Abtilis
Canon 33
Overview
This canon outlines the duties of a bishop to recognize the authority of the Patriarch and Metropolitan, prohibiting independent action without their counsel or consent.
1Abṭelis, 33. Let the bishop seek to know what is to be sought. For if he is arrogant, he will exalt his own head and act above all the people, not knowing that God is against him. But if he acts thus, let all be done according to his will, and let him who does not honor the dignities above him, whether the Patriarch or a bishop, not act, nor do anything except by their counsel. Let all his people and his seal be [restricted], for he who does not honor his actions and his presence for the throne and the dignity, seeks the Patriarch and the bishop to honor them. If the Patriarch permits him to ordain a bishop within his seal, that is a great duty.