Latin text:
Canon 17
BISHOP OSSIUS SAID:
I ought not to keep silent about that which now moves me. If any bishop happens to be angry (which he should not be) [and] is quickly and harshly aroused against his presbyter or deacon and wishes to expel him from the Church, provision must be made lest an innocent man be condemned or lose communion [with the Church]; let the one cast out have the power to appeal to the neighbouring [bishops] that his case may be heard and carefully treated, for it is not right to deny a hearing to him who asks. And let that bishop who either justly or unjustly rejected [him] patiently accept that the matter be discussed, that his judgement may either be approved or corrected. Nevertheless, before all is examined diligently and faithfully, no one shall presume before the inquiry to receive and join in communion with him who has been deprived of communion. Moreover, those who assemble, if they find the cleric to be scornful and arrogant (since it is not appropriate that a bishop should suffer injustice or insult) they should be chastised with very severe words that they may obey him [the bishop] when he issues proper admonition, since just as he ought to [show] the sincere love of charity to his ministers, so should his ministers show respect to their bishop.
Greek text:
Canon 14
BISHOP OSSIUS SAID:
I ought not to be silent about that which always arouses me. If any bishop is found quick to anger (to which such a man should not be liable) and is suddenly aroused against a presbyter or deacon to expel him from the church, precaution must be taken lest he be sentenced without fault and deprived of communion.
ALL THE BISHOPS SAID:
He who is cast out shall have [the] right to take refuge with the bishop of the metropolis of the same province, and if he is away take refuge with the neighbouring [bishop], and ask that his case be painstakingly examined. For a hearing must not be denied to those who request [it]. And that bishop who justly or unjustly cast him out should bear it nobly that the examination of the case is made and his decision is ratified or denied. Before all things are carefully examined with fidelity, he who has been excluded from communion may not lay claim to receive communion before the decision of his case. And if any clergy who have come together [for the hearing] have seen arrogance and boastfulness in him, since it is not fitting to withstand insolence or unjust censure, they should correct him with strong and forceful words that he may submit to and obey commands that are fitting. For as the bishop ought to show sincere affection and kindness to those placed under him, so in the same manner the subordinates ought sincerely to perform their services to the bishops.
(trans. Hess 2002: 223-225, 237)
