Seleucia (in Chaldoea), Council of

Seleucia (In Chaldoea), Council Of was held in 410, in order to reestablish ecclesiastical discipline in Persia and Mesopotamia. Twenty-seven canons were made.

1. Orders prayers to be made for princes.

2. Contains a profession of faith agreeing with that of Nicaea.

⇒Bible concordance for SELEUCIA.

3. Orders that the consecration of a bishop be performed by three bishops at least.

5. Excludes from every ministration priests and deacons who do not observe strict continence.

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

6. Ordains the same thing with respect to clerks guilty of usury.

7. Excommunicates all who have dealings with enchanters, etc.

10. Directs that priests and other clerks shall eat in a place distinct from the poor.

11. Orders that their sleeping rooms also shall be separate.

15 and 16. Ordain that there shall be but one archdeacon in each diocese, who shall act as the arm and tongue of the bishop to publish and execute his will.

20. Permits the archdeacon to celebrate the holy eucharist in the absence of the bishop, and gives him power to punish deacons under certain circumstances.

25. Forbids bishops to ordain priests and deacons anywhere save before the altar.

See Mansi, Supp. vol. 1, col. 285.