The Presbyters Project

Canon 1

Et quia in ordinandis clerecis antiquorum patrum statuta non ad integrum, sicut expedit, obseruata esse cognoscitur, ne forte quorumcumque importunis et inordinatis praecibus sacerdotis Domini fatigentur et ea, quae toties sunt praecepta, transgredi compellantur, hoc inter se obseruandum esse definiunt, ut nullus episcoporum diaconum, antequam uiginti et quinque annus impleat, ordinare praesumat, episcopatus uero uel presbyterii honore nullus laicus ante praemissa conuersatione uel ante triginta aetatis annus accipiat.

(ed. de Clercq 1963: 43)

Canon 1

Because we have learned that the statutes of the ancient fathers concerning the ordinations of clerics are not wholly observed as they should be, lest by chance the priests of the Lord were to be weary of someone's annoying and confusing requests, and be compelled to violate the decrees who were so many times commanded, we agree to observe among ourselves [the rule] that no bishop should dare to ordain deacon someone who is not at least twenty five years old. As to the office of the bishop or the presbyter, no layman should accept this honour if he did not convert [to a pious and ascetic life] beforehand and is not at least thirty years old.

(trans. J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

The meaning of the term conversio is obscure. Probably, it was required of the candidates to presbyterate to live a pious life before taking Holy Orders, which involved separation from marital bed for a period of time before ordination.

Other decrees which require "conversion" before ordination are canon 37 from the Council of Épaone (AD 517) [1162], canon 2 of the Fourth Council of Arles (AD 524) [1165], and canon 6 of the Third Council of Orléans (AD 538) [1308].

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Arles

About the source:

Title: 4th Council of Arles 524, Concilium Arelatense IV anno 524
Origin: Arles (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

This council convened on 6 June AD 524 in Arles on the occasion of the dedication of Saint Mary`s Basilica outside the city walls. The proceedings were presided over by Caesarius of Arles. Apart from him, thirteen bishops, three presbyters, and one cleric of unknown rank signed the four canons - all of which concern the clerical discipline.

Edition:

C. de Clercq ed., Concilia Galliae a. 511-a. 695, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 148 A, Turnhout 1963.

Translation:

J. Gaudemet, B. Basdevant, Les canons des conciles mérovingiens VIe-VIIe siècles, Sources chrétiennes 353, Paris 1989.

Categories:

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Described by a title - Clericus

Impediments or requisits for the office - Age

Impediments or requisits for the office - Improper/Immoral behaviour

Public law - Ecclesiastical

Further ecclesiastical career - None

Equal prerogatives of presbyters and bishops

Devotion - Ascetic practice

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1164, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1164