CANONS OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL
Elvira (Granada) ca. 309 A. D.

It is decided that anyone of mature age, who, after the faith of saving baptism, approaches a temple as an idolater and commits this major crime, because it is an enormity of the highest order, is not to receive communion–even at the end [of his life].

Flamines [i.e. priests of pagan cults] who, after the faith of font and regeneration, have sacrificed, since they have thereby doubled their crimes by adding murder, or even tripled their evil deed by including sexual offense, are not to receive communion–even at the end.

At the same time, Flamines who have not actually sacrificed but simply performed their functions may, since they have refrained from the deadly sacrifices, be offered communion at the end, provided that the required penance has been done. If, however, after the penance they commit a sexual offense, it is decided to accord them no further communion, lest they seem to make a mockery of the Sunday communion.

Again, Flamines who are catechumens [i.e. studying Christianity, but not yet baptized] and who have refrained from sacrifices shall be admitted after a period of three years.

If a woman is overcome with rage and whips her maidservant so badly that she dies within three days, and it is doubtful whether she killed her deliberately or by accident, provided that the required penance has been performed, she shall be readmitted after seven years, if it was done purposefully; and after five years if it was done accidentally. In the event that she becomes ill during the set time, let her receive communion.

Heretics, if they are unwilling to change over to the Catholic Church, are not to have Catholic girls given to them in marriage, nor shall they be given to Jews or heretics, since there can be no community for the faithful with the unfaithful. If parents act against this prohibition, they shall be kept out for five years.

If any should somehow join their daughters in marriage to priests of idols, they shall not be given communion–even at the end.

Bishops, presbyters, and deacons, and all other clerics having a position in the ministry, are ordered to abstain completely from their wives and not have children. Whoever, in fact, does this shall be expelled from the dignity of the clerical state.

Pagans, if in sickness they wish to have the laying-on-of-hands, and if their life hs been at least partially decent, shall have the laying-on-of-hands and become Christians.

It is forbidden that landholders, when they receive their payments, shall account as received anything offered to idols. If after this prohibition they do so anyway, they shall be severed from communion for the space of five years.

The Faithful are warned to forbid, as far as they can, that idols be kept in their homes. If, however, they fear violence from their slaves, they must at least keep themselves pure. If they do not do this, they are considered to be outside the Church.

If any of the clergy of the Faithful eats with Jews, he shall be kept from communion in order that he be corrected as he should.