Council of Nicaea Canons

Motion to move Metropolitan to Jerusalem from Caesarea—145-25.

Canon 1: On the Authority of Metropolitan Bishops—passes 170-0; revision passes 155-40

Metropolitan Bishops, as descendants from the Apostles, are to be the primary authority for the Church in order to protect the Church from heresy and error. These Metropolitan Bishops are endowed with complete authority to resolve conflicts of doctrine and practice for the Church and have full influence over their provinces and the traditional large provinces, as they were known before 290 CE. And this is to be universally understood that, from this time forward, if anyone be made bishop without the consent of the Metropolitan, the great Synod has declared that such a man is not to a bishop and must be reordained for readmission into the Church.

 

Canon 2: On the role of future councils—passes 170-0

 

The Bishop of Rome, as the heir to St. Peter, shall be established as the primary bishop (“Pope”) of the Church in order to settle disputes between the Metropolitan Bishops and to promote the ultimate cohesion of the Church. The Pope will serve as the authority in lieu of future councils.

 

Canon 3: On the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection—passes 110-65

 

Let it be known that the day the followers celebrate the Resurrection shall be set on the first Sunday after the beginning of Passover.

 

Canon 4: On the celibacy of the clergy: passed 135-40

 

All members of the clergy are required to practice celibacy. Members of the clergy who are already married are exempt from this requirement; such clergymen must practice celibacy after the death of his wife.

 

Canon 5: On the Lapsed: passed 170-20

 

Just as Jesus preached for love and forgiveness, so too shall the Church forgive the Lapsed and allow them to re-enter the Church without punishment. While a period of repentance is highly encouraged for the Lapsed, God alone has the power of judgment on all people. As leaders of the faith, clergy members who have lapsed may no longer retain their clerical positions but may be readmitted to the church. The existing Metropolitan bishop will oversee the re-admittance process.

 

Canon 6: On Clergy: passed 195-0

 

Any unmarried, baptized male member of the church of at least 25 years of age, may receive sacred ordination validly by a bishop, with approval from the metropolitan bishop, provided that the candidate has successfully completed Seminary school and has overcome any tests of their faith.

 

Canon 7: On Clergy: passed unanimously

There should be no minimum waiting period for membership in the clergy after the completion of necessary education.

 

Canon 8: On Followers of Paul of Samosata: passed 125-70

Followers of Paul of Samosata should be re-baptized to remain in the church because of illegitimate clergy that originally baptized them.