Concilium Romanum I (AD 0494)

APPENDIX THREE. REMAINS OF COUNCILS HELD UNDER GELASIUS. a THE FIRST ROMAN COUNCIL. In which the sacred and authentic books were distinguished from the apocryphal by seventy bishops, under Gelasius, in the year of the Lord when Asterius and Praesidius were consuls. The list of books of the Old Testament which the holy and catholic Roman Church receives and venerates, compiled by the blessed Pope Gelasius I with seventy bishops. One book of Genesis. One book of Exodus. One book of Leviticus. One book of Numbers. One book of Deuteronomy. One book of Joshua. One book of Judges. One book of Ruth. Four books of Kings. Two books of Chronicles. One book of Psalms. Three books of Solomon: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Also one book of Wisdom. One book of Ecclesiasticus. Also the list of the prophets: One book of Isaiah, One book of Jeremiah.

The book of Cinoth, that is, of his Lamentations. One book of Ezekiel. One book of Daniel. One book of Hosea. One book of Amos. One book of Micah. One book of Joel. One book of Obadiah. One book of Jonah. One book of Nahum. One book of Habakkuk. One book of Zephaniah. One book of Haggai. One book of Zechariah. One book of Malachi. Likewise the order of histories: One book of Job, omitted by some. One book of Tobit. One book of Ezra. One book of Esther. One book of Judith. One book of Maccabees [two books]. Likewise the order of the scriptures of the New and Eternal Testament, which the Catholic and Roman Church receives and venerates. Four books of the Gospels. One book according to Matthew. One book according to Mark. One book according to Luke. One book according to John. One book of the Acts of the Apostles. Fourteen epistles of the Apostle Paul. One epistle to the Romans.

Two Epistles to the Corinthians. One Epistle to the Galatians. Two Epistles to the Thessalonians. One Epistle to the Ephesians. One Epistle to the Philippians. One Epistle to the Colossians. Two Epistles to Timothy. One Epistle to Titus. One Epistle to Philemon. One Epistle to the Hebrews. Also, the Apocalypse of John, one book. Also, the canonical epistles, seven in number. One Epistle of James the Apostle. Two Epistles of Peter the Apostle. Three Epistles of John the Apostle. One Epistle of Jude Zelotes the Apostle. II. The decree of Pope Gelasius, held with seventy bishops, concerning the apocryphal scriptures. After all these prophetic, evangelical, and apostolic scriptures, by which the Catholic Church through the grace of God is founded, we also think it should be made known that, although the whole Catholic Church throughout the world is one bridal chamber of Christ, nevertheless the holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church has been set before the other churches not by any synodical constitutions, but obtained the primacy by the evangelical voice of our Lord and Savior, saying, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16).

To whom is also added the fellowship of the most blessed apostle Paul, the vessel of election, who not at a different time, as heretics prattle, but at the same time, on one and the same day, contending in a glorious death with Peter in the city of Rome, under Caesar Nero, was crowned, and together they consecrated the aforesaid holy Roman Church to Christ the Lord, and preferred it, by their presence and venerable triumph, to all other cities in the whole world. Therefore the first see of the apostle Peter is the Roman Church, having no spot, nor wrinkle, nor anything of this kind. The second see, however, at Alexandria, was consecrated in the name of blessed Peter by his disciple and evangelist Mark. And he himself, sent by the apostle Peter into Egypt, preached the word of truth and consummated a glorious martyrdom. The third see, indeed, at Antioch, is held honorable in the name of the same most blessed apostle Peter, because he dwelt there before he came to Rome, and there the name of Christians first arose among the new people.

III. And although no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 3:11), yet for our edification, that same holy [some manuscripts add: that is] Roman Church, after those scriptures of the Old and New Testament which we regularly receive [some manuscripts: have noted above], does not forbid that these other [some manuscripts: other] writings also be received, namely: the holy Synod of Nicaea of the three hundred and eighteen Fathers, mediated by the great Augustus Constantine, in which the heretic Arius was condemned; the holy Synod of Constantinople, mediated by the elder Augustus Theodosius, in which the heretic Macedonius received his deserved condemnation; the holy Synod of Ephesus, in which Nestorius was condemned with the consent of the most blessed Pope Celestine, mediated by Cyril, bishop of the see of Alexandria, and by Arcadius, bishop sent from Italy; the holy Synod of Chalcedon, mediated by the Augustus Marcian and by Anatolius, bishop of Constantinople, in which the Nestorian and Eutychian heresies, together with Dioscorus and his accomplices, were condemned.

But also if there are any councils instituted by the holy Fathers up to now, after their authority, we both decree and command that they be both kept and received. IV. Likewise, the works of the blessed Cyprian, martyr and bishop of Carthage, are to be received in all respects. Likewise, the works of the blessed Gregory of Nazianzus, bishop. Likewise, the works of the blessed Basil, bishop of Cappadocia. Likewise, the works of Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. Likewise, the works of the blessed Cyril, bishop of Alexandria. Likewise, the works of the blessed John, bishop of Constantinople. Likewise, the works of the blessed Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria. Likewise, the works of the blessed Hilary, bishop of Poitiers [or: Proterius, bishop of Alexandria]. Likewise, the works of the blessed Ambrose, bishop of Milan. Likewise, the works of the blessed Augustine, bishop of Hippo [or: Hippo Regius]. Likewise, the works of the blessed Jerome, presbyter. Likewise, the works of the blessed Prosper, a most religious man. Likewise, the letter of the lord Pope Leo to Flavian, bishop of Constantinople, which was sent; concerning its text [or: concerning whose text], if anyone should dispute even to a single iota, and not reverently receive it in all respects, let him be anathema.

We decree that the little works and treatises of all the orthodox Fathers who in no way deviated from the communion of the holy Roman Church, nor were separated from its faith or preaching, but were partakers of that same communion [or communication] by the grace of God until the last day of their life, are to be read. Likewise, we decree that the decretal letters, which the most blessed popes at various times from the city of Rome gave forth for the consultation of various Fathers, are to be reverently received. Likewise, the acts of the holy martyrs, who shine forth with manifold torments of sufferings and with wonderful triumphs of confessions. Who among Catholics would doubt that it is so, and that they endured greater things in their struggles, and bore all things not by their own strength but by the grace of God and assistance? But for this reason, according to ancient custom [and singular caution], with singular caution they are not read in the holy Roman Church, because the names of those who wrote them are completely unknown, and they are thought to have been written by unbelievers or idiots with superfluous or less appropriate things than the order of the matter required [or are read as inserted]; such as the passions of a certain Quiricus [or Cyricus] and Julitta, and of George, and others of this kind, which are said to have been composed by heretics. For this reason, as has been said, lest even a slight occasion for mockery arise, they are not read in the holy Roman Church.

Nevertheless, together with the aforementioned Church, we venerate with all devotion all the martyrs and their glorious struggles, which are known more to God than to men. Likewise, we receive with all honor the Lives of the Fathers—Paul, Anthony, Hilarion, and all the hermits—which, however, the most blessed Jerome wrote. Likewise, the acts of the blessed Silvester, bishop of the apostolic see, although the name of the one who wrote them is unknown, we have learned that many Catholics in the city of Rome read them, and many churches imitate these acts on account of ancient custom. The writings on the finding of the Lord’s cross and other writings on the finding of the head of John the Baptist are certain recent accounts, and some Catholics read them. But when these come into the hands of Catholics, let the saying of the blessed apostle Paul precede: “Test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). Likewise, Rufinus, a religious man, produced many books of ecclesiastical work and also interpreted some Scriptures. But since the blessed [or venerable] Jerome noted him in some matters concerning free will, we hold those opinions which we know the aforementioned blessed Jerome held; and this not only concerning Rufinus, but also concerning all those whom the oft-mentioned man, out of zeal for God and the religion of the faith, reproved.

We accept as worthy of reading certain works of Origen which the most blessed Jerome does not reject. All the rest, however, together with their author, we declare must be rejected. Likewise, the chronicle of Eusebius of Caesarea, and his books of Ecclesiastical History: although in the first book of his narrative he erred, and later wrote one book in praise and defense of the schismatic Origen, nevertheless, on account of the singular knowledge of events which pertains to instruction, we do not declare them to be rejected in every respect. Likewise, we praise Orosius, a most learned man, because he composed a history very necessary for us against the calumnies of the pagans, and wove it together with remarkable brevity. Likewise, we extol with notable praise the paschal work of the venerable Sedulius, which he described in heroic verses. Likewise, we do not spurn the laborious work of Juvencus, but rather admire it. Other works which have been written or preached by heretics or schismatics, the Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church in no way receives; among these, we believe that a few which have come to memory, and which are to be avoided by Catholics, should be subjoined.

List of apocryphal books that are not received. First, the Synod of Ariminum, assembled by the Caesar Constantius, son of the Augustus Constantine, through the mediation of the Prefect Taurus, we confess to be condemned from that time, now, and forever. Likewise, the Itinerary under the name of the apostle Peter, which is called the ten [or nine] books of Saint Clement, eight, apocryphal. Acts under the name of the apostle Andrew, apocryphal. Acts under the name of the apostle Thomas, apocryphal books. Acts under the name of the apostle Peter, apocryphal. Acts under the name of the apostle Philip, apocryphal. Gospel under the name of Thaddaeus, apocryphal. Gospel under the name of Matthias, apocryphal. Gospel under the name of the apostle Peter, apocryphal. Gospel under the name of James the Less, apocryphal. Gospel under the name of Barnabas, apocryphal. Gospel [or Gospels] under the name of Thomas, which [or which] the Manichaeans use, apocryphal.

The Gospel [or: The Gospels] in the name of the apostle Bartholomew, apocryphal. The Gospel in the name of the apostle Andrew, apocryphal. The Gospels which Lucianus falsified, apocryphal. The book on the infancy of the Savior, apocryphal. The Gospels which Esitius [or: Hesychius and Isicius] falsified, apocryphal. The book on the Nativity [or: Infancy] of the Savior, and on Mary and the midwife [or: and her midwife], apocryphal. The book which is called The Shepherd, apocryphal. All the books which Leucius [or: Lucius], the disciple of the devil, made, apocryphal. The book which is called The Foundation, apocryphal. The book which is called The Treasure, apocryphal. The book on the daughters of Adam, of the Genesis, apocryphal. The Centimetrum concerning Christ, composed in Virgilian verses, apocryphal. The book which is called The Acts of Thecla and the apostle Paul, apocryphal. The book which is called The Book of Nepos, apocryphal. The book of Proverbs which was written by heretics and prefaced with the name of Saint Sixtus [or: Xystus], apocryphal.

The Revelation which is called of the apostle Paul, apocryphal. The Revelation which is called of the apostle Thomas, apocryphal. The Revelation which is called of Saint Stephen, apocryphal. The book which is called the Passing, that is, the Assumption of Saint Mary, apocryphal. The book which is called the Penance of Adam, apocryphal. The book under the name of Ogia the giant, who is feigned by heretics to have fought with a dragon after the flood, apocryphal. The book which is called the Testament of Job, apocryphal. The book which is called the Penance of Origen, apocryphal. The book which is called the Penance of Saint Cyprian, apocryphal. The book which is called the Penance of Jannes and Mambres, apocryphal. The book which is called the Lots of the holy apostles, apocryphal. The book which is called the Praise [or: Play] of the apostles, apocryphal. The book which is called the Canons of the apostles, apocryphal. The book Physiologus, which was written by heretics and marked with the name of Blessed Ambrose, apocryphal.

The History of Eusebius Pamphili, apocryphal. The works of Tertullian, apocryphal. The works of Lactantius [or Firmianus], apocryphal. The works of Africanus, apocryphal. The works of Postumianus and Gallus, apocryphal. The works of Montanus, Priscilla, and Maximilla, apocryphal. All the works of Faustus the Manichaean, apocryphal. The works of Commodianus, apocryphal. The works of the other Clement of Alexandria, apocryphal. The works of Tatius [or Tharsus or Tascius] Cyprian, apocryphal. The works of Arnobius, apocryphal. The works of Tychonius, apocryphal. The works of Cassianus [or Cassio], presbyter of the Gauls, apocryphal. The works of Victorinus of Pettau [or Petabio], apocryphal. The works of Faustus of Riez in the Gauls, apocryphal. The works of Frumentius the Blind, apocryphal. The letter of Jesus to King Abgarus [or Abgar], apocryphal. The letter of Abgarus [or Abgar] to Jesus, apocryphal. The Passion of Quiricus [or Cyricus] and Julitta, apocryphal.

The Passion of George, apocryphal. The writing which is called the Contradiction [or Interdiction] of Solomon, apocryphal. All phylacteries, which are written not by the art of angels (as they pretend), but rather by the art of demons [or names], apocryphal. These and all things similar to them, which Simon Magus, Nicolaus, Cerinthus, Marcion, Basilides, Ebion, Paul also of Samosata, Photinus, and Bonosus, and those who have fallen into a similar error; also Montanus with his most obscene followers, Apollinaris, Valentinus, or Manichaeus, Faustus, Africanus, Sabellius, Arius, Macedonius, Eunomius, Novatus, Sabbatius, Callistus, Donatus, Eustathius, Jovinianus, Pelagius, Julianus of Eclanum, Coelestinus [or Coelestius], Maximinus [or Maximianus], Priscillianus from Spain, Nestorius of Constantinople, Maximus the Unique, Lampetius [or Lapicius], Dioscorus, Eutyches, Peter, and another Peter, of whom one stained Alexandria, the other stained Antioch; Acacius of Constantinople with his associates [or allies]; and also all heresiarchs, and their disciples, or schismatics, have taught or written, whose names are not at all retained; not only repudiated, but also cast out from the entire Roman catholic and apostolic Church, and with their authors and the followers of the authors under the indissoluble bond of anathemas we confess to be condemned in eternity.