The Presbyters Project

Canon 9

Quid presbyter observare debeat qui presbyteris iubetur dare sanctum chrisma.

Conveniens in omnibus nobis haec manet sententia, quae digne custodiatur in nostra provincia. Placuit, ut quisquis ab episcopo sanctum in potestate presbyteris ad distribuendum tempore opportuno acceperit chrisma nihil ab eis beneficii causa tollere aut petere praesumat. Similiter et presbyteres, qui sanctum Dei baptisma infantibus tradunt, nihil pro tali gratia a parentibus eorum auferre praesumant. Quod si quis aliquid offert per bonam volumtatem, accipiatur grate, nihil tamen, ut diximus, auferatur quacumque occasione. Si quis sententiae huius ordinem non custodierit, eumque transgredi praesumpserit, tribus mensibus sub poenitentia excommunicatus manebit.

(ed. Vives 1963: 331-332)

Canon 9

On the duties of a presbyter who is ordered to give chrism to other presbyters.

We decree that this decision shall be in every detail observed in our province. It pleased us that a person that had in the proper time received the holy chrism from a bishop to distribute it among the presbyters should not dare to ask for or take any payments from them for that service. Similarly, presbyters who administer the holy baptism of God to children shall not dare to take any payment from the parents for this grace. But if someone offers something in good will, it can be received, but, as we have said, nothing shall be claimed on any occasion. If someone does not observe this decree, and has the effrontery to transgress it, he shall be excommunicated and do penance for three months.

(trans. M. Szada)

Place of event:

Region

Iberian Peninsula

City

Merida

About the source:

Title: Council of Mérida in 666, Concilium Emeritense a. 666, Council of Merida in 666
Origin: Merida (Iberian Peninsula)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The provincial council of the province of Lusitania was held in Mérida in the church called Jerusalem in November 666. It was presided by Bishop Proficius of Mérida and eleven other bishops were present.

Edition:

J. Vives ed., Concilios visigóticos e hispano-romanos, Barcelona-Madrid 1963.

Categories:

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Ritual activity - Baptism and instructing catechumens

Ritual activity - Anointment with chrism

Public law - Ecclesiastical

Economic status and activity - Gift

Relation with - Another presbyter

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Administration of justice - Ecclesiastical

Administration of justice - Excommunication/Anathema

Livelihood/income

Administration of justice - Penance

Devotion - Donations and offerings

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER817, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=817