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The solution of the question hinges upon the interpretation of the canons, that is, upon whether they are to be taken as reflecting a recent, or as pointing to an imminent, persecution. Thus some argue for a date between 300 and 303, i.e. before the Diocletian persecution; others for a date between 303 and 314, after the persecution; but before the synod of Arles ; still others for a date between the synod of Arles and the council of Nicaea, 325. Mansi, Hardouin, Hefele and Dale are in substantial agreement upon 305 or 306, and this is probably the closest approximation possible in the present state of the evidence.

The place of meeting, Elvira, was not far from the modern Granada, if not, as Dale thinks, actually identical with it. There the nineteen bishops and twenty-four presbyters, from all parts of Spain, but chiefly from the south, assembled, probably at the instigation of Hosius of Córdoba, but under the presidency of Felix of Acci , with a view to restoring order and discipline in the church. The eighty-one canons which were adopted reflect with considerable fulness the internal life and external relations of the Spanish Church of the 4th century.

The social environment of Christians may be inferred from the canons prohibiting marriage and other intercourse with Jews, pagans and heretics, closing the offices of flamen and duumvir to Christians, forbidding all contact with idolatryIdolatry is a term used by many religions to describe the worship of a false divine entity rather, which is an affront to their understanding of divinity. Many religions consider the beliefs or practices of other religions to be idolatrous. The concept of and likewise participation. in pagan festivals and public games. The state of morals is mirrored in the canons denouncing prevalent vices. The canons respecting the clergy exhibit the clergy as already a special class with peculiar privileges, a more exacting moral standard, heavier penalties for delinquency. The bishopA bishop is an ordained person who holds a specific position of authority in any of a number of Christian churches. Bishops in the New Testament The bishop's role is typically called the " episcopacy", because the word "bishop" is derived ultimately from has acquired control of the sacramentsThe practice of the Roman Catholic Church includes seven sacraments . As defined by Catholics, a sacrament is a material and spoken action which confers divine grace upon a person, especially what is called sanctifying grace. There are seven sacraments: B, presbyterA presbyter is, in the Bible, a synonym for bishop, elders or pastor, and is today also called priest in various Christian denominations. In later times there was a differentiation in the usage of the various synonymous names, giving rise to the appearancs and deacons acting only under his orders; the episcopate appears as a unit, bishops being bound to respect one anothers disciplinary decrees.

Worthy of special note are canon 33, enjoining celibacyCelibacy may refer either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. A vow of celibacy is a promise not to enter into marriage. Some writers prefer this usage of "celibacy", while others use it interchangeably as a synonym for abstinence. The old meaning upon all clerics and all who minister at the altar (the most ancient canon of celibacy; see also clerical celibacyA vow of clerical celibacy is the promise of a Christian priest or bishop to remain unmarried, or, in some churches, of a deacon or priest not to remarry if his wife dies. In conjunction with church rules prohibiting sex outside of marriage, this implies); canon 36, forbidding pictures in churches; canon 38, permitting lay baptism under certain conditions; and canon 53, forbidding one bishop to restore a person excommunicated by another.

See Mansi ii. pp. 1-406; Hardouin i. pp. 247-258; Hefele (2nd ed.) 1- pp 148 sqq. (English translation, i. pp. 131 sqq.); Dale, The Synod of Elvira (London, 1882); and Hennecke, in Herzog-Hauck, Realencyklopädie (3rd ed), sv. Elvira, especially bibliography.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. 1911 Britannica