The nature of canons

[Xenia Rose]

On another forum board a member quoted canons and said that because of this or that canon an orthodox convert could not attend any kind of service with their nonEO family, or pray with them, etc. (Paraphrasing a long thread elsewhere here).

I argued back that we have Spiritual Father's (Priests) and Bishops to interpret canons and how they apply. If a Priest gives such consent the person could be at peace to attend a service or say a prayer with the nonEO family.

I was told that if a canon says something that it is not opinion and must be followed or one is outside the Church.

It is my understanding that canons are guidelines for Priests and Bishops and that each situation is examined holistically as a part of spiritual direction.

What is the nature of canons?

Could I have some references to read about the nature of canons or quotes about them?

(If this is not in the correct forum, please move it.)

Please do not make this a discussion about praying with or attending services with nonEO. I am only asking about canons. A new thread can be started on the other subject if someone wants to talk about that as I do not have a question on that matter. I only used this as an example for this topic.

[Herman Blaydoe]

"Canon" is a Greek word (of course) and means measuring rod, rule, akin to kánna (cane). It is that which the builder uses to make a straight line, or a consistent curve. It is a standard. It is not judicial. We do not see sin as a crime against God to be punished, it is a sickness to be healed. The canons are tools used by the bishops as physicians, not lawyers or judges.

The compendium of Orthodox Canon is called the Pedalion which means Rudder. As as sailor, I find this extremely enlightening. Steering a ship with a rudder is very little like steering a car with a wheel. You have to take into account many different things like how fast the ship is moving, where the current is going, how much wind is blowing, how quickly and how much you need to change the course or even stay on course. Sometimes the rudder is useless because the other forces are too strong and other things have to be brought into play. It requires practice and discernment to know how much rudder to use in a particular situation, and few situations are exactly the same. Different helmsmen will use the rudder in different manners to achieve the same result, just like two different doctors with two different patients might use two very different treatments to cure the same disease.

They provide guidance, but must be used or not used with discretion and discernment. Laws are universal and must be "enforced". Canons are tools and used as needed. At least this is how it was explained to me by the Canons expert for the Greek Archdiocese of America, Dr. Patsavos.

You can find more information from Dr. Patsavos here:
The Canonical Tradition of the Orthodox Church (http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7071)

[Xenia Rose]

"Canon" is a Greek word (of course) and means measuring rod, rule, akin to kánna (cane). It is that which the builder uses to make a straight line, or a consistent curve. It is a standard. It is not judicial. We do not see sin as a crime against God to be punished, it is a sickness to be healed. The canons are tools used by the bishops as physicians, not lawyers or judges.

The compendium of Orthodox Canon is called the Pedalion which means Rudder. As as sailor, I find this extremely enlightening. Steering a ship with a rudder is very little like steering a car with a wheel. You have to take into account many different things like how fast the ship is moving, where the current is going, how much wind is blowing, how quickly and how much you need to change the course or even stay on course. Sometimes the rudder is useless because the other forces are too strong and other things have to be brought into play. It requires practice and discernment to know how much rudder to use in a particular situation, and few situations are exactly the same. Different helmsmen will use the rudder in different manners to achieve the same result, just like two different doctors with two different patients might use two very different treatments to cure the same disease.

They provide guidance, but must be used or not used with discretion and discernment. Laws are universal and must be "enforced". Canons are tools and used as needed. At least this is how it was explained to me by the Canons expert for the Greek Archdiocese of America, Dr. Patsavos.

You can find more information from Dr. Patsavos here:
The Canonical Tradition of the Orthodox Church (http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7071.asp)

Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article and book marked it for future reference if someone starts throwing "canon" balls around again.

[Nina]

St. Nikodimos the Agiorite (of Mount Athos) writes extensively about Canons.

[Leonard]

"Canon" is a Greek word (of course) and means measuring rod, rule, akin to kánna (cane). It is that which the builder uses to make a straight line, or a consistent curve. It is a standard. It is not judicial. We do not see sin as a crime against God to be punished, it is a sickness to be healed. The canons are tools used by the bishops as physicians, not lawyers or judges.

The compendium of Orthodox Canon is called the Pedalion which means Rudder. As as sailor, I find this extremely enlightening. Steering a ship with a rudder is very little like steering a car with a wheel. You have to take into account many different things like how fast the ship is moving, where the current is going, how much wind is blowing, how quickly and how much you need to change the course or even stay on course. Sometimes the rudder is useless because the other forces are too strong and other things have to be brought into play. It requires practice and discernment to know how much rudder to use in a particular situation, and few situations are exactly the same. Different helmsmen will use the rudder in different manners to achieve the same result, just like two different doctors with two different patients might use two very different treatments to cure the same disease.

They provide guidance, but must be used or not used with discretion and discernment. Laws are universal and must be "enforced". Canons are tools and used as needed. At least this is how it was explained to me by the Canons expert for the Greek Archdiocese of America, Dr. Patsavos.

You can find more information from Dr. Patsavos here:
The Canonical Tradition of the Orthodox Church (http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7071.asp)

Thanks for your very interesting post, and for the link to a very brilliant article! I will keep a copy of that for reference in the future.