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Synod of Rome (721)

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The Synod of Rome (721) (also known as the Council of Rome of 721) was a synod held in St. Peter’s Basilica under the authority of Pope Gregory II to establish canons to improve church discipline.

Contents

Background

On April 5, 721, Pope Gregory II opened a synod to deal with tightening up the rules of matrimony, and a number of minor offenses committed against the Church. Present along with the Pope were nineteen Italian bishops, and three non-Italian bishops: Sindered of Toledo, Sedulius from Britain, and Fergustus Pictus from Scotland. Also present were a number of Roman priests and deacons.

The seventeen canons of the synod

The synod drew up seventeen canons to improve church discipline. These included a prohibition on marrying:

  • 1. The widow of a priest;
  • 2. Or a Deaconess;
  • 3. Or a nun;
  • 4. Or his spiritual Commater;
  • 5. The wife of his brother;
  • 6. Or his niece;
  • 7. His stepmother or daughter-in-law;
  • 8. His first cousin;
  • 9. Or a relation, or the wife of a relation.


    • It further placed anathemas on:

  • 10. A man marrying a widow;
  • 11. A man who ravishes a virgin to whom he was not betrothed, in order to take her as his wife, even if she were to consent;
  • 12. If a man is guilty of superstitious usages;
  • 13. Anyone who violates the earlier commands of the Apostolic Church in regard to the olive-yards belonging to it.


    • It mentioned specific anathemas against:

  • 14. Hadrian, who married the deaconess Epiphania;
  • 15. As well as Epiphania herself;
  • 16. And whoever helped her to marry.


    • Finally, the synod also anathematized:

  • 17. Any cleric who lets his hair grow.


    • The synod finished its deliberations on the same day it started.

    References

    Synod of Rome (721) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA