KOCVAR Vladimir - Acta Patristica, volume 12, issue 24/2021
DOGMATIC NATURE OF CANONS
/DOGMATICKÝ CHARAKTER KÁNONOV/
Vladimir KOCVAR
assistant professor, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Presov, Masarykova 15, 08001 Presov, Slovakia, vladimir.kocvar@unipo.sk, 00421517724729
Abstract
The whole canonical tradition of the Orthodox church is rooted in the dogmatic teachings of the Orthodox Church. It is in harmony with it, and on the base of the true faith thus leads to a true life. On the examples of canons, we are trying to show that dogmatic teaching is not detached from "practical" life, which, on the contrary, is built on the true faith of the Church. Orthodoxy is thus an indicator of the path to orthopraxy.
Keywords
dogma, canon, heresy, ecumenical council, orthopraxy
SUMMARY
The Orthodox Church does not separate the "theoretical" and "practical" things of life, does not make dogism "theory" and canons "practice," but considers them to be common and inseparable. The permanence and immutability of the Church's faith is traditionally expressed in the first rules of the Assemblies, by reference to previous Assemblies and the constant stay of the Church in unity with the decisions of previous Assemblies. Deviation from the true faith, from dogma, results in canonical punishment. The heretic falls away from the Church, he is considered a harmful factor, a "dry branch". This does not happen, of course, automatically. This is always preceded by a longer period of attempt to return, to accept the true faith, not to reject it. We can clearly see this on the example of Nestorius, who for a long time conducted a written communication with St. Cyril of Alexandria. The examples of individual canons given in the article show that the whole canonical tradition of the Orthodox Church is firmly rooted in the dogmatic teachings of the Orthodox Church, is in accordance with it and thus leads to a true life on the basis of true faith. Dogmatic teaching is not detached from "practical" life, which, on the contrary, is based on the faith of the Church. Orthodoxy is thus an indicator of the way to orthopraxia.
(Language: slovak)