The Presbyters Project

[Capitulum secundum cod. R] I. De sacerdotum uel ministris puritatem.

[Capitulum secundum codd. A, Q, et S] I. De sanctitate sacerdotum.

The long passage about the necessity of purity on behalf of priests and deacons with several quotes from the Holy Scriptures.

Cum ergo laico abstinentia imperetur ut possit orationi uacans et Deum deprecans audiri, quanto magis sacerdotes uel leuitae, qui omni momento parati Deo esse debent, in omni munditia et puritate securi, ne aut sacrificium offerre aut baptizare, si id temporis necessitas poposcerit, cogantur. Qui si contaminati fuerint carnali concupiscentia, qua mente excusabunt, quo pudore usurpabunt, qua conscientia, quo merito exaudiri se credent?

(ed. Munier 1963: 143-144, 149)

[Title according to cod. R] I. On the purity of priests and ministers.

[Title according to codd. A, Q, and S] I. On the sanctity of priests.

The long passage about the necessity of purity on behalf of priests and deacons with several quotes from the Holy Scriptures.

Therefore, because even from a layman abstinence is required so that his prayers can be heard by God, how much more should priests and levites [i.e. deacons], who ought to be ready in every moment for God, be compelled to guard their cleanness and purity, so they can offer sacrifice and baptise whenever the necessity of time demands it. If they were contaminated by carnal desire, how would they excuse themselves, how would they pretend to be decent, how could they believe to be heard with such conscience and such merit?

(trans. and summary J. Szafranowski)

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Tours

About the source:

Title: First Council of Tours, Concilium Turonense I anno 461
Origin: Tours (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The council of Tours of AD 461 took place on the 18th of November of 461, when some bishops had gathered in Tours to celebrate the feast of St. Martin the week earlier. The canons were signed by eight bishops, including one described as "of the Britons", and one presbyter acting in his bishop` stead. Characteristic of the acts of this synod is the frequent quoting of the Holy Scriptures.

Edition:

Ch. Munier ed., Concilia Galliae a. 314-a. 506, Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina 148, Turnhoult 1963.

Categories:

Sexual life - Sexual abstinence

Described by a title - Sacerdos/ἱερεύς

Ritual activity - Baptism and instructing catechumens

Ritual activity - Eucharist

Equal prerogatives of presbyters and bishops

Equal prerogatives of presbyters and deacons

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER813, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=813