Canon 2

Bishops governing dioceses should not extend their authority to the Churches beyond the borders of their district and should not mix the Churches, but, according to the rules, let the bishop of Alexandria rule only in Egypt, let the bishops of the diocese of the East rule only in the Eastern diocese, preserving the advantages of the Antiochian Church, recognized by the Nicene rules; also let the bishops of the Asian diocese rule only in the Asian diocese; Pontic - only in Pontic, Thracian - only in Thracian. Without invitation, bishops must not intrude into the diocese for ordination or any other matter of church government. It is clear that, subject to the stated rule regarding dioceses, the affairs of each metropolitan region will be held by the Council of that region, as determined in Nicaea. The churches of God among foreign peoples must be governed according to the custom of the fathers that has been observed until now.