Canons of Arles

Conciliar · Canons · 1 August 314 · Latin

Constantine's first council, called because the Donatists appealed the verdict of his own tribunal back to him — the emperor summoning bishops from across the west rather than hearing the case a third time himself. The canons refuse to rebaptize those baptized by heretics, forbid clergy to wander between provinces, and press for a common date for Easter. The shape of imperial-era church order, sketched eleven years before Nicaea. 22 canons in all.