(Greek xxxii.)
If anyone who is excommunicated shall receive communion before his cause is heard he brings damnation on himself.
Likewise it pleased the whole Council that he who shah have been excommunicated for any neglect, whether he be bishop, or any other cleric, and shall have presumed while still under sentence, and his cause not yet heard, to receive communion, he shall be considered by so doing to have given sentence against himself.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon XXIX.
One excommunicate who shall communicate before absolution sentences himself.
This canon seems to be founded upon Canon iv. of Antioch.
Johnson.
See Can. Ap., 21 (29), Antioch, 4.
By this canon the criminous bishop is supposed to be excommunicated before he comes to have his cause heard by a Synod, or by 12 neighbouring bishops: and it is therefore most rational to believe that he was thus censured by his Primate. See Can. Afr., 12.
Canon XXX.
(Greek xxxiii.)
Concerning the accused or accuser.
Likewise it seemed good that the accused, or the accusor, if (living in the same place as the accused) he fears some evil may be done him by the tumultuous multitude, may choose for himself a place near by, where the cause may be determined, and where there will be no difficulty in producing the witnesses.
Ancient Epitome of Canon XXX.
Accuser or accused may select for himself a safe place if he fears violence.
Canon XXXI.
(Greek xxxiv.)
If certain clerics advanced by their own bishops are supercilious, let them not remain whence they are unwilling to come forth.
IT also seemed good that whoever of the clergy or of the deacons would not help the bishop in the necessities of the churches, when he wished to lift them to a higher position in his diocese, should no longer be allowed to exercise the functions of that grade from which they were not willing to be removed.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon XXXI.
Who despises a greater honour shall lose what he hath.
Johnson.
It is most probable that this canon is to be understood of deacons designed by the bishop to be ordained priests, for the deacons, at least in some Churches, were provided of a better maintenance than priests; or it may be understood of inferior clergymen, who were permitted to marry in the degree they were now in, but would not willingly take the order of priest or deacon, because then they were prohibited marriage.