Question:
What is an epitimia? In what does it
consist?
Answer:
An epitimia (Greek, epitimion, from epi – on, timi – punishment) is a means of spiritual correction, prescribed
for serious transgressions: witchcraft, apostasy, fornication, murder
(including abortion), grave-robbing, and so on. The spiritual foundation for
this means of healing the serious vices of man the Holy Fathers see in the word
of God, which speaks about punishment as a benefaction in relation to the
transgressor: “My son, despise not the
chastening of the LORD: neither be weary of His correction” (Prov 3:11); “Now no chastening for the present seemeth
to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable
fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb. 12:11).
The rules for the application of epitimias are found in general Church
canonical collections. Well known is the penitential nomokanon (book of
epitimias) of St. John IV the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople. In it are
contained instructions for spiritual fathers who hear confessions. The compiler
of the penitental nomokanon, defining various means of healing for
spiritual-moral infirmities (strict fasting, prostrations, giving to the poor,
etc.), advises one to be guided not only by the weight of the sin, but by the
degree to which the penitent is experiencing his behavior, his inner condition.
In our time, when
the spiritual infirmity of people is so great, a pastor must use his right to
apply epitimias very carefully, with wisdom and love.
Source: http://ishmaelite.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-is-epitimia.html
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