A Council of Rome held under Pope Zachary.
THIS Council was held (An. 743.) and composed of 40 Italian Bishops or thereabouts, and of many Priests. Zachary published there the following Canons, which were written and approved by those that assisted at it.
The 1st decrees, That Bishops shall not dwell with Women.
The 2d, That Presbyters and Deacons shall have no strange Women in the House with them, tho' they may have their Mother and near Relations.
The 3d, That Priests and Deacons shall be decently clad, and shall wear a Cloak in the Town.
The 4th. That the Bishops ordain'd by the holy See shall every year in the Ides of May come to the Council, if they be near; if not, they shall perform this duty by writing Letters.
The 5th, anathematizeth those that marry a Priest's or a Deacon's Wife, a Nun, or a Religious Woman, as also those who marry their God-mother.
The 6th forbids any person to marry his Cousin-german, Niece, Mother-in-law, Sister-in-law, and any near Relations.
The 7th anathematizeth those who steal Maidens and Widows [to marry them.]
The 8th is against those [Clerks or Monks] that let their Hair grow.
The 9th prohibits Feasting on New-years-day, as the Heathens did.
The 10th anathematizes those who give their Daughters in Marriage to the Jews, or sell Chri∣stian Slaves to them.
The 11th ordains, That the times appointed by the Canons for Ordinations shall be observed; that Persons twice married shall not be ordained; That no Clerk of another Diocess shall be or∣dained or received without a dimissory Letter, or permission from his Bishop.
The 12th Canon ordains, That if Priests, Deacons or other Clerks, have any difference among themselves, they shall apply themselves to the Bishop only to be judged; and if they differ with their own Bishop, they shall go to the next Bishop; and if they will not refer the matter to him, they shall go to the Holy See.
The 13th forbids Bishops, Priests and Deacons, to carry a Staff to the celebrating of the Mass, or to step up to the Altar with the Head uncovered.