Council of Nicaea I

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, the only-begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, consubstantial (homoousios) with the Father; by whom all things were made both in heaven and on earth; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man; he suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. (John 1:1–3; Col. 1:15–17; Heb. 1:3)

And in the Holy Ghost.

But those who say: "There was a time when he was not;" and "Before he was begotten he was not;" and "He was made of things that were not," or who maintain that the Son of God is of a different substance or essence, or created, or mutable, or subject to change — these the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes.

Canon I — On Castration

If any one in sickness has been subjected to a surgical operation by physicians, or if he has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain in the clergy; but, if any one in good health has castrated himself, it behooves that such a one, if already in the clergy, should cease from his ministry; and from henceforth no such person should be promoted to holy orders. But, as it is evident that this is said of those who willfully do the thing and presume to castrate themselves, so if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians, or by their masters, and should otherwise be found worthy, such men the canon admits to the clergy.

Canon II — On Hasty Ordination

Forasmuch as, either from necessity, or through the urgency of individuals, many things have been done contrary to the ecclesiastical canon, so that men just converted from heathenism to the faith, and who have been instructed but a little while, are straightway brought to the spiritual laver, and as soon as they have been baptized, are advanced to the episcopate or the presbyterate, it has seemed right to us that for the time to come no such thing shall be done. For to the catechumen himself there is need of time and of further probation after baptism; for the apostolical saying is clear, "Not a novice; lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation and snare of the devil." (1 Tim. 3:6)

Canon III — On Women in Clerical Houses

The great Synod has stringently forbidden any bishop, presbyter, deacon, or any one of the clergy whatever, to have a subintroducta dwelling with him, except only a mother, or sister, or aunt, or such persons only as are beyond all suspicion.

Canon IV — On Episcopal Consecration

It is by all means proper that a bishop should be appointed by all the bishops in the province; but should this be difficult, either on account of urgent necessity or because of distance, three at least should meet together, and the suffrages of the absent bishops also being given and communicated in writing, then the ordination should take place. But in every province the ratification of what is done should be left to the Metropolitan.

Canon V — On Those Excommunicated

Concerning those, whether of the clergy or of the laity, who have been excommunicated in the several provinces, let the provision of the canon be observed by the bishops which provides that persons cast out by some be not readmitted by others. Nevertheless, inquiry should be made whether they have been excommunicated through captiousness, or contentiousness, or any such like ungracious disposition in the bishop. And, that this matter may have due investigation, it is decreed that in every province synods shall be held twice a year.

Canon VI — On the Prerogatives of Alexandria, Rome, and Antioch

Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya, and Pentapolis prevail, that the Bishop of Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, since the like is customary for the Bishop of Rome also. Likewise in Antioch and the other provinces, let the churches retain their privileges. And this is to be universally understood, that if any one be made bishop without the consent of the Metropolitan, the great Synod has declared that such a person ought not to be a bishop. If, however, two or three bishops shall from natural love of contradiction oppose the common suffrage of the rest, it being reasonable and in accordance with the ecclesiastical law, then let the choice of the majority prevail.

Canon VII — On the Honor of Jerusalem

Since custom and ancient tradition have prevailed that the Bishop of Aelia should be honored, let him, saving its due dignity to the Metropolis, have the next place of honor.

Canon VIII — On the Novatians

Concerning those who call themselves Cathari, if they come over to the Catholic and Apostolic Church, the great and holy Synod decrees that they who are ordained among them shall continue as they are in the clergy; but that before all things they subscribe to the decrees of the Catholic and Apostolic Church, that is, that they communicate with persons who have been twice married, and with those who having lapsed in persecution have had a period of penance laid upon them, and a time fixed, so that in all things they will follow the decrees of the Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Canon IX — On Examination Before Ordination

If any presbyters have been advanced without examination, or if upon examination they have made confession of crime, and men acting in violation of the canon have laid hands upon them, notwithstanding their confession, the canon does not admit such persons; for the Catholic Church requires that which is blameless.

Canon X — On Lapsed Persons Who Have Been Ordained

If any who have lapsed have been ordained through the ignorance, or even with the previous knowledge, of the ordainers, this shall not prejudice the canon of the Church; for when they are discovered, they shall be deposed.

Canon XI — On Those Who Lapsed Without Compulsion

Concerning those who have fallen without compulsion, without the spoiling of their property, without danger or the like, as happened during the tyranny of Licinius, the Synod declares that, though they have deserved no clemency, they shall be treated mercifully. As many as were communicants, and who have fallen away, shall spend three years among the hearers, for seven years they shall be prostrators; and for two years they shall communicate with the people in prayers, but without oblation.

Canon XII — On Those Who Returned to Military Service

As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal, having cast aside their military girdles, but afterwards returned, like dogs, to their own vomit, so that some spent money and by means of gifts regained their military stations — let such, after they have passed the space of three years as hearers, be for ten years prostrators. With each of them it is proper to examine into their purpose, and their repentance, and their patience; for if they have shown all zeal and have stood fast, not turning back to their vomit as it is written, let them fulfil the appointed time of penance. (2 Pet. 2:22)

Canon XIII — On Communion for the Dying

Concerning the departing, the ancient canonical law is still to be maintained, to wit, that, if any man be at the point of death, he must not be deprived of the last and most indispensable Viaticum. But, if any one should be restored to health again who has received the communion, when his life was despaired of, let him remain among those who communicate in prayers only. But in general, and in the case of any dying person whatsoever asking to receive the Eucharist, let the bishop, after examination made, give it him.

Canon XIV — On Catechumens Who Have Lapsed

Concerning catechumens who have lapsed, the holy and great Synod has decreed that, after they have passed three years only as hearers, they shall pray with the catechumens.

Canon XV — On the Translation of Clergy

On account of the great disturbance and discords that occur, it is decreed that the custom prevailing in certain places contrary to the Canon, must wholly be done away; so that neither bishop, presbyter, nor deacon shall pass from city to city. And if any one, after this decree of the holy and great Synod, shall attempt any such thing, or continue in any such course, his proceedings shall be utterly void, and he shall be restored to the Church for which he was ordained bishop or presbyter.

Canon XVI — On Clergy Who Leave Their Church

Such presbyters, and deacons, and all others enrolled among the clergy, who, not having the fear of God before their eyes, nor regarding the ecclesiastical canon, shall recklessly remove from their own church, ought by no means to be received by another church; but every constraint should be applied to them to induce them to return to their own dioceses; and if they will not go, they must be excommunicated.

Canon XVII — On Usury by Clergy

Forasmuch as many enrolled among the Clergy, following covetousness and lust of gain, have forgotten the divine Scripture, which says, "He hath not given his money upon usury," and in lending money ask the hundredth of the sum as monthly interest, the holy and great Synod thinks it just that if after this decree any one be found to receive usury, whether he accomplish it by secret transaction or otherwise, as by demanding the whole and one half, or by using any other contrivance whatever for filthy lucre's sake, he shall be deposed from the clergy and his name stricken from the list. (Ps. 15:5; Ezek. 18:8)

Canon XVIII — On the Place of Deacons

It has come to the knowledge of the holy and great Synod that, in some districts and cities, the deacons administer the Eucharist to the presbyters, whereas neither canon nor custom permits that they who have no right to offer should give the Body of Christ to them that do offer. And this also has been made known, that certain deacons now touch the Eucharist even before the bishops. Let all such practices be utterly done away, and let the deacons remain within their own bounds, knowing that they are the ministers of the bishop and the inferiors of the presbyters.

Canon XIX — On Paulianists

Concerning the Paulianists who have flown for refuge to the Catholic Church, it has been decreed that they must by all means be rebaptized; and if any of them who in past time have been numbered among their clergy should be found blameless and without reproach, let them be rebaptized and ordained by the Bishop of the Catholic Church; but if the examination should discover them to be unfit, they ought to be deposed.

Canon XX — On Standing at Prayer

Forasmuch as there are certain persons who kneel on the Lord's Day and in the days of Pentecost, in order that all things may be uniformly observed everywhere in every parish, it has seemed good to the holy Synod that prayer be made to God standing.