Canon 12
On an emergency court to consider a complaint against a clergyman when a Council of Bishops is impossible. This court should consist of 12 bishops for a bishop, 6 bishops for a presbyter, and three for a deacon.
Philix the bishop said: let it be included in the rules, in accordance with the definitions of the ancient Councils, and this: if any bishop (which let him not be) is subjected to some accusation and, due to great difficulties, it will be impossible for many bishops to gather, then, so that he does not remain under accusation for a long time, let twelve bishops hear him in court, six bishops and his own presbyters, and three deacons.
Greek original
Φῆλιξ ἐπίσκοπος εἶπεν· Ἀναφέρω κατὰ τὰ ὁρισθέντα ἐκ τῶν παλαιῶν συνόδων, ἵνα, ἐάν τις ἐπίσκοπος (ὅπερ ἀπείη) ἔν τινι ἐγκλήματι περιπέσῃ, καὶ γένηται πολλὴ ἀνάγκη τοῦ μὴ δύνασθαι πολλοὺς συνελθεῖν, διὰ τὸ μὴ ἀπομεῖναι αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἐγκλήματι, ἀπὸ δώδεκα ἐπισκόπων ἀκουσθῇ, καὶ ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἀπὸ ἓξ ἐπισκόπων καὶ τοῦ ἰδίου, καὶ ὁ διάκονος ἀπὸ τριῶν.
Parallel canons
Ап.74IВс.5IIВс.6IVВс.9Антиох.4141520Сард.1314Конст.1Карф.14152096107