Canonicity

Canonicity refers to being in accord with the canons of the Church.

World Orthodoxy

Main article: World Orthodox.

In World Orthodox circles, the term is used as a synonym for World Orthodox. The Ecumenical Patriarchate uses a papist definition, considering as canonical all those who are in communion with itself and schismatic all those who are not. Others may either go along with this defition or when it becomes inconvenient—such as during the power struggle between the Moscow Patriarchate and the EP—they may redefine it as anyone in communion with any of the official churches.

These World Orthodox definitions tend not to work well; if either one were applied consistently the pope of Rome would be considered a canonical Orthodox patriarch:

• The patriarch of Constantinople commemorates the pope during the liturgy, which would make him part of the church under their definition.
• During the Great Schism the patriarchs of the East broke communion with Old Rome, but it remained the officially recognized church in large parts of the West until the present day.
• Those who accept that Rome was recognized officially in the West but nevertheless insist that it was separated from the Church because it was not in communion with the other churches, as though it were purely up to a majority vote of patriarchates, would be defeated on the first point above since Rome has effectively reentered communion with several patriarchates and open concelebration and intercommunion occurs.
• Numerous public statements have been made by World Orthodox leaders that the pope is part of the Church. Ecumenists may accept this and simply regard the pope as canonical; this leads to other problems as discussed under the relevant heresy of ecumenism.

Pertaining to canons

In order to be a canonical bishop under the original meaning of the word, it would mean for the bishop to hold his office in accordance with the canons regulating such. For example he would need to have valid apostolic succession, there would be only one canonical bishop per city, etc.

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