Canon 8 Provincial synods to be held once a year

Wishing ourselves also to hold in all things what was decreed by our holy Fathers, we renew also the canon which prescribes that synods of the bishops in each province take place every year, wherever the bishop of the metropolis shall approve. But since, because of the incursions of the barbarians and because of other causes that befall, the presidents of the churches are unable to hold the synods twice a year, it has seemed good that by all means once a year the synod of the aforesaid bishops take place in each province, on account of the ecclesiastical matters that, as is likely, spring up, from the holy feast of Pascha until the completion of the month of October of each year, in the place which the bishop of the metropolis, as has been said before, shall approve; and that the bishops who do not come together, while staying in their own cities, and that in good health, and free of every unavoidable and necessary occupation, be rebuked in a brotherly manner.