Synod of Rome (721)

The Synod of Rome (721) (also known as the Council of Rome of 721) was a synod held in St. Peter’s Basilica under the authority of Pope Gregory II to establish canons to improve church discipline.

Background
On April 5, 721, Pope Gregory II opened a synod to deal with tightening up the rules of matrimony, and a number of minor offenses committed against the Church. Present along with the Pope were nineteen Italian bishops, and three non-Italian bishops: Sindered of Toledo, Sedulius from Britain, and Fergustus Pictus from Scotland. Also present were a number of Roman priests and deacons.

The seventeen canons of the synod
The synod drew up seventeen canons to improve church discipline. These included a prohibition on marrying:
 * 1. The widow of a priest;
 * 2. Or a Deaconess;
 * 3. Or a nun;
 * 4. Or his spiritual Commater;
 * 5. The wife of his brother;
 * 6. Or his niece;
 * 7. His stepmother or daughter-in-law;
 * 8. His first cousin;
 * 9. Or a relation, or the wife of a relation.

It further placed anathemas on:
 * 10. A man marrying a widow;
 * 11. A man who ravishes a virgin to whom he was not betrothed, in order to take her as his wife, even if she were to consent;
 * 12. If a man is guilty of superstitious usages;
 * 13. Anyone who violates the earlier commands of the Apostolic Church in regard to the olive-yards belonging to it.

It mentioned specific anathemas against:
 * 14. Hadrian, who married the deaconess Epiphania;
 * 15. As well as Epiphania herself;
 * 16. And whoever helped her to marry.

Finally, the synod also anathematized:
 * 17. Any cleric who lets his hair grow.

The synod finished its deliberations on the same day it started.