Synod of Hippo: Shaping the Early Christian Canon and Clerical Law
In the early centuries of the Christian Church, the definition of sacred scripture and the standards for church leadership were not yet universally standardized. One of the most pivotal moments in this process occurred at the Synod of Hippo, a gathering of bishops held in 393 AD in Hippo Regius, located in modern-day Algeria in Northern Africa.
While Hippo Regius hosted several synods—including meetings in 394, 397, 401, and 426—the session of 393 remains historically significant. These gatherings were often attended by the influential theologian Augustine of Hippo, whose presence underscored the intellectual and spiritual weight of the proceedings.
The Establishment of the Biblical Canon
The Synod of Hippo is most renowned for its role in defining the Biblical canon, which is the official list of books recognized as divinely inspired scripture. For the first time, a council of bishops listed and approved a canon that closely aligns with the modern Catholic canon.
This approved list included books that the Catholic Church later classified as deuterocanonical (books considered secondary but still canonical) and which Protestant traditions later categorized as the Apocrypha. While previous councils had approved similar lists, the Hippo canon provided a critical foundation. This list was subsequently approved at the Council of Carthage in 397, though it remained pending ratification by the "Church across the sea," referring to the See of Rome.
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Clerical Requirements and Church Governance
Beyond the definition of scripture, the synod addressed the moral and structural requirements for those serving in the ministry. The council reaffirmed the apostolic origin of clerical continence—the requirement that ordained clergy abstain from marriage and sexual relations—and reasserted this as a mandatory standard for all ordained members.
The synod also established strict prerequisites for ordination. Specifically, it mandated that every member of a candidate's household must be Christian before that individual could be ordained. Furthermore, the bishops used the synod to clarify rules regarding clerical succession and various liturgical considerations to ensure consistency in worship and leadership.
Key Facts
- Location: Hippo Regius (modern-day Algeria, Northern Africa).
- Primary Date: 393 AD (with subsequent synods in 394, 397, 401, and 426).
- Canonization: Approved a biblical canon corresponding to the modern Catholic canon.
- Clerical Standards: Reaffirmed clerical continence and required all household members to be Christian for ordination.
- Key Figure: Augustine of Hippo attended several of these synods.
| Category | Outcome/Decision |
|---|---|
| Scripture | Approved a canon including deuterocanonical books. |
| Clergy | Reasserted mandatory clerical continence. |
| Ordination | Required all household members to be Christian. |
| Governance | Clarified clerical succession and liturgical rules. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Synod of Hippo held?
The synod took place in Hippo Regius, which is located in present-day Algeria in Northern Africa.
How did the Synod of Hippo influence the Bible?
It was the first council of bishops to approve a biblical canon that corresponds to the modern Catholic canon, including books later known as deuterocanonical or Apocrypha.
What were the requirements for ordination decided at the synod?
The synod required that all members of a person's household be Christian before that person could be ordained, and it reaffirmed the requirement of clerical continence.
Did the Synod of Hippo act alone in deciding the canon?
No. While it provided a critical list, the canon was later approved at the Council of Carthage in 397 and awaited ratification from the See of Rome.
Who was a prominent attendee of the synods at Hippo?
Augustine of Hippo attended some of the synods held in the city between 393 and 426 AD.