The Synod of Laodicea (c. 363 AD)

Synod of Laodicea · c. 363 AD

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Section 59

Canon LV

Neither members of the priesthood nor of the clergy, nor yet laymen, may club together for drinking entertainments.

Ancient Epitome of Canon LV.

Neither a layman nor a cleric shall celebrate a club feast.

These meals, the expenses of which were defrayed by a number clubbing together and sharing the cost, were called “symbola” by Isidore, and by Melinus and Crabbe “comissalia,” although the more ordinary form is “commensalia” or “comessalia.”

This Canon is found in the Corpus Juris Canonici, Gratian’s Decretum, Pars I., Dist. XLIV., c. x. (Isidore’s version), and c. xij., (Martin of Braga’s version).