Frodoard, at
Epernay,

894-966.

of the church of Reims;

3. A chronicle from 919
to 966.

A treatise on computation
or supputation of time
as regards the ecclesias-
tical calendar.
Several lives of the saints;
amongst others, that of
John de Verdiere, abbot
of Gorze, and the rela-
tion of his embassy in
Spain to Abderrahiman,
caliph of Cordova.
1. A treatise on the Anti-
christ, celebrated in the
middle ages; 2. The
lives of the saints.
Letters entitled de Carti
lagine (on the Cartilage),
remarkable as an essay
at anatomical studies.
They are inedited.
1.Works.un was pratics;
2. Or copyist.

the I

On

; 5.

VII.

Chronological Table of the Councils and Canonical Legislation of Gaul, from the Fourth to the Tenth Century.1

Object of the Council, Rules, &c.

This council was convoked by Constantine, to pronounce on the subject of the Donatists; and of Cecilian, bishop of Carthage.

Rules. That each priest reside in the place in which he was ordained.

That the faithful who become governors of provinces receive letters of communion, in order that the bishop of the place they inhabit may be able to watch, and excommunicate them, if they act contrary to the discipline.

That the priests and deacons who quit the places assigned to them, shall be deposed.

The council orders that Easter should be celebrated everywhere the same day; excommunicates those who carry arms in time of peace, usurious clerks, and calumniators; forbids deacons to celebrate the office; orders that absolution shall be received in the same

place where excommunication was pronounced; forbids bishops to encroach reciprocally on their rights, and interdicts to the deacons of towns the power of doing anything without the consent of the priests.

Euphratus, bishop of Cologne, having denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, the faithful and clergy of Cologne denounce him as a heretie, and he is condemned and deposed.

This council, at which the emperor Constantius assisted, and the Arians prevailed, deposed Paul, bishop of Trèves, who would not sign the condemnation of Saint Athanasius.

This council, convoked by Saturnin, bishop of Arles, and which decided nothing, banished Saint Hilary, bishop of Poictiers, to Phrygia.

It will be at once seen that in this abstract I have only inserted the most important of the canons.

Object of the Council, Rules, &c.

This council condemned the Arian formula adopted at Sirmium.

This council condemned the Arian formula of Rimini; communicated this resolution to the bishops of the east, and excommunicated Saturnin, bishop of Arles.

Rules. It is forbidden to confess a crime, whether true or false, in order to escape from holy orders. The council forbids the ordaining those who have been twice married, or who have married a widow. It excommunicates virgins consecrated to God if they marry; and those who, after their baptism, sacrifice to demons, or make use of pagan purifications.

1 We have, as usual, preferred the date of Sirmond to that of Labbe, because the events of these two councils clearly prove, that that of Bordeaux must have taken place before that of Trèves. I can only conclude that Sulpicius Severus deceived himself, when he said that after the year 384 St. Martin was present a o council; or, which is very possible, it is an error of the copyist.

Object of the Council, Rules, &c.

This numerous council assembled in compli ance with the wishes of the Bretons, who demanded from the bishops of Gaul succour against the heresy of Pelagius; the council sent them Saint Germain and Saint Loup.

This council was held on the subject of the bishop of Embrun, who had been consecrated by two bishops only. Several canons of discipline were made at it.

Rules. That if two bishops only shall ordain a bishop, they shall, for the future, be excluded from all ordinations and councils.

That when a bishop dies, the nearest bishop shall take charge of his diocese.

That no person shall interfere with the consecration of a bishop without having been invited to do so by the metropolitan.

That it be permitted to country priests to give the blessing, to consecrate virgins, to confirm neophytes, and that they conduct themselves as superiors to the priests, and inferiors to the bishops.1

That a council be held twice a year.

This council was engaged only on affairs of discipline.

Rules. That no one shall reduce to servitude those who belong to the church.

That one council shall not be dissolved without indicating another, the rigour of the weather preventing the holding two councils a year.

That the functions of an infirm bishop shall be fulfilled by another bishop, and not by priests.

The council forbids repeating confirmation, delivering up those who take refuge in a church; forbids a bishop to communicate with him who has excommunicated another bishop, or to ordain deaconesses; orders that some of the graces of the church be

This passage proves that chorepiscopi, or rural bishops, are meant; a class superior to priests, but inferior to the bishops.

Object of the Council, Rules, &c. granted to idiots, and that catechumens shall be present at the reading of the Gospel.

This council was occupied with affairs of discipline.

Rules. That those who retain the offerings of the dead shall be excommunicated. If a bishop does not acquiesce in his sentence, he can appeal to a synod.1

This council was presided over by Saint Hilary. Chelidonius, bishop of Besançon, was deposed for having married a widow.

Rules. That the priests shall receive the holy Chrism every year, at Easter, from the nearest bishop, and not at their own mere discretion.

This council was held against the Novatians, the Photinians, or Paulinists, the Bonosians, the Arians, the Eutychians. Several canons of discipline were made at it. The council also was engaged with the lapsi, that is to say, those who had given way during the persecution.

Rules. That no one shall be consecrated bishop without a letter from the metropolitan, or from three provincial bishops.

That in a contested election the metropolitan must vote with the majority.

The ordination of a clerk out of his diocese, and without the approbation of his bishop, is null.

A bishop who does not come to the council, or who quits it before the end, is excommunicated.

A bishop is guilty of sacrilege who neglects to extirpate the custom of adoring fountains, trees, and stones.

When there are priests present, deacons must not administer the body of Jesus Christ.

Actors shall be excommunicated.

That penance shall not be given to married people without their mutual consent.

C. d'O. The causes of clerks must, under

1 The judgments of the metropolitan are doubtless here referred to.

2 We find among the canons of the council of Arles, twenty which belong, as it would appear, to that of Orange; they are distinguished by the titles C. d'O.