Letter 21: The letter contains canonical decrees on ecclesiastical administration and discipline: on adapting established rules...
[Index of the decrees of Pope Gelasius to all the bishops established throughout Lucania, the Bruttii, and Sicily.]
The titles of the decrees of Pope Gelasius:
I. On the ecclesiastical constitutions to be moderated according to the quality of the times.
II. That where no necessity presses, the constitutions of the fathers are to be preserved inviolate; but when clergy are lacking, men may be chosen from the monks.
III. That if any of the laity are chosen for the clergy, much more careful inquiry is to be made into those matters which have been laid down concerning the monks.
IV. That new basilicas are to be dedicated by the bishops at the direction of the pope.
V. That no price is to be exacted from those to be baptized and confirmed among the faithful. And if any have committed this, they shall lie under peril of their rank.
VI. That presbyters keep the measure that is owed: that they neither confect chrism nor [perform the pontifical functions], nor, in the presence of any bishop, presume either to pray or to act unless they are bidden by him; nor make an acolyte or a subdeacon.
VII. Likewise that deacons also keep their own measure according to the decrees of the fathers.
VIII. That deacons may not sit in the presbytery, nor ought they to usurp the distribution of the sacred body in the presence of presbyters.
IX. That the apostolic see keeps the canons of the fathers with pious and devoted zeal.
X. That, except at the paschal season and Pentecost, no one is to presume to baptize, save only those whom extreme sickness compels.
XI. That the ordinations of presbyters and deacons can be celebrated at fixed times.
XII. That virgins are to be consecrated on appointed days.
XIII. That widows are not to be veiled.
XIV. That no prelate of either a church or a monastery is to defend a slave or one of servile origin [who is fleeing the lord's service], under the cloak of religion: whoever shall attempt to commit this shall undergo the customary loss of his honor and communion.
[a.494.] To his most beloved brothers, all the bishops established throughout Lucania and the Bruttii and Sicily, Gelasius.
Chapter I. 1. We are constrained by the necessary arrangement of affairs and called together by the moderating authority of the apostolic see, so to weigh the decrees of the canons of the fathers, and to preserve the precepts of the prelates and our predecessors who went before us, that whatever the necessity of present times demands be relaxed for the restoring of the churches, we may temper, with diligent consideration having been applied, as far as it can be done: so that we may neither seem altogether to exceed the form of the ancient rules, and that we may provide for the restoring of the offices of the clerical militia, which the inroad of war and famine has so consumed throughout the various parts of Italy that in many churches, as we have learned by the frequent report of our brother and fellow bishop John, priest of the church of Ravenna, with the service of the ministers everywhere failing, unless by remitting for a little while the intervals anciently fixed for ecclesiastical promotions, the churches, utterly destitute of the sacred orders without which they cannot be administered, would remain so; and that in very many places, through the lack of fitting help, the saving aid for the redemption of souls would be wanting, and we ourselves, drawn in with great guilt, if with so great a peril constraining us we should not in some measure take counsel.
II. 2. Therefore, the ancient constitutions remaining in their due reverence, which, where no straitness of either affairs or times presses, it is fitting to be kept according to rule, to this extent we grant that to the churches which either are deprived of all their ministers or so despoiled of sufficient services that they cannot supply the divine offices to the peoples belonging to them, the intervals for the clerical service, both in instituting and in promoting, are to be dispensed in this manner: that if anyone, even one trained in the religious purpose and in monastic disciplines, approaches the clerical office, first of all his life lived in past times is to be inquired into: if he is proved unstained by any crime, if perhaps he has not had a second wife, nor is shown to have taken one left by her husband; if perhaps he has not done public penance, nor appears corrupt in any part of his body; if he is not liable to servile or original condition; if he is now proved freed from the bonds of the curia; if he has attained letters, without which he could scarcely perhaps fulfill the office of doorkeeper: then, if he is supported by all these things which have been mentioned, being immediately made lector or notary or at least defensor, after three months let him become acolyte, especially if his age also favors him; in the sixth month let him receive the name of subdeacon, if he is of modest conduct and honorable will; in the ninth month deacon, and when the year is completed let him be presbyter: to whom, however, what the intervals of the years would have conferred, let his devotion, voluntarily undertaken in the holy purpose, be taught to have supplied.
III. 3. But if any one of the laity is to be added to the ecclesiastical offices, a person of this kind ought to be examined so much the more carefully in each of the matters which have been comprised above, as great a difference is established to be between the worldly and the religious life: because indeed the ministries of the Church are to be repaired with fitting men, not to be thrust upon men of unfitting merits; and so much the more is it to be sought in their character what may be apt for the sacred services, by how much is cut off from the time in which they ought to have attained them: so that the uprightness of his morals may be taught to possess this, which a more prolonged custom did not confer; lest under the occasion of supplying the clerical scarcity we be reckoned rather to have brought in vices to the divine worship, not to have procured the advantages of a lawful household. To their promotions we nonetheless substitute six months beyond the bounds of a year: since, as has been said, it is fitting that there be a distance between a person dedicated to the divine worship and one coming from the conduct of the laity. Which things, however, we have believed are to be granted to this extent, that to those churches in which the ministries, by the ravaging of wars, have either remained altogether or scarcely, they may be renewed: so that, these being restored, God being favorable, in the substitution of ecclesiastical grades the old form of the canons of the fathers may be preserved; nor on any account let that prevail against them, which is provided as a remedy for an accidental defect, not set forth as a new law against the ordinances of our elders: the other churches ceasing from this occasion, which, not laid waste by like calamity, it is fitting to hold the former judgment in performing ordinations. Wherefore the more, admonished by this opportunity, we more earnestly assign the observance of the venerable canons, admonishing the consciences of the individual grades, lest they attempt to break forth into unlawful excesses; nor let any of the pontiffs trust that it is lawful to apply to the service of the divine mysteries men twice married, or those taking wives abandoned by others, or any after penance, or without letters, or corrupt in body, or men of servile condition, or entangled in the bonds of the curia and of public affairs, or men examined without any awaiting of fitting time; nor let them strive to invade another's rights at their own pleasure, without the apostolic see's just ordinance directing it.
IV. 4. Let them not dare to dedicate basilicas newly instituted without the directions sought after the custom. Let them not be eager to claim for themselves the clerics of another's authority.
V. 5. Let them fix no prices for those of the faithful to be baptized and confirmed, nor let them desire to harass those being reborn by any impositions laid upon them: since what we have received freely, we are bidden to give freely. And therefore let them attempt to exact nothing at all from the aforesaid, lest, deterred either by compelling poverty or driven back by indignation, they scorn to approach the cause of their own redemption: holding it certain that those who shall be caught to have committed forbidden things, or shall not rather of their own accord have corrected what was committed, shall undergo the peril of their own honor.
VI. 6. Nor less also do we forbid presbyters to stretch beyond their own measure, nor boldly to assume to themselves what is owed to the episcopal dignity: not to seize for themselves the faculty of confecting chrism, nor of administering the pontifical confirmation. Let him not presume to have license either for prayer or for the sacred action in the presence of any prelate, unless perhaps he is bidden; nor in his sight, unless bidden, let him presume either to sit or to handle the venerable mysteries. Nor let him remember that it is granted on any account, without the supreme pontiff, that he has the right of making a subdeacon or an acolyte; nor at all let him doubt, if he has thought that anything specially pertaining to the episcopal ministry is to be executed by his own impulse, that he is at once deprived of the dignity of the presbyterate and of sacred communion. Which we judge it necessary to be done, if, by his own prelate reporting it, a transgression of this kind shall have been proved; nor shall the bishop himself be free from the fault of connivance and from punishment, if he has dissembled to denounce one doing immoderate things.
VII. 7. We likewise establish that deacons keep their own measure; we do not permit them to attempt anything beyond the tenor allotted by the canons of the fathers: to apply nothing at all of those things to their own ministry which antiquity has decreed properly to the higher orders. Let them not dare to baptize without the bishop or presbyter, unless perhaps extreme necessity compels, when those holding the aforesaid offices are placed far off: which is for the most part granted even to Christian laymen to do.
VIII. 8. Not to sit in the presbytery, when the divine things are celebrated or any ecclesiastical proceeding is held. Let them not have the right of exercising the distribution of the sacred body under the sight of a pontiff or presbyter, unless these are absent.
"For since we too strive to keep the decrees of the venerable sanctions, and without their loss we yield even those things which seem perhaps fit to be relaxed for the advantage of some utility:
9. And although we desire that nothing at all be rashly lawful for us against the reverence of the salutary rules, and since the apostolic see strives, the Lord favoring, to hold with a pious and devoted purpose all those things which have been fixed by the canons of the fathers; it is unworthy enough that any either of the pontiffs or of the succeeding orders should refuse this observance, which he sees the see of blessed Peter both follow and teach, and it is fitting enough that the whole body of the Church should agree with itself in that observance which it perceives to flourish there, where the Lord placed the headship of the whole Church. Scripture saying: Set in order charity [Song of Songs 2:4], and again: Let all things be done in order [1 Cor 14:40], and again the psalmist proclaiming: Surround Zion and embrace her, tell in her towers: set your hearts on her strength, and distribute her grades [Psalm 47:13-14], that you may tell to another generation, that this is God, our God forever, and he shall rule us forever: here without doubt, he who is recounted in the height of the ecclesiastical dignities, and in whose strength hearts are to be set upon good works, the grades being indeed distributed, our God and ruler is to be proclaimed to all Christian peoples: where let no one esteem anything diminished for himself, since both nothing perishes from the perfection of each grade, and by fittingly retaining what has been conferred by heavenly dispensation, equally for us and for them God is made knowable and grants himself to be ruler. For even if anything is indulged concerning the quantity of time, it is weighed by the character of the one gathered in and by his vigor, if he is now contained by the purpose of a life that ought to have been cared for by an age drawn out, provided that those things be in no way dissembled and stolen away, any of which, if it shall have appeared to be present, deservedly proves the person reprovable for the clerical insignia. And though those things are sometimes to be permitted which, if the integrity of the rest be established, alone are not able to harm, yet those things are greatly to be guarded against which cannot be cut away without manifest disfigurement. And if those very things, which sometimes are believed to be indulged with no detriment, either the consideration of affairs or times compels, or the regard for an accelerated provision excuses, how much more are those things in no way to be mutilated which no necessity nor ecclesiastical utility at all extorts?
X. 10. Let no one believe that he has any license to baptize himself indiscriminately at any time whatsoever, except the paschal feast and the venerable sacrament of Pentecost: with this only excepted, the onset of a most grave sickness, in which it is to be feared lest, the danger of disease growing, the sick man, prevented by death, perhaps depart without saving remedy.
XI. 11. Let them not dare to perform the ordinations even of presbyters and deacons except at certain times and days, that is: at the fast of the fourth month, of the seventh and tenth, but also at the beginning of Lent, and on the day of mid-Lent, at the fast of the Sabbath toward evening to be celebrated; nor to prefer to these, whether presbyter or deacon, of whatever utility, those who were ordained before them.
XII. 12. Likewise on the virgins devoted to God let them by no means impose the sacred veil, except on the day of the Epiphanies or in the paschal albs or on the birthdays of the apostles; unless perhaps, as has been said concerning baptism, to those seized by a grave sickness, lest they pass from the world without this gift, when they implore it, let it not be denied.
XIII. 13. But let none of the pontiffs attempt to veil widows, since neither does the divine authority delegate this, nor the form of the canons prescribe it; it is not at all to be usurped; and to such, ecclesiastical aids are so to be afforded that nothing unlawful be committed.
XIV. 14. Also the presumption of the general complaint is to be avoided, by which well-nigh all bring accusation; that everywhere slaves and men of servile origin, fleeing the rights of their lords and of their possessions, under the pretext of religious conversion either betake themselves to monasteries, or are indifferently admitted to ecclesiastical servitude, the prelates also conniving. Which pernicious thing is by all means to be removed, lest through the institution of the Christian name either another's property be invaded, or public discipline seem to be subverted: especially since it is not fitting that the very dignity of the clerical ministry be darkened by this obligation; and that one be forced to wrangle over the status and condition of those serving him, or be seen, which God forbid, liable. These things being forbidden with fitting and careful interdiction; whatever bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or of those who are known to preside over monasteries, shall have thought that persons of this kind, kept with him, are not to be restored to their patrons, or are thereafter to be applied either to ecclesiastical servitude or to religious congregations, unless perhaps first set free by the will of their lords under the testimony of a writing or granted by lawful transaction, let them not doubt that they shall undergo the peril of their own honor and of communion, if anyone's truthful complaint shall strike us upon this matter. For with great zeal, according to the blessed apostle, it is to be guarded against, lest the faith and discipline of the Lord be blasphemed [1 Tim 6:1].
XV. 15. It was consequent that those things also, which a report lately sent to us from the parts of Picenum announced, we should think not to be passed over, that is, that very many of the clerics are bent upon dishonest tradings and base gains, with no shame regarding the gospel lection, by which the Lord himself is asserted to have driven the traders from the temple, beaten with scourges [John 2:15]; nor recalling the words of the apostle, by which he says: No one warring for God entangles himself in secular business [2 Tim 2:4]; deafly dismissing also the psalmist David singing: Since I have not known tradings, I will enter into the powers of the Lord [Psalm 70:15-16]. Accordingly let men of this kind know that henceforth they must abstain from unworthy gains; and that they must cease from every device or cupidity of any trading whatsoever; or, in whatever grade they are placed, let them at once be forced to abstain from clerical offices: since the house of God both ought to be and to be called a house of prayer [Isa 56:7], lest it be rather a workshop of trading and a den of robbers [Jer 7:11].
XVI. 16. We have learned that the unlettered also, and those diminished in some part of the body, come without any regard to ecclesiastical servitude. Which both ancient tradition and the old form of the apostolic see does not accept; because the unlettered can be apt for the sacred offices, and the legal precepts have sanctioned that nothing corrupt at all be offered to God [Deut/Lev]. And so, for the rest, let these be avoided by all means, nor let any such be received into the clergy. But if any have been received before, either by their own rashness or by the carelessness of those presiding, let them remain in those places in which they were established, so that they never seize any promotion, and let them have enough that this very thing has been permitted them out of great compassion.
XVII. 17. But concerning those who have castrated themselves, the canons of the fathers have evidently laid down what is to be followed; let it suffice to have indicated their tenor. For they say that those perpetrating such things, as soon as they are known, ought to be excluded from the clerical office. Which it is fitting that we keep by all means, because it is permitted to no one to decree anything beyond those things which the memorable form has decreed.
XVIII. 18. We have also learned that men implicated in certain horrible crimes, all discretion being set aside, not only have no necessary repentance for atrocious deeds, but, with no correction at all following, strive for the divine ministry and honor; and that some, even established in the very orders, offending in grave wickednesses, are not repelled, though the apostle cries out that hands are to be laid quickly upon no one, nor is one to communicate in another's sins [1 Tim 5:22], and the venerable constitutions of our elders pronounce that men of this kind, even if perhaps they have crept in, both those who have sinned beforehand, when detected, ought to be repelled, as well as those forgetful of their sacred profession and transgressors of the holy purpose ought without doubt to be removed.
XIX. 19. We have indeed learned that unlawful things break forth to such a degree, that it is granted to those entangled by demons and like passions to handle the sacred ministries. If anything of their own necessity should befall such men placed in this office, who will be confident concerning the salvation of his own faithful, when he has perceived the very ministers vexed with so great a calamity of human cure? And therefore they are necessarily to be removed, lest for any of those for whom Christ died a scandal be generated for the weak [Rom 14:15]. Finally, if the divine law in no way permitted one wounded in body perhaps or feeble to touch sacred things [Lev 21:17ff], how much more is it not fitting that those be dispensers of the heavenly gift who are, which is worse, stricken in mind?
XX. 20. We have learned that certain men rashly associate themselves with sacred virgins, and after the purpose dedicated to God mingle incestuous and sacrilegious covenants. Whom it is right at once to be thrust down from the sacred communion, and by no means to be received except through public and approved penance; or at least, if these are departing from the world, not to be denied the viaticum, provided that they have repented.
XXI. 21. For concerning widows to be veiled under no benediction we have above more fully judged it to be discussed. And if she with her own will shall have trampled with a changeable mind the chastity professed of her former marriage, it will be at her own peril, with what satisfaction she ought to placate God. For as, if perhaps she could not contain herself, according to the apostle she was in no way forbidden to marry [1 Cor 7:9], so, deliberation having been had with herself, she ought to have kept the faith of chastity promised to God. But we ought to cast no snare upon such women, but only to set forth the exhortations of the everlasting reward and the penalties of the divine judgment, so that both our conscience may be free, and their intention may render account for itself to God. For that is to be guarded against which the blessed apostle testifies concerning their morals and acts [1 Tim 5:11ff]; which we forbear to expound more plainly, lest we seem not so much to deter as to admonish the senses of the unstable sex.
XXII. 22. As second marriages are granted to be entered upon by seculars, so after them no one is permitted to come to the clerical college. For one thing is the license generally granted to human frailty, another ought to be the life of those to be dedicated to the service of divine things.
XXIII. 23. Whoever, a deserter of his own church, no causes existing, shall have thought that he must pass over to another, and shall have been rashly received and promoted, neither he himself nor his receiver and promoter shall escape the constitutions of the reverend canons, which they have prescribed to be observed concerning presumptuous men of this kind.
XXIV. 24. Concerning monks and laymen, more copiously set forth in the first part of this precept: which things, or to what extent, have been granted on account of the necessity of affairs and times, and how, where the interest of no necessity is proved, only the old institution ought to be kept. But those whom it shall have been established, unworthy in merits, to have bought the sacred dignity for a price, it is fitting that the convicted be barred, not without peril to the one perpetrating such a deed: because the damnation of Simon, which the sacred lection testifies, involves alike the giver and the receiver [Acts 8].
XXV. 25. Concerning the consecration of holy places, although it was above briefly comprised, it has also been made known to us that some presume to make churches or oratories without the precept of the apostolic see. We are moved by this still more detestable report, that constructions edified in the name of certain dead persons, and, as is said, not at all of the faithful, are recounted to be boldly instituted with sacred processions. Which things, since they are as bitter as they are hard, so that our hearing can scarcely bear them, if truly the affection of Christianity is certain and fixed in those regions, let these things be inquired into more strictly, and let those by whom they have been done be exposed: since just as, the names lying hidden in this atrocity, there is no one against whom the due sentence may be pronounced, so when one has been exposed by manifest documents, what the enormity of so great a crime demands, he shall in no way escape punishment.
XXVI. 26. Nonetheless we have heard with impatience that so great a contempt of divine things has been undergone, that women are affirmed to minister at the sacred altars, and to exhibit all things assigned only to the service of men, a sex to which they are not suited. Except that the guilt and crime of all the offenses which we have one by one touched upon regards as guilty those priests who either commit these things, or, by not at all publishing those committing them, signify that they favor depraved excesses: if indeed they are still to be named by the title of priest, who so strive to prostrate the office of religion delegated to them, that, declined into whatever perverse and profane things, without any regard for the Christian rule they pursue deadly precipices. And since it is written: He who despises small things falls little by little [Sirach 19:1], what is to be thought of such men, who, occupied with immense and manifold masses of depravities, have brought forth a huge ruin by manifold impulsions, which seems not only to overwhelm themselves, but also to bring deadly destruction upon all the churches, if they are not healed? Nor let them doubt that not only those who have dared to practice these things, but also those who have hitherto kept silent about what they knew, lie under the loss of their own honor, if they do not hasten with all the speed they can, that the lethal wounds may be saved by fitting medication. For by what manner do they hold the rights of pontiffs, who so dissemble the duties enjoined in their pontifical watches, that they rather work things contrary to the house of God, over which they preside? And how much they might avail with God, if they procured only fitting things, let them behold how much they deserve, when with execrable zeal they pursue adverse things, and as if this were rather the rule by which the churches ought to be governed, so whatever is hostile to the ecclesiastical rules is perpetrated: since both, if each of the pontiffs knew the canons, he ought to have kept them in unstained custody, and if perhaps he did not know them, he ought confidently to consult one ignorant. Wherefore the more no excuse aids those erring, because neither knowing did he purpose to keep what he knew, nor being ignorant did he take care to know what he was doing.
XXVII. 27. But four portions, both from the revenue and from the oblation of the faithful, as the means of each church admits, as was long ago reasonably decreed, it is fitting to be made: of which let one be the pontiff's, another the clerics', the third the poor's, the fourth to be applied to the fabric. Concerning which, as it will be the priest's concern to pay out the said quantity entire to the ministers of the church, so let the clergy know that beyond the sum delegated to them nothing is insolently to be demanded. But those things which are assigned to ecclesiastical buildings, truly disbursed for this work, let the manifest restoration of holy places show: because it is unlawful, if, the sacred buildings being abandoned, the prelate convert into his own gain the expenses designated for these. Nonetheless let him show that he has dispensed the portion likewise assigned to the poor by divine accounts; yet, according to what is written: That they may see your good works, and magnify your Father who is in heaven [Matt 5:16], it is fitting also to be proclaimed by present testimony and not to be passed over in silence by the heralds of good fame.
XXVIII. 28. Wherefore let no one of the clerics trust that he will be immune from this offense, if in those things which we have set forth as salutarily to be followed, whether he shall have seen a bishop or a presbyter or a deacon exceeding, he shall not at once have taken care to bring it to our ears, with proofs at least fittingly exhibited, so that the punishment of the transgressor may be an interdiction of offending for the rest. But each of the pontiffs will by all means be a destroyer of his own order and honor, if he shall have thought that these things are to be suppressed from any of the clerics or from the hearing of the whole Church. Given on the fifth of the Ides of March; Asterius and Praesidius, most illustrious men, being consuls.
Epistle 15, or The Epistolary Formula of Pope Gelasius.
[Here begin the decrees of holy Pope Gelasius, which the bishops receive at their ordination.]
Pope so-and-so, to the clergy, the order, and the people residing in such-and-such a city.
1. To your worthy desires we have brought no delay. We have ordained for you as priest our brother and now fellow bishop so-and-so. To whom we have given in charge that he never presume unlawful ordinations: that he permit not a twice-married man, or one who has not taken a virgin as wife, nor an unlettered man, or one corrupt in any part of the body, or one from among the penitents, or one liable and noted to the curia or to any condition, to approach the sacred orders; but if he shall perhaps find any such, let him not dare to promote them. Let him by no means receive Africans presenting themselves indiscriminately for the ecclesiastical orders, because some of them have been rather often proved Manicheans, some rebaptized.
2. Let him strive not to diminish but to augment the ministries and the adornment of the church, or whatever there is of the patrimony of the same. But of the revenue of the church or the oblation of the faithful let him make four portions: of which let him retain one for himself, distribute another to the clerics for the diligence of their offices, the third to the poor and pilgrims, and let him know the fourth is to be reserved for the ecclesiastical fabric. Concerning which he will render account to the divine judgment.
3. But let him know that the ordinations of presbyters or deacons are to be celebrated only at the fasts of the fourth, seventh, or tenth months, but also at the entrance of Lent, and on the evening of the mid-Lent Sabbath.
4. But let him remember that the sacraments of most holy baptism are to be administered only at the paschal festivity and Pentecost, with these excepted, who are pressed by the peril of death: lest they perish forever, such must be aided by remedies. To him therefore, keeping the precepts of our see, it behooves you to render obedience with devoted minds, so that the body of the Church may be made irreproachable and pleasing through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with God the Father almighty in the unity of the Holy Spirit through all ages of ages. Amen.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
^j ]^^^^' Oelasii papae ad uni?ersos episcopos per Lucaniam^ Brutios
et Siciliam constitutos.
Tituli deoretorum Gelasii papae.
L De constitutii eeeledaitieiB pro temporif qiuditate modenadii. p.J
n. Ut nbi naUa pemrget necessitaa, conititata patmm inviolata ■enreatar; ▼•!
qnnm') defaerint olerici, de monaohii eligantar.
nL Ut*) li qai de laicii eUgantar ad cleram, molto loUieitiai in his ea, q«M ds
monaohii dicta lant, inqairantar.
IV. Ut^) ab epiicopii praeceptione papae novae basiUoae dedieentar.
V. Ut naUa pretia de baptiiandii coniignandiiqae fideUbas ezigaatiir. Qaodii*)
qai hoc perpetraverint, honorii lai pericalo labjaeebant.
YL Uf^) preibyteri modam debitam lervent, non ohriima confieiaat, non
nec praeiente qaoUbet epiicopo', niii jabeantar ab ipio, vel orare Tel
praeiamant, nec acolytham vel labdiaconam faciant
Vn. Sinuliter et diaconi meniaram propriam jazta patnim deereta eostodiaat.
vnL Qaod diaopni in preib]rterio reiidere non ponint, nee^) saeri eorporis pnoro-
gationem praeientibai debeant aiarpare pretbyteris.
IX. Qaod apoitoUca sedes patemos canones pio stadio devotoqae^ castodutt.
X. Ut praeter paschale tempas et Pentecosten nemo baptisare praeanmat, oiai om
tantam, qaos aeg^tado eztrema compolerit.
XL Presbyteroram et diaconomm ordinationes certis celebrari posse tempoiilnia.
ifTT tJt^) praefixis diebos virgines consecrentar.
XnL Vt^^) vidaae non velentar.
XIV. Ut*') naUas praesal vel ecclesiae vel monasterii servam aat orlgiaaiiaBit
') 0 post J, hoc titulo in duos diviso, abhinc tertium inchoat.
') J 0 Ut sine praeceptione papae novae basilicae non dedicentur.
"^) H* devoteque.
PresbyteroruM ordinationes certis celebrare temporihus.
Ut praefixis diehus virgines sacrae velentur.
'") C^ De viduisj ne velamen sacrhim accipiant.
BOlmtibiii domiiiii, lab noinixie religioso defendat: honorii et commnnionis peri- a. 494.
eolum soUtiime, qnieqnif hoc perpetrare tentaverit.
W, Ut^') eleiiei niilla negotia inhoneita nee torpia Incnt lectentor.
?L Ut*') nemo litterai neicieni vel aliqna parte corporii minatui promoveatnr ad
elornm.
▼n. Bo ii«, qni MipiM abiddiint <^).
.¥iu. Qnod^^) ad demm criminoii neqneant promoveri, et in clero poiiti, li in ali-
qmbna ftierint inventi flagitiii, a inii offlciii arceantnr.
HX. Qnod daemoniii aliiiqne paiiioniboi irretitii miniiteria lacra traotare non liceat.
JL <tnod ii, qni le lacrii virginibni lociant et foedera inceita commiicent '^), com-
Bnnieare non ponint, niii forte pnblioam poenitentiam geiierint.
XL Qnod vidnae, nt inpra dictnm eit, non velentnr; et li profeiiam continentiam
proposito mntato ealcaverint, ipiae pro^^) le rationem lint Domino redditnrae.
CQL Qnod Mennda ooigngia laecnlariboi non negentnr, qniboi*'^} tamen ad clerom
Binime venire conoeditnr.
[ZnL TTt a qnii iniceperit ecdeiiae propriae deiertorem et in aliqnam provexerit
dignitatem, ntiqne lententtae inbjaceant, qnam canonei affizenmt'^}.
ULXV. Qnodai*^) qni ez monachii ant laicii elignntar ad deram, qaam nnlla cogit
BoeeiaitM, antiqna in eii debent inititnta .lervari. Qaodd probentar lacram
moreati mm pretio dignitatem, ab offido deponantar; nam dantem et acoipien-
tom Bimonii Kagi orimen involvit.
CXy. Bo aaerii locii noviter inititatii, qaamvii laperiai dictam lit, hoc nanc tamen
a4iieitiir, at**) nalla baiilica lab deftmctoram conitracta nomine dedicetar. «V
CXYL Qnod neflM dt feminM lacrii altaribni miniitrare, vel aliqaid ez iii, qaae
▼iromm nmt offioiii depntata, pramnmere.
ULVii. Qnod**) in nnaqnaqne eccleiia, cai epiicopai praeeit, tam de reditibai qaam
do fideliam oblationibni qnatnor debeant fieri portionei : nt ana lit epiicopi, alia
derieomm, tertia panperam, qaarta eccledae fabricii applicetar.
L2.Y1JU. Qnod'") epiMopni, preib]rter et diaconni, a qnocnnqae derico veradter
fturit aecniatni, qnod advenni haec conititnta fecerit, poteit line dnbitatione
poreelli: tai etiam honorii pericnlnm epiicopni labitaroi, li haec omnia Ecdeiiae
Boaeonda tacnerit
*•) C* Ut nidU cierico liceat neyoiiare. H* C/i clerici nullas negotiationes inko-
rstas ac tttrpi nacra sectenlur,
■') H* Nulli liceat inliiteraium vel debilem ad ecclesiasiicos ordines promovere.
•^) JO De crimnosis, ut ad clerum non admittantur. Moxquc H* criminibus
ro flagUiis),
<*) Msa. FO commiserint.
*'') H* pro se rationem Deo pro suis sint actibus redditurae. ,
••*) H* qidbus jam ad clerum pro hoc facto minime venire concediiur.
>») H* J O praefixerunt.
«**) JO De laicis vel monackis, qui per praemium ordinantur^ ui dantem et acci-
rniem Simonis Magi crimen involval. H* Quod si quis ex monarhis et laivisy de qui
$ Mupra dictum est, eligentur ad clerum etc.
*') JO Ut nulta basilica sub defunctorum constiiuta nomine dediceiur.
««) JO haec ita perstringimt: De reditUms ecclesiae vel oblatione fidelium ut
atmor poriiones fieri debeant, Moxque H* : iam de reddiiu quam de oblatione fide-
M^ JO l/t episcopus, presbyier, diaconus, qui contra haec consiituta fecerit, sui
rnoris perieHlum sit subiturus.
peT
a.494. Dilectissimis fratribus uuiversis episcopis**) ^^is
Lucaniaiu et Brutios et Siciliam constiti^^
Gelasius. ^^^
Cap. I. 1. Necessaria rerum dispositioue^*) constringimur et apostoli^ ^
sedis moderamiue convenimur, sic canonum patemorum decr^^
librare et retro praesulum decessorumque nostrorum praecepta
tiri, ut quae praesentium uecessitas temporum restaurandis**) ecd<
siis relaxanda deposcit, adliibita consideratione diligeuti; quantui:^^
potest fieri, temperemus: quo nec in totum formam veterum videa
mur excedere regularum, et reparandis militiae clericalis offidis^
quac^') p6r diversas Italiae partes ita belli famisque consumpsit in-
cursio, ut in multis ecclesiis, sicut fratris et coepiscopi nostri Jo-
hannis Ravennatis ecdesiae sacerdotis frequenti relatione comperi-
mus, usquequaque deficieute servitio miuistrorum'®), nisi remittendo
paulisper ecclesiasticis promotionibus antiquitus intervalla praefixa,
remaneant, sine quibus acbninistrari nequeunt, sacris ordinibus eccle-
siae funditus destitutae, utque in plurimis locis per inopiam com-
petentis auxilii salutare subsidium redimendarum desit aniniarum,
* nosque magno reatu, si tauto coarctante'^) periculo non aliquatenus
consulamus, inuecti.
II. 2. Priscis igitur pro sui reverentia manentibus constitutis, quae,
ubi uuUa vel rerum vel temporum perurgeat angustia, regulariter
convenit custodiri ^®), eateuus ecclesiis, quae vel cunctis sunt privatae
miuistris vel siifficieutil^us usque adeo dispoliatae servitiis, ut plebi-
bus ad se pertineutibus divina muuera supplere non valeant, tam
instituendi^*) quam promovendi clericalis obsequii sic spatia dispen-
sanda concedimus : ut si quis, etiam de religioso proposito et dJisci-
pliuis mouasterialibus eruditus, ad clericale munus'^) accedit^ im-
primis ejus vita praeteritis acta temporibus inquiratur: si nullo
") Ita sedecim mss. (etiam B« C» F** F» H» 0'). D« D^ H« d» d« dispuiaiwne, in
aliis cditis dispensaiione.
*') Solus d' qua, Moxque B* C consumserit , E« consumserai.
") lU plerique mss. (etiam B» F*» F^ H*») et editi. AJii (etiam H**) mimste'
Horum. Deinde C nil (loco nisi), Moxqne c* c*° d* i* nequeani.
'*) c<» intuendiy moxque c* providendi, ac deinde ?* F" d* obseqmi, ubi B'D*
E« H« 0» 0« of/icii.
BPISTOLA 14. 363
)iYi facinore probator infectas, si secundaiji uon habuit fortassis a. 494.
\ix:orem, nec a marito relictam sortitus ostenditur; si poenitentiam
pxiblicam fortasse non gessit^ nec ulla corporis parte vitiatus appa-
ret; si servilis^) aut originariae non est conditionis obnoxius; si
CDxiae jam probatur nexibus absolutus; si assecutus est litteras^ sine
qoibus vix fortassis ostiarium^^) possit implere: ut si his omnibus
quae sunt praedicta fulcitur, continuo lector vel notarius aut certe
defensor effectus^ post tres menses exsistat acolythus, maxime si huic
f^tas etiam suffiragatur^ sexto mense subdiaconi nomen accipiat^ ac
si modestae conversationis honestaeque voluntatis exsistit; nono^^)
mense diaconus completoque anno sit presbyter: cui tamen^ quod
Aimoram fuerant interstitia coUatura, sancti propositi sponte susce-
pta doceatnr praestitisse devotio.
3. Si vero de laids quispiam ecclesiasticis ^*) est aggregandus III.
ofificiig; tantos ollicitius in singulis^ quae superius compreheusa sunt,
iiajosmodi decet examinari personam^ quantum inter mimdanam re-
I^oeamque vitam constat esse discriminis: quia utique convenien-
tia'') Ecclesiae ministeria reparanda sunt, non inconvenientibus .
meritis ingerendi; tantoque magis, quod sacris aptum possit esse
servitiis, in eorum quaerendiun est institutis, quantum de tempore,
quo faerant assequenda, decerpitur: ut morum habere doceatur hoc
probitas, quod prolixior consuetudo non contulit ; ne per occasionem
SQpplendjEie penuriae clericaUs vitia potius divinis cultibus intulisse ^^),
non legitimae familiae computemur compendia procurasse. Quorum
promotionibus super^®) anni metas sex menses nihilominus subroga-
mus: quoniam, sicut dictmn est, distare convenit inter personam
diyino cultui deditam et de laicorum conversatione venientem. Quae
tamen eatenus indulgenda credidimus, ut illis eeclesiis, quibus in-
») Ita d« 4« et mss. (etiam B» E« F'* F« H"^; H«» onginalis)', alii cditi servili
. . . conditioni, Vide Leoms ep. 4 cap. 1 et Hilari op. 16 n. 5.
«•) D* P* «rf eeclesiastici — officiis (F«* officii), unde d' ad ecclesiasticum officium.
Moxque H*^ examinare personam quanlo.
y) V D» d* omittunt conoenientia; F* F»" convenienter. Mox B* secundis curis
et a* cc ingerenda,
■•) a' cc addont Judicemur, refiragantibuB msa. Moxque H* H** confutemur,
•) Ita msB. P* F" H JO; D' super anni aetas, B' super enim aetam^ E* super
amma aeUUt D^ d' si permittit aetas, sex menses nihilominus (et cum d^) praerogamus:
eormpte. Hoc enim GelaBius monachos inter et laicos ponit discrimen , quod illos
in^a annam ad presbyterii gradum promoveri permittat, his autem praeter
iftiyii metaB etiam sex menses veUt aubrogari. D® prorogamus, D* praerogatniis^
a. 494. festatione bellonim vel iiuUa peuitus vel exigua remanserunt, rDv^^ji^
st^ria renoveiitur: quatenus his Deo propitio restitutis, in ecclefl^^i
sticis gradibus subroganclis eanonuui paternorum vetus forma s^^ j^
vetur; nec contra eos uUa ratione praevaleat, quod pro acciden^^^
defectus remedio providetur, non adversus scita majorum nova l^g^^^
proponitur^^): ceteris ecclesiis ab hac occasione cessantibus, quaw'^^
non simili clade vastatas pristinam faciendis ordinationibus convenifl^
tejiere sententiam. Quo magis hac opportunitate commoniti, obser- ^
vantiam venerandorum canonum propensius delegamus **), singulo-
rum graduum conscientias adnionentes, ne in illicitosi prorumpere
moliantur excessus; nec^^) fas esse confidat quisque pontificum,
bigamos, aut conjugia sortientes ab aliis derelicta, sive quoslibet
post^^) poenitentiam, vel sine litteris, vel corpore vitiatos, vel con-
ditionarios, aut curiae publicarumque rerum nexibus implieatos, aut
passim nuUa temporis congruentis exspectatione ^^) discussos, divinis
servituros applicare mysteriis; neque*'"^) pro suo libitu jura studeant
aliena j^ervadere, absque sedis apostolicae justa dispositioue mandante.
IV, 4. Basilicas noviter institutas non petitis ex more praeceptioni-
bus^^) dedicare non audeant. Non ambiant sibimet viudicare cleri-
cos potesttitis alienae.
V. 5. Baptizandis consignandisque fidelibu8*^)pretia nuUa praefigant,
nec illationibus qui])uslibet impositis exagitare cupiant renascentes:
^^^^- quoniam quod gratis accepimus, gratis darc mandamur. Et ideo
nihil a praedictis prorsus exigere moliantur, quo vel paupertate
cogente deterriti, vel indignatione revocati redemptionis suae causas
adire despiciant: certum habentes, quod qui prohibita deprehensi
fuerint admisisse, vel commissa non potius sua spoute correxerint,
pericuhim subituri proprii sint honoris.
<') D« D' D" F* F«n d» d« dUigamus, Aliorum codicum (etiam B< H» H>*) lectio-
nem firmat illud cap. 13 quod nec auctorilas divina delegat,
^') c'" poeniientium f refragantibus niss. et aliis cditis.
Moxque c c addunt episcopi (post amhiani) , sine auctoritate ms»,
*^ cc Siddnnt preshi/teri, refragantibuB mss. Demde^J)^ exigere, moxque pla-
rcB msB. H (H* H* H*) mandamus. d* autem accipimus ... niMi prorgHSp ac demqne
B' causas adfdhere.
^ J
« •
6. Nec minus etiam presbyteros iiltra modum suum tendere pro- a. 494.
toyemus, nec episcopali fastigio debita sibimet audacter assumere:
non conficiendi chrismatis , non consignationis pontificalis adhiben-
4aie**) sibimet arripere facultatem. Non j)raesente quolibet antistite,
lusi fortasse jubeatur^^), vel orationis vel actionis sacrae supi^e-
tere^) sibi praesumat esse licentiam; neque sub ejus ads})ectu, nisi
ittbeatnr, aut sedere praesumat aut venerabilia tractare niysteria. Nec
)i meminerit ulla ratione concedi, sine'^^) summo pontifice sub-
-»■ v»-^
•) Itapleriqne omnesmss. (etiam BT^^F"»!!*). At a' c d* d^ h' h* i^jubeantur
'^-•^^ (<!' addit irf) et postea praesumant ... meminerint sicque deinceps coustanter numero
plarali, nisi quod infra d* retinuit ejus praesule , ubi alii editi praeferuut eorum
pwtnie, Quae presbyteris a canonibus prohibcantur, latius exponit concilium
flupalense II anno 619 habitum cap. 7.
••) Ita msd. magno consensu (etiam B* F»* F'" H'' H''^), ubi c c .wpplendae; ad-
^oqne redimdat sequens yerbum esse, Hic sacrae aciionis nomine corporis et san-
gninis Christi intelligitur sacrificiimi, quod et vocabulo ^/^eW// enuntiatur in his
coodJii Carthaginensis H can. 9: Quisquis presbyler inconsuito episcopo agenda in
fieHbet loco vofuerit celebrare, ipse honori suo contrarius crsistit, Idem concilium
I&pAleiiBe II vocat sacramenttm corporis et sangninis Christi conficere^ quum can. 7
COiifltitiiit: neque coram episcopo licere presbgteris in baptisterium introire, nec prae-
senie aniisiite infantem tingere aut signare, nec poenitentes sine praeceplo episcopi
tn recomcUiare nec eo praesenle sacramentum corporis el sanyuinis Christi
con/ieere^ nec eo coram posito poptdum docere vel benedicere, Similiter o/ferre
sei sacntMi quidem panem aut calicem distrilmere coram episcopo vcl 'urbis presby-
ieriM presbyteros rurales vetat Neocacsariense concilium can. 13.
*') £z his verbis Edmundus Martene de antiq. rit. eccl. tom. II pag. 2S7
inferi: i*oierat ergo summus pontifex presbyteris jus faciendi suhdiaconos et acoly-
ti»M iribmere, Sed ut magis perspectam habeamus Gelasii scntentiam, quaeren-
ciam, num summi pontificis yocabulis episcopum quemlibet hic intelligere non
liceat. Certe TertuUiauus de bapt. c. 17, Innoc. epist. 17 n. 2 et 25 u. 6, Zosi-
miifl epist. 1 n. 3f 7 n. 3, 9 n. 1 ot 5, conc. Hispalense II can. 7, nec non Hiuc-
manw tom. 2 pag. 718, ut alios taceam, vel doeent, quemvis episcopum ponti-
ficatnf apicem habere, vel summi sncerdotis titulo aut summi pontificU nomine de-
£t in hoc quidem loco nihil cst, unde alio sensu sumnd ponlificis uomen
Gelasius judicetur. Verum ex subsequente Gelasii epistola 25, in qua
hoc ipaum decretum memoratur his verbis: In uiraque illius parte constat, sine
^yffy» ponRficis auctoritate ecclcsium uoviter constructam non posse dedicari, persua
«njn bibbebit lector; id ibi Gelasio csse sine summi ponlificis auctoritaie, quod cst
Ygkt* gine mmmo pontiflce. Ac deinde summi pontificis vocabuUs Romanum praesu-
lem utrobiqne intelligi non ambiget, ubi legent iufra caput 25: nobis quoque
maiefaieiwm. et/, qwod absque praecepto sedis apostoiicae nonnulli sanctas ecclesias
wel araioria sacrare praesumant, Hinc autem oboritur ct altera quaestio, num
boc praeceptam non modo ad Italiae, sed et aliarum rcgiouum presbyteros per-
tinaerit, ut scilicet hi sine praecepto sedis apostolicae subdiaconos et acolythos
fy^oere tom non possent, cum ejusdem praecepto possent. Quamqyam cui per-
spicuum est memoratum de basilicis sine praccepto sedis apostolicae non dedi-
/>^dia decretom ad unas Itahac provincias portinere, is etiam istud aliud ad
easdem regiones spectare non dubitabit. Si etiam Hispalensis II concilii can. 7
a. 494. diaconum aut acolythiim jus habere facieridi; nec prorsus addubii
si quidquam ad episcopale ministerium specialiter pertinens t
motu putaverit exsequendum, continuo^*) se presbyterii dignitate
sacra communione privari. Quod fieri necesse est censeamus,
ejus praesule deferente hujusmodi fuerit praevaricatio comproba
nec ipso ejus episcopo a culpa conniventiae et ultione vacatuiOy
immoderata facientem dissimulaverit indicare.
VII. 7. Diaconos quoque j^ropriam constituimus servare mensuram;
ultra tenorem paternis canonibus deputatum quidpiam tentare ^
mittimus : nihil eorum suo ministerio penitus applicare^ quae prai
ordinibus proprie decrovit antiquitas. Absque episcopo vel pr^
tero baptizare non audeant, nisi praedictis fortassis officiis long;
constitutis necessitas extrema compellat: quod et laicis Christiui
facere plerumque conceditur^^);
VIII. 8. Non in presbyterio^^) residere, quum divina celebrantor 7(
ecclesiasticus habetur quicunque tractatus. Sacri corporis praen
gationem^*) sub conspectu pontificis seu presbyteri, nisi his absen
tibus, jus non habeant exercendi.
"Quum enim decreta venerabilium sanctionum nos quoque magiH
pere custodire nitamur, ac sine eorum dispendio etiam illa, quae pi
alicujus utilitatis fortasse compendio videantur laxanda, cedamus'*
verba expendantur, ita ibi presbyteris prohibetur presbyteroram atque diac
norum consecratiOf ut subdiaconos et acolythos faciendi potestas non negt/k
^') Similiter jam Tertulliauus dc bapt. cap. 17 Bcripserat: Dandi ftlM
(baptismi) hahet Jus summus sacerdos, qui est episcopus; dekinc preshyieri H^
coni, non tamen sine episcopi auctoritate propter Ecclesiae honarem , qmo Mbt o^
pax est. AHoquin etiam laicis jus est.
••«) Ita D« cum aliis 11 mss. ac F F«» F"» d«. At H* diacemis, H» h« dkm
a* c i' credamus.
9. Quamque nobis*') contra salutarium reverentiam regularum a. 494.
cupiamus temere nihil licere, et quum sedes apostolica super his omni-
hWj farente Domino, quae patemis canonibus sunt j^raefixa**^), pio
devotoque studeat tenere proposito; satis indignum est, quemquam
vel pontifieum vel ordinum subsequentium hanc observantiam refu-
tare, qoam beati Petri sedem et sequi videat ^et docere, satisque
conTeniens sit, ut totum corpus Ecclesiae in hac sibimet observa-
tione concordet, quam illic vigere conspiciat, ubi Uominus Ecclesiae
tothis posuit principatum. Dicente autem**) Scriptura: Ordinate mCant.2,4.
mecinitaiem, et item: Omnia cvm ordine fiant, atque iterum psal- ^^ ^q"
mista praedicante: Circumdate Sion et complectimini eam, narrate ^saXm Al,
tn tvrrihus ejus: ponite corda vestra in virtute ejus, et distrilmite gra- ~" *
Aff**) ejus, ut enarretis in^^) progenie altera^ quia hic est Deus Deus
mier m aetemum, et ipse reget nos in saecula: hic procul dubio,
qiri in ecclesiasticarum narratur altitudine dignitatum , et in~ cujus
Tirtnte bonis operibus corda ponenda sunt, gradibus utique distri-
botis, cunctis Deus noster et rector populis praedicandus est Chri-
slianis: ubi nemo sibimet aliquid existimet imminutum, quum et de
nninscnjusque gradus perfectione nihil deperit, et convenienter reti-
Mfldo, quod coelesti dispensatione coilatum est, pariter nobis et
^ d* omittit nobis. Deiude paulo post Isidorus Mercator substituit superior
*«»qaod exitide a c* c* c^ c® c' c'** arripueruut. Monet tamen Labbeus, in edit. 1552
«t l^ exstare super kis. Sic etiam legit Dionysius Exiguus , neque hanc lectio-
Kmxniitavit Hadriauus I. Eamdem asservabat exemplar, quo usus est Hinc-
"ttna Caroli Calvi uomine scribens ad Hadrianum II papam, ut fidem facit
^o Gordesii pag. 560, quamvis in novissimam non ex veterum codicum fide
sri a editione Romana (ut aliis etiam locis non sine incommodo factum est)
^l^wcatnni ait superior his, Tredecim autem ex Coustantii mss. iique potiores,
«at mag. B« D« E* F* F» et d» d« c« h< h« i*, retinent siiper Ms. Sane quum in
P^^wnorum canonum numero ea etiam Gelasius ducat, quae antea ab apostoli-
^ lediB antistitibus constitnta fiierant, se ipsa superior diceretur sedes aposto-
^itituperior kis admitteretur. Sed et epist. 26 n. 3 profitetur, uniuscujusque
'f^ ctmsiitutum, quod universalis Ecclesiae probavit assensuSy non aliquam niagis
'^^ iedem prae ceteris oportere quam primam.
•^ 0'* cmn vnlgata domosy quam lectionem non patitur subnexus Gelasii
^'^nnentariuB. Psalteria Bomana et Mediolanensia pariter exhibent gradus. Nec
•tekgit AmbroBiuB, qui tamen hunc exponens locum observat, in Graeco ha-
^taq fia^iig, quod iuterpretatur excetsas ei turritas domos. Habet et psal-
(eriom, qnod b. Germano PariBiensi usui fuisse traditur, turrim. Simpliciorem
oterpretem, qui Graece mediocriter callebat, primo xaq paQFig Latine graves
ecmvertiBBe, et inde gradus factum esse crediderim. Idem dicendum de alio loco
Ptalm. 44, 9, ubi in nonnullis exemplaribus legitur a gradibus eburneis.
") Ita niBB. (etiam B' E*) et d*h* h*i*; alii editi progenies aiteras quoniam
{qKOfdam etiam ff* h* i«). Moxque D< E» d* regit.
a. 404. cogiioscibilem Deum fieri et tribuit esse rectorem. Nam" et si quid
indulgetur de temporuni quantitate, moribus aggregati*') et strenni-
tate pensatur, si vitae jam proposito continetur, quod protelata
fuerat aetate curandum, dummodo illa nuUateuus dissimulata sab-
ripianf^'), quorum quodlibet inesse claruerit, merito clericalibus in-
fulis reprobabilem convincat esse personam. Etsi illa nonnunquam**)
sinenda sunt, quae, si ceterorum constet integritas, sola nocere
non valent, illa tamen sunt magnopere praecavenda, quae reeifi
sine manifesta decoloratione non possunt. Ac si ea ipsa, quae
nullo detrimento aliquoties indulgenda creduntur, vel rerum tempo-
» rumve **^) cogit intuitus, vel acceleratae provisionis respectus excusati
quanto magis illa nullatenus mutilanda sunt, quae nec ulla necessi-
tas nec ecclesiastica prorsus extorquet utilitas?®^)
X. 10. Baptizandi sibi quisquam passim quocunque tempore nuUam
credat inesse^'^) fiduciam, praeter paschale festum et Penteoostes
venerabile sacramentum: excepto diuntaxat gravissimi langpioris in-
cursu, iii quo verendum est, ne morbi crescente periculo sine remedio
salutari fortassis aegrotans exitio praeventus abscedat.
XI. 11. Ordinationes^*®) etiam presbyterorum et diaconormn nisi certis
temporibus et diebus exercere non audeant, id est: quarti 'mensis
jejunio, septimi et decimi, sed etiam quadragesimalis initii, ac me-
dianae^) Quadragesimae die, sabbati jejunio circa vesperam nove-
]
■f
«} Ita ni«a. (etiam D' D^ E« F^ 11« H'-) et h' h', cum quibus et veteia concilii
Suessionensis exemi>hiria consentiunt. B' F™ aggreynri et, K' adgregmtie^ O* 0«dr ^
aggregata et^ H'^ et alii cditi (a' c d^ i'^) aggregata strenuUate^ ac mox H'^ wlff
etiam. Hoc autem sibi vult: id, quod de interstitiis remittitnr, ordinati boidi
moribus et strenuitate compensari, si etc.
Sed hoc librario imperito, qui quatemiones scriptos negligenter coUegit otqw
compegit, est tribuendum.
®^ d* expunxit inesse, quod tamon cum mss. (etiam (B* C* P* P« H* H'*) afi.
retinent. Moxque H® loco verendum habet prima manu venerandum, seciinda prmt'
hendum.
**•) D^ D' d' ordines ... celebrandos (D* celehrandas), Subiude alii editi M
nonnulli mss. exerceri vel excrcere non debeni. cc H* H" H'^ H*^ ntim dehemU, Ona
mss. melioris notae (etiam B* C^) et d^ praeferimus non audeani. Regulae lae
praescriptae haeret Pelagius I fragm. 17 et 18.
«») « D» D» F«» F°> H« H" et editi mediana. Mox quatuor aiitiqui mM. J^isaM
\}VOjeJunio; O^ Jejnnia mwcrint reiebianda. Loco medianae quadragetimae Pelagilisl
fragm. 25 et 26 mcdianae hehdomadae vocabulis utitur. EIx cjusdem finginentii
rint celebrandas: nec cujuslibet utilitatis^^) seu presbyterum seua.494.
diaconmn his praeferre; qui ante ipsos fuerint ordinati.
12. DeTotis quoque Deo virginibus, nisi aut in Epiphanoriuni'*) XII.
die aut in albis paschalibuS; aut in apostolorum natalitiis sacrum mi-
nime yelamen imponant, nisi^^) forsitan, sicut de baptismate dictum
eat^ grayi langubre correptis^ ne sine hoc mimere de saeculo trans-
eant, implorantibus non negetur.
13. Viduas autem velare^') pontificum nullus attentet, quo-XIII.
17 et 18 etiain tabbatum magnum seu sabhatum magnae noctis, quae PaBcha prac-
eedity ordinatioiiibofi destinatum fuisBe diBcimus.
"^) Uoc est: quantumlibet utilem presbyterum seu etc. Hinc male a^ c' seqq.
addimt causa, quamviB haec vox absit ab omnibus mes. Moxquc d' praeferant
fM amie ipMum. Regulas illas Qehisius conftrmat, quas quum pridem Benoventi
pnelato senioribus presbyteris neophyto neglectas accepisset, Leo hanc abusio-
nem epist. 19 ad Domm arguit acriter, nec impunitum dimisitf dum in Hlo, ait,
•oit kwmamitaiiM virtus, sed elatiomis mtium roboraretur ; omnis enim, pergit, laborum
frweim» auferiwr, omms meritorum mensura vaeuatur, si tantum quis assequitur digni-
iaiis, quamium adutationis obtinuU.
^') Editi Epiphaniarum, rectius msB. (etiam fi* H*') epiphaniorum , F^ F"* omisso
Se. Tam C C* omisso tn albis paschalibus subdunt: aut in apostolorum natali {na-
iaS etiam d*), ubi alii habent: ant in apostolorum naialitiis (H^'^ H''^ natalibiis, D"
F* mmiaie, F" natales). Qregorii sacramentorum liber praecipit virginum benedictio-
aem fieri in Epiphaniat vel secunda feria Paschae (ordo autem Romanus in albis
pmsekatibwuf) , aui quando apostolorum natalitia celebrantur. Ambrosius de virginibuB
lib. 3 cap. 1 narrat, Marcellinam sororem suam iu natali Christi die, adstautibus
eomplanbnB puellis Dei ac frcquenti populo, virginitatis emiHsa professione, a
Ubeiio consecratam esse. Idem et in libro de lapsu virginis consocrat^ve cap. 5
■ic alloqmtur: non es memorata diei sanctae dominicae resurreciiojiis , in qua
aii4sri ie obtulisti vetandamY Unde, ut ez priore loco conficitur, inter Epi-
jpbuiionun diee ipsum Christi natalem esse censendum, ita ez altero sicut ex or-
&M Romano et nostro Qelasio colligitur, non sola Paschae feria secunda, sed
aliu etiam ejusdem soUemnitatis diebus virgines consecratas esse.
Detiide quidam mss. (etiam H^ H* H*^) et a* cc exeant.
^ O" sine aliqua benedictione vetare, additamentum Qelaaii menti prorsus
Hoc loco autem, ut manifestius fiat, uum istud de non velandis vi-
decretam usu receptum sit aliquando, vel a saeculo saltem VIII in desue-
non yenerit, uon frustra quaeramus. Quippe in regum Francorum Ca-
anni 801 c. 13 legitur: De feminis, quas defunctis viris lex Langobar-
pirohibei ante anHi spatium vestem religionis velumque suscipere, petierunt
m iieemiiam, ui mox, dum divina pietas inspiraverit , cns indemnes Uceat susci-
Qood quidem iia conceditur. Idem Capitulare auni 847 c. 11 praecipit:
modo mufier velum sanctum acceperit, sponte in eo permaneat. Quod
ibi nmHeris nomine etiam vidua intelligatur, liquet ez his eorumdem Ca-
•inm lib. 6 cap. 180: QuaUeunque modo mulier, permiitente canonice viro suo,
eo d^fmmeio, vehan sancium in caput acceperit, aut sponte aut invita, in eo per-
Laudat et Ivo part. YII cap. 64 Aureliauensis concilii decretum, quo
niduae, quae spontanea voluntate ab altari sncrae conversationis velamen
. in eodem proposito permanere; et cap. 56 subjicit Aquiagranensis con-
cOii LndOTico Pio praesente habiti praeceptum: De nobilibus feminis, quae amis-
mrimroisSM bomajt. pohtip. I. 24
a. 495. iiiam^^) quod nec auctoritas diviiia delegat, nec eanoiium foni
praestituit; uon est penitus usurpandum ; eisque sic ecclesiastica sa
ferenda praesidia, ut nihil committatur iliicitum.
XIV. 14. Generalis etiam querelae yitanda praesumptio est, qua prop
modum causantur universi; passim servos et originarios^ dominomi
jura possessionumque'^) fugientes, sub religiosae conyersatiaiiK'*
obtentu vel ad monasteria sese conferre, vel ad ecclesiasticnm fanni
latum conniventibus quoque praesulibus indifferenter admitti. Qaw
modis omnibus est amovenda^^ pemicies, ne per Christiani noiniiiii
institutum aut aliena pervadi, aut publica videatur disciplins snb
verti : praecipue quum nec ipsam ministerii clericalis hac obUgatioc^
9is viris rcpente velantur. — Nihilo tamen minas conciliam Tribariense anno
celebratam c. 25 primum hoc Gelasii decretam confirmat his verbis: KUac
autem velnre pontificum nullus attentet, prout statutum est in decretis OelatH p^p^
Tnm qaatenas superiora Capitularium seu conciliorum statuta, illaeso Oelaai ^
creto, intelligeuda sint, aperit in himc modum: nos autem aucioritate patnmw^
fulti in hoc sacro conventu sancimus et libere judicatnus: si sponie velamen qu§^
vis non consecraium sibi imposuerit^ et in ecclesia inier vetaias oblaHonem l^
obtulerit, velit noUt, sanctimoniae habiium ulterius habere debet, Yelanien iff^
tur etiam riduis crat, sed non consecratum; quod tamen, qmsL saneiiMionitie kM
tus erat, et velum sanctum et sacrae conversationis velamen, ut allatis in lods nfi
nius, appellabatur. Uanc autcm concilii explicationem Gelaaii meuti e«e eoi
seutaneam, ex dictis illius inira cap. 21 manifestum est, ubi notans himcloea
iu eo 60 de viduis sub nulla benedictione velandis laiius disseruisse memorat. \k
nique hoc dccretum usu receptum et canonica auctoritate monitum esse, dooa
noB tum ista concilii Turonensis 11 c. 20: Quae vestem mutaverii, abeque doloimi
proposito, quod disposuit, perseverare procurel. lilud vero^ quod aiiqui dieuni: i
dua, quae benedicta non fnit, quare non debet maritum accipere, quum omnes seim
quod nunquam in cnnonicis Hbris fegitur benediciio vidualis; tum haeo COncilii Fm
siensis VI anno S29 habiti c. 40: Comperimus, quod quidam preshyierorum imem
et extraordinnrie vclum viduarum inconsultis episcopis suis consecrareni, i/i msk
nuUus pontificum viduam velare attcntet, canonica auctorilas inhibei, Quodwerofti
bf/tcri inconsuUis episcopis suis vehtm viduarum consecrare non praesumatU, pron
interdicimus. Atquo hoc Parisiensis synodi statutum comprobant Capitularia lib.
c. 172, ubi argiiuutur presbyteri, quod inconsultis episcopis vehim TiduMia
consecrarent , non qiiia iis consultis id liceret, sed qaia consulti id, qood sl
ipsis iuliibituni est, prohibcrent.
'^) Ita mss potiorcs (etiam B' E* F»* F" et i*); d* et quod. Alii ▼€>«> (eftwi
H" h' h*) oniisso quoniam subjiciunt infra: Son est crgo penitus. Moxqae d* Mef
'^) 0' O" rV possessionemquc. Uoc in capitulo Gelasins restanrat, qood a
fnnoceutio I epist. 2 n. 14 delibatuni ct a Lcone epist. 4 c. 1 firmatom fben
'^ D» d* prohibenda, moxque D' D» E» chHstiani nominis instiiuio, W* ekrisA
nitatis nominis . . . praecipue ut. Mox F** F^ oblatione , et F*
fuscari conyeniat dignitateni; cogaturque pro statu militantium sibi a. 494.
conditioneque'^) jurgari, aut videri, quod absit, obnoxia. Quibus sol-
licita competenter interdictione prohibitis; quisquis episcopus, pres-
byier aut diaconus^ vel eorum qui monasteriis praeesse noscuntur,
hujusmodi personas apud se tenentes non restituendas patronis; aut
deinceps vel ecclesiasticae'^) servituti vel religiosis congregationibus
pataverint applicandas, nisi voluntate forsitan dominorum sub scri-
phurae testimonio primitus absolutas aut legitima transactione con-
eessas, periculum se honoris proprii non ambigant communionisque
SQbihuros^ si super hac re cujusquam verax nos querela pulsaverit.
Magnis quippe siudiis secundum beatum apostolinn praecavendum ^T^"*
esf, f\e fides et discipUna Domini blasphemeiur.
15. Consequens fuit, ut illa quoque, quae de Piceni partibus nu- XV.
per^) ad noe missa relatio nuntiavit^ non praetereunda putaremus^ id
«t, plarimos clericorum negotiationibus inhonestis et lucris turpibus
imminere, nullo pudore cementes evangelieam lectionem, qua^^) ipse J^^J^^.
Doininus negotiatores e templo verberatos flagellis asseritur expulisse, Job.2,i5.
wc apostoli verba recolentes, quibus ait: Nemo militans Deo impli-^'^^^
cst^) se negotiis saecidaribus, psalmistam quoque David surda dissi-
Auiantes aure cantantem : Quoniam non cognovi negotiationes, introibo ?^*!^
01 potentias Domini, Proinde hujusmodi aut ab indignis posthac
fnaestibus noverint abstinendum; et ab omni cujuslibet negotiationis
ingenio vel cupiditate eessandum; aut in quocunque gradu sint po-
aiii, mox a ciericalibus officiis abstiuerp^^) eogautur: quoniam domus ^"^-
Dei domus orationis et esse debet et dici, jie officina negotiationis je8.56,7.
et spelunca potius sit latronum. Jer.7, ii.
16. Hlitteratos quoque ef^^) nonnulla parte eorporis imminutos XV^I.
sine ullo respectu ad ecclesiasticum didicimus venire servitium. Quod
aimul antiqua traditio et apostolicae sedis vetus forma non recipit;
**•) SoluB d* condiUones jurgari videri, refragantibiis mss. (D' H** B* jurgare)
at editis.
»•) D* d* EccieHae serviiio, Moxque P"* F"» d* putaverit . . . amhigat . . . subiturum
, . - vera nos querela, et deinde H*^ magis qvippe secundum.
8«) D d' omittiint nuper et mox id est. F** implecatos (loco imminere).
••) Solos d* non attendentes quia dominus, F** F™ d* quia ^ et F^ reconciiiantes.
•*) d* obUgat, moxqae omittit quoque et deinde aut (ante ab indignis); c'^ non
•») C* D* D* D** d* d' abire. Clericos foenerantes et turpe lucrum sectantes
Nicaenum can. 17 de gradu dejicit. Eidem concinit Carthaginense I
umo 348 Bnb Grato habitam can. 13; sanxit et Valentinianus lil Novel. tit. 34 § 4,
Hf eierici nikU prorsus negotiaiionis exerceant; si velinl jiegoiiari, sciant se judicibus
ftmbdiioM ciericorum privilegio non muniri.
^ Ita II188. F* F"» N J 0 et editi. B' et ulla, d' prima manu et nulla, d* et
emm itHqua corporis imminutione, Idem Innoc. epist 37 n. 3 et Hilarus epiat. 16 n.
5 iiistitenmt.
24*
a. 491. quia Jioc litteris carens sacris esse potest aj^tus officiis, et vitiosum
,^j~[|^^^ nihil prorsus Deo oiferri legalia praecepta saiixerunt. Itaque de
Dent, cetero modis ouinibus haec^^) vitentur, nec quisquam talis snscipia-
^^*^" tur in clerum. Si qui vero vel temeritate propria vel incuria prae-
sidentium tales ante suscepti sunt, in his, quibus constitati sunt,
locis eatenus perseverent, ut- nihil imquam promotionis arripiant**),
satisque habeant, hoc ipsum sibi pro nimia miseratione permissnm.
XVIL 17. De his autem, qui semetipsos^^) absciderint, patemi canones
evidenter sequenda posuerunt; quorum tenorem sufficiat indidisse.
Dicunt enim, talia perpetrantes , mox ut agniti fuerint, a mmiere
clericali debere secludi*^^). Quod modis omnibus custodire nos con-
venit, quia fas esse nulli suppetit, praeter illa quidquam, qnae
memorabilis decrevit forma, censere.
X Vin. 18. Comperimus etiam, horrendis quibusdam criminibus implicatos
tota discretione submota non solum de factis atrocibus necessariam
poenitudinem non habere, sed nec aliqua correctione ®^) penitus suc-
cedente ad diviimm ministerimn honoremque contendere ; nonnullos
autem etiam in ipsis ordinibus constitutos, gravibus delinqnentes
5 22 fiicinoribus, non repelli, quum et apostolus clamet, nemini cito mama
«,. imponendas^ neque communicandum peccatis alienis, et^ajorum yene-
o.Oetio. randa constituta pronuntient, hujusmodi, etiam si forte subrepserint^
tam qui ante peccaverint, detectos oportere repelli, qiiam sacrae
professionis oblitos praevaricatoresque sancti propositi procul dubio
submovendos.
XIX. 19. Usque adeo sane comperimus illicita quaeque*^) prorumpere,
"^) In C* deest haec vitenlttr; B' vetentur ^moxc^xie W^ d^ in dero.
«') Ita mss. (etiam B' E« F*» F»» H^ H»' W^) h' h« d»; alii editi se iptoM «*-
scindunt (vel ahscidunt). Aliqni mss. et d' De his ... absciderint pro titolo poiumii
et canonom ipsmu incipiuut: Paterni canones,
ft»^ JJ15 correptione. Mox F"* Usquc adeo percensemus sane comperimug,
Gelasii capitulum eo memorari decrcto, quod Ivo part. 2 c. 126 profert: Bem
siquidem mnjorum reguHs diffinitum csty ut dnemoniacis atiisque paationibmt irrelildM
ministvria sacra tractare uon liceat, adeoque decretum illud Pio I papae lluJt
udHcri))i, Coustantius jam epist. Eom. pontif. tom I pag. 70 obBenravii. Ex eo
autem, quod in eodem decreto additiu-, quid otiam cum iis agendum tit, qoi
comitiali morbo corripi solent, oomperimua. Ibi euim subjicitur: Om prmecepi»
ut daemoniis similibusque passiouihus irretitis miuisteria sacrosancta a. 494.
tractare tribuatur. Quibus si m^^) hoc oj^ere j^ositis aliquid propriae
necessitatis occurrat, quis de sua fidelium sahite confidet, ubi mini-
stroe ipsos curationis humanae tanta persjiexerit calamitate vexari? p
Atque ideo necessario removendi sunt, ne quihusUhet, pro qiiihus 14, 15.
Christos est mortuus, scandalum generetur infirmis. Postremo, si ^^*?'"
corpore sauciatum fortassis aut debilem nequaquam sancta contin- Lev.
gere lex divina permisit, quanto magis doni coelestis dispensatores ?j'^?
esse non convenit, quod est deterius, mente percidsosV 17,1.
20. Virginibus sacris^^) temere se quosdam sociiire cognovimus, XX.
et post dicatum Deo propositum incesta foedera sacrilegaque miscere.
Quos*^ protinus aequum est a sacra communione detrudi, et nisi
per publicam probatamque^*) poenitentiam omnino non recipi; aut
{mn^orum ut ttiorem geramus)^ consuUo rationis adhibito, id communiter definimuSf ut
miOus de Om, qui aut in terram arrepti a daemonibus eiiduntur, aut quoHbet modo
wexadonit incwrsibus offeruntur , vel sacris audeant ministrare idtaribus, vel indiscussi
se dbfimis ingerani sacramentis, exceptis illis, qui corporum incommoditatibus dediti,
sime ka^uamodi passionibus in terram probantur elisi, Qui tamen et ipsi tam diu erunt
ab offieio suo ei ordine et loco suspensi, quousque unius anni spatio ... per discre-
tHmrm episcopi inveniantur ab incursu daemonum alteni. Dc hajusmodi autcm pas-
sione qaum apud Gelasiam accusatua esset Foropopulcnsis autistes, quo pacto
ille se gesaerit, infra in fragmento 8 visuri sumus. Vide et Gregorium M. lib. 13
episfc. 6 ad Aetherium, nec non concilium Suessionense II anno 853 can. 2 et
ITermeriense 11, eodem anno habitum, c. 1. In libro de dogmatibus ccclesiasti-
gis^ qui Gennamo tribuitur, apud Augustinum c. 39 (al. 72) legimus, ciericum
non ordinandum, qui aliquando in furiam versus vel affiatione diaholi vexalus est.
»«) Ita F** F«» a' c' d« i*; h» h* c^ c» c*" omittimt in, Moxque d* fideiis et
omittit ipsos; 0' 0* ac fldeUum, aliis mss. et editis nostram lectionem dantibus
/B* H* omittunt si). Deinde solus d* Qui necessario, ac postca cc permittit,
*») F* O' 0* cc addunt autem; moxque d* dedicatum, ac deinde H''^ misceri.
»^) Soltu d* Quos publicatos aequum. D* prima manu quis pristinusy secunda
^uos proUnuM.
a. 494. his certe viaticum de saeculo traiiseuutibiis^ si tamen poenituerint,
uou iiegari.
XXI. 21. Nam de viduis sub^^) uulla benedictione velaudis superius
latius duximus disserendum. Quae si propria voluntat« professam
jiristini coujugii castitatem mutabili niente calcaverit, periculi ejus
iutererit, quali Deum debet satisfactioue placare*®). Sicut enim, si
iCor.7^9. se forsitan contiuere nou poterat, secundum apostolum nullatenus
nubere vetabatur, sic habita secmn doliberatione proniissam Deo
pudicitiae^^) fidem debuit custodire. Nos autem nullum talibus la-
queum debemus injicere, sed solas adliortationes praemii sempitemi
poenasque proponere divini judicii, ut et nostra sit absoluta con-
scientia, et illarum pro se rationem Deo reddat intentio. Cavendum
iTim. ^g^ quippe, quae'^**) de earuui moribus actibusquo beatus apostolus
' testatur ; quod planius expouere praeterimus , ne sensus sexus insta-
bilis non tam deterrere quam admonere videamur.
»•») B' D» d» d« sine uUa (D» sin ulia); mox editi cmn mss. JO H* iaie mflh
cienierque praedia.imus ^ ac subinde editi caicavennt pericuii earum ... debtmU tie,
reiiiti?ntibu8 Dionysii aliisquc potioribuB niBB. (etiam B' F^ F"» d* h' h'). H^ H'* D*
late duximust C* E* lalius diximus (hic notatur superius cap. 13). — Deiude aolus d^
Quarum aiiqua, cc cum mes. H professamf ac pOBtea d' pristinam. In hisoe teqili*
mur B' E* et alios editos.
»6^ 31 }4M pm figf) placere; a* c i^ hic addimt quia juxta aposiolum primam fidem
irritam fecerunt , quod in solis exstat mss. JO ac forte repetitmn eeit ex his JniKh
centii epint. 2 n. 16 : si apostoius Pauius, quae a proposito mduitatis diseesseruiU, disBU
eas habere damnationemy quia primam fidem irritam fecerunty quanto magis virffines, qum
priori promissioni fidem frangent? Porro iisdem apostoli verbis nisi Caithaginett-
sis IV conoilii patres can. 104 viduas, quae, postquam Be.devoyerunt Domino,
nubimt, ot adulterii censent reas et a commuuione removent. Yide infraSjtt-
machi epistolam 15 num. 6 et 6.
*') d* i* pudicitiam fidemque sola auctoritate mBS. D (D^ D' D*). Moz d* omifr*
tit soias (mss. J c c solum).
Inde enim hquet, Gelasium hic nonnulla scriptoris antiqai verba adoptare, qol-
bus nolle se significat de viduaram la^civarum moribus planius diMexeref nt
forte fragilis et instabilis sexus animos ac sensus higusmodi expositione adaa-
rum actus incitandos magis stimulare ac promovere, qoam ab eis deterrav
videatur. Indulgentiae Gelasii erga viduas, quae propositi tenaoes non exmal^
exemplura alterum suppeditabit ipsius fragmentum 38, ex quo et iotom hoc o«pft-
tulum illustrabitur. Vide Symmachi epistolam 16 n. 6 et 6.
EPI8T0LA 14. 375
22. Secuudas uuptias sicut saecularibus iuire eoueeditur, ita post ^^- ^94.
eas uullus ad clerieale siuitur veuire eolle^ium. Alia est euiui hu- -^^^l-
mauae fragilitati geuemliter^^) coueessa lieeutia, alia debet esse
Tita £vinarum rerum servitio dicaudorum.
23. Qoisquis propriae desertor ecclesiae uullis exsisteutibus causis XX III.
ad aliam putaverit transeundum, temereque ^^*^) susceptus fuerit et
promotus, reverendorum canonum vel ipse vel receptor ejus atque
provector constituta non fugiet, quae de hujuscemodi praesumptori-
buB praefixere servanda.
24. De monachis^^^) laicisque copiosius in prima praeceptionis XXIV.
hajiis parte digesta : quae vel quateuus pro rerum temporimique ueces-
dtaie eoncessa sint, quemadmodum, ubi uullius necessitatis iuteresse
probabitor, non nisi vetus institutio debeat eustodiri. Quos vero
constiterit indignos meritis sacram mercatos esse pretio dignitatem,
conyictofi oportet arceri non siiie periculo faciuus tale patrautis*^^):
quia dantem pariter accipientemque damnatio Simonis, quam sacra ^^^- ^»
lectio testatur, involvit.
25- De locorum consecratione sanctormu^"^), quamvis superiusXXV.
•gtrictim fueiit comprehensum, nobis quoque patefactum est, quod abs-
qae praecepto sedis apostolicae nounulli factas ecclesias vel oratoria
praesumant. Hoc sumus tameu indicio detestabiliore per-
••) d« generaHs. Moxque F» dedUa, H^ H« H'* J 0 a« c h« h« 1« dedicata; magis
placet cmii 5 mss. a' B* £* d* d' dicandorum (C^ dedicandomm). Dc iis enim, qui
Tel ad c^emin admittendi vel ab oo remoyendi eunt, sermo cst.
looj X)i (Becunda manu) D* d' si lemere. Mox pro fugiet mss. U J 0 ct c h*
]i* effugiei, Canonum constUuia aatem, quae ibi vocat, suut Nicacu. c. 15 ot 16.
Sardic. c. 19, Calck c. 20.
loi^ a' vellaicis, D® monachis quae, d* quoque (omittens laicisque, quod habent
plerique omnes mss., etiam B* F* F" H* H'* ct editi) , moxquc cum h* digesta sunt,
ec digeMtum est. Deinde D* vel quae pro et cum F"" d* vel quemadmodum, 0* 0* c
addoat his ante pro rerum. Denique D' D'* d' h' nuUius facti necessitas (D' omitiit
) inieresse probabitur. MsB. B' E'^ F<* F"" H JO c i nullius nccessitatis (F"" ne-
^ inieresse probatur (mss. B* H D cum d* h' i probabitur) , unde nostra lcctio.
«•») Mbb. 0 (0* 0«) et editi p^petrantes, D» U* H'« (h' h* ad marg.) palrantes,
I>» D* D*' d* d* vendenies, F^ vincenteSy F°» vindentes, C* vendente, C vendeutis, hoc-
c|iBe si abesset tale facinus, optimo subnexae rtationi convenirct. Scd quia in
oiniiibiiB libiis exstat taie facittus, retinemus cum mss. F H patrantis, ac verbum
quo, qnid sibi vellet idle facinus patraniis, apte ex|)licabatur, c margine
tnuiBlatiim eflse suBpicamur. Hic porro haeret GelasiuB concihi Calche-
donensifl canoni 2 , quo sancitur : si quis episcopus per pecunias fecerit ordinationem
.... i» gui hoc aUeniasse probatus fuerit, proprii gradus periculo subjaccbit, et qui
esiy mhtt ex kac ordinaiione . . . proficiat. Praecipit et vulgatus apostolorum
SOy ui, si qms episcopus aui presbyter aut diaconus per pecunias hanc obti-
diffniiaiem, dejiciatur ei ipse et ordinator ejus, et a communione modis omni-
kne mbMcindaiur sieut Simon Magus a Petro.
<«') C d* haec verba pro inscnptiono ponunt ot canonem ipsum iucipiunt:
Quamns ete. ~
a. VH. moti, quod in quocimque nomiiie defuiictorum et, quantum dicitur,
nec omnino fidelium, constructiones aeilificatas sacris proceesioni-
bus *^*) audacter instituere memorantur. Quae quoniam *••) tam
acerba tiun dura sunt. ut eadem vix noster ferre posBit auditus, si
revera Cbristianitatis aftectus in illis regionibus certus et fixus est,
et districtius ista quaerantur, et a quibus fuerint gesta, prodantur:
quoniam sicut latentibus in hac atrocitate nominibus non exsistat'^),
in quem sententia debita proferatur, ita quum mauifestis fuerit do-
cumentis expositus, quam sceleris tanti poscit immanitas, uon yitabit
idlatenus ultionem.
XXVI. 26. Nibilominus impatienter audivimus, tantum diyinarum renun
subiisse despectum, ut feminae sacris altaribus ministrare firmen-
tur'"'), cunctaque non uisi viroriun famulatui deputata sexum,
'"•') d* dolot quoniam (quod habent B' H JOh*i*); moxque c* c'** bmittnil
ut eadern vix . . . auditus , quod cxun mss. D F* F" H J C* et c' h' d* i* reci|iiea-
dum putavimuH.
i^) Editi exstat, d* exsistity moxque H*^ (qui etiam exsisiai) qimm' mamJfttM
fuerint documeniis expositis, quam sceleris tanH poscii immaniiaSy viiami Mffiiril
uitionem. c' c' c'" quem tanti sceleris, d' tamquam sceleris; et moz O* O* C^ C^h* tf
Hon e/fugiet ultatenus coutra auctoritatom aliorum msB. (£* H^ H*^) et editorm.
BPISTOLA 14. 377
cui non competunt, exhibere. Nisi^®^) quod omnium delictonim, quae a. 494.
singillatim perstrinjimus, noxiorum reatus omnis et crimen eos re-
apicit aacerdotes, qui vel ista committunt, vel committentes minime
publicando pravis excessibus se favere significant: si tamen sacer-
dotom jam sint vocabulo nuncupandi, qui delegatum^®^) sibi religio-
nis officium sic prostemere moliiuitur, ut in perversa quaeque pro-
fanaque declives, sine ullo respectu regulae Christianae praecipitia
funesta sectentur. Quumque scriptum sit : Minima qui spernii, paulatim ^^^^
decidit; quid est de talibus existimanduni, qui immensis ac multipli-
cibus pravitatum molibus occupati, ingentem ruinam multimodis im-
pulsionibus ediderunt, quae non sohim ipsos videatur obruere, sed et
ecclesiis universis mortiferam, si non sanentur, inferre perniciem? Nec
ambigant non solum qui haec ausi sunt exercere, sed etiani qui hacte-
nu8 cognita siluerunt, sub honoris proprii se jacere «Hspendio, si non
quanta^'^) possunt celeritate festinent, ut lethaUa vidnera compe-
tenti medicatione salventur. Quo enim more"') teneant jura ponti-
ficum, qui pontiiicalibus excubiis eatenus injuncta dissimulant, ut
eontraria domui Dei^ cui praesident, potius operentur? Quantum-
que**') apud Deum possent, si non nisi convenientia procurarent,
tanium quid mereantur adspiciant, quum exsecrabili studio sectantur
riB momenti, PariaienBi VI concilio ignotain fiiisse laidorianam epistolam illam
Soterifl nomine confictam , in qiia legitur : Sacralaa Deo feminas vel monachas . . .
inc^nsum circa altare deferre perlatum est ad apostolicam sedem; quae omnia reprc-
hemsione et viluperatione plena esse nnUi recte sapientium duhium est. Unde et inferrc
licet, eidem concilio uihilo magi^ notam fuiHse reliquani laidori collectionem
Kx quo et id consequens* mihi videtur , ut quae in Isidorianis epistolis atque in
Parisiensi concilio communia sunt verba, haec non a concdlio Parisiensi ex epi-
btoliB illis , sed ab Isidoro Mercatore ex Parisiensi concilio exscripta fueriut, ad-
eoque anno 829 recentiorea sint illae epistolae. Hinc minime mirum eat, Zacha-
fiam papam, a Bonifacio episcopo Mogimtino consultum, num monnchis^ id est
«tncillis Dei, quaedam in ecciesia munia ohire licerety epist. 65 ad Pippinum (Bonif.
opp. ad Giles. I, 153), nidla Soteris mentione facta, unumi hunc Gelasii locum
referre satiB habuisse, quamvis ad allatam Bonifacii quaestionem nihil respon-
deri aptiuis potuisset, quam quod Soter definisBe ponitur.
fo«) jp Si quod, c^" viso qnod et ad marg. nisi, quod habcnt omnes mss. et
editi alii. Deinde D' (prima manu) D^ d' qune saltem perstrinximus, D^ quae sal
tim^ moxqae a* CC noxa omnis et crimen, i' noxa omnis; reatus omnis et crimen,
ac postea D« D» D» F«» d» reos respicit.
t«») C« F<* delatum, moxque (D' prima manu) et d* nullo respectu. Mox cum
F^ non solum ante qui addidimus.
II") H*' h^ tanta qua possunt, cc quanta possint, ac deindc 0' O^ i* medicina
et cum B* F** sanentur, ubi c c d* h* medicatione curentnr (B* F"» H'* H'- a' salventur).
•") B'E*F* F" H c h^ i« more, Dd Jur<f. Demde D' F«' teneantur jura pontificum,
d' ieneantur ad ponii/icfum. Sequimur d* cum praestiiutioribus mss. (B' H* E*).
««) Ita B» D» F* H'^ {Dominum) O' 0« h* E« H^ d«; F"» Tantumque; c^ c'" d» i'
Qui quanium apud Dominum. Moxque D* F** si hoc nisi^ B* E< F*" si hoc nisu, 0*
O* #> ^ ac deinde c h* i< sectentur adversa. Et etc.
'378 S. GELASII PAPAB
a. 494. mlversa, et quasi magis liaec regula sit^^^), qua ecclesiae debeant
guberiiari, sic quidquid est ecclesiaKticis iuimicuin regulis perpetra-
tur: quum et si coguitos habuit canones unusquisque poutifieiim, in-
temerata debuerit tenere custodia, et si forsitan nesciebat^ consulere
fidenter oi>ortuerit *^*) ignorantem. Quo magis excusatio nulla buc-
ciurit errantibus, quia iiec sciens proposuit servare quod noveraty
nec ignorans curavit nosse quod gereret.
XXVII. 27. Quatuor autem tam de reditu quam deoblatione fidelium^ prout
cujuslibet ecclesiae facultas admittit, sicut. dudum rationabiliter est
decretimi, convenit fieri portiones: quaruni sit una poiitificis, altera
clericorum, paupermn tertia, quarta fabricis**^) applicanda. De qui-
bus, sicut sacerdotis intererit, integram ministris ecclesiae memora-
tam dependere quantitatem , sic clerus^'^) ultra delegatam aibi
sunmiam nihil insolenter noverit expetendum. Ea vero, quae eccle-
siasticis aedificiis attributa sunt, huic operi veraciter praerogata,
locorum doceat instauratio manifesjba sanctorum: quia nefas est, si
sacris aedibus destitutis,. in hicrum suum praesul impendia Iiis de-
signata convertat. Ipsam ^ ^') nihilominus adscriptam pauperibus
portionem quamvis divinis rationibus se dispensasse moustraturus
Matth. gggg videatiu", tjmien juxta quod scriptum est: C/i videant opera vestra
bona, et magnificent Patrem vestrum, qui est in coelis, oportet etiam
praesenti testificatione praedicari et bonae famae praeconiis non
taceri.
XXVIII. 28. Qucipropter nec "^) clericonun quisquam se hujus offeusaa
futurum confidat immunem, si in his, quae sjilubriter sequenda de-
*") H** sic que ecclesie, d* possit, moxqiio h^ d* d* ecclesia debeat, ac deinde
a* c i' si quidquid, U'^ si quid quidem.
*'*) 0® c* c*" d' d* oportuerit (d| oportuit) scientem, qaam teete Coastantio
omnes ras».#(etiam B' E' FJ F<* F"" II^ H"^ 0' O^) c* h» oportuerU ignoratUem^ i« oper-
tuerit, quo magis. Deinde F** F"* H® c'" d* i* quia (F™ qui) nescieiu, moxque B' fuod
ignorat (pro quod noverat).
116, H'* et c'** ad marg. clcricus, moxque solus d' ecclesiae aediflciis^ ac postea
h* prorogata, d' d* instructio (pro instauratio). — F* alteram delegaiam ... praesm-
hs ... convertant.
BPISTOLAE 14. 15. 379
prompBimuS; sive episcopum sive presbyterum seu diaconum viderit a. 494.
exeeclentem^ nou protiuus ad aures nostras deferre curaverit, proba-
tionibus dumtaxat competenter exhibitis , ut transgressoris ultio
fiat**') ceteris interdictio delinquendi. Sui vero modis omnibus erit
imusquisque pontificum ordinis et honoris elisor, si cuiquam clerico-
rum, vel Ecclesiae totius auditui haec j^utaverit supprimenda. Data ^^^
V. Idus Martii; Asterio et Praesidio viris clarissimis consulibus.
£pi8tola 15
seu
Epistolaris formula Gtolasii papae.
Imeipiimt eonttltata taneti Gelatii papae, qoae epifcopi in ordinatione sua accipiimt .
Papa ille^) clero, ordini et plebi consistentibus
civitate iila^).
1. Probabilibus desideriis^) nihil attulimus tarditatis. Fratrem
jam et coepiscopum nostrum illum vobis ordinavimus sacerdotem. Cui
dedimus*) in.maudatis^ ne unquam ordinationes praesumat illicitas:
ne bigamum, aut qui virginem non est sortitus uxorem, neque illit-
teratmn^ vel in qualibet corporis parte vitiatiun, aut ex poenitente,
Tel curiae aut cuilibet conditioni obnoxium notatumque ad sacros
ordines permittat accedere; sed si quos hujusmodi forte repererit,
non audeat promovere. Afros passim ad ecclesiasticos ordines prae-
tendeutes nulla ratione suscipiat, quia aliqui eorum Manicjiaei, ali-
qid rebaptizati saepius sunt probati.
2. Ministeria atque ornatum ecclesiae, vel quidquid illud est in
!!•) a' c' c* c*** h* i addunt eit moxquo c* sic vero.
*••) In F"* D* D^ D' d* loco chroniciU) notac subjicitur: Kt alia inanu, Deus vos
euMtodiat , fratres carissimi. Quod in a' c c ita est retentum , ut et prae-
nota servaretur. Sequimur praestantisaimos codices (B' E' E* F^ 0* 0*
H*) et primos editos c^ h* i*, nisi quod B' F** Data FI Idus Martii,
I) AntiquiB id moris erat, ut in generalibus foriuidiB nominip proprii loco
pronomen Ule substituerent. Qua voce papae ejus, qui novum episcopum ordi-
, nomen .hic exprimendum notatur , sicut mox verbis in civitale illa cam
, cui novus creatus est episcopus, et deinde ubi dicitur coepiscopum
iihm hunc ipsum episcopum appellandum esse designatur. Quia vero
pronomen vulgo nota ilL ita exprimebatur , ut litterae n. speciem prae sc fer-
ret, anbinde usu venit in iisdem formulis, ut non iil. sed w. loco nominis po-
neretnr. — In F* deest ille.
«y In E* et Hbro diumo Roman. pontif. additur diiectissimis /iliis in Domino
smimiems qaod exinde in edit. conc. transiit, sed abest a ccteris mss. (0*0' D**
F» F* H»).
' *) O* addit vestria, moxque cum C* F<* fratrem etiam el.
(a. 194.) patrinionio ejusdem, non miuuere studeat sed augere. De redita
vero ecelesiae vel oblatione fidelium quatuor faciat portiones: qua-
rum unam sibi ipsi retineat, alterani clericis pro officiorum Buonmi
sedulitate distribujit, tertiam pauperibus et peregrinis, quartam ec-
clesiasticis fabricis noverit reservandam. De quibus divino erit red-
diturus judicio raticmem.
3. Ordinationes vero presbyterorum seu diaconorum non nisi
quarti^), septimi vel decimi mensiimi jejuuiis, sed et in ingressu
quadragesimali, atque medianae^) vespere sabbati noverit celebrandas.
4. Sacrosancti «autem baj)tismi sacramenta') non nisi in pa-
schali festivitate et Pentecoste meminerit esse praebenda^ exceptis
iis, qui mortis urgentur periculo: ne in aeternum pereant, talibus
debet^) remediis subveniri. Huic ergo sedis nostrae praecepta ser-
vanti devotis animis obsequi vos oportet, ut irreprehensibile placi-
timique fiat corpus Ecclesiae per Christima Dominum nostrum, qui
vivit et regnat cum Deo Patre omnipotente in^) unitate Spiritus
sancti per omnia saecula ^aeculorum. Amen.
Revision history
- 2026-05-27v2.2.34-import
Initial corpus import from modern gelasius i retranslated v1.
Fields: letter text, metadata, source links. Source: https://archive.org/details/epistolaeromano00thiegoog
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