Nicaea - Canon 1

I do not hide my affection for the Church Fathers' writings, but after an exchange with another blogger, my lack of detailed knowledge concerning the early ecumenical councils became more clear.  An examination of the specific canons seemed to be in order.  With that, I wish to share those canons of Nicea—one per day.

Canon 1

If any one in sickness has been subjected by physicians to a surgical operation, or if he has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain among the clergy; but, if any one in sound health has castrated himself, it behooves that such a one, if enrolled among the clergy, should cease,¹ and that from henceforth no such person should be promoted.  But, as it is evident that this is said of those who willfully do the thing and presume to castrate themselves, so if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians, or by their masters, and should otherwise be found worthy, such men the Canon admits to the clergy.

I was surprised by this being listed.  Evidently, the practice of self-mutilation was becoming somewhat common. Daniel Butler notes:

The feeling that one devoted to the sacred ministry should be unmutilated was strong in the Ancient Church.…This canon of Nicea, and those in the Apostolic Canons and a later one in the Second Council of Arles (canon vii.) were aimed against that perverted notion of piety, originating in the misinterpretation of our Lord’s saying (Matt. xix. 12)²

¹ I.e., from his ministry

² Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Vol 14, p 8.