The Canons

Oversimplified

• Regulations and decrees
• Sacred, Holy Spirit inspired church norms.
• "What to do, and what not to do."

Summary

The canons are Holy Spirit inspired norms that help guide every aspect of church life. This includes Ecclesiology, Liturgy, and Ethics. These canonical tradition, involve persons who are invested with authority (such as Bishops) enabled with the means of creating, formulating, interpreting, executing, validating, amending and revoking these laws through synodical or conciliar action.

There is a clear distinction, however, between the "Canons" (in which this article speaks of) and the "Canons of Scripture" (the list of accepted biblical books.)

The canons which provide a permanent criteria of church structure outside the New Testament writings are found in:

• The Ecumenical Councils
• Several local or provincial councils
• Apostolic Canons
• Canons of the Fathers

Examples of Canons

For example, within the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicaea II), there are canons that mandate the veneration of holy icons.

Violating Canons

Orthodox canon law is primarily viewed as a spiritual "medicine" rather than a rigid legal system. While these are the established rules, the Church applies a principle called economia (dispensation). This allows local bishops and synods the flexibility to bend the strict letter of the law in specific, pastoral situations to accommodate human weakness or foster the salvation of the faithful