of the Church, to receive them and those ordered therein. And if indeed they wish to honor the decree and to keep what is contained therein unshaken, they are in every way to be praised; but if they should choose to perform what is forbidden by it, they will be permitted to do so, provided, however, that they are first subjected to the appropriate penalties.
XX.
NOVELLA CONCERNING THE POSSESSIONS OF MONASTERIES (45)
It is praised by Balsamon on c. 12 of the Second Council of Nicaea in these words: [The Greek source text here provided is a summary note recording that in June of the 9th indiction, year 6274 [1166 AD], an imperial edict was issued—though the text refers to 1176 and 1183—revoking almost all of that most pious and beneficent chrysobull 46; and because of this, all monastic immovable properties were being seized by the recorders].
ANNO DOMINI MCLXXXIII [1183]
ALEXIUS COMNENUS II, EMPEROR
NOVELLA CONSTITUTION. THAT THE IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES OF MONASTERIES MAY NOT BE REGISTERED.
My Majesty, B needing the aid of your prayers and wishing in all things to walk in the footsteps of the lord and my father of blessed memory who reigned before me, and desiring to imitate toward you who are dedicated to God that beneficence of his, has chosen by this one act of bounty toward you to give thanks both to God—who made me Emperor—and to the holy soul of the Emperor my father; and it places a foundation and base for the progress of my own power toward the good.
1. And bending to your request, it is decreed that the three chrysobulls issued for the benefit of the monasteries under you shall have their efficacy and remain unshaken and immovable, and shall remain in the same strength in which they were first set forth. C And it is decreed that those acts of tradition which subsequently followed them shall likewise carry security, even if they were made after two years; even if perhaps some of them were not previously deposited in the appropriate secretariats, those that were issued for the interpretation or subversion of the powers of the chrysobulls, whether particular or general; and whatever commands are declared in your suggestion, however they may have been issued, through this response