The Gelasian Decree (Decretum Gelasianum in Latin) is a late 5th century decretal of Pope Gelasius I which briefly discusses Christ and the Holy Spirit and their interrelation; more significantly, it lists out the canonical books of the Holy Bible followed by a list of spurious and rejected works. It is based on a possibly older Damasine List from the 4th century.
Here begins the Council of Rome under Pope Damasus “On Explaining the Faith.”
It was said:
1. Firstly, the seven-fold Spirit which remains in Christ should be discussed: the Spirit of wisdom: “Christ the power and wisdom of God”; the Spirit of understanding: “I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in the way you will go”; the Spirit of counsel: “And his name is called the messenger of great counsel”; the Spirit of virtues: as above, “The power of God and the wisdom of God”; the Spirit of knowledge: “Because of the eminence of the knowledge of the apostle of Christ Jesus”; the Spirit of truth: “I am the way the life and the truth”; the Spirit of the fear of God: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
2. However, the dispensation of Christ has a name of many forms:
God, who is spirit; the Word, who is God; the Son, who is only-begotten of the Father; the Man, who was born of the virgin; the Priest, who offered Himself as a sacrifice; the Shepherd, who is the guard; the Worm, who arose from the dead; the Mountain, which is strong; the Way, which is straight; the Harbor, which one may pass through into life; the Lamb, which was slain; the Stone, which is the cornerstone; the Master, who is the bringer of life; the Sun, which is the illuminator; the True, which is of the Father; the Life, which is the Creator; the Bread, which is dear; the Samaritan, who is the guard and the merciful; the Christ, who is the Anointed One; Jesus, who is the Savior; God, who is from God; the Messenger, who was sent; the Bridegroom, who is the mediator; the Vine, by whose own blood we are redeemed; the Lion, who is king; the Rock, which is the foundation; the Flower, which is chosen; the Prophet, who revealed the future.
3. For the Holy Spirit is not of the Father only or of the Son only, but of the Father and the Son; for it is written: “He who delights in the world, the Spirit of the Father is not in him”; again it is written: “However, anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ, does not belong to Him.” So, the Holy Spirit is understood to be called of the Father and the Son, [and] of whom the Son Himself in the Gospel says that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father” and “He will receive from Me, and He will make known to you.”
Likewise, it was said:
Now indeed, the issue of the Divine Writings must be discussed, which the Universal Assembly receives or which it is required to avoid.
1. This is the order of the Old Testament:
Genesis one book
Exodus one book
Leviticus one book
Numbers one book
Deuteronomy one book
Joshua one book
Judges one book
Ruth one book
Kings four books
Chronicles two books
One hundred fifty Psalms one book
Three books of Solomon:
Proverbs one book
Ecclesiastes one book
Song of Songs one book
The same of Wisdom one book
Ecclesiasticus one book
2. Likewise, the order of the Prophets:
Isaiah one book
Jeremiah with Cinoth one book
Ezekiel one book
Daniel one book
Hosea one book
Amos one book
Micah one book
Joel one book
Obadiah one book
Jonah one book
Nahum one book
Habakkuk one book
Zephaniah one book
Haggai one book
Zechariah one book
Malachi one book
3. Likewise, the order of the Histories:
Job one book
Tobit one book
Esdras two books
Esther one book
Judith one book
Maccabees two books
4. Likewise, the order of the Writings of the New Testament which the holy and universal Roman assembly upholds and venerates:
Four books of the Gospels:
According to Mathew one book
According to Mark one book
According to Luke one book
According to John one book
Likewise, the Acts
of the Apostles one book
The letters of the apostle Paul—fourteen in number:
To the Romans one letter
To the Corinthians two letters
To the Ephesians one letter
To the Thessalonians two letters
To the Galatians one letter
To the Philippians one letter
To the Colossians one letter
To Timothy two letters
To Titus one letter
To Philemon one letter
To the Hebrews one letter
Likewise, the Revelation
of John one book
Likewise, the canonical [general] letters—seven in number:
of the apostle Peter two letters
of the apostle James one letter
of the apostle John one letter
of the other John the elder two letters
of the apostle Judas
the Zealot one letter
Here ends the canon of the New Testament.
Likewise, it was said:
Here begins the decretal “On Books to Be Received and Not to Be Received” which was written by Pope Gelasius and seventy most erudite overseers at the apostolic seat in the city of Rome.
1. After all these [writings of] the prophets and the evangelical and apostolic Writings which we discussed above, on which the Universal Assembly is founded by the grace of God, we also have thought necessary to say what, although the Universal Assembly diffused throughout the world is the single bride of Christ, however, the holy Roman assembly is given first place by the rest of the assemblies without [the need for] a synodical decision, but from the voice of the Lord our Savior in the Gospel obtained primacy: “You are Peter,” he said, “and on this rock I will build My Assembly and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it; and to you I give the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatever you will bind on earth will also be bound in Heaven and whatever you release on earth will also be released in Heaven.”
2. In addition, there is also the presence of the blessed apostle Paul, “the chosen vessel,” who not in opposition, as the heresies jabber, but on the same date and the same day was crowned in glorious death with Peter in the city of Rome, suffering under Nero Caesar; and equally they made the above-mentioned holy Roman assembly special in Christ the Lord and gave preference in their presence and veneration-worthy triumph before all other cities in the whole world.
3. Therefore, first is the seat at the Roman assembly of the apostle Peter “having no spot or wrinkle or any other [defect].” However, the second place was given in the name of blessed Peter to Mark, his disciple and gospel-writer at Alexandria, and who himself wrote down the word of truth directed by Peter the apostle in Egypt and gloriously consummated [his life] in martyrdom. Indeed, the third place is held at Antioch of the most blessed and honorable apostle Peter, who lived there before he came to Rome and where first the name of the new race of the Christians was heard.
And although “no other foundation can be established except that which has been established, Christ Jesus,” however, for edification, likewise, the holy Roman assembly after the books of the Old and New Testaments which we have enumerated above according to the canon, also does not prohibit the reception of these writings:
1. The holy synod of Nicaea, of three hundred eighteen fathers chaired by Emperor Constantine the Great, at which the heretic Arius was condemned;
The holy synod of Constantinople, chaired by Theodosius the senior Augustus, at which the heretic Macedonius escaped his deserved condemnation;
The holy synod of Ephesus, at which Nestorius was condemned with the consent of the blessed Pope Caelestinus, chaired by Cyril of Alexandria in the magistrate’s seat and by Arcadius the overseer sent from Italy;
The holy synod of Chalcedon, chaired by Marcian Augustus and by Anatolius, overseer of Constantinople, at which the Nestorian and Eutychian heresies together with Dioscorus and his sympathisers were condemned.
2. But also, if there are councils previously held by the holy fathers of lesser authority than those four, we have decreed [that] they must be both kept and received. Here added below is on the works of the holy fathers, which are received in the Universal Assembly:
Likewise, the works of blessed Caecilius Cyprian, the martyr and overseer of Carthage.
Likewise, the works of blessed Gregory Nanzanensis, the overseer.
Likewise, the works of blessed Basil, overseer of Cappadocia.
Likewise, the works of blessed John, overseer of Constantinople.
Likewise, the works of blessed Theophilus, overseer of Alexandria.
Likewise, the works of blessed Cyril, overseer of Alexandria.
Likewise, the works of blessed Hilary, overseer of Poitiers.
Likewise, the works of blessed Ambrosius, overseer of Milan.
Likewise, the works of blessed Augustine, overseer of Hippo.
Likewise, the works of blessed Jerome the priest.
Likewise, the works of blessed Prosper, a most religious man.
3. Likewise, the letter of blessed Pope Leo sent to Flavian, overseer of Constantinople, of which text however if any portion is disputed and it is not that anciently received by all, let it be condemnded.
Likewise, the works and every treatise of all the orthodox fathers, who deviated in nothing from the common [teaching] of the holy Roman assembly, neither separated from its faith or worship but remained in communion by the grace of God to the last day of their life, we decree are to be read.
Likewise, the decretal letters, which blessed popes gave for the consideration of various fathers at various times from the city of Rome, are to be upheld reverently.
4. Likewise, the deeds of the holy martyrs, who are glorious from the manifold tortures on the rack and their wonderful triumphs of steadfastness. Who of the universal [Christians] doubts that most of them would still be enduring in agonies with their full strength but would bear it by the grace of God and the help of everyone? But according to ancient custom, by the greatest caution, they are not read in the holy Roman assembly, because the names of those who wrote are not properly known and separate from unbelievers and idiots, or [the accounts] are thought less attached to the order of events than they should have been; for instance, the [accounts of] Cyricus and Julitta, like Georgius and the sufferings of others like these which appear to have been composed by heretics. On account of this, as it was said, so that no pretext for casual mockery can arise, they are not read in the holy Roman assembly. However, we venerate together with the aforementioned assembly all the martyrs and their glorious sufferings, which are better known to God than to men, with every devotion.
Likewise, the lives of the fathers Paul, Antony, and Hilarion, which with all the hermits described by that blessed man Jerome we receive with honor.
Likewise, the acts of blessed Silvester, overseer of the apostolic seat, although the name of him who wrote [them] is unknown, [but] we know to be read by many universal [Christians], however, in the city of Rome; and because of the ancient use of the multitude, this is imitated by the assembly.
Likewise, the writings on the finding of the Cross and certain other novel writings on the finding of the head of the blessed John the Baptist are romances and some of them are read by universal [Christians]; but when these come into the hand of universal [Christians], the saying of Paul the blessed apostle should be [considered] first: “Prove all things, hold fast to what is good.”
Likewise, Rufinus, a most religious man, worked many books of ecclesiastical works, also some interpreting the Writings; but since the venerable Jerome noted that he took arbitary liberties in some of them, we think those [acceptable] which we know the aforementioned blessed Jerome thought [acceptable]; and not only those of Rufinus, but also [those] of anyone whom that man often remembered for his zeal for God and for the religion of faith criticised.
Likewise, some works of Origen, which the blessed man Jerome does not reject, we receive to be read, but we say that the rest with their author must be refused.
Likewise, the chronicle of Eusebius of Caesarea and the books of his Ecclesiastical History—however much he fell flat in the first book of his narration and [although he also] afterward wrote one book in praise and to excuse Origen the schismatic; however, on account of his narration of remarkable things, which are useful for instruction, we do not say to anyone that it must be refused.
Likewise, we praise Orosius, a most erudite man, who wrote a very necessary history for us against the lies of the pagans and and with marvelous brevity.
Likewise, the paschal work of that venerable man Sedulius, which was written in heroic verses [(hexameters)], we give preference to with manifest praise.
Likewise, the laborious work of Iuvencus we nevertheless do not spurn but are amazed by.
The remaining writings which have been compiled or been recognized by heretics or schismatics the universal and apostolic Roman assembly does not in any way receive; of these we have thought it right to cite below a few which have been handed down and which are to be avoided by universal [Christians]:
Likewise, a list of apocryphal books:
Firstly, we confess that the synod of Sirmium, called together by Constantius Caesar, the son of Constantine, through the prefect Taurus is damned then, and now, and forever.
The Itinerary in the name of Peter the apostle, which is called the nine books of the holy Clement: apocryphal
The Acts in the name of the apostle Andrew: apocryphal
The Acts in the name of the apostle Thomas: apocryphal
The Acts in the name of the apostle Peter: apocryphal
The Acts in the name of the apostle Philip: apocryphal
The Gospel in the name of Matthias: apocryphal
The Gospel in the name of Barnabas: apocryphal
The Gospel in the name of James the Younger: apocryphal
The Gospel in the name of the apostle Peter: apocryphal
The Gospel in the name of Thomas which the Manichaeans use: apocryphal
The Gospels in the name of Bartholomew: apocryphal
The Gospels in the name of Andrew: apocryphal
The Gospels which Lucianus forged: apocryphal
The Gospels which Hesychius forged: apocryphal
The book on the infancy of the Savior: apocryphal
The book of the nativity of the Savior and of Mary or the midwife: apocryphal
The book which is called by the name of the Shepherd: apocryphal
All the books which Leucius the disciple of the Devil made: apocryphal
The book which is called the Foundation: apocryphal
The book which is called the Treasure: apocryphal
The book of the daughters of Adam (Leptogenesis): apocryphal
The cento on Christ put together in Virgilian verses: apocryphal
The book which is called the Acts of Thecla and Paul: apocryphal
The book which is called Nepos’: apocryphal
The books of Proverbs written by heretics and prefixed with the name of holy Sixtus: apocryphal
The Revelation which is called Paul’s: apocryphal
The Revelation which is called Thomas’: apocryphal
The Revelation which is called Stephen’s: apocryphal
The book which is called the Assumption of Holy Mary: apocryphal
The book which is called the Conversion of Adam: apocryphal
The book about Og, the giant of whom the heretics assert that after the Flood he fought with the dragon: apocryphal
The book which is called the Testament of Job: apocryphal
The book which is called the Conversion of Origen: apocryphal
The book which is called the Conversion of holy Cyprian: apocryphal
The book which is called the Conversion of Jamne and Mambre: apocryphal
The book which is called the Lots of the Apostles: apocryphal
The book which is called the Grave-plate of the Apostles: apocryphal
The book which is called the Canons of the Apostles: apocryphal
The book Physiologus, written by heretics and prefixed with the name of blessed Ambrose: apocryphal
The History of Eusebius Pamphilii: apocryphal
The works of Tertullian: apocryphal
The works of Lactantius, also known as Firmianus: apocryphal
The works of Africanus: apocryphal
The works of Postumianus and Gallus: apocryphal
The works of Montanus, Priscilla, and Maximilla: apocryphal
The works of Faustus the Manichaean: apocryphal
The works of Commodian: apocrypha
The works of the other Clement, of Alexandria: apocryphal
The works of Thascius Cyprianus: apocryphal
The works of Arnobius: apocryphal
The works of Tichonius: apocryphal
The works of Cassian the Gallic priest: apocryphal
The works of Victorinus of Pettau: apocryphal
The works of Faustus of Riez in Gaul: apocryphal
The works of Frumentius Caecus: apocryphal
The cento on Christ stitched together from verses of Virgil: apocryphal
The Letter from Jesus to Abgar: apocryphal
The Letter of Abgar to Jesus: apocryphal
The Passion of Cyricus and Julitta: apocryphal
The Passion of Georgius: apocryphal
The writing which is called the Interdiction of Solomon: apocryphal
All amulets which are not compiled in the name of the messengers as they pretend but are written in the names of great demons: apocryphal
These and those similar ones, which Simon Magus, Nicolaus, Cerinthus, Marcion, Basilides, Ebion, Paul of Samosata, Photinus and Bonosus, who suffered from similar error, also Montanus with his obscene followers, Apollinaris, Valentinus the Manichaean, Faustus the African, Sabellius, Arius, Macedonius, Eunomius, Novatus, Sabbatius, Calistus, Donatus, Eustasius, Jovianus, Pelagius, Julian of Eclanum, Caelestius, Maximian, Priscillian from Spain, Nestorius of Constantinople, Maximus the Cynic, Lampetius, Dioscorus, Eutyches, Peter and the other Peter, of whom one disgraced Alexandria and the other Antioch, Acacius of Constantinople with his associates, and what also all disciples of heresy and of the heretics and schismatics, whose names we have scarcely preserved, have taught or compiled, we acknowledge is to be not merely rejected but eliminated from the whole Roman universal and apostolic Assembly and with their authors and the followers of its authors to be damned in the inextricable shackles of condemnation forever.