What apostolic rules?This is a fundamental law of the world church monument.According to some researchers, the "Rules of the Holy Apostles," written by an unknown author.However, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and many Protestant churches accept this document for the apostolic authority.
general, apostolic rules, as well as the "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles," is considered one of the most important works of the early centuries of the Church.They suggest that the principles of church life that we use now, go back to the unchanged its first century (when the chapel were polukatakombny lifestyle).By the way, some Protestant Society for recklessness or arrogance believe the current system of the organization imposed by the authorities of being faithful or outdated.
Created
When the apostolic rules were created?It is interesting that the dating of their writing is unknown, but scientists believe that they have appeared in the late second or early third century: perhaps soon after the three-year persecution of Decius.In contrast to the "Instructions", the document is still used in the Orthodox churches of the East.
known that the apostolic rules do not formally belong to the body, "Sacred legend", but certainly possess high authority immediately following the verdict of the Ecumenical Councils.
The emergence and importance of the Church
So, the rules are disciples of Jesus Christ to the earliest church myths.Only Christianity was born, and they already had a tremendous authority as apostles inscribed the legend.It is interesting that I (Nicene) World Cathedral refers to the document as something well-known, because it is clear that other rules before his appearance did not exist.
where the first rule is clear repeats 21th apostolic, while the second - 80 rule.Antioch 341, many bases its laws on the apostolic work.The second rule of the Sixth World Council confirms the authenticity of these documents, declaring that "85 of the rules of the Apostles now must be firm and inviolable."
general Christianity believed that the special importance of Christ's disciples works lies not only in their ancient origin and senior level, but also in the fact that they contain almost all of the overriding canonical norms.Their value has increased at a time when they have been supplemented and developed by Local and Ecumenical Councils, and Church Fathers.
Essence Securities
What rules tell the Apostles?
- About ordination: Bishop two or three bishops (1), and a priest or deacon - one bishop (2).
- On the rejection of dignity: for foreign objects on the altar (3), for the removal of his wife (5), worldly cares (6), for groundless refusal of Communion (8), for the accomplishment of prayer with heretics (11, 45), perjury, immorality and theft (25), physical abuse (27, 66), for the acquisition of power by secular rulers (30) for the accomplishment of the sacraments without the knowledge of the diocese (35), gambling and alcohol (42), with the denial of Christ(62), for taking part in the festivities with the Jews (70).
- the excommunication of laymen: for early withdrawal from service (9), for the accomplishment of prayer with heretics (10).
- ministry prohibited: Kastrati (21) and a bigamist (17), blind and deaf (78) military (83), accursed by the ministry (32).
- Feature list of books of the Bible (85), which includes the 42 Old Testament books and 28 (or 36, if you take into account those who may not publish) the New Testament without the Apocalypse.
canonical status
Apostolic rule with the interpretations available for the study of each person.The second rule Trullan Council determined the writings of the apostles in the first place among the canonical issue: it recognizes documents of Christ's disciples.Also, they recognize the Orthodox Church of the East.But the Roman Church agrees with the canonical authority of only the first fifty of the rules.
same rule number 2 corrects the 85th Apostolic Canon, which describes the catalog of the books of Sacred Scripture and the works canonical.It exempts them from the letter of Clement, without attracting the strict criticism for the sake of saving the authenticity of apostolic legends.
Rule 25
So consider the 25 apostolic rule.It says that a bishop or deacon or presbyter of perjury, or depravity, or theft oblichёnny will be deprived of the sacred rank.But communicating the Church can not be excommunicated.For the Scripture says, is one of the two not otmstishi (Nahum 1: 9).The same applies to Ponomarev.
Agree, 25 apostolic rule is quite interesting in terms of content.In general, anything that interferes with the entry a certain person to the priesthood, of course, and should deprive her of dignity.What features should have a spiritual person, we all know.Similarly, all aware of the flaws that can not be priests.What clerics overriding weaknesses exist?In the first place are such that blacken the good name, so important for priests.
And what disadvantages tarnished the reputation of the clergy?It is those who are intolerant and laity: they expose their severity of the punitive law.This apostolic law mentions three crimes in which sufferers can fall into a spiritual man - stealing, fornication, and perjury.These and other delinquent who can make the priest mentioned in many other rules about what is told in their respective interpretations.As mentioned earlier, if a spiritual person falls into these sins, it does not deserve the priesthood.
Thus, this rule provides that priests and clergy, said convicted of illegalities, should be deprived of the position which they have acquired through hirotesiyu and consecration.But at the same time the same situation says that they should be put out of communion with the Church is not necessary.It justifies its instruction words of Scripture (Naum.1: 9).
in interpreting the fifth apostolic right to speak about the different penalties prescribed for the priests of the sins committed by them.And there are treated eruption and weaning - these penalties are considered the most serious.For clerics practiced eruption from the priesthood, and for ordinary people - separation from ecclesial communion.
way, apostolic rules for the laity have portrayed the same way as for the clergy: in teaching, preaching, and through books.
Excommunication, which tells the fifth precept, do not be regarded as a punishment for clergy.It should be interpreted as a punishment for the laity, otherwise the recommendations of the rules would have no meaning.This law should be interpreted to mean that a priest known for gaffes unfrock and becomes a layman, has the right to participate in the church's fellowship.And only later, to commit such an offense as a layman, he was excommunicated from the church calls.
way, the eruption of the cleric is the most severe punishment.Interestingly, the concept of Christian charity seeks to add to this punishment of another?Namely, depriving the culprit right to participate in meetings of the believers?However, the law only to those forgiving the guilty, are mentioned only in this document.Indeed, in the 29 and 30 rule mentioned and other sins for which the perpetrators bear a double punishment - excommunication and eruption.For example, for simony, or for receiving episcopal rank with the help of the secular authorities.
general, apostolic rules with the interpretations are very interesting reading.So, by definition, Gregory of Nyssa, which is mentioned in the fourth rule, playing the whore called not to offend other lustful desires satisfaction with any person.This implies that corruption can make a person who is not related by marriage, and no one by law.Therefore, such a mistake does not cause offense to a third party, that is husband or wife.According to the nuance is different from fornication and adultery, which causes harm to another person and insults him.
fact adultery called illicit relationship with another man's wife or someone else's husband.Terms of St. Basil the Great (38, 40, 42) are more widely fornication: that name called all marriages, against the wishes of older prisoners.
should be noted that the apostolic rules on marriage told a lot of interesting.Of course, fornication is considered smaller sin than adultery.After all, according to the same Gregory of Nyssa in the said rule, adultery is a crime appreciation lustful desires.Adultery is, among other things, contains an insult to the other, and as a result is punished more severely.Condemnation of fornication the priests expressed in this document are based on the Holy Scriptures (1 Tim. 3: 2,3; Tit. 1: 6).
second crime that condemns this rule is a violation of the oath.For example, if a certain priest violate the oath uttered on any important issue in the name of God, the further offense is to confirm the court.And if the judges find out what is really broken the oath, then this sin is the harder and more criminal than a solemn vow was proclaimed this, and what was more important case in which it was given, and vice versa (you. Conducted. 82 pr.).This sin is very severely punished, and among the laity.Many now understand the severity of the law in relation to the priest for the same offense.After all, they, among other things, would serve as a temptation for the faithful, remain to serve the truth, while drowning in sin.
This rule is meant by stealing the secret seizure of property of another person.If someone has assigned an object being the property of the Church, such a theft is a different type of crime and is punished differently (Ap. 72; Dvukr. 10; Gregory Nice. 6.8).
Rule 51
Apostolic Canon 51 th tells us about the following: if a deacon or bishop or presbyter, or any priest turns away from wine, meat or marriage not for the required post, but because of the mockery, what with himIt happens?After all, the person has forgotten that everything is exceedingly good!What God created man, he created the husband and wife separated!In fact, it slanders God's creation!This document states that a priest should either be corrected or be deprived of the sacred rank and excommunicated from the Church.The same punishment is provided for the layman.
Indeed, the chapel has always disapproved of abstinence and even recommended it in the days of Lent.But this law is directed against those ancient heretics who shun certain foods, wine or meat, seeing them as something unclean and rejected marriage.
Rule 42
Apostolic Canon 42 th states that if the elder, bishop or deacon committed a drinking game, let him be deposed and may be abolished.The interpretation of this document is identical to the interpretation of the 43rd rule that states that if the reader, singer or Subdeacon will get up like that, it will be excommunicated.The same applies to the laity.
and 42, and Rule 43 refers to the same thing, namely, the prohibition of games and drunkenness.The law states that if a person surrendered sim sins, persevere, and after receiving the advice of the elders, then they should deprive the priesthood if they will be priests.If such oversight allow laymen or clergymen, they should be able to separate from the Holy Communion.In general, priests are usually deprived of pre-service, engage them in the temple.Excommunicate them from the Holy Communion only after they cease to be readers, subdeacons or singers.Under
game mentioned in this document are to be understood all sorts of gambling (eg, cards), during which the person seeks to take away from the partner as much money.Some players on their own doom to destruction or their own savings or their family savings.This kind of theft, for which the 25-th rule of Christ's disciples recommends eruption spiritual father, convicted of it.42nd usually just requires each eruption prone to gambling.
Rule 45
45 apostolic rule states that if a presbyter, deacon or bishop prays only with heretics, let him be excommunicated.If we allow them to do as servants of the Church, let him be deposed.
The first rule of St. Basil the Great says that in the old days people were called heretics, it is ottorgshihsya from the Orthodox Church.According to his definition, heresy is the most obvious difference in the faith of God.Tenth apostolic law forbids praying together with the excommunicated for any heavy sin.From the church has always separated people not taking her dogmatic teachings and oppose him.
Therefore clergyman or bishop who does pray together with heretics, excommunicated subjected: such persons prohibited a priest.However, the most severe punishment - an eruption, that is defrocked, may be punished by the bishop or cleric, who allowed heretics to the sacraments of the Church as its servants.
modern example of such a breach of the rules is the assumption of Catholic or Protestant priest to commit the wedding of his parishioners in his place.Some priests are allowed to take communion to parishioners from heterodox confessor: such actions as are punished.This rule is complemented by a nuance of 45 followed by a 46 prescription.
Rule 64
What tells 64 apostolic rule?The document warns that if someone from the clergy see fasting in a single day on Saturday (Holy Saturday is not considered), let him be deposed.If you are caught a layman such case, it shall be driven.
general degree of resolution of fasting on Sundays and Saturdays defined in the charter of the church.During this period, allowed to drink wine, oil, and food after the liturgy, without the continuation of the post up to three-quarters of the day.
Rule 69
A 69 apostolic rule says that if a presbyter, or bishop, or reader, or singer, or a sub-deacon, not fasts in Lent before Easter, or Wednesday, or heels, let him be deposed.But if a layman allows such oversight, let him be excommunicated.Refuse to post in this case can only be a person with physical infirmities.
In general, the law encourages the faithful to fast during Lent, on Wednesdays and Fridays.The prescription of fasting is based on the Holy Scriptures.We know that the Lord himself began practicing post back in the Old Testament church.
And finally, we must add that, according to Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great, God created the post back in paradise.It was then that he forbade people to eat of the forbidden fruit.
