Canon 39
On the possibility for members of the clergy who are involved in legal proceedings, with the permission of the ruling bishop, to transfer the litigation to the court of the nearest diocese.
Resolved: If the accused or accuser fears violence from an uncontrollable crowd in the place where the accused is, let him choose the nearest place to which he can easily bring witnesses. There the matter will be completed.
Greek original
Ὁμοίως ἤρεσεν, ἵνα ὁ κατηγορούμενος ἢ ὁ κατηγορῶν, ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, ὅθεν ἐστὶν ὁ κατηγορούμενος, ἐὰν φοβῆταί τινα βίαν προπετοῦς πολυπληθείας, τόπον ἐαυτῷ ἐπιλέξηται ἔγγιστα, ἐν ᾧ οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ δυσχέρεια μάρτυρας προκομίσαι, ἔνθα τὸ πρᾶγμα περατοῦται.[1]
Parallel canons
Ап.15IВс.1516IVВс.5102023Трул.1718VIIВс.1015Анкир.18Антиох.3Сард.17