Some things you would think would not have to be enjoined against in a council of Bishops. I mean really! Canon 97 of the Seventh Council made my eyes bug out. Go read it. I will wait. You're back? Your eyes popping, too? Yes, it means exactly what you think it means. Whodathinkit? People have apparently been doing freakin' insane things since time began. This pretty much proves it.
I think the best part of that set of canons however, is Canon 102. To wit:
"It behoves those who have received from God the power to loose and bind, to consider the quality of the sin and the readiness of the sinner for conversion, and to apply medicine suitable for the disease, lest if he is injudicious in each of these respects he should fail in regard to the healing of the sick man. For the disease of sin is not simple, but various and multiform, and it germinates many mischievous offshoots, from which much evil is diffused, and it proceeds further until it is checked by the power of the physician. Wherefore he who professes the science of spiritual medicine ought first of all to consider the disposition of him who has sinned, and to see whether he tends to health or (on the contrary) provokes to himself disease by his own behaviour, and to look how he can care for his manner of life during the interval. And if he does not resist the physician, and if the ulcer of the soul is increased by the application of the imposed medicaments, then let him mete out mercy to him according as he is worthy of it. For the whole account is between God and him to whom the pastoral rule has been delivered, to lead back the wandering sheep and to cure that which is wounded by the serpent; and that he may neither cast them down into the precipices of despair, nor loosen the bridle towards dissolution or contempt of life; but in some way or other, either by means of sternness and astringency, or by greater softness and mild medicines, to resist this sickness and exert himself for the healing of the ulcer, now examining the fruits of his repentance and wisely managing the man who is called to higher illumination. For we ought to know two things, to wit, the things which belong to strictness and those which belong to custom, and to follow the traditional form in the case of those who are not fitted for the highest things, as holy Basil teaches us."In summary, the sinner comes to Church to be healed of sin and Christ the Healer, through the Church, metes out remedies for the salvation of mankind. These remedies are administered to the faithful through the priest, "he who professes the science of spiritual medicine". So the priest needs to take into account not only the sin, but the disposition (the inherent qualities of mind and character) of the faithful when administering that "spiritual medicine". The one who comes to the priest must be faithful and willing to change (convert), not resisting the physician or the medicine he prescribes to lead that person back toward union with God and healing of the wound of sin given by the serpent. The medicine prescribed to one may seem overly harsh and that prescribed to another may seem overly gentle to those looking from the outside, but what works for one does not always work for another and those watching should look to their own salvation. The faithful one should obey and not despair; and the priest should be merciful and kind, or stern and astringent, as needed.
This is the oikonomia, the economy, of the Church. "This is the Faith of the Apostles. This is the Faith of the Fathers. This is the Faith of the Orthodox. This is the Faith that sustains the universe."
Salvation is the goal, always, not punishment.
Lord have mercy on me, a sinner
Relevant Reading
The Seven Ecumenical Councils
Canons of the Council in Trullo
1 Timothy 5
Confession of Faith of the Sunday of Orthodoxy
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