Seventeenth Council of Toledo facts for kids

The Seventeenth Council of Toledo was a big meeting held in the Visigothic Kingdom of Spain. It started on November 9, 694. King Egica called this important gathering. It was his third major council. The main purpose of this meeting, like the one before it, was to make rules about Jewish people. King Egica had a strong dislike and distrust of them.

The king began the meeting by saying he heard that Jewish people overseas were trying to overthrow their Christian rulers. He also claimed that Jewish people in Spain were planning with them to end the Christian religion. Because of this, the council made a strict rule, called the eighth canon. This rule said that most Jewish people would lose their property. This property would then be given to Christian servants. The Jewish people themselves were to become servants. The king chose who would oversee them. These overseers had to promise that they would never let the Jewish people practice their religion again. However, it's likely that these rules were not always followed strictly in every part of Spain. But in some areas, they were definitely put into action.

The council also tried to protect King Egica's queen and children after he died. They knew that royal families could face danger during a change of power. So, the bishops ordered prayers for their safety.

The official notes from this council are a very good source of information about this time in Spanish history.

Key Decisions of the Council

The council made eight main decisions, called canons. Here are some of the most important ones:

Rules for Church Leaders

• Fasting and Discussion: At the start of the meeting, all the bishops had to fast for three days. During this time, they talked about their faith and how to improve the behavior of the clergy (church officials). Regular people were not allowed to be present during these discussions.
• Sealing the Baptism Font: At the beginning of Lent (a special time before Easter), the place where baptisms happen had to be sealed. The bishop would seal it with his ring. It stayed sealed until a special church holiday called Coena Domini.
• Washing of Feet: The tradition of washing feet on Coena Domini had stopped in some places. The council said it must be done everywhere.
• Protecting Church Items: Church leaders were not allowed to use or sell holy items or other church decorations for themselves.

Rules for Services

• Masses for the Dead: Some priests were holding special church services for people who were still alive, hoping they would die soon. The council said that any priest who did this, and the person who asked them to do it, would be removed from their duties forever. They would also be banned from the church. They could only receive communion again when they were dying.
• Prayers for Everyone: Throughout the entire year, special prayers and requests for forgiveness had to be said. These prayers were for the Church, the King, and all the people.

Rules About Royal Family Safety

• Renewing Old Laws: The council brought back older laws that were meant to keep the royal family safe. This was to protect the king's family, especially during times when a new king was taking over.

Rules About Jewish People

• Punishment for Jewish People: The council decided that Jewish people had committed serious wrongs. They were accused of trying to overthrow the country and its people. This was said to have happened even after some had seemingly converted to Christianity, but then went back to their old faith. Because of this, they were to lose all their property. This property would go to the king's treasury. They would also become servants forever. The people chosen by the king to oversee them had to make sure they no longer practiced Jewish customs. Also, their children, once they turned seven years old, had to be separated from them and later marry Christians.

See also

In Spanish: XVII Concilio de Toledo para niños