Synod of Gangra
Encyclopedia
The Synod
of Gangra was held in 340. The synod condemned Manichaeans, and their practices. The concluding canons of the Synod condemned the Manichaeans for their actions, and declared many of their practices anathema
tised.
The canons of the synod condemned and anathemetised, (in order), the practices of: the condemnation of marriage, forbidding the eating of most forms of meat, urging slaves to flee their masters, arguing that married priests could not perform valid sacraments, condemning normal church services and holding their own, distributing church revenues without the consent of the bishop, remaining celibate for reasons other than holiness, reviling married persons and the celebration of Christian love-feasts, wearing certain types of ascetic clothing, women wearing men's clothing, women leaving their husbands, parents abandoning their children, children leaving their parents, women cutting off their hair, fasting on a Sunday, and refusal to honour Christian martyrs.
Although merely a local synod, its decisions were later ratified by the Council of Chalcedon
, which is of immense importance in the early history of Christianity
, see also First seven Ecumenical Councils
. Most modern Christian groups, whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox, accept the Council of Chalcedon's decisions, while some Eastern Christians, including the Oriental Orthodox and the Assyrians
, reject it.
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
of Gangra was held in 340. The synod condemned Manichaeans, and their practices. The concluding canons of the Synod condemned the Manichaeans for their actions, and declared many of their practices anathema
Anathema
Anathema originally meant something lifted up as an offering to the gods; it later evolved to mean:...
tised.
The canons of the synod condemned and anathemetised, (in order), the practices of: the condemnation of marriage, forbidding the eating of most forms of meat, urging slaves to flee their masters, arguing that married priests could not perform valid sacraments, condemning normal church services and holding their own, distributing church revenues without the consent of the bishop, remaining celibate for reasons other than holiness, reviling married persons and the celebration of Christian love-feasts, wearing certain types of ascetic clothing, women wearing men's clothing, women leaving their husbands, parents abandoning their children, children leaving their parents, women cutting off their hair, fasting on a Sunday, and refusal to honour Christian martyrs.
Although merely a local synod, its decisions were later ratified by the Council of Chalcedon
Council of Chalcedon
The Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
, which is of immense importance in the early history of Christianity
History of Christianity
The history of Christianity concerns the Christian religion, its followers and the Church with its various denominations, from the first century to the present. Christianity was founded in the 1st century by the followers of Jesus of Nazareth who they believed to be the Christ or chosen one of God...
, see also First seven Ecumenical Councils
First seven Ecumenical Councils
In the history of Christianity, the first seven Ecumenical Councils, from the First Council of Nicaea to the Second Council of Nicaea , represent an attempt to reach an orthodox consensus and to establish a unified Christendom as the State church of the Roman Empire...
. Most modern Christian groups, whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox, accept the Council of Chalcedon's decisions, while some Eastern Christians, including the Oriental Orthodox and the Assyrians
Assyrian Church of the East
The Assyrian Church of the East, officially the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East ʻIttā Qaddishtā w-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi d-Madnĕkhā d-Āturāyē), is a Syriac Church historically centered in Mesopotamia. It is one of the churches that claim continuity with the historical...
, reject it.
External links
- The Synodal Letter, Canons and Epilogue of the Council of Gangra. The Greek and Latin texts (with dictionary lookup links) at www.earlychurchtexts.com.
- The Synodal Letter, Canons and Epilogue of the Council of Gangra. An English translation at www.earlychurchtexts.com.
- Council of Gangra at ccel.org