Canon 139
About the appeal procedure for clergy who are not satisfied with the decision of their bishops.
It was convenient: if presbyters, deacons and other lower clergy complain about the decisions of their bishops regarding the litigation they have, let neighboring bishops listen to them and the cases between them be resolved by those invited by them with the consent of their own bishops. If the clergy want to file an appeal against their decision, let them submit it only to the African Councils or the primaries of their metropolitan regions. And whoever wishes to appeal to the Councils on the other side of the sea, let no one in Africa accept him into fellowship.
Greek original
Ὁμοίως ἤρεσεν, ἵνα πρεσβύτεροι, διάκονοι, καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ κατώτεροι κληρικοί, ἐν αἷς ἔχωσιν αἰτίαις, ἐὰν περὶ τῆς ψήφου τοὺς ἰδίους ἐπισκόπους μέμφωνται, οἱ γειτνιῶντες ἐπίσκοποι τοῦτον ἀκροάσωνται, καὶ τὰ μεταξὺ τούτων περατώσωσιν οἱ παρ᾽ αὐτῶν κατὰ συναίνεσιν τῶν ἰδίων αὐτῶν ἐπισκόπων προσλαμβανόμενοι· Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ ἀπ᾽ αυτῶν ἐκκαλέσασθαι θελήσωσι, μὴ ἐκκαλέσωνται εἰ μὴ πρὸς τὰς τῆς Ἀφρικῆς συνόδους, ἢ πρὸς τοὺς πρωτεύοντας τῶν ἰδίων αὐτῶν ἐπαρχιῶν. Πρὸς δὲ τὰ πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης ὁ βουλόμενος ἐκκαλεῖσθαι, ἀπὸ μηδενὸς ἐν Ἀφρικῇ δεχθείη εἰς κοινωνίαν.[1]
Parallel canons
IIВс.6IVВс.9Антиох.4Карф.1011121415202328105