Canons 101–102

Canon 101. The great and divine Apostle Paul loudly calls man, who was created in the image of God, the body and temple of Christ. So the one who, by the saving Passion, has reached heavenly dignity stands above every creature the senses can perceive; eating and drinking Christ, he is made fit in every way for eternal life, making his soul and body holy by sharing in divine grace. Therefore, if anyone wishes to share in the spotless Body at the time of the synaxis and to offer himself for communion, let him come forward holding his hands in the form of a cross, and so let him receive the communion of grace. But those who, instead of their hands, make vessels of gold or other materials to receive the divine gift, and receive the spotless communion in them, we by no means allow to come, since they prefer lifeless and inferior matter to the image of God. And if anyone is found giving the spotless communion to those who bring such vessels, let him be cut off, as well as the one who brings them. [a]

Canon 102. Those who have received from God the power to loose and to bind ought to consider what kind of sin it is and how ready the sinner is to turn back, and to apply a medicine suited to the disease. Otherwise, if he lacks judgment in any of these respects, he may fail to heal the sick man. For the disease of sin is not simple. It is varied and takes many forms. It puts out many harmful shoots, and much evil spreads from them, and it keeps advancing until the physician’s power checks it. So the one who professes the science of spiritual medicine ought first of all to consider the disposition of the one who has sinned. He should see whether the man is moving toward health or, on the contrary, is bringing disease on himself by his own behavior, and he should look at how his way of life can be cared for in the meantime. And if the man does not resist the physician, and the ulcer of the soul is increased by the application of the medicines laid on it, then let him measure out mercy to him as he deserves. For the whole account lies between God and the one to whom the pastoral rule has been entrusted: to lead back the wandering sheep and to cure what the serpent has wounded. He must neither throw them down the cliffs of despair nor loosen the bridle so far that they slide into dissolute living or contempt for life. In one way or another, whether by sternness and sharp, astringent remedies or by greater gentleness and mild medicines, he must resist this sickness and work hard to heal the ulcer, now examining the fruits of the man’s repentance, and wisely guiding the one who is called to a higher illumination. For we ought to know two things: what belongs to strictness and what belongs to custom. And in the case of those who are not fit for the highest things, we ought to follow the traditional form, as holy Basil teaches us. [c]