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AFTER an investigation had been made into the conduct of Melitius
when in Egypt, the Synod sentenced him to reside in Lycus, and to
retain only the name of bishop; and prohibited him from ordaining any
one either in a city or a village. Those who had previously been
ordained by him, were permitted by this law, to remain in communion
and in the ministry, but were to be accounted secondary in point of
dignity to the clergy in church and parish. When by death an
appointment became vacant, they were allowed to succeed to it, if
deemed worthy, by the vote of the multitude, but in this case, were
to be ordained by the bishop of the Church of Alexandria, for they
were interdicted from exercising any power or influence in elections.
This regulation appeared just to the Synod, for Melitius and his
followers had manifested great rashness and temerity in administering
ordination; so that it also deprived the ordinations which differed
from those of Peter of all consideration. He, when he conducted the
Alexandrian Church, fled on account of the persecution then raging,
but afterwards suffered martyrdom.
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