perhaps they are permitted by the bishop of the city for some necessary need; and no one is to receive a slave into the monasteries to become a monk against the will of his own master. And whoever transgresses this our decree we have decreed to be excommunicated, so that the name of God may not be blasphemed. The bishop of the city, however, must take due care of the monasteries.

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 6:1: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “So that the name of God may not be blasphemed” echoes 1 Tim 6:1.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 4 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-4).

## Canon 5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-5
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The earlier canons against bishops and clergy moving from city to city are confirmed.

### Greek text

Περὶ τῶν μεταβαινόντων ἀπὸ πόλεως εἰς πόλιν ἐπισκόπων, ἢ κληρικῶν, ἔδοξε τοὺς περὶ τούτων τεθέντας κανόνας παρὰ τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων ἔχειν τὴν ἰσχύν.

### English translation (Claude)

Concerning bishops or clergy who move from city to city, it has seemed good that the canons laid down by the holy fathers concerning them are to keep their force.

### Extrabiblical texts

- Conc. Nic. 15 (Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325)): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The canons meant are especially Nicaea 15–16 and Antioch 21.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 5 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-5).

## Canon 6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-6
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: No one is to be ordained without assignment to a particular church, shrine or monastery; such ordinations are void.

### Greek text

Μηδένα ἀπολελυμένως χειροτονεῖσθαι, μήτε πρεσβύτερον, μήτε διάκονον, μήτε ὅλως τινὰ τῶν ἐν τῷ ἐκκλησιαστικῷ τάγματι· εἰ μὴ εἰδικῶς ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ πόλεως, ἢ κώμης, ἢ μαρτυρίῳ, ἢ μοναστηρίῳ, ὁ χειροτονούμενος ἐπικηρύττοιτο. Τοὺς δὲ ἀπολύτως χειροτονουμένους, ὥρισεν ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος, ἄκυρον ἔχειν τὴν τοιαύτην χειροθεσίαν, καὶ μηδαμοῦ δύνασθαι ἐνεργεῖν, ἐφ' ὕβρει τοῦ χειροτονήσαντος.

### English translation (Claude)

No one, whether presbyter, or deacon, or anyone at all in the order of the church, is to be ordained at large, unless the one ordained is specifically designated for a church of a city or village, or for a martyr's shrine or a monastery. And as to those ordained at large, the holy synod has decreed that such a laying on of hands is invalid and that they can nowhere officiate, to the shame of the one who ordained them.

### Translation notes

- “At large” (ἀπολελυμένως): without a title to a particular church.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 6 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-6).

## Canon 7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-7
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy and monks who take up military service or secular office and do not return are anathematized.

### Greek text

Τοὺς ἅπαξ ἐν κλήρῳ τεταγμένους, ἢ καὶ μοναστάς, ὡρίσαμεν μήτε ἐπὶ στρατείαν, μήτε ἐπὶ ἀξίαν κοσμικὴν ἔρχεσθαι· ἤ, τοῦτο τολμῶντας, καὶ μὴ μεταμελομένους, ὥστε ἐπιστρέψαι ἐπὶ τοῦτο, ὃ διὰ Θεὸν πρότερον εἵλοντο, ἀναθεματίζεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

We have decreed that those who have once been enrolled in the clergy, or have become monks, are neither to enter military service nor take up a secular dignity; or else, if they dare to do this and do not repent so as to return to that which they first chose for God's sake, they are to be anathematized.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 7 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-7).

## Canon 8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-8
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy of poorhouses, monasteries and shrines remain under the city bishop's authority.

### Greek text

Οἱ κληρικοὶ τῶν πτωχείων, καὶ μοναστηρίων, καὶ μαρτυρίων, ὑπὸ τὴν ἐξουσίαν τῶν ἐν ἑκάστῃ πόλει ἐπισκόπων, κατὰ τὴν τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων παράδοσιν, διαμενέτωσαν· καὶ μὴ κατὰ αὐθάδειαν ἀφηνιάτωσαν τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου. Οἱ δὲ τολμῶντες ἀνατρέπειν τὴν τοιαύτην διατύπωσιν, καθ’ οἱονδήποτε τρόπον, καὶ μὴ ὑποταττόμενοι τῷ ἰδίῳ ἐπισκόπῳ, εἰ μὲν εἶεν κληρικοί, τοῖς τῶν κανόνων ὑποκείσθωσαν ἐπιτιμίοις· εἰ δὲ μονάζοντες, ἢ λαϊκοί, ἔστωσαν ἀκοινώνητοι.

### English translation (Claude)

Let the clergy of the poorhouses, and monasteries, and martyrs' shrines remain under the authority of the bishops in each city, according to the tradition of the holy fathers; and let them not, out of self-will, throw off the rein of their own bishop. And those who dare to overturn this arrangement in any way whatever, and do not submit to their own bishop, if they are clergy, are to be subject to the penalties of the canons; and if monks or laity, they are to be excommunicated.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 8 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-8).

## Canon 9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-9
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Disputes among clergy go first to their bishop, those with a bishop to the provincial synod, and those with a metropolitan to the exarch of the diocese or the see of Constantinople.

### Greek text

Εἴ τις κληρικὸς πρὸς κληρικὸν πρᾶγμα ἔχει, μὴ ἐγκαταλιμπανέτω τὸν οἰκεῖον ἐπίσκοπον, καὶ ἐπὶ κοσμικὰ δικαστήρια μὴ κατατρεχέτω, ἀλλὰ πρότερον τὴν ὑπόθεσιν γυμναζέτω παρὰ τῷ ἰδίῳ ἐπισκόπῳ, ἢ γοῦν, γνώμῃ αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐπισκόπου, παρ' οἷς ἂν ἀμφότερα τὰ μέρη βούλωνται, τὰ τῆς δίκης συγκροτείσθω· εἰ δέ τις παρὰ ταῦτα ποιήσοι, κανονικοῖς ἐπιτιμίοις ὑποκείσθω. Εἰ δὲ κληρικὸς πρᾶγμα ἔχει πρὸς τὸν ἴδιον, ἢ καὶ πρὸς ἕτερον ἐπίσκοπον, παρὰ τῇ συνόδῳ τῆς ἐπαρχίας δικαζέσθω. Εἰ δὲ πρὸς τὸν τῆς αὐτῆς ἐπαρχίας μητροπολίτην, ἐπίσκοπος, ἢ κληρικὸς ἀμφισβητοίη, καταλαμβανέτω τὸν ἔξαρχον τῆς διοικήσεως, ἢ τὸν τῆς βασιλευούσης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως θρόνον, καὶ ἐπ' αὐτῷ δικαζέσθω.

### English translation (Claude)

If a cleric has a dispute with a cleric, he is not to leave his own bishop and run to secular courts, but is first to argue the case before his own bishop, or else, with the consent of the bishop himself, let the trial be held before whomever both parties wish; and if anyone does otherwise, he is to be subject to canonical penalties. And if a cleric has a dispute with his own bishop or with another bishop, let it be tried before the synod of the province. And if a bishop or a cleric has a dispute with the metropolitan of the same province, let him go to the exarch of the diocese, or to the throne of the imperial city of Constantinople, and let it be tried before him.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 6:1: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Exarch of the diocese”: the chief bishop of a civil diocese (a group of provinces).

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 9 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-9).

## Canon 10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-10
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A cleric may not belong to the churches of two cities at once, and one transferred has no further share in his former church.

### Greek text

Μὴ ἐξεῖναι κληρικὸν ἐν δύο πόλεων κατὰ ταὐτὸν καταλέγεσθαι ἐκκλησίαις, ἐν ᾗ τε τὴν ἀρχὴν ἐχειροτονήθη, καὶ ἐν ᾗ προσέφυγεν, ὡς μείζονι δῆθεν, διὰ δόξης κενῆς ἐπιθυμίαν. Τοὺς δέ γε τοῦτο ποιοῦντας ἀποκαθίστασθαι τῇ ἰδίᾳ ἐκκλησίᾳ, ἐν ᾗ ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἐχειροτονήθησαν, καὶ ἐκεῖ μόνον λειτουργεῖν. Εἰ μέν τοι ἤδη τις μετετέθη ἐξ ἄλλης εἰς ἄλλην ἐκκλησίαν, μηδὲν τοῖς τῆς προτέρας ἐκκλησίας, ἤτοι τῶν ὑπ' αὐτὴν μαρτυρίων, ἢ πτωχείων, ἢ ξενοδοχείων ἐπικοινωνεῖν πράγμασι. Τοὺς δέ γε τολμῶντας, μετὰ τὸν ὅρον τῆς μεγάλης καὶ οἰκουμενικῆς ταύτης συνόδου, πράττειν τι τῶν νῦν ἀπηγορευμένων, ὥρισεν ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος ἐκπίπτειν τοῦ ἰδίου βαθμοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

It is not permitted for a cleric to be enrolled in the churches of two cities at the same time, both that in which he was ordained in the first place and that to which he has fled as being greater, out of desire for empty glory. Those who do this are to be restored to their own church, in which they were ordained from the beginning, and to minister there only. If, however, someone has already been transferred from one church to another, he is to have no share in the affairs of the former church, or of the martyrs' shrines, poorhouses, or hostels under it. And those who dare, after the decree of this great and ecumenical synod, to do any of the things now forbidden, the holy synod has decreed to fall from their own rank.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 10 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-10).

## Canon 11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-11
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The poor travel with letters of peace, while letters of commendation are reserved for persons of standing.

### Greek text

Πάντας τοὺς πένητας καὶ δεομένους ἐπικουρίας, μετὰ δοκιμασίας ἐπιστολίοις, εἴτουν εἰρηνικοῖς ἐκκλησιαστικοῖς μόνοις, ὁδεύειν ὡρίσαμεν, καὶ μὴ συστατικοῖς· διὰ τὸ τὰς συστατικὰς ἐπιστολὰς προσήκειν τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν ὑπολήψει μόνοις παρέχεσθαι προσώποις.

### English translation (Claude)

We have decreed that all the poor and those in need of help are to travel, after examination, with letters only, that is, with church letters of peace only, and not with letters of commendation, because letters of commendation ought to be given only to persons of good repute.

### Translation notes

- “Persons of good repute” renders τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν ὑπολήψει; the phrase can also mean “persons under suspicion”, and its sense here is disputed. Letters of peace attested communion; letters of commendation recommended the bearer personally.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 11 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-11).

## Canon 12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-12
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Bishops may not use imperial decrees to split a province and create a second metropolitan; cities already so honored keep only the title.

### Greek text

Ἦλθεν εἰς ἡμᾶς, ὥς τινες παρὰ τοὺς ἐκκλησιαστικοὺς θεσμοὺς προσδραμόντες δυναστείαις, διὰ πραγματικῶν τὴν μίαν ἐπαρχίαν εἰς δύο κατένεμον, ὡς ἐκ τούτου δύο μητροπολίτας εἶναι ἐν τῇ αὐτῇ ἐπαρχίᾳ. Ὥρισεν τοίνυν ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος, τοῦ λοιποῦ μηδὲν τοιοῦτον τολμᾶσθαι παρὰ ἐπισκόπου· ἐπεί, τὸν τοιοῦτο ἐπιχειροῦντα ἐκπίπτειν τοῦ ἰδίου βαθμοῦ. Ὅσαι δὲ ἤδη πόλεις διὰ γραμμάτων βασιλικῶν τῷ τῆς μητροπόλεως ἐτιμήθησαν ὀνόματι, μόνης ἀπολαυέτωσαν τῆς τιμῆς, καὶ ὁ τὴν ἐκκλησίαν ταύτην διοικῶν ἐπίσκοπος, δηλονότι σῳζομένων τῇ κατ’ ἀλήθειαν μητροπόλει τῶν οἰκείων δικαίων.

### English translation (Claude)

It has come to us that some, contrary to the laws of the church, have run to the secular authorities and by means of imperial rescripts have divided one province into two, so that as a result there are two metropolitans in the same province. The holy synod has therefore decreed that henceforth nothing of the kind is to be attempted by a bishop, or else whoever attempts such a thing is to fall from his own rank. And as many cities as have already been honored with the name of metropolis by imperial letters, let them, and the bishop who governs that church, enjoy the honor only, the proper rights being of course preserved to the true metropolis.

### Translation notes

- “Imperial rescripts” (πραγματικά): imperial decisions in answer to petitions.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 12 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-12).

## Canon 13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-13
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Unknown clergy from elsewhere may not minister without letters of commendation from their bishop.

### Greek text

Ξένους κληρικοὺς καὶ ἀγνώστους, ἐν ἑτέρᾳ πόλει, δίχα συστατικῶν γραμμάτων τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου, μηδόλως μηδαμοῦ λειτουργεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

Clergy who are strangers and unknown are in no way to minister anywhere in another city without letters of commendation from their own bishop.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 13 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-13).

## Canon 14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-14
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Readers and singers who may marry are not to take wives of another faith, nor have their children baptized among heretics or married to non-orthodox persons.

### Greek text

Ἐπειδὴ ἔν τισιν ἐπαρχίαις συγκεχώρηται τοῖς ἀναγνώσταις, καὶ ψάλταις, γαμεῖν, ὥρισεν ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος, μὴ ἐξεῖναί τινι αὐτῶν ἑτερόδοξον γυναῖκα λαμβάνειν. Τοὺς δὲ ἤδη ἐκ τοιούτου γάμου παιδοποιήσαντας, εἰ μὲν ἔφθασαν βαπτίσαι τὰ ἐξ αὐτῶν τεχθέντα παρὰ τοῖς αἱρετικοῖς, προσάγειν αὐτὰ τῇ κοινωνίᾳ τῆς καθολικῆς ἐκκλησίας· μὴ βαπτίσαντας δέ, μὴ δύνασθαι ἔτι βαπτίζειν αὐτὰ παρὰ τοῖς αἱρετικοῖς, μήτε μὴν συνάπτειν πρὸς γάμον αἱρετικῷ, ἢ Ἰουδαίῳ, ἢ Ἕλληνι, εἰ μὴ ἄρα ἐπαγγέλλοιτο μετατίθεσθαι εἰς τὴν ὀρθόδοξον πίστιν τὸ συναπτόμενον πρόσωπον τῷ ὀρθοδόξῳ. Εἰ δέ τις τοῦτον τὸν ὅρον παραβαίη τῆς ἁγίας συνόδου, κανονικῷ ὑποκείσθω ἐπιτιμίῳ.

### English translation (Claude)

Since in some provinces readers and singers are permitted to marry, the holy synod has decreed that none of them is permitted to take a wife of another faith. And those who have already had children from such a marriage, if they have already had their offspring baptized among the heretics, are to bring them into the communion of the catholic church; and if they have not baptized them, they may no longer baptize them among the heretics, nor indeed join them in marriage to a heretic, or a Jew, or a pagan, unless perhaps the person being joined to the orthodox party promises to come over to the orthodox faith. And if anyone transgresses this decree of the holy synod, he is to be subject to canonical penalty.

### Scripture references

- 2 Cor 6:14: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The canon assumes that in some provinces only the lower clergy (readers and singers) married after ordination.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 14 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-14).

## Canon 15

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-15
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Women deacons must be at least forty and carefully examined, and one who later marries is anathematized with her husband.

### Greek text

Διάκονον μὴ χειροτονεῖσθαι γυναῖκα πρὸ ἐτῶν τεσσαράκοντα, καὶ ταύτην μετ’ ἀκριβοῦς δοκιμασίας. Εἰ δέ γε δεξαμένη τὴν χειροθεσίαν, καὶ χρόνον τινὰ παραμείνασα τῇ λειτουργίᾳ, ἑαυτὴν ἐπιδῷ γάμῳ, ὑβρίσασα τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ χάριν, ἡ τοιαύτη ἀναθεματιζέσθω μετὰ τοῦ αὐτῇ συναφθέντος.

### English translation (Claude)

A woman is not to be ordained deacon before forty years of age, and then only after careful examination. And if, after receiving the laying on of hands and remaining for some time in the ministry, she gives herself in marriage, insulting the grace of God, such a woman is to be anathematized together with the man joined to her.

### Scripture references

- 1 Tim 5:9: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Ordained … laying on of hands” render χειροτονεῖσθαι and χειροθεσία, the terms used for ordinations of clergy.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 15 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-15).

## Canon 16

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-16
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Dedicated virgins and monks may not marry; those who do are excommunicated, subject to the local bishop's clemency.

### Greek text

Παρθένον ἀναθεῖσαν ἑαυτὴν τῷ δεσπότῃ Θεῷ, ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ μονάζοντας, μὴ ἐξεῖναι γάμῳ προσομιλεῖν. Εἰ δέ γε εὑρεθεῖεν τοῦτο ποιοῦντες, ἔστωσαν ἀκοινώνητοι. Ὡρίσαμεν δὲ ἔχειν τὴν αὐθεντίαν τῆς ἐπ' αὐτοῖς φιλανθρωπίας τὸν κατὰ τόπον ἐπίσκοπον.

### English translation (Claude)

It is not permitted for a virgin who has dedicated herself to the Lord God, nor likewise for monks, to enter into marriage. And if they are found doing this, they are to be excommunicated. But we have decreed that the bishop of the place has the authority to show them clemency.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 16 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-16).

## Canon 17

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-17
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Rural parishes held for thirty years stay with their bishop; disputes go to the provincial synod and above, and church boundaries follow those of newly founded cities.

### Greek text

Τὰς καθ’ ἑκάστην ἐπαρχίαν ἀγροικικὰς παροικίας, ἢ ἐγχωρίους, μένειν ἀπαρασαλεύτους παρὰ τοῖς κατέχουσιν αὐτὰς ἐπισκόποις, καὶ μάλιστα εἰ τριακονταετῆ χρόνον ταύτας ἀβιάστως διακατέχοντες ᾠκονόμησαν. Εἰ δὲ ἐντὸς τῶν τριάκοντα ἐτῶν γεγένηταί τις, ἢ γένοιτο περὶ αὐτῶν ἀμφισβήτησις, ἐξεῖναι τοῖς λέγουσιν ἠδικεῖσθαι, περὶ τούτων κινεῖν παρὰ τῇ συνόδῳ τῆς ἐπαρχίας. Εἰ δέ τις ἀδικοῖτο παρὰ τοῦ ἰδίου μητροπολίτου, παρὰ τῷ ἐξάρχῳ τῆς διοικήσεως, ἢ τῷ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως θρόνῳ δικαζέσθω, καθὰ προείρηται. Εἰ δὲ καί τις ἐκ βασιλικῆς ἐξουσίας ἐκαινίσθη πόλις, ἢ αὖθις καινισθείη, τοῖς πολιτικοῖς καὶ δημοσίοις τύποις, καὶ τῶν ἐκκλησιαστικῶν παροικιῶν ἡ τάξις ἀκολουθείτω.

### English translation (Claude)

The rural or country parishes in each province are to remain undisturbed with the bishops who hold them, especially if they have held and managed them without force for thirty years. But if within the thirty years there has been, or should be, a dispute about them, those who say they have been wronged may bring the matter before the synod of the province. And if anyone is wronged by his own metropolitan, let it be tried before the exarch of the diocese or the throne of Constantinople, as has been said before. And if any city has been newly founded by imperial authority, or should be founded hereafter, let the order of the church districts follow the civil and public arrangements.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 17 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-17).

## Canon 18

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-18
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy or monks who conspire against bishops or fellow clergy lose their rank.

### Greek text

Τὸ τῆς συνωμοσίας, ἢ φατρίας, ἔγκλημα καὶ παρὰ τῶν ἔξω νόμων πάντῃ κεκώλυται, πολλῷ δὴ μᾶλλον ἐν τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦτο γίνεσθαι ἀπαγορεύειν προσήκει. Εἴ τινες τοίνυν κληρικοί, ἢ μονάζοντες, εὑρεθεῖεν συνομνύμενοι, ἢ φατριάζοντες, ἢ κατασκευὰς τυρεύοντες ἐπισκόποις, ἢ συγκληρικοῖς, ἐκπιπτέτωσαν πάντῃ τοῦ οἰκείου βαθμοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

The crime of conspiracy or faction is entirely forbidden even by the laws outside the church; much more, then, is it fitting to forbid it to happen in the church of God. If, therefore, any clergy or monks are found conspiring or forming factions or contriving plots against bishops or fellow clergy, they are to fall entirely from their own rank.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 18 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-18).

## Canon 19

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-19
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Provincial synods are to meet twice a year as the canons require, and absent bishops without excuse are to be rebuked.

### Greek text

Ἦλθεν εἰς τὰς ἡμετέρας ἀκοάς, ὡς ἐν ταῖς ἐπαρχίαις αἱ κεκανονισμέναι σύνοδοι τῶν ἐπισκόπων οὐ γίνονται, καὶ ἐκ τούτου πολλὰ παραμελεῖται τῶν διορθώσεως δεομένων ἐκκλησιαστικῶν πραγμάτων. Ὥρισε τοίνυν ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος, κατὰ τοὺς τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων κανόνας, δὶς τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ συντρέχειν καθ’ ἑκάστην ἐπαρχίαν τοὺς ἐπισκόπους, ἔνθα ἂν ὁ τῆς μητροπόλεως ἐπίσκοπος δοκιμάσῃ, καὶ διορθοῦν ἕκαστα τὰ ἀνακύπτοντα. Τοὺς δὲ μὴ συνιόντας ἐπισκόπους, ἐνδημοῦντας ταῖς ἑαυτῶν πόλεσι, καὶ ταῦτα ἐν ὑγείᾳ διάγοντας, καὶ πάσης ἀπαραιτήτου καὶ ἀναγκαίας ἀσχολίας ὄντας ἐλευθέρους, ἀδελφικῶς ἐπιπλήττεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

It has come to our ears that in the provinces the synods of bishops prescribed by the canons are not held, and as a result many church affairs needing correction are neglected. The holy synod has therefore decreed, according to the canons of the holy fathers, that the bishops in each province are to come together twice a year wherever the bishop of the metropolis approves, and correct whatever matters arise. And the bishops who do not attend, though staying in their own cities, and being in health, and free from all unavoidable and necessary business, are to be rebuked in a brotherly way.

### Extrabiblical texts

- Conc. Nic. 5 (Creed and Canons of the Council of Nicaea (325)): allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 19 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-19).

## Canon 20

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-20
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy may not move to another city's church except as refugees; a bishop who receives another's cleric is excommunicated with him.

### Greek text

Κληρικοὺς εἰς ἐκκλησίαν τελοῦντας, καθὼς ἤδη ὡρίσαμεν, μὴ ἐξεῖναι εἰς ἄλλης πόλεως τάττεσθαι ἐκκλησίαν· ἀλλὰ στέργειν ἐκείνην, ἐν ᾗ λειτουργεῖν ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἠξιώθησαν, ἐκτὸς ἐκείνων, οἵτινες ἀπολέσαντες τὰς οἰκείας πατρίδας ἀπὸ ἀνάγκης, εἰς ἄλλην ἐκκλησίαν μετῆλθον. Εἰ δέ τις ἐπίσκοπος μετὰ τὸν ὅρον τοῦτον, ἄλλῳ ἐπισκόπῳ προσήκοντα δέξοιτο κληρικόν, ἔδοξεν ἀκοινώνητον εἶναι καὶ τὸν δεχθέντα, καὶ τὸν δεξάμενον, ἕως ἂν ὁ μεταστὰς κληρικὸς εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν ἐπανέλθῃ ἐκκλησίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

As we have already decreed, it is not permitted for clergy serving in a church to be assigned to the church of another city, but they are to be content with that in which they were from the beginning thought worthy to minister, except those who, having lost their own homelands through necessity, have moved to another church. And if any bishop, after this decree, receives a cleric belonging to another bishop, it has seemed good that both the one received and the one who received him are to be excommunicated, until the cleric who moved returns to his own church.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 20 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-20).

## Canon 21

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-21
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Accusers of bishops or clergy are heard only after their own reputation has been examined.

### Greek text

Κληρικούς, ἢ λαϊκούς, κατηγοροῦντας ἐπισκόπων, ἢ κληρικῶν, ἁπλῶς καὶ ἀδοκιμάστως μὴ προσδέχεσθαι εἰς κατηγορίαν, εἰ μὴ πρότερον ἐξετασθείη αὐτῶν ἡ ὑπόληψις.

### English translation (Claude)

Clergy or laity who accuse bishops or clergy are not to be admitted to make an accusation simply and without examination, unless their reputation has first been examined.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 21 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-21).

## Canon 22

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-22
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy may not seize their bishop's property after his death.

### Greek text

Μὴ ἐξεῖναι κληρικοῖς μετὰ θάνατον τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου, διαρπάζειν τὰ διαφέροντα αὐτῷ πράγματα, καθὼς καὶ τοῖς παραλαμβάνουσιν ἀπηγόρευται· ἢ τοὺς τοῦτο ποιοῦντας, κινδυνεύειν περὶ τοὺς ἰδίους βαθμούς.

### English translation (Claude)

It is not permitted for clergy, after the death of their own bishop, to seize the property belonging to him, as has also been forbidden before; or those who do so are in danger of losing their own ranks.

### Translation notes

- “As has also been forbidden before”: the Greek printed here (τοῖς παραλαμβάνουσιν, “to those who take over”) is obscure; the sense appears to be a reference to earlier canons such as Antioch 24. Translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 22 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-22).

## Canon 23

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-23
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Clergy and monks who linger in Constantinople without commission and cause trouble are to be expelled by the church's advocate.

### Greek text

Ἦλθεν εἰς τὰς ἀκοὰς τῆς ἁγίας συνόδου, ὡς κληρικοί τινες καὶ μονάζοντες, μηδὲν ἐγκεχειρισμένοι ὑπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου, ἔστι δ' ὅτε καὶ ἀκοινώνητοι γενόμενοι παρ' αὐτοῦ, καταλαμβάνοντες τὴν βασιλεύουσαν Κωνσταντινούπολιν, ἐπὶ πολὺ ἐν αὐτῇ διατρίβουσι, ταραχὰς ἐμποιοῦντες, καὶ θορυβοῦντες τὴν ἐκκλησιαστικὴν κατάστασιν, ἀνατρέπουσί τε οἴκους τινῶν. Ὥρισε τοίνυν ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος, τοὺς τοιούτους ὑπομιμνήσκεσθαι μὲν πρότερον διὰ τοῦ ἐκδίκου τῆς κατὰ Κωνσταντινούπολιν ἁγιωτάτης ἐκκλησίας ἐπὶ τῷ ἐξελθεῖν τῆς βασιλευούσης πόλεως· εἰ δὲ τοῖς αὐτοῖς πράγμασιν ἐπιμένοιεν ἀναισχυντοῦντες, καὶ ἄκοντας αὐτοὺς διὰ τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐκδίκου ἐκβάλλεσθαι, καὶ τοὺς ἰδίους καταλαμβάνειν τόπους.

### English translation (Claude)

It has come to the ears of the holy synod that some clergy and monks, though entrusted with nothing by their own bishop, and sometimes even excommunicated by him, come to the imperial city of Constantinople and stay in it for a long time, causing disturbances and troubling the order of the church, and they overturn some people's households. The holy synod has therefore decreed that such persons are first to be reminded by the advocate of the most holy church of Constantinople to leave the imperial city; and if they shamelessly persist in the same practices, they are to be expelled even against their will by the same advocate and to go back to their own places.

### Scripture references

- Titus 1:11: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Overturn … households” echoes Titus 1:11.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 23 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-23).

## Canon 24

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-24
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Consecrated monasteries and their property may never revert to secular use.

### Greek text

Τὰ ἅπαξ καθιερωθέντα μοναστήρια, κατὰ γνώμην ἐπισκόπου, μένειν εἰς τὸ διηνεκὲς μοναστήρια, καὶ τὰ ἀνήκοντα αὐτοῖς πράγματα φυλάττεσθαι, καὶ μηκέτι γίνεσθαι ταῦτα κοσμικὰ καταγώγια· τοὺς δὲ συγχωροῦντας τοῦτο γίνεσθαι, ὑποκεῖσθαι τοῖς ἐκ τῶν κανόνων ἐπιτιμίοις.

### English translation (Claude)

Monasteries once consecrated with the bishop's consent are to remain monasteries perpetually, and the property belonging to them is to be preserved, and they are no longer to become secular dwellings; and those who permit this to happen are to be subject to the penalties of the canons.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 24 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-24).

## Canon 25

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-25
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Metropolitans must ordain bishops to vacant sees within three months, and the steward keeps the vacant church's revenue intact.

### Greek text

Ἐπειδή περ τινὲς τῶν μητροπολιτῶν, ὡς περιηχήθημεν, ἀμελοῦσι τῶν ἐγκεχειρισμένων αὐτοῖς ποιμνίων, καὶ ἀναβάλλονται τὰς χειροτονίας τῶν ἐπισκόπων· ἔδοξε τῇ ἁγίᾳ συνόδῳ, ἐντὸς τριῶν μηνῶν γίνεσθαι τὰς χειροτονίας τῶν ἐπισκόπων, εἰ μήποτε ἄρα ἀπαραίτητος ἀνάγκη παρασκευάσοι ἐπιταθῆναι τὸν τῆς ἀναβολῆς χρόνον. Εἰ δὲ μὴ τοῦτο ποιήσοι, ὑποκεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ἐκκλησιαστικοῖς ἐπιτιμίοις. Τὴν μέν τοι πρόσοδον τῆς χηρευούσης ἐκκλησίας, σώαν παρὰ τῷ οἰκονόμῳ τῆς αὐτῆς ἐκκλησίας φυλάττεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

Since some of the metropolitans, as we have heard, neglect the flocks entrusted to them and postpone the ordinations of bishops, it has seemed good to the holy synod that the ordinations of bishops take place within three months, unless perhaps an unavoidable necessity should require the time of postponement to be extended. And if he does not do this, he is to be subject to church penalties. The revenue of the widowed church, however, is to be kept intact by the steward of that church.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 25 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-25).

## Canon 26

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-26
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Every bishop is to have a steward from his clergy to manage church property under his direction.

### Greek text

Ἐπειδὴ ἔν τισιν ἐκκλησίαις, ὡς περιηχήθημεν, δίχα οἰκονόμων οἱ ἐπίσκοποι καὶ τὰ ἐκκλησιαστικὰ χειρίζουσι πράγματα, ἔδοξε πᾶσαν ἐκκλησίαν ἐπίσκοπον ἔχουσαν, καὶ οἰκονόμον ἔχειν ἐκ τοῦ ἰδίου κλήρου, οἰκονομοῦντα τὰ ἐκκλησιαστικὰ κατὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἰδίου ἐπισκόπου· ὥστε μὴ ἀμάρτυρον εἶναι τὴν οἰκονομίαν τῆς ἐκκλησίας, καὶ ἐκ τούτου σκορπίζεσθαι τὰ αὐτῆς πράγματα, καὶ λοιδορίαν τῇ ἱερωσύνῃ προστρίβεσθαι· εἰ δὲ μὴ τοῦτο ποιήσοι, ὑποκεῖσθαι αὐτὸν τοῖς θείοις κανόσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Since in some churches, as we have heard, the bishops manage the church's affairs without stewards, it has seemed good that every church that has a bishop should also have a steward from its own clergy, who manages the church's affairs according to the decision of his own bishop, so that the administration of the church may not be without witness, and its property thereby be squandered, and reproach be brought on the priesthood. And if he does not do this, he is to be subject to the divine canons.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 26 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-26).

## Canon 27

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-27
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Those who abduct women for marriage, or help to do so, are deposed or anathematized.

### Greek text

Τοὺς ἁρπάζοντας γυναῖκας ἐπ’ ὀνόματι συνοικεσίου, ἢ συμπράττοντας, ἢ συναιρομένους τοῖς ἁρπάζουσιν, ὥρισεν ἡ ἁγία σύνοδος, εἰ μὲν κληρικοὶ εἶεν, ἐκπίπτειν τοῦ ἰδίου βαθμοῦ· εἰ δὲ λαϊκοί, ἀναθεματίζεσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

Those who carry off women under pretext of marriage, or who act with or assist those who carry them off, the holy synod has decreed, if they are clergy, are to fall from their own rank; and if laity, they are to be anathematized.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 27 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-27).

## Canon 28

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-28
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The council confirms Constantinople's privileges as New Rome, second after Rome, and gives its archbishop the ordination of the metropolitans of Pontus, Asia and Thrace.

### Greek text

Πανταχοῦ τοῖς τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων ὅροις ἑπόμενοι, καὶ τὸν ἀρτίως ἀναγνωσθέντα κανόνα τῶν ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα θεοφιλεστάτων ἐπισκόπων, τῶν συναχθέντων ἐπὶ τοῦ τῆς εὐσεβοῦς μνήμης Μεγάλου Θεοδοσίου, τοῦ γενομένου βασιλέως ἐν τῇ βασιλίδι Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Νέᾳ Ῥώμῃ, γνωρίζοντες, τὰ αὐτὰ καὶ ἡμεῖς ὁρίζομέν τε καὶ ψηφιζόμεθα περὶ τῶν πρεσβείων τῆς ἁγιωτάτης ἐκκλησίας τῆς αὐτῆς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Νέας Ῥώμης· καὶ γὰρ τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς πρεσβυτέρας Ῥώμης, διὰ τὸ βασιλεύειν τὴν πόλιν ἐκείνην, οἱ Πατέρες εἰκότως ἀποδεδώκασι τὰ πρεσβεῖα. Καὶ τῷ αὐτῷ σκοπῷ κινούμενοι οἱ ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα θεοφιλέστατοι ἐπίσκοποι, τὰ ἴσα πρεσβεῖα ἀπένειμαν τῷ τῆς Νέας Ῥώμης ἁγιωτάτῳ θρόνῳ, εὐλόγως κρίναντες, τὴν βασιλείᾳ καὶ συγκλήτῳ τιμηθεῖσαν πόλιν, καὶ τῶν ἴσων ἀπολαύουσαν πρεσβείων τῇ πρεσβυτέρᾳ βασιλίδι Ῥώμῃ, καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἐκκλησιαστικοῖς ὡς ἐκείνην μεγαλύνεσθαι πράγμασι, δευτέραν μετ’ ἐκείνην ὑπάρχουσαν. Καὶ ὥστε τοὺς τῆς Ποντικῆς, καὶ τῆς Ἀσιανῆς, καὶ τῆς Θρακικῆς διοικήσεως μητροπολίτας μόνους, ἔτι δὲ καὶ τοὺς ἐν τοῖς βαρβαρικοῖς ἐπισκόπους τῶν προειρημένων διοικήσεων χειροτονεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τοῦ προειρημένου ἁγιωτάτου θρόνου τῆς κατὰ Κωνσταντινούπολιν ἁγιωτάτης ἐκκλησίας· δηλαδὴ ἑκάστου μητροπολίτου τῶν προειρημένων διοικήσεων μετὰ τῶν τῆς ἐπαρχίας ἐπισκόπων χειροτονοῦντος τοὺς τῆς ἐπαρχίας ἐπισκόπους, καθὼς τοῖς θείοις κανόσι διηγόρευται· χειροτονεῖσθαι δέ, καθὼς εἴρηται, τοὺς μητροπολίτας τῶν προειρημένων διοικήσεων παρὰ τοῦ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως ἀρχιεπισκόπου, ψηφισμάτων συμφώνων κατὰ τὸ ἔθος γινομένων, καὶ ἐπ' αὐτὸν ἀναφερομένων.

### English translation (Claude)

Following in all things the decrees of the holy fathers, and recognizing the canon just read of the hundred and fifty most God-beloved bishops who assembled under Theodosius the Great, of pious memory, who was emperor, in the imperial city of Constantinople, New Rome, we too define and decree the same things concerning the privileges of the most holy church of the same Constantinople, New Rome. For the fathers rightly gave the privileges to the throne of the elder Rome because that city was the imperial city. And moved by the same purpose, the hundred and fifty most God-beloved bishops gave equal privileges to the most holy throne of New Rome, reasonably judging that the city honored with the empire and the senate, and enjoying equal privileges with the elder imperial Rome, should also be magnified like her in church matters, being second after her. And so that the metropolitans of the Pontic, Asian, and Thracian dioceses alone, and also the bishops among the barbarians of the aforesaid dioceses, are to be ordained by the aforesaid most holy throne of the most holy church of Constantinople; that is, each metropolitan of the aforesaid dioceses, together with the bishops of the province, ordaining the bishops of the province, as is declared in the divine canons; but the metropolitans of the aforesaid dioceses, as has been said, are to be ordained by the archbishop of Constantinople, after harmonious elections have been held according to custom and reported to him.

### Translation notes

- The canon recalls Constantinople (381), canon 3. It was passed in the absence of the Roman legates, who protested against it, and Pope Leo refused to confirm it; it is translated here as the Greek collections give it.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 28 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-28).

## Canon 29

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-29
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bishop may not be reduced to a presbyter: either he is removed altogether for just cause or, if blameless, restored as bishop.

### Greek text

Ἐπίσκοπον εἰς πρεσβυτέρου βαθμὸν φέρειν, ἱεροσυλία ἐστίν. Εἰ δὲ αἰτία τις δικαία ἐκείνους ἀπὸ τῆς πράξεως τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς ἀποκινεῖ, οὐδὲ πρεσβυτέρου τόπον κατέχειν ὀφείλουσιν. Εἰ δὲ ἐκτός τινος ἐγκλήματος ἀπεκινήθησαν τοῦ ἀξιώματος, πρὸς τὴν τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς ἀξίαν ἐπαναστρέψουσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

To bring a bishop down to the rank of presbyter is sacrilege. But if some just cause removes them from the exercise of the episcopate, they ought not to hold the place of a presbyter either; and if they were removed from the dignity without any charge, they shall return to the dignity of the episcopate.

### Translation notes

- This and the next canon are extracts from the council's acts, added to the canons in the Greek collections.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 29 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-29).

## Canon 30

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-30
- Source: Pedalion
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The Egyptian bishops are allowed to delay signing Leo's letter until a new archbishop of Alexandria is ordained, on surety that they stay in Constantinople.

### Greek text

Ἐπειδὴ οἱ εὐλαβέστατοι ἐπίσκοποι τῆς Αἰγύπτου, οὐχ ὡς μαχόμενοι τῇ καθολικῇ πίστει, ὑπογράψαι τῇ ἐπιστολῇ τοῦ ὁσιωτάτου ἀρχιεπισκόπου Λέοντος ἐπὶ τοῦ παρόντος ἀνεβάλοντο, ἀλλὰ φάσκοντες, ἔθος εἶναι ἐν τῇ Αἰγυπτιακῇ διοικήσει, παρὰ γνώμην καὶ διατύπωσιν τοῦ ἀρχιεπισκόπου μηδὲν τοιοῦτο ποιεῖν· καὶ ἀξιοῦσιν ἐνδοθῆναι αὐτοῖς ἄχρι τῆς χειροτονίας τοῦ ἐσομένου τῆς τῶν Ἀλεξανδρέων μεγαλουπόλεως ἐπισκόπου· εὔλογον ἡμῖν ἐφάνη καὶ φιλάνθρωπον, ὥστε αὐτοῖς μένουσιν ἐπὶ τοῦ οἰκείου σχήματος ἐν τῇ βασιλευούσῃ πόλει, ἔνδοσιν παρασχεθῆναι, ἄχρις ἂν χειροτονηθῇ ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος τῆς Ἀλεξανδρέων μεγαλοπόλεως. Ἐγγύας οὖν δότωσαν ὅτι οὐκ ἐξέρχονται ταύτης τῆς πόλεως, ἕως οὗ ἡ Ἀλεξανδρέων πόλις Ἐπίσκοπον δέξηται.

### English translation (Claude)

Since the most devout bishops of Egypt have for the present put off subscribing to the letter of the most holy archbishop Leo, not as opposing the catholic faith, but saying that it is the custom in the Egyptian diocese to do nothing of this kind without the consent and direction of their archbishop, and they ask to be given time until the ordination of the future bishop of the great city of the Alexandrians, it has seemed to us reasonable and humane that time be granted them, remaining in their present status in the imperial city, until the archbishop of the great city of the Alexandrians is ordained. Let them therefore give sureties that they will not leave this city until the city of the Alexandrians receives a bishop.

### Translation notes

- “The letter of … Leo”: the Tome of Leo to Flavian on the two natures of Christ. Dioscorus of Alexandria had been deposed by the council.

### Citation (SBL)

Conc. Chalced. 30 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-chalcedon-451/1/#p-30).