The Apostolic Canons
Section 16
Canon XV. Concerning eunuchs. If any one has become a eunuch through men by force, or if they have deprived him of his organ in war, or if he has been born thus, and they deem him worthy, let him be ordained as bishop. But if he has castrated himself of his own will, he cannot become one of the ordained ; for he has become a slayer of himself and an enemy of the creature of God. And if one of the ordained castrate his organ, let him be deposed, for he is only a slayer of himself. And a layman who castrates himself shall be expelled three years, for he is only an enemy of his life.
Open in the reader All of The Apostolic Canons
Text. George H. Schodde, Journal of the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis, 1885. Public domain by age. Schodde's English of the Ge'ez Apostolic Canons, recovered from the scan by the word coordinates. His roman numbering is the one printed; two of his headings did not survive the scan and their canons read on inside the canon before them. Not audited.