Decretum Gelasianum

medieval document

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June 25, 2026

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The Decretum Gelasianum is a Latin document from the early 6th century, whose authorship is uncertain. It reflects the views of the Roman church at that time and includes a list of biblical books considered canonical, which encompassed certain apocryphal writings like Tobit, Judith, and the Wisdom of Solomon. This document is distinct from Gratian's Decretum, a collection of church discipline and regulation texts compiled around 1140 by the monk Gratian. Gratian's work became a foundational text for the study of canon law in universities and aimed to resolve contradictions within existing church rules, drawing upon Roman law and the writings of Church Fathers. Pope Gelasius I was a significant figure in the 5th century, known for his role in combating the Acacian Schism and asserting papal authority.123

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biblical literature
The Christian canon
The Decretum Gelasianum, a Latin document of uncertain authorship but recognized as reflecting the views of the Roman church at the beginning of the 6th century, includes Tobit, Judith, the Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, and I and II Maccabees as biblical.
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The Decretum Gelasianum, a Latin document of uncertain authorship but recognized as reflecting the views of the Roman church at the beginning of the 6th century, includes Tobit, Judith, the Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, and I and II Maccabees as biblical.
Read More