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To: SoFloFreeper

From the Ancient Epitome of Canon XVI of the Council of Ancyra

“If any one twenty years of age shall defile himself with a beast, or shall commit sodomy let him fast fifteen years; and if he have a wife and be forty years of age, and shall do such a deed let him abstain now and fast all the rest of his life, neither shall he presume until he is dying to receive the Lord’s body. Youths and fools who shall do any such fixing shall be soundly trounced.”

Philip Schaff, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series Vol. XIV, The Seven Ecumenical Councils., 70 (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997).

And from a quick internet search, I see someone has already done some of the work (note that this web author is trying to make room for homosexual behavior — something to take into account when evaluating his editorializing):

B: Roman Catholic Official and Semi-Official Church Documents on Homosexuality (Chronological)

The texts of many of the decrees of early councils that might relate to homosexuality are translated and printed in Derrick S. Bailey, Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition, (London: Longmans, Green, 1955; repr. Hamden, Ct.: Archon/Shoestring Press, 1975)

Council of Elvira, canon 71 305-306 [vs “corrupters of boys”]
This was first council to address sexuality in a major way. C. 71 is not about “homosexuals”, but about clergy who “corrupt boys”.

Council of Ancyra, canon 17, 314
Provided the basic canon law of middle ages on sodomy, but according to Derek S. Bailey, Homosexuality in the Western Christian Tradition, 86-88, the canon in fact referred only to bestiality. Texts of these canons and other ones to 1179 quoted in full in Bailey.

Basil of Nyssa, First Canonical Epistle to Amphilochus of Iconium, (Epist. 117, canon 62), 375
This is the canon most often cited by the Orthodox. It was a private letter by Basil, but later approved by councils

Gregory of Nyssa, Canonical Letter to Letoius of Mytilene (Epist. canonica 4), 390

Justinian, Novella 77, CJC, (used as canon law) 538
This and the following “Novel”, enacted oppression of homosexual sex into secular law. At this stage the imperial secualr law of the Christian Roman Empire was also operative within the Church. The revival of Roman law studies in the 12th century meant that these laws had important effects on developing Roman Catholic canon law as well as secular law.

Justinian, Novella 141, CJC, (used as canon law) 544

2nd Council of Tours, c. 14, 567:

Monks must not sleep two to a bed.


6 posted on 08/01/2015 6:52:20 PM PDT by lightman (O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, giving to Thy Church vict'ry o'er Her enemies.)
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To: lightman

“Fasting” was the best they knew how to deal with such situations at the time. Which sounds unfortunate because the biblical witness speaks directly of cleansing and regeneration. You can’t bottle the work of the Holy Spirit up in any rigid rule.

Being unable to address such things in a godly way set up the scene for problems later.


7 posted on 08/01/2015 7:01:14 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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