The Canons of the Synod of Orange

441 AD

Translation from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. XIV. For a complete electronic copy, visit the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, the New Advent Library. Italics in the text by John Wijngaards.

Canon 26. “Altogether no women deacons are to be ordained. If some already exist, let them bend their heads to the blessing given to the (lay) people.”

Note. During the blessing the clergy stood on the side of the bishop or priest, joining the blessing he gave. Here ‘deaconesses’ are told to stand on the side of the people and ‘receive’ the blessing.

For related online Libraries see:
The ORDINATION OF WOMEN in the Catholic Church	Catherine of Siena VIRTUAL COLLEGE
THE BODY IS SACRED	MYSTERY AND BEYOND

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