Epitimia

Coptic	Rendering	Count	First
no glossary terms recorded

khazarzar-basilius-caesariensis-epitimia:1 · narrativehigh

Source

Επιτιμια ιβʹ Εἴ τις ἐξέλθοι τοῦ μοναστηρίου, μὴ λαβὼν εὐλογίαν, ἢ ἀπολυθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου μετὰ εὐχῆς, ἔστω ἀκοινώνητος. ιγʹ Εἴ τις κέκτηταί τι ἐν τῷ μοναστηρίῳ, ἢ ἔξω τοῦ μοναστηρίου, ἔστω ἀκοινώνητος. ιδʹ Εἴ τις συνδυάζει μετά τινος ἐπὶ τὸ ἀναχωρήσαι τοῦ μοναστηρίου ἐφ' ἑτέρῳ τινὶ κακῷ, ἔστω ἀκοινώνητος. ιεʹ Εἴ τις τῶν ἀρχικουνιτῶν εὑρίσκει τινὰ ταράσ σοντα ἢ διαλεγόμενον ἐν τῷ κουνίῳ, καὶ μὴ ἐκβάλ λει αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ χοροῦ, αὐτὸς γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. ι ʹ Εἴ τις γένηται ἀπευλογίας ἕνεκεν παιδείας, καὶ καταφρονήσας μὴ ἀπολογήσηται, καὶ λάβῃ εὐλο γίαν, ἀφοριζέσθω. ιζʹ Εἴ τις παρατιθεῖ τι ἐν ταῖς τραπέζαις ἢ ἑαυ τῷ, ἢ ἄλλῳ, μὴ ἐπιτραπεὶς παρὰ τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. ιηʹ Εἴ τις ἄνευ μαφορίου ποιεῖ ἔργον ἐν οἱῳδήποτε τόπῳ, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. ιθʹ Εἴ τις συντυγχάνει τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ξένῳ ἢ ἰδίῳ, μὴ ἐπιτραπεὶς παρὰ τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, ἐκτὸς τῶν ἐντετυπωμένων, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. κʹ Εἴ τις ἄρῃ ἀπὸ ἀδελφοῦ τι καὶ ἀποκρύψει, γενέ σθω ἀπευλογίας. καʹ Εἴ τις, μὴ λαβὼν εὐλογίαν, ἐσθίει ἄνευ παιδείας ὢν, ἀφοριζέσθω. κβʹ Εἴ τις οὐχ αἱρῇ εὐλογίαν εἰς τὸν ὄρδινον αὐτοῦ, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας· εἰ δὲ χρείας ἕνεκεν οὐκ ἔφθασεν, ἀπολογησάσθω. κγʹ Εἴ τις εὑρεθῇ τὴν νύκτα ἰδιάζων μετά τινος, ἢ τὸν τόπον ἀλλάσσων, ὅπου κοιμᾶται, παρὰ γνώ μην τῶν ἐντετυπωμένων, ἀφοριζέσθω. κδʹ Εἴ τις ἐμβάλλει ἑαυτὸν εἰς ἄλλο ἔργον, μὴ ἐπι τραπεὶς, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. κεʹ Εἴ τις ἀλλάσσῃ τι μετά τινος, ἢ χαρίζεται παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, γενέσθω ἀπευ λογίας.

English

Penances 12. If anyone leaves the monastery without receiving a blessing, or is dismissed by the archimandrite with a prayer, let him be excommunicated. 13. If anyone possesses anything in the monastery or outside the monastery, let him be excommunicated. 14. If anyone pairs with another to depart from the monastery for any other evil purpose, let him be excommunicated. 15. If any of the archicounites finds someone disturbing or arguing in the cœnobium and does not cast him out of the choir, let him himself be subjected to loss of blessing. 16. If anyone is subjected to loss of blessing for the sake of discipline and, having disregarded it, does not apologize and receive a blessing, let him be excommunicated. 17. If anyone places something on the tables for himself or another, not having been permitted by the archimandrite, let him be subjected to loss of blessing. 18. If anyone does work without a maphorion in any place whatsoever, let him be subjected to loss of blessing. 19. If anyone converses with an arriving stranger or a relative, not having been permitted by the archimandrite, except for those who are appointed, let him be subjected to loss of blessing. 20. If anyone takes something from a brother and conceals it, let him be subjected to loss of blessing. 21. If anyone, not having received a blessing, eats while being under discipline, let him be excommunicated. 22. If anyone does not take a blessing for his order, let him be subjected to loss of blessing; but if he did not arrive because of necessity, let him apologize. 23. If anyone is found at night alone with another, or changing the place where he sleeps contrary to the judgment of those appointed, let him be excommunicated. 24. If anyone thrusts himself into another work, not having been permitted, let him be subjected to loss of blessing. 25. If anyone exchanges anything with another, or gives a gift contrary to the judgment of the archimandrite, let him be subjected to loss of blessing.

Commentary

termtextἀπευλογίας

ἀπευλογίας (loss of blessing) is a lesser penalty than excommunication, denoting exclusion from the eucharistic blessing or common prayer, not full communion ban.

termtextἀρχικουνιτῶν

ἀρχικουνιτῶν (archicounites) refers to senior monks in a coenobitic monastery, likely leaders of the common life (κοινός βίος).

termtextμαφορίου

μαφορίου (maphorion) is a monastic hood or veil, part of the habit; working without it breaches monastic decorum.

backgroundtext

The canons regulate monastic discipline in a coenobitic setting, with penalties graded between excommunication (ἀκοινώνητος) and loss of blessing (ἀπευλογίας).

structuretext

The passage lists canons 12–25 in a numbered series, each beginning with Εἴ τις (If anyone), forming a casuistic legal pattern typical of early monastic rules.

cautiontext

The Greek text shows minor orthographic variation (e.g., ταράσ σοντα for ταράσσοντα) and inconsistent spacing, but these do not affect meaning.

Notes · 1

checkAutomatic check flagged formulaic repetition. Coptic homiletic style repeats by design, so this records the pattern rather than correcting it.

Open questions · 2

The term ἀπευλογίας may be a variant of ἀπολογίας (apology) but contextually means 'loss of blessing' as a penalty.
Canon 12's 'ἀπολυθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου μετὰ εὐχῆς' could mean dismissed with a prayer or after a prayer; the translation takes it as 'with a prayer'.

khazarzar-basilius-caesariensis-epitimia:2 · narrativehigh

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κ ʹ Εἴ τις ἑσπέρας μετὰ τὸ Πάτερ ἡμῶν εὑρεθῇ ὁμιλῶν, ἀφοριζέσθω. κζʹ Εἴ τις τῶν ὑγιαινόντων κοιμᾶται ἔξω τοῦ εὐκτηρίου, ἔστω ἀφωρισμένος. κηʹ Εἴ τις ἐν τραπέζῃ ἐσθίων φλυαρεῖ, ἐγειρέσθω εἰς προσευχήν. κθʹ Εἴ τις γένηται ἀπευλογίας, καὶ λυπηθεὶς ἀντι παιδεύσει τὸν παιδεύσοντα, ἢ ἀντιλέγων μὴ κατα δέξηται, ἀφοριζέσθω. Εἰ δὲ λέγοι ἀδίκως παιδεύεσθαι, γνωριζέσθω τὴν αἰτίαν τῷ ἀρχιμανδρίτῃ, καὶ τὸ ὑπ' αὐτοῦ ὁριζόμενον καταδεχέσθω. λʹ Εἴ τις ἔχει πρός τινα λύπην, καὶ καταφρονῶν μὴ διαλλάσσεται πρὸ τῆς ὑπηρεσίας, ἢ λέγει τὴν αἰτίαν τῷ ἀρχιμανδρίτῃ, ἢ τῷ ἀρχικουνίτῃ, ἀφοριζέσθω. λαʹ Εἴ τις ἐν ἡμέρᾳ προσφορᾶς κωλύει ἑαυτὸν τῆς κοινωνίας παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. λβʹ Εἴ τις ἀπὸ Γραφῶν φιλονείκως διαλέγεται, γενέ σθω ἀπευλογίας· εἰ δὲ παραγγελθεὶς ἐπιμένει, ὡς ἀπειθὴς καὶ ἀνυπότακτος ἀφοριζέσθω. λγʹ Εἴ τις πλύνει ἢ ἑτέρου ἢ ἑαυτοῦ ἱμάτιον παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. λδʹ Εἴ τις ἀπολιμπάνεται τῶν τραπεζῶν, μὴ εἰρηκὼς τὴν αἰτίαν, μενέτω ἄσιτος. λεʹ Εἴ τίς τι ἀπολέσει, καὶ, μὴ εὑρὼν αὐτὸ, μὴ ἀναγγείλῃ τῷ ἀρχιμανδρίτῃ, γενέσθω ἀπευ λογίας. λ ʹ Ἐὰν εὑρεθῶσι δύο ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ συνεχῶς πλησιάζοντες ἀλλήλοις, καὶ παραγγελθέντες μὴ χωρίζωνται, ἔσονται ἀφωρισμένοι, ἕως διορθώσωνται. λζʹ Εἴ τις ἑσπέρας μὴ φθάσῃ εἰς τὸ Πάτερ ἡμῶν, ἐκτός τινος αἰτίας, στηκέτω εἰς προσευχὴν, ἕως ἂν πάντες κοιμηθῶσιν ληʹ Εἴ τις, ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῆς κοινωνίας λύπην ἔχων πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν, μὴ δῷ αὐτῷ εἰρήνην, ἔστω ἀφωρισμένος.

English

20. If anyone is found conversing in the evening after the Our Father, let him be excommunicated. 27. If any of the healthy sleeps outside the oratory, let him be excommunicated. 28. If anyone while eating at table talks idly, let him be made to stand for prayer. 29. If anyone is guilty of disobedience, and, being grieved, retaliates against the one who corrects him, or, contradicting, does not accept it, let him be excommunicated. But if he says he is being corrected unjustly, let him make known the reason to the archimandrite, and let him accept what is determined by him. 30. If anyone has a grievance against someone, and, being contemptuous, does not become reconciled before the service, or does not tell the reason to the archimandrite or to the archicounite, let him be excommunicated. 31. If anyone on a day of offering prevents himself from communion contrary to the judgment of the archimandrite, let him be guilty of disobedience. 32. If anyone argues contentiously from the Scriptures, let him be guilty of disobedience; but if, after being warned, he persists, let him be excommunicated as disobedient and insubordinate. 33. If anyone washes either another's or his own garment contrary to the judgment of the archimandrite, let him be guilty of disobedience. 34. If anyone is absent from the meals without stating the reason, let him remain without food. 35. If anyone loses something, and, not finding it, does not report it to the archimandrite, let him be guilty of disobedience. 36. If two are found frequently associating with each other, and, after being warned, do not separate, they shall be excommunicated until they correct themselves. 37. If anyone does not arrive in the evening for the Our Father, without some reason, let him stand for prayer until all have gone to sleep. 38. If anyone, at the time of communion, having a grievance against a brother, does not give him the peace, let him be excommunicated.

Commentary

termtextἀφοριζέσθω

The verb ἀφοριζέσθω (let him be excommunicated) is the standard penalty in these canons, denoting temporary exclusion from communion or community life, not permanent anathema.

termtextἀπευλογίας

ἀπευλογίας (genitive of ἀπευλογία) means 'of disobedience' and here functions as a predicate: 'let him be guilty of disobedience.' It is a lesser penalty than excommunication, often involving standing for prayer or other correction.

termtextἀρχικουνίτῃ

ἀρχικουνίτῃ (dative of ἀρχικουνίτης) is a rare term for a monastic official, likely the 'archicounite' or superior of a koinobion. The English draft renders it as 'archicounite'.

structuretext

The passage presents a series of conditional canons (εἴ τις...), each prescribing a penalty for a specific monastic infraction. The penalties escalate from standing for prayer (28, 37) to disobedience (31, 32, 33, 35) to excommunication (20, 27, 29, 30, 32, 36, 38).

backgroundtext

The 'Our Father' (Πάτερ ἡμῶν) refers to the evening prayer service in coenobitic monasticism, likely the night office or compline. Sleeping outside the oratory (εὐκτήριον) was prohibited for healthy monks to ensure communal discipline.

cautiontext

The numbering of canons jumps from 20 to 27, indicating that canons 21–26 are missing in this passage. The Greek text also omits a number for canon 36 (λ ʹ), likely a scribal error for λϛʹ (36).

Open questions · 1

The Greek text has a lacuna for canons 21–26, and canon 36 is unnumbered (λ ʹ instead of λϛʹ). The English draft follows the numbering of the source edition.

khazarzar-basilius-caesariensis-epitimia:3 · narrativehigh

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λθʹ Εἴ τις μεθιστᾷ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὀρδί νου τῆς ὑπηρεσίας, ἐκτὸς τῶν ἐγκεχειρισμένων τὴν φροντίδα, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. μʹ Εἴ τις γνῷ ἀδελφὸν λάθρα ἀναχωρῆσαι θέλοντα τοῦ μοναστηρίου, καὶ μὴ μηνύσῃ τῷ ἀρχιμανδρίτῃ, ἢ τοῖς προεστῶσιν, ἀφοριζέσθω μαʹ Εἴ τις ἐγείρεται τῆς τραπέζης παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, στηκέτω εἰς προσευχὴν ἕως τοῦ λυχνικοῦ. μβʹ Εἴ τις μετὰ τὴν κοινωνίαν ἐξέρχεται τῆς ὑπηρεσίας, ἕως πάντες λάβωσιν εὐλογίας, ἐκτὸς ἀν θρωπίνης ἀνάγκης, καθ' ἑαυτὸν ἐσθιέτω. μγʹ Εἴ τις ποιεῖ τινα ἀπευλογίαν γενέσθαι ἀκαίρως, αὐτὸς γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. μδʹ Εἴ τις εὑρεθῇ λαλῶν εἰς τὰ κέλλια, ἐκτὸς τῶν ἐνοικούντων αὐτὰ, ἢ τῶν ἡσυχαστῶν, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. μεʹ Εἴ τις εὐτράπελα λαλῶν ἢ ἀργολογῶν, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. μ ʹ Εἴ τις εὑρεθῇ καταλαλῶν τινος, ἢ ἀκούων καταλαλούντων τινῶν, καὶ μὴ ἐπιτιμῶν αὐτῷ, ἢ μηνύων τῷ ἀρχιμανδρίτῃ, σὺν αὐτῷ ἀφοριζέσθω. μζʹ Εἴ τις εὑρεθῇ εἰς τὸν κῆπον λαλῶν μετά τινος, ἢ δευτερῶν ψαλμοὺς, ἢ κοιμώμενος, ἐκτὸς τῶν ἐργαζομένων, ἢ τῶν ἐντετυπωμένων, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. δὲ εἰς τὸ φρούριον ἐξέλθοι, ἀφοριζέσθω. μθʹ Εἴ τις διδοῖ ἔξω τι, ἢ λαμβάνει, παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, ἀφοριζέσθω.

English

39. If anyone transfers his brother from the order of service, apart from those entrusted with the oversight, let him be subject to excommunication. 40. If anyone knows a brother who secretly wishes to withdraw from the monastery and does not report it to the archimandrite or the superiors, let him be excommunicated. 41. If anyone rises from the table without the consent of the archimandrite, let him stand in prayer until the lighting of the lamps. 42. If anyone after communion leaves the service before all have received the blessing, apart from human necessity, let him eat by himself. 43. If anyone causes an excommunication to be imposed unseasonably, let him himself be subject to excommunication. 44. If anyone is found talking in the cells, apart from those who inhabit them or the hesychasts, let him be subject to excommunication. 45. If anyone speaks facetiously or idly, let him be subject to excommunication. 46. If anyone is found slandering someone, or listening to those who slander and not rebuking him or reporting to the archimandrite, let him be excommunicated along with him. 47. If anyone is found in the garden talking with someone, or repeating psalms, or sleeping, apart from those who are working or those who have been assigned, let him be subject to excommunication. 48. If anyone should go out to the fort, let him be excommunicated. 49. If anyone gives something outside, or receives, without the consent of the archimandrite, let him be excommunicated.

Commentary

termtextἀπευλογίας

ἀπευλογία (excommunication) is a technical term in early monastic rules, distinct from ἀφορισμός (also excommunication). The former may denote a lesser penalty, such as exclusion from communion or community activities.

termtextἀρχιμανδρίτῃ

ἀρχιμανδρίτης (archimandrite) is the head of a monastery, a title common in Eastern monasticism. Its use here reflects the hierarchical structure of coenobitic communities.

backgroundtextἡσυχαστῶν

ἡσυχασταί (hesychasts) were monks devoted to contemplative prayer and stillness. Their exemption from the rule against talking in cells indicates a special status in early monastic practice.

structuretextλθʹ–μθʹ

This passage continues the series of conditional canons (εἴ τις...), each prescribing a penalty for specific infractions. The numbering (39–49) suggests a systematic compilation of monastic discipline.

paralleltextμθʹ

Canon 49, forbidding giving or receiving outside goods without the archimandrite's consent, parallels similar rules in Pachomian and Shenoutean monastic regulations, emphasizing communal ownership.

cautiontextμ ʹ

The Greek text at canon 46 (μ ʹ) is likely a scribal error for μϛʹ (46), as the sequence jumps from μεʹ (45) to μ ʹ (40?) and then μζʹ (47). The English draft correctly treats it as 46.

Open questions · 2

The term ἀπευλογίας may be ambiguous: it could mean 'subject to excommunication' or 'liable to a penalty of exclusion'. The translation adopts 'excommunication' as a general term.
The phrase 'εἰς τὸ φρούριον' (to the fort) in canon 48 is unclear; it may refer to a specific location or a secular area outside the monastery.

khazarzar-basilius-caesariensis-epitimia:4 · narrativehigh

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νʹ Εἴ τις συντυχὼν ὁμιλήσει τινὶ τῶν ὑποστρεφόντων ξένων, πλὴν τοῦ δοῦναι τὴν εἰρήνην, ἐκτὸς τῶν ἐντετυπωμένων, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. ναʹ Εἴ τις ὀχλεῖ τῷ ἀρχιμανδρίτῃ προφάσει τῆς ἐφημερίας, πλὴν τοῦ κελλαρίου, ἢ τοῦ ἀρχιεβδο μαρίου, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας· ἵνα ἑκάστης ἐφημερίας ὁ ἀρχιεβδομάριος καὶ ὁ φροντιστὴς περὶ πάσης χρείας φροντίζωσιν ἐπιμελῶς, ἵνα μὴ τῷ κρί ματι τῆς ἀμελείας συμπέσωσιν. νβʹ Εἴ τις ἀκαίρως ἔρχεται εἰς τὸ ἑψητήριον ἢ εἰς τὸ κελλάριον ἐκτὸς τῶν ἐντετυπωμένων καὶ τῶν φροντιζόντων τῆς εὐταξίας, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. νγʹ Εἴ τις ἐξυπνισθεὶς παρά τινος λυπηθῇ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῆς ὑπηρεσίας ἢ τοῦ ἀναγνώσματος, ἀφοριζέσθω. νδʹ Εἴ τις περισσῶς μετὰ τὴν ἐπίσκεψιν τὴν μετὰ τὰ ὀρθρινὰ εἰσέρχεται εἰς τὸ νοσοκομεῖον, ἐκτὸς τῶν ἡσυχαστῶν καὶ τὴν φροντίδα ἐγκεχειρισμένων, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. νεʹ Εἴ τις παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ νοσοκόμου εἰσελθὼν ἀναπαύει εἰς τὸ νοσοκομεῖον, γενέσθω ἀπευ λογίας· εἰ δὲ θλίβεται ἢ ἀῤῥωστεῖ, δηλούτω πρῶ τον τῷ νοσοκόμῳ. ν ʹ Εἴ τις τῶν κακουμένων ἀλλάσσει τόπον, ὅπου κοιμᾶται, παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ νοσοκόμου, ἀφοριζέσθω. νζʹ Εἴ τις τῶν τετυπωμένων ὑπηρετῶν ἐν τῷ νοσοκομείῳ παρατιθεῖ τι ἀδελφῷ παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ νοσοκόμου, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. νηʹ Εἴ τις τῶν ἀῤῥώστων εὑρεθῇ καταλλάσσων παρὰ γνώμην τοῦ νοσοκόμου, ἤ τινος τῶν ὑπηρετούντων, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας. νθʹ Εἴ τίς εὑρεθῇ, ἐκτὸς τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, γράφων τινὶ ἢ δεχόμενος γράμματα, ἔστω ἀφωρισμένος.

English

50. If anyone, upon meeting, speaks with one of the returning strangers, except to give the peace, apart from those who are designated, let him be subject to excommunication. 51. If anyone disturbs the archimandrite on the pretext of the weekly service, except the cellarer or the weekly supervisor, let him be subject to excommunication, so that the weekly supervisor and the steward may diligently attend to every need, lest they fall under the judgment of negligence. 52. If anyone comes at an inappropriate time to the kitchen or to the cellarer's office, apart from those designated and those responsible for order, let him be subject to excommunication. 53. If anyone, having been awakened by someone, is grieved during the time of service or reading, let him be excommunicated. 54. If anyone enters the infirmary excessively after the visitation following the morning office, apart from the hesychasts and those entrusted with the care, let him be subject to excommunication. 55. If anyone, entering without the knowledge of the infirmarian, rests in the infirmary, let him be subject to excommunication; but if he is distressed or ill, let him first inform the infirmarian. 56. If any of the sick changes the place where he sleeps without the knowledge of the infirmarian, let him be excommunicated. 57. If any of the designated servants in the infirmary offers something to a brother without the knowledge of the infirmarian, let him be subject to excommunication. 58. If any of the sick is found exchanging something without the knowledge of the infirmarian or of any of those serving, let him be subject to excommunication. 59. If anyone is found, apart from the archimandrite, writing to someone or receiving letters, let him be excommunicated.

Commentary

termglossaryἀπευλογίας

ἀπευλογίας (excommunication) is a technical term in Basilian monastic rules, denoting a formal exclusion from communion or community life, distinct from ἀφορισμός (anathema).

termglossaryἀρχιεβδομάριος

ἀρχιεβδομάριος (weekly supervisor) is a monastic officer responsible for coordinating weekly liturgical and domestic duties, as specified in the rule.

termglossaryἡσυχαστής

ἡσυχαστής (hesychast) refers to a monk devoted to stillness and prayer, often living in seclusion; here, such monks are permitted entry to the infirmary outside normal hours.

structuretextνʹ–νθʹ

Canons 50–59 form a coherent block regulating interactions with outsiders (50), monastic officers (51), access to service areas (52), conduct during services (53), and infirmary discipline (54–58), ending with a prohibition on private correspondence (59).

backgroundtextνοσοκομεῖον

The infirmary (νοσοκομεῖον) was a dedicated space for sick monks, with a designated infirmarian (νοσοκόμος) controlling access and supplies, reflecting early monastic healthcare organization.

cautiontextνʹ

Canon 50's phrase 'πλὴν τοῦ δοῦναι τὴν εἰρήνην' (except to give the peace) is ambiguous: it may refer to the liturgical kiss of peace or a simple greeting; the rule restricts contact with returning strangers to this minimal gesture.

Open questions · 3

Canon 50: 'τῶν ὑποστρεφόντων ξένων' could mean 'returning strangers' or 'visiting monks who have returned from a journey'; the English draft opts for 'returning strangers'.
Canon 51: 'προφάσει τῆς ἐφημερίας' may mean 'on the pretext of the weekly service' or 'under the guise of the daily duty'; the translation follows 'weekly service'.
Canon 59: 'γράφων τινὶ ἢ δεχόμενος γράμματα' could include both writing and receiving letters, but the scope of 'γράμματα' (letters or documents) is not further defined.

khazarzar-basilius-caesariensis-epitimia:5 · narrativehigh

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ξʹ Εἴ τις πέμπει τινὶ εὐλογίαν, ἢ δέχεται τι ποτε, παρεκτὸς τοῦ ἀρχιμανδρίτου, γενέσθω ἀπευλογίας.

English

60. If anyone sends a blessing to someone, or receives anything at all, apart from the archimandrite, let him be subject to excommunication.

Commentary

termglossaryεὐλογίαν

The Greek term εὐλογίαν (blessing) here likely refers to a gift or offering, often a token of communion or alms, not merely a verbal blessing. In monastic rules, sending or receiving such items without the archimandrite's permission was a disciplinary offense.

termglossaryἀπευλογίας

The term ἀπευλογίας (excommunication) denotes temporary exclusion from communion or community activities, a standard penalty in early monastic canons. It is distinct from anathema, which is permanent.

backgroundbackground

The archimandrite (ἀρχιμανδρίτης) was the head of a monastery or a group of monasteries, exercising authority over property and discipline. This rule reinforces his control over material exchanges within the community.

structuretext

This canon (number 60) continues a series of prohibitions against unauthorized actions, following canons 50–51 which address interactions with returning strangers and disturbances of the archimandrite. The pattern underscores centralized authority.

paralleltext

Similar prohibitions on private gift-giving appear in other early monastic rules, such as the Rule of Pachomius (Praceepta 54–55), which require all goods to pass through the superior.

Open questions · 1

The Greek text is clear; no significant ambiguity. The term 'blessing' (εὐλογίαν) could be interpreted as a spiritual blessing, but the context of sending/receiving 'anything at all' favors a material gift.

Citation. Tergwame, “Epitimia”, khazarzar-basilius-caesariensis-epitimia:1, machine-draft, 2026. https://naxiai.com/christian/works/khazarzar-basilius-caesariensis-epitimia#s1

Colophon. Source: khazarzar · licence: Migne PG text (public domain); khazarzar host and the digitising project state no licence for this layer · model: deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor · provider: Relace · cost: $0.0031 · generated 2026-11-15.

Epitimia

Summary

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Annotation and terms

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Term index