Synod of Laodicea.

 Synod of Laodicea.

 Historical Introduction.

 The Canons of the Synod Held in the City of…

 The holy synod which assembled at Laodicea in Phrygia Pacatiana, from divers regions of Asia set forth the ecclesiastical definitions which are hereu

 Canon I.

 Canon II.

 Canon III.

 Canon IV.

 Canon V.

 Canon VI.

 Canon VII.

 Canon VIII.

 Canon IX.

 Canon X.

 Canon XI.

 Canon XII.

 Canon XIII.

 Canon XIV.

 Canon XV.

 Canon XVI.

 Canon XVII.

 Canon XVIII.

 Excursus on the Choir Offices of the Early Church.

 Canon XIX.

 Excursus on the Worship of the Early Church.

 Canon XX.

 Canon XXI.

 Canon XXII.

 Excursus on the Vestments of the Early Church.

 Canon XXIII.

 Canon XXIV.

 Excursus on the Minor Orders of the Early Church.

 Canon XXV.

 Canon XXVI.

 Canon XXVII.

 Canon XXVIII.

 Canon XXIX.

 Canon XXX.

 Canon XXXI.

 Canon XXXII.

 Canon XXXIII.

 Canon XXXIV.

 Canon XXXV.

 Canon XXXVI.

 Canon XXXVII.

 Canon XXXVIII.

 Canon XXXIX.

 Canon XL.

 Canon XLI.

 Canon XLII.

 Canon XLIII.

 Canon XLIV.

 Canon XLV.

 Canon XLVI.

 Canon XLVII.

 Canon XLVIII.

 Canon XLIX.

 Canon L.

 Canon LI.

 Canon LII.

 Canon LIII.

 Canon LIV.

 Canon LV.

 Canon LVI.

 Canon LVII.

 Canon LVIII.

 Canon LIX.

 Canon LX.

Canon XXXVI.

They who are of the priesthood, or of the clergy, shall not be magicians, enchanters, mathematicians, or astrologers; nor shall they make what are called amulets, which are chains for their own souls. And those who wear such, we command to be cast out of the Church.

Notes.

Ancient Epitome of Canon XXXVI.

Whoso will be priest must not be a magician, nor one who uses incantations, or mathematical or astrological charms, nor a putter on of amulets.

Some interesting and valuable information on charms will be found in Ducange (Glossarium, s.v. Phylacterea).

Balsamon.

“Magicians” are those who for any purpose call Satan to their aid. “Enchantors” are those who sing charms or incantations, and through them draw demons to obey them. “Mathematicians” are they who hold the opinion that the celestial bodies rule the universe, and that all earthly things are ruled by their influence. “Astrologers” are they who divine by the stars through the agency of demons, and place their faith in them.

Van Espen.

Zonaras also notes that the science of mathematics or astronomy is not at all hereby forbidden to the clergy, but the excess and abuse of that science, which even more easily may happen in the case of clergymen and consecrated persons than in that of laymen.