Synod of Mâcon
Encyclopedia
The term Synod of Mâcon is usually used to refer to either the second or third council
of Christian bishop
s in the city of Mâcon
. Both councils were convoked by the Burgundian
king Guntram
.
or 582
. Unusually, one of the 19 canon
s it produced addressed a specific individual - a nun
named Agnes. The 14th canon imposed a curfew against Jews, banning them from the streets at all times between Maundy Thursday
and Easter Sunday. The 2nd canon prohibits Jews from talking to nuns.
.
Among the main subjects the council considered was the issue of Tithing
- which the council formally legislated for.
, 624
or 627
, 906
and 1286.
The fourth council (in 624 or 627) approved the Monastic Rule of Saint Columbanus.
in the sixth century and wrote a history of the region. At one point he tells of a council -that may, or may not, have been any of the synods at Mâcon- at which the meaning of the word "man" was discussed. Gregory writes:
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 Christian bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s in the city of Mâcon
Mâcon
Mâcon is a small city in central France. It is prefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department, in the region of Bourgogne, and the capital of the Mâconnais district. Mâcon is home to over 35,000 residents, called Mâconnais.-Geography:...
. Both councils were convoked by the Burgundian
Kingdom of Burgundy
Burgundy is a historic region in Western Europe that has existed as a political entity in a number of forms with very different boundaries. Two of these entities - the first around the 6th century, the second around the 11th century - have been called the Kingdom of Burgundy; a third was very...
king Guntram
Guntram
Saint Guntram was the king of Burgundy from 561 to 592. He was a son of Chlothar I and Ingunda...
.
Second Council
The second council was held in 581581
Year 581 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 581 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Asia :* The Sui Dynasty replaces the Northern Zhou...
or 582
582
Year 582 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 582 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* The Avars take over the city of...
. Unusually, one of the 19 canon
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
s it produced addressed a specific individual - a nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
named Agnes. The 14th canon imposed a curfew against Jews, banning them from the streets at all times between Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels...
and Easter Sunday. The 2nd canon prohibits Jews from talking to nuns.
Third Council
The third council was held in 585585
Year 585 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 585 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* The Suebi kingdom on the Iberian peninsula...
.
Among the main subjects the council considered was the issue of Tithing
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
- which the council formally legislated for.
Other Councils
Other councils were held in Mâcon in 579579
Year 579 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 579 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Frithuwald succeeds his brother Theodric as...
, 624
624
Year 624 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 624 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* After 70 years of Byzantine rule,...
or 627
627
Year 627 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 627 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* December 12 – Battle of...
, 906
906
Year 906 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Battle of Fritzlar: The Conradines defeat the Babenberg counts to establish themselves as dukes of Franconia. Conrad the Elder is killed in the battle...
and 1286.
The fourth council (in 624 or 627) approved the Monastic Rule of Saint Columbanus.
Myth: Discussion about women's souls
Contrary to popular myth, the Synods of Macon undertook no discussion on the subject of whether or not women had souls, or whether or not women were human. This myth is based on a story told in The History of the Franks by St. Gregory of Tours. Gregory was bishop of ToursTours
Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
in the sixth century and wrote a history of the region. At one point he tells of a council -that may, or may not, have been any of the synods at Mâcon- at which the meaning of the word "man" was discussed. Gregory writes: