The Interpretation of Canon 3 of the 1st Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea (325) and Its Actuality in the Life of the Church
The Interpretation of Canon 3 of the 1st Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea (325) and Its Actuality in the Life of the Church

Summary/Abstract: The study presents theInterpretation of Canon 3 of the 1st Ecumenical Synod inNicaea (325). The Fathers of the 1st Synod in Nicaea, by strengthening the morallife of the clergy, condemned the concubinage with hidden women, but they did notsupport celibacy over marriage. The cohabitation with legal wife is not mentioned,but this lack of mentioning does not automatically mean that the separation fromwives or the celibacy were introduced in the Church legislation and practice. Wifeis considered to be a full member of the category of legitimate women; but here, thecanonical disposition refers to non-married or widow members of the clergy, whomay cohabitate only with mother, sister, aunt or other women connected throughphysical kinship and who are beyond any doubt. The intention of the participants tothe Synod was not to introduce celibacy as mandatory for clergy, but the text of thecanon is very clear, as it aims to strengthen the discipline of the clergy, the morallife, through confi rming the custom and condemning the abuses. In fact, we don’teven fi nd references to such a rule that supports celibacy.

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