Canons of the Council of Gangra (complete)
Greek text: Pedalion (1800) (Greek text: the Pedalion (Nikodemos the Hagiorite and Agapios, 1800), transcription on Greek Wikisource, CC BY-SA).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).
Chapter 1
1Pedalion
Εἴ τις τὸν γάμον μέμφοιτο, καὶ τὴν καθεύδουσαν μετὰ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς, οὖσαν πιστὴν καὶ εὐλαβῆ, βδελύσσοιτο ἢ μέμφοιτο, ὡς ἂν μὴ δυναμένην εἰς βασιλείαν εἰσελθεῖν, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis ton gamon memphoito, kai tēn katheudousan meta tou andros autēs, ousan pistēn kai eulabē, bdelyssoito ē memphoito, hōs an mē dynamenēn eis basileian eiselthein, anathema estō.
If anyone finds fault with marriage, and abhors or finds fault with a woman who sleeps with her husband, though she is faithful and devout, as though she could not enter the kingdom, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who condemns marriage or says a faithful married woman cannot enter the kingdom is anathematized.
- The canons of Gangra are directed against the followers of Eustathius of Sebaste, whose rigorist asceticism the synod condemns.
Topics: Marriage
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 1 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 2
2Pedalion
Εἴ τις ἐσθίοντα κρέα, χωρὶς αἵματος, καὶ εἰδωλοθύτου, καὶ πνικτοῦ, μετ᾽ εὐλαβείας καὶ πίστεως, κατακρίνοι ὡς ἂν διὰ τὸ μεταλαμβάνειν ἐλπίδα μὴ ἔχοντα, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis esthionta krea, chōris haimatos, kai eidōlothytou, kai pniktou, met᾽ eulabeias kai pisteōs, katakrinoi hōs an dia to metalambanein elpida mē echonta, anathema estō.
If anyone condemns one who eats meat with reverence and faith, apart from blood, and what is sacrificed to idols, and what is strangled, as though he had no hope because he partakes of it, let him be anathema.
Acts 15:29 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who condemns the eating of meat (apart from blood, idol offerings and strangled animals) as a bar to salvation is anathematized.
- The three exceptions follow the apostolic decree of Acts 15:29.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (wrong accent in the digital text): πνικτού → πνικτοῦ.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 2 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 3
3Pedalion
Εἴ τις δοῦλον προφάσει θεοσεβείας διδάσκοι καταφρονεῖν δεσπότου, καὶ ἀναχωρεῖν τῆς ὑπηρεσίας, καὶ μὴ μετ᾽ εὐνοίας καὶ πάσης τιμῆς τῷ ἑαυτοῦ δεσπότῃ ἐξυπηρετεῖσθαι, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis doulon prophasei theosebeias didaskoi kataphronein despotou, kai anachōrein tēs hypēresias, kai mē met᾽ eunoias kai pasēs timēs tǭ heautou despotę̄ exypēreteisthai, anathema estō.
If anyone, on the pretext of godliness, teaches a slave to despise his master and to withdraw from his service, and not to serve his own master with goodwill and all honor, let him be anathema.
1 Tim 6:1 (echo, medium confidence) · Eph 6:5 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who teaches slaves to leave their masters on religious grounds is anathematized.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 3 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 4
4Pedalion
Εἴ τις διακρίνοιτο παρὰ πρεσβυτέρου γεγαμηκότος, ὡς μὴ χρῆναι, λειτουργήσαντος αὐτοῦ, προσφορᾶς μεταλαμβάνειν, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis diakrinoito para presbyterou gegamēkotos, hōs mē chrēnai, leitourgēsantos autou, prosphoras metalambanein, anathema estō.
If anyone holds himself apart from a married presbyter, as though it were not right to partake of the offering when he has celebrated the liturgy, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who refuses communion from a married presbyter is anathematized.
- “Married presbyter” (πρεσβυτέρου γεγαμηκότος): a presbyter who has a wife. The canon condemns those who refused the eucharist at such a presbyter's hands; it does not itself discuss whether he lived continently.
Topics: Marriage, Church office, Eucharist
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 4 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 5
5Pedalion
Εἴ τις διδάσκοι, τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ εὐκαταφρόνητον εἶναι, καὶ τὰς ἐν αὐτῷ συνάξεις, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis didaskoi, ton oikon tou Theou eukataphronēton einai, kai tas en autǭ synaxeis, anathema estō.
If anyone teaches that the house of God and the assemblies held in it are to be despised, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who teaches contempt for the church building and its assemblies is anathematized.
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 5 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 6
6Pedalion
Εἴ τις παρὰ τὴν ἐκκλησίαν ἰδίᾳ ἐκκλησιάζοι, καὶ καταφρονῶν τῆς ἐκκλησίας, τὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐθέλοι πράττειν, μὴ συνόντος τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου κατὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἐπισκόπου, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis para tēn ekklēsian idią ekklēsiazoi, kai kataphronōn tēs ekklēsias, ta tēs ekklēsias etheloi prattein, mē synontos tou presbyterou kata gnōmēn tou episkopou, anathema estō.
If anyone holds assemblies privately, apart from the church, and, despising the church, wishes to perform the things of the church when no presbyter is present by the bishop's decision, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who holds separate church services without a presbyter authorized by the bishop is anathematized.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 6 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 7
7Pedalion
Εἴ τις καρποφορίας ἐκκλησιαστικὰς ἐθέλοι λαμβάνειν, ἢ διδόναι ἔξω τῆς ἐκκλησίας παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἐπισκόπου, ἢ τοῦ ἐγκεχειρισμένου τὰ τοιαῦτα, καὶ μὴ μετὰ γνώμης αὐτοῦ ἐθέλοι πράττειν, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis karpophorias ekklēsiastikas etheloi lambanein, ē didonai exō tēs ekklēsias para gnōmēn tou episkopou, ē tou enkecheirismenou ta toiauta, kai mē meta gnōmēs autou etheloi prattein, anathema estō.
If anyone wishes to take church offerings, or to give them, outside the church, without the consent of the bishop or of the one entrusted with such matters, and will not act with his consent, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who receives or distributes church offerings without the bishop's consent is anathematized.
- “Offerings” (καρποφορίαι): gifts in kind brought to the church, especially for the poor.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 7 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-7). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 8
8Pedalion
Εἴ τις διδοῖ, ἢ λαμβάνοι καρποφορίαν παρεκτὸς τοῦ ἐπισκόπου, ἢ τοῦ ἐπιτεταγμένου εἰς οἰκονομίαν εὐποιΐας, καὶ ὁ διδούς, καὶ ὁ λαμβάνων, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis didoi, ē lambanoi karpophorian parektos tou episkopou, ē tou epitetagmenou eis oikonomian eupoiïas, kai ho didous, kai ho lambanōn, anathema estō.
If anyone gives or receives an offering apart from the bishop or the one appointed to the administration of charity, both the giver and the receiver, let them be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Both giver and receiver of offerings made apart from the bishop or his steward are anathematized.
Topics: Church office
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 8 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-8). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 9
9Pedalion
Εἴ τις παρθενεύοι ἢ ἐγκρατεύοιτο, ὡς ἂν βδελυκτῶν τῶν γάμων ἀναχωρήσας, καὶ μὴ δι᾽ αὐτὸ τὸ καλὸν καὶ ἅγιον τῆς παρθενίας, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis partheneuoi ē enkrateuoito, hōs an bdelyktōn tōn gamōn anachōrēsas, kai mē di᾽ auto to kalon kai hagion tēs parthenias, anathema estō.
If anyone lives as a virgin or practices continence as one who has withdrawn from marriage as something abominable, and not because of the beauty and holiness of virginity itself, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who chooses virginity out of contempt for marriage rather than for virginity's own goodness is anathematized.
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 9 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-9). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 10
10Pedalion
Εἴ τις τῶν παρθενευόντων διὰ τὸν Κύριον, κατεπαίροιτο τῶν γεγαμηκότων, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis tōn partheneuontōn dia ton Kyrion, katepairoito tōn gegamēkotōn, anathema estō.
If any of those who live as virgins for the Lord's sake exalts himself over the married, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Virgins who exalt themselves over married people are anathematized.
Topics: Marriage
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 10 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-10). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 11
11Pedalion
Εἴ τις καταφρονοίη τῶν ἐκ πίστεως ἀγάπας ποιούντων, καὶ διὰ τιμὴν τοῦ Κυρίου συγκαλούντων τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ μὴ ἐθέλοι κοινωνεῖν ταῖς κλήσεσι, διὰ τὸ ἐξευτελίζειν τὸ γινόμενον, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis kataphronoiē tōn ek pisteōs agapas poiountōn, kai dia timēn tou Kyriou synkalountōn tous adelphous, kai mē etheloi koinōnein tais klēsesi, dia to exeutelizein to ginomenon, anathema estō.
If anyone despises those who, in faith, hold love-feasts and invite the brothers for the honor of the Lord, and will not take part in the invitations because he holds what is done in contempt, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who scorns the church's love-feasts and refuses to attend them is anathematized.
- “Love-feasts” (ἀγάπαι): common meals given for the brothers, especially the poor.
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 11 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-11). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 12
12Pedalion
Εἴ τις ἀνδρῶν διὰ νομιζομένην ἄσκησιν περιβολαίῳ χρῆται, καὶ ὡς ἂν ἐκ τούτου τὴν δικαιοσύνην ἔχων καταψηφίσοιτο τῶν μετ᾽ εὐλαβείας τοὺς βήρους φορούντων, καὶ τῇ ἄλλῃ κοινῇ καὶ ἐν συνηθείᾳ οὔσῃ ἐσθῆτι κεχρημένων, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis andrōn dia nomizomenēn askēsin peribolaiǭ chrētai, kai hōs an ek toutou tēn dikaiosynēn echōn katapsēphisoito tōn met᾽ eulabeias tous bērous phorountōn, kai tę̄ allę̄ koinę̄ kai en synētheią ousę̄ esthēti kechrēmenōn, anathema estō.
If any man, for the sake of supposed asceticism, wears a cloak, and, as though he had righteousness from this, passes judgment on those who with reverence wear the birrus and use the other clothing that is common and in customary use, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ascetics who wear a special cloak and condemn those in ordinary dress are anathematized.
- “Cloak” (περιβόλαιον): the rough mantle worn by philosophers and ascetics; the birrus (βῆρος) was an ordinary outer garment.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (misplaced accent in the digital text): μετ᾽ εὐλάβειας → μετ᾽ εὐλαβείας.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 12 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-12). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 13
13Pedalion
Εἴ τις γυνὴ διὰ νομιζομένην ἄσκησιν μεταβάλλοιτο ἀμφίασμα, καὶ ἀντὶ τοῦ εἰωθότος γυναικείου ἀμφιάσματος ἀνδρῷον ἀναλάβοι, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis gynē dia nomizomenēn askēsin metaballoito amphiasma, kai anti tou eiōthotos gynaikeiou amphiasmatos andrǭon analaboi, anathema estō.
If any woman, for the sake of supposed asceticism, changes her clothing and, instead of the customary women's clothing, puts on men's, let her be anathema.
Deut 22:5 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Women who adopt men's dress on ascetic grounds are anathematized.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 13 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-13). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 14
14Pedalion
Εἴ τις γυνὴ καταλιμπάνοι τὸν ἄνδρα, καὶ ἀναχωρεῖν ἐθέλοι, βδελυττομένη τὸν γάμον, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis gynē katalimpanoi ton andra, kai anachōrein etheloi, bdelyttomenē ton gamon, anathema estō.
If any woman leaves her husband and wishes to withdraw, abhorring marriage, let her be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: A wife who leaves her husband out of abhorrence of marriage is anathematized.
Topics: Marriage, Divorce and remarriage
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 14 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-14). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 15
15Pedalion
Εἴ τις καταλιμπάνοι τὰ ἑαυτοῦ τέκνα, καὶ μὴ τεκνοτροφοῖ, καὶ τὸ ὅσον ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ πρὸς θεοσέβειαν τὴν προσήκουσαν ἀνάγοι, ἀλλὰ προφάσει τῆς ἀσκήσεως ἀμελοίη, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis katalimpanoi ta heautou tekna, kai mē teknotrophoi, kai to hoson ep᾽ autǭ pros theosebeian tēn prosēkousan anagoi, alla prophasei tēs askēseōs ameloiē, anathema estō.
If anyone abandons his own children and does not rear them and, as far as lies in him, bring them up in fitting godliness, but neglects them on the pretext of asceticism, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Parents who abandon their children on ascetic grounds are anathematized.
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 15 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-15). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 16
16Pedalion
Εἴ τινα τέκνα γονέων, μάλιστα πιστῶν, ἀναχωροίη προφάσει θεοσεβείας, καὶ μὴ τὴν καθήκουσαν τιμὴν τοῖς γονεῦσιν ἀπονέμοι, προτιμωμένης δηλονότι παρ᾽ αὐτοῖς τῆς θεοσεβείας, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tina tekna goneōn, malista pistōn, anachōroiē prophasei theosebeias, kai mē tēn kathēkousan timēn tois goneusin aponemoi, protimōmenēs dēlonoti par᾽ autois tēs theosebeias, anathema estō.
If any children of parents, especially of believing parents, withdraw on the pretext of godliness and do not render the due honor to their parents, on the plea, of course, that they put godliness first, let them be anathema.
Exod 20:12 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Children who abandon their parents, especially believing parents, on religious grounds are anathematized.
- The last clause (προτιμωμένης δηλονότι παρ᾽ αὐτοῖς τῆς θεοσεβείας) gives the children's pretext; it could also be read as a condition (“godliness being kept first”).
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 16 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-16). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 17
17Pedalion
Εἴ τις γυναικῶν διὰ νομιζομένην ἄσκησιν ἀποκείροιτο τὰς κόμας, ἃς ἔδωκεν ὁ Θεὸς εἰς ὑπόμνησιν τῆς ὑποταγῆς, ὡς παραλύουσα τὸ πρόσταγμα τῆς ὑποταγῆς, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis gynaikōn dia nomizomenēn askēsin apokeiroito tas komas, has edōken ho Theos eis hypomnēsin tēs hypotagēs, hōs paralyousa to prostagma tēs hypotagēs, anathema estō.
If any woman, for the sake of supposed asceticism, cuts off her hair, which God gave as a reminder of subjection, as though annulling the command of subjection, let her be anathema.
1 Cor 11:10 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Cor 11:15 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Women who cut off their hair on ascetic grounds are anathematized.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 17 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-17). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 18
18Pedalion
Εἴ τις διὰ νομιζομένην ἄσκησιν ἐν τῇ Κυριακῇ νηστεῦοι, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis dia nomizomenēn askēsin en tę̄ Kyriakę̄ nēsteuoi, anathema estō.
If anyone, for the sake of supposed asceticism, fasts on the Lord's day, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who fasts on Sunday on ascetic grounds is anathematized.
Topics: Fasting
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 18 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-18). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 19
19Pedalion
Εἴ τις τῶν ἀσκουμένων, χωρὶς σωματικῆς ἀνάγκης, ὑπερηφανεύοιτο, καὶ τὰς παραδεδομένας νηστείας εἰς τὸ κοινόν, καὶ φυλασσομένας ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας παραλύοι, ὑποικουροῦντος ἐν αὐτῷ τελείου λογισμοῦ, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis tōn askoumenōn, chōris sōmatikēs anankēs, hyperēphaneuoito, kai tas paradedomenas nēsteias eis to koinon, kai phylassomenas hypo tēs ekklēsias paralyoi, hypoikourountos en autǭ teleiou logismou, anathema estō.
If any of those who practice asceticism, without bodily necessity, behaves arrogantly and sets aside the fasts handed down for all in common and kept by the church, a notion of his own perfection lurking within him, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Ascetics who, without bodily need, disregard the church's common fasts out of pride are anathematized.
- “A notion of his own perfection lurking within him” renders ὑποικουροῦντος ἐν αὐτῷ τελείου λογισμοῦ; the phrase could also mean “though in full possession of his reason”.
Topics: Fasting
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 19 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-19). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 20
20Pedalion
Εἴ τις αἰτιῷτο, ὑπερηφάνῳ διαθέσει κεχρημένος καὶ βδελυσσόμενος τὰς συνάξεις τῶν μαρτύρων, ἢ τὰς ἐν αὐταῖς γινομένας λειτουργίας, καὶ τὰς μνήμας αὐτῶν, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω.
Ei tis aitiǭto, hyperēphanǭ diathesei kechrēmenos kai bdelyssomenos tas synaxeis tōn martyrōn, ē tas en autais ginomenas leitourgias, kai tas mnēmas autōn, anathema estō.
If anyone, with an arrogant disposition, finds fault with and abhors the assemblies of the martyrs, or the services held at them, and their commemorations, let him be anathema.
Notes and citation
Summary: Anyone who scorns the gatherings and services at the martyrs' shrines is anathematized.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 20 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-20). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.
Chapter 21
21Pedalion
Ταῦτα δὲ γράφομεν, οὐκ ἐκκόπτοντες τοὺς ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ κατὰ τὰς Γραφὰς ἀσκεῖσθαι βουλομένους, ἀλλὰ τοὺς λαμβάνοντας τὴν ὑπόθεσιν τῆς ἀσκήσεως εἰς ὑπερηφανίαν, κατὰ τῶν ἀφελέστερον βιούντων ἐπαιρομένους τε, καὶ παρὰ τὰς Γραφὰς καὶ τοὺς ἐκκλησιαστικοὺς κανόνας καινισμοὺς εἰσάγοντας. Ἡμεῖς τοιγαροῦν, καὶ παρθενίαν μετὰ ταπεινοφροσύνης θαυμάζομεν, καὶ ἐγκράτειαν μετὰ σεμνότητος καὶ θεοσεβείας γινομένην ἀποδεχόμεθα, καὶ ἀναχώρησιν τῶν ἐγκοσμίων πραγμάτων μετὰ ταπεινοφροσύνης ἀγάμεθα, καὶ γάμου συνοίκησιν σεμνὴν τιμῶμεν, καὶ πλοῦτον μετὰ δικαιοσύνης καὶ εὐποιΐας οὐκ ἐξουθενοῦμεν, καὶ λιτότητα καὶ εὐτέλειαν ἀμφιασμάτων δι᾽ ἐπιμέλειαν μόνον τοῦ σώματος ἀπερίεργον ἐπαινοῦμεν· τὰς δὲ ἐκλύτους καὶ τεθρυμμένας ἐν τῇ ἐσθῆτι προόδους ἀποστρεφόμεθα, καὶ τοὺς οἴκους τοῦ Θεοῦ τιμῶμεν, καὶ τὰς συνόδους τὰς ἐπ᾽ αὐτοῖς, ὡς ἁγίας καὶ ἐπωφελεῖς ἀσπαζόμεθα, οὐ συγκλείοντες τὴν εὐσέβειαν ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις, ἀλλὰ πάντα τόπον τὸν ἐπ’ ὀνόματι τοῦ Θεοῦ οἰκοδομηθέντα τιμῶντες, καὶ τὴν ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ συνέλευσιν εἰς ὠφέλειαν τοῦ κοινοῦ προσιέμεθα, καὶ τὰς καθ᾽ ὑπερβολὴν εὐποιΐας τῶν ἀδελφῶν, τὰς κατὰ τὰς παραδόσεις διὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας εἰς τοὺς πτωχοὺς γινομένας, μακαρίζομεν, καὶ πάντα, συνελόντας εἰπεῖν, τὰ παραδοθέντα, ὑπὸ τῶν θείων Γραφῶν καὶ τῶν ἀποστολικῶν παραδόσεων ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ γίνεσθαι εὐχόμεθα.
Tauta de graphomen, ouk ekkoptontes tous en tę̄ ekklēsią tou Theou kata tas Graphas askeisthai boulomenous, alla tous lambanontas tēn hypothesin tēs askēseōs eis hyperēphanian, kata tōn aphelesteron biountōn epairomenous te, kai para tas Graphas kai tous ekklēsiastikous kanonas kainismous eisagontas. Hēmeis toigaroun, kai parthenian meta tapeinophrosynēs thaumazomen, kai enkrateian meta semnotētos kai theosebeias ginomenēn apodechometha, kai anachōrēsin tōn enkosmiōn pragmatōn meta tapeinophrosynēs agametha, kai gamou synoikēsin semnēn timōmen, kai plouton meta dikaiosynēs kai eupoiïas ouk exouthenoumen, kai litotēta kai euteleian amphiasmatōn di᾽ epimeleian monon tou sōmatos aperiergon epainoumen; tas de eklytous kai tethrymmenas en tę̄ esthēti proodous apostrephometha, kai tous oikous tou Theou timōmen, kai tas synodous tas ep᾽ autois, hōs hagias kai epōpheleis aspazometha, ou synkleiontes tēn eusebeian en tois oikois, alla panta topon ton ep’ onomati tou Theou oikodomēthenta timōntes, kai tēn en autę̄ tę̄ ekklēsią syneleusin eis ōpheleian tou koinou prosiemetha, kai tas kath᾽ hyperbolēn eupoiïas tōn adelphōn, tas kata tas paradoseis dia tēs ekklēsias eis tous ptōchous ginomenas, makarizomen, kai panta, synelontas eipein, ta paradothenta, hypo tōn theiōn Graphōn kai tōn apostolikōn paradoseōn en tę̄ ekklēsią ginesthai euchometha.
We write these things not to cut off those in the church of God who wish to practice asceticism according to the Scriptures, but those who take the profession of asceticism as an occasion for arrogance, exalting themselves over those who live more simply and introducing novelties contrary to the Scriptures and the canons of the church. We, therefore, both admire virginity joined with humility, and accept continence practiced with dignity and godliness, and approve withdrawal from worldly affairs with humility; and we honor the dignified common life of marriage, and do not despise wealth joined with righteousness and doing good; and we praise plainness and cheapness of clothing worn only for the unaffected care of the body, but turn away from loose and effeminate display in dress; and we honor the houses of God and welcome the gatherings in them as holy and profitable, not confining godliness to the houses, but honoring every place built in the name of God; and we accept the assembling in the church itself for the common benefit; and we call blessed the abundant good works of the brothers, done for the poor through the church according to the traditions; and, to sum up, we pray that all that has been handed down by the divine Scriptures and the apostolic traditions may be done in the church.
Heb 13:4 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The synod's epilogue explains that it condemns not true asceticism but its prideful abuse, and affirms virginity, continence, marriage, rightly used wealth, the churches, and the church's traditions.
- This epilogue follows the twenty canons in the Greek collections.
Cite (SBL): Conc. Gangr. 21 (Pedalion; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-gangra/1/#p-21). (abbreviation not yet checked)
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek of the Pedalion (via Greek Wikisource; the Pedalion's commentary not used); compared afterwards with NPNF² 14.