Justinian and the Obligation of an Annual Synod

A Concrete Case of the Influence of Roman Law on Oriental Canon Law Today

Authors

  • Danilo Ceccarelli Morolli Pontifical Oriental Institute

Keywords:

Ancient Canons, Novels of Justinian, Kanones and Nomoi, Trullan Council, Episcopal Synods, Incorporation of Civil Law

Abstract

The institution of the annual synod is very ancient in the Oriental Churches. Ancient canons of the Councils held during the First Millennium, have prescribed the necessity to convoke and to hold annual synods. Two Novels (123 and 137) enacted by Emperor Justinian the Great (527-565) are also very important because he has provided norms about the synod. Hence, in the current article, the author offers some hints about the relatioships between the Novels of Justinian and canons of the First Millennium and thus indicating the ancient roots of the present code. It also shows how even today Roman law strongly influences Eastern canon law.

Author Biography

Danilo Ceccarelli Morolli, Pontifical Oriental Institute

Danilo Ceccarelli Morolli was born and educated in Rome, Italy. He pursued his studies mainly in Rome and holds, besides several other degrees, doctorates in Civil Law, in Oriental Canon Law and a Research Doctorate in Religious History (History of the Religions). He is “Corresponding Member” of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences, Professor of Roman Law, Byzantine Law and Oriental Canon Law; also he is an Officer of the Italian Navy (Selected Reserve) and an advocate in Rome.

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Published

2020-08-02

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2014): Iustitia: Dharmaram Journal of Canon Law

Section

Articles