That no subordinate is allowed to disparage a bishop after his death.

 

Since the episcopal authority is given by the divine grace in the holy Church of God, it is lawful that as the bishop is highest in honour and power during his life, he shall by no means be reviled after his death. For this reason the present decree has been carried forth, and our gathering confirms it in every respect. Therefore, we proclaim that no subordinate will revile a deceased bishop, no one will disparage him, or say anything bad about him. If from now anyone dares any such thing, if he is a presbyter, he shall by obliged by his bishop to three months of penance. If he is a deacon, to five months. If a subdeacon or cleric or monk of a higher rank, because they shall be venerable by their good deeds, to nine months. If these reckless persons are of the lowest rank, they shall receive fifty lashes by the order of the bishop. If he is a lay person, even if free-born and a ward in the house of the Church, and was endowed with something from the ecclesiastical property for the grace of dignity, according to what is exacted by this dignity he shall be excommunicated for such an offence. If, however, he or she is a member of the familia of the Church, and, because there is a distinction in grade in this group, he or she is of a major dignity, he or she shall be excommunicated by his bishop for six months; if he or she is, however, of inferior position, or a person of the lowest standing, he or she shall receive a punishment according to the sentence of his bishop. It is lawful to remove the sting of detraction from the bishop after his death, since during his life the honour was due to him.

 

(trans. M. Szada)