Note 736 — Chapter II
Reading edition
Οὐ δεῖ Χριστιανοὺς ἀγγέλους ὀνομάζειν.—Can., 35. The “saints” of the primitive church, says Schaff, were the whole body of believers, and not a narrow spiritual aristocracy, as in the Romish church. The Council of Constantinople, A. D. 712, decreed that “Whosoever will not avail himself of the intercession of the Virgin Mary, let him be accursed.” “May God Almighty forgive your sin by the merits of Our Lady,” said Gregory VII. to Beatrice and Matilda.—Harduin vi, 1235.