Library › Ecumenical councils › Second Council of Nicaea (787)
Second Council of Nicaea (787)
Ecumenical councils, NPNF II.14
18. Canon 18
That women ought not to live in bishops’ houses, nor in monasteries of men.
“Be ye without offence to those who are without,” says the divine Apostle. Now for women to live in Bishops’ houses or in monasteries is ground for grave offence. Whoever therefore is known to have a female slave or freewoman in the episcopal palace or in a monastery for the discharge of some service, let him be rebuked. And if he still continue to retain her, let him be deposed. If it happens that women are on the suburban estates, and the bishop or hegumenos desires to go thither, so long as the bishop or hegumenos is present, let no woman at that time continue her work, but let her betake herself to some other place until the bishop [or hegumenos1] has departed, so that there be no occasion of complaint.
Notes · Ancient Epitome of Canon XVIII
It is not fitting that women should be kept in episcopal houses or in monasteries. If anyone shall dare to do so, he shall be reproved; but if he persists, he shall be deposed. No woman is allowed to serve or even to appear where a bishop or a superior of a monastery is present, but let her keep herself apart until he be gone.
Notes
- Not found in Bev.