In the
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church, also called the Orthodox Church, is the second-largest Christian church, with approximately 220 million baptized members. It operates as a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed by its bishops vi ...
, ''akribeia'' ( gr, ἀκρίβεια, translit=akriveia, akribia, akrivia, lit=accuracy, exactness, preciseness) is the strict adherence to the letter of the
law of the Church.
''Akribeia'' is to be distinguished from
economy
An economy is an area of the production, distribution and trade, as well as consumption of goods and services. In general, it is defined as a social domain that emphasize the practices, discourses, and material expressions associated with the ...
, which is discretionary deviation from the
letter of the law
The letter of the law and the spirit of the law are two possible ways to regard rules, or laws. To obey the letter of the law is to follow the literal reading of the words of the law, whereas following the spirit of the law means enacting the ...
in order to adhere to the spirit of the law.
Canon law
In
Eastern Orthodox canon law
The canon law of the Eastern Orthodox Church consists of the ecclesiastical regulations recognised by the authorities of the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with the discipline, study, and practice of Eastern Orthodox jurisprudence.
In the Ea ...
, there exists two notions: ''akriveia'' and ''
economia
Economia a.s. is a Czech media company headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic. It was founded in 1990 and it is the publisher of ''Hospodářské noviny'', ''Respekt'', news server '' Aktuálně.cz'' and several other news websites. From 1999, ...
''. ''Akriveia'', which is harshness, "is the strict application (sometimes even extension) of the
penance given to an unrepentant and habitual offender." ''Economia'', which is sweetness, "is a judicious relaxation of the penance when the sinner shows remorse and
repentance."
See also
*
Antinomianism
Antinomianism (Ancient Greek: ἀντί 'anti''"against" and νόμος 'nomos''"law") is any view which rejects laws or legalism and argues against moral, religious or social norms (Latin: mores), or is at least considered to do so. The term ha ...
*
Canon law of the Eastern Orthodox Church
The canon law of the Eastern Orthodox Church consists of the ecclesiastical regulations recognised by the authorities of the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with the discipline, study, and practice of Eastern Orthodox jurisprudence.
In the Ea ...
*
Legalism (theology)
In Christian theology, ''legalism'' (or nomism) is a pejorative term applied to the idea that "by doing good works or by obeying the law, a person earns and merits salvation."
The ''Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States'' defines '' ...
*
Oikonomia (leniency, opposite of ''akribeia'')
References
Canon law of the Eastern Orthodox Church
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