Canon (priest)

A canon (from the Latin canonicus and Greek κανωνικωσ 'relating to a rule') is a priest who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to a rule (canon).

Related Topics:
Christian - Clergy - Canon

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Originally, a canon was a cleric living with others in a clergyhouse or, later, in one of the houses within the precinct or close of a cathedral and ordering his life according to the orders or rules of the church. This way of life began to become common (and be referred to in manuscripts) in the eighth century. In the eleventh century, some churches required clergy so living together to adopt the rule first proposed by Saint Augustine that they renounce private property. Those who embraced this change were known as Augustinian or regular canons, whilst those who did not were known as secular canons.

Related Topics:
Close - Cathedral - Eighth century - Eleventh century - Saint Augustine

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One of the functions of the cathedral canons in the Roman Catholic Church is to elect a Vicar Capitular to serve during a sede vacante period of the diocese.

Related Topics:
Vicar Capitular - Sede vacante

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