Editing Anathema (section)

===Eastern Orthodoxy===
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The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] distinguishes between ''epitemia'' (penances) laid on a person, one form of which is "separation from the communion of the Church" (excommunication), and anathema. While undergoing epitemia, the person remains an Orthodox Christian, even though their participation in the [[Sacred Mysteries|mystical life]] of the church is restricted; but those given over to anathema are considered completely torn from the Church until they repent.<ref>[[St. John Maximovitch]], [http://www.orthodox.net/articles/anathema-st-john.html "The Word 'Anathema' and its Meaning"], ''Orthodox Life'', vol 27, Mar–April 1977, pp. 18–19</ref> Epitemia, or excommunication, is normally limited to a specified period of time—though it always depends on evidence of repentance by the one serving the penance. The lifting of anathema, however, depends solely on the repentance of the one condemned. The two causes for which a person may be anathematized are [[heresy]] and [[Schism (religion)|schism]]. Anathematization is only a last resort, and must always be preceded by pastoral attempts to reason with the offender and bring about their restoration.

For the Orthodox, anathema is not final damnation. God alone is the judge of the living and the dead, and up until the moment of death repentance is always possible. The purpose of public anathema is twofold: to warn the one condemned and bring about his repentance, and to warn others away from his error. Everything is done for the purpose of the [[salvation]] of souls.

On the First Sunday of [[Great Lent]]—the "Sunday of Orthodoxy"—the church celebrates the [[Rite of Orthodoxy]], at which anathemas are pronounced against numerous heresies. This rite commemorates the end of [[Byzantine Iconoclasm]]—the last great heresy to trouble the church (all subsequent heresies—so far—merely being restatements in one form or another of previous errors)—at the [[Synod|Council]] of [[Constantinople]] in 843. The ''Synodicon'', or decree, of the council was publicly proclaimed on this day, including an anathema against not only Iconoclasm but also of previous heresies. The ''Synodicon'' continues to be proclaimed annually, together with additional prayers and petitions in [[cathedral]]s and major [[Monastery|monasteries]] throughout the Eastern Orthodox Churches. During the rite (which is also known as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy"), [[lection]]s are read from Romans 16:17–20, which directs the church to "mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned, and avoid them. For they ... by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple," and Matthew 18:10–18, which recounts the [[parable]] of the [[The Good Shepherd (Christianity)|Good Shepherd]], and provides the procedure to follow in dealing with those who err:

<blockquote>
"... if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he shall neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, whatever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
</blockquote>

After an [[ektenia]] (litany), during which petitions are offered that God will have mercy on those who err and bring them back to the truth, and that he will "make hatred, enmity, strife, vengeance, falsehood and all other abominations to cease, and cause true love to reign in our hearts", the [[bishop]] (or [[abbot]]) says a prayer during which he beseeches God to: "look down now upon Thy Church, and behold how that, though we have joyously received the Gospel of salvation, we are but stony ground.<ref>Cf. {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:5|KJV}}, etc.</ref> For the thorns<ref>Cf. {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:7|KJV}}, etc.</ref> of vanity and the tares<ref>Cf. {{bibleverse||Matthew|13:25–40|KJV}}</ref> of the passions make it to bear but little fruit in certain places and none in others, and with the increase in iniquity, some, opposing the truth of Thy Gospel by heresy, and others by schism, do fall away from Thy dignity, and rejecting Thy grace, they subject themselves to the judgment of Thy most holy word. O most merciful and almighty Lord ... be merciful unto us; strengthen us in the right Faith by Thy power, and with Thy divine light illumine the eyes of those in error, that they may come to know Thy truth. Soften the hardness of their hearts and open their ears, that they may hear Thy voice and turn to Thee, our Saviour. O Lord, set aside their division and correct their life, which doth not accord with Christian piety. ... Endue the pastors of Thy Church with holy zeal, and so direct their care for the salvation and conversion of those in error with the spirit of the Gospel that, guided by Thee, we may all attain to that place where is the perfect faith, fulfillment of hope, and true love ...." The [[protodeacon]] then proclaims the Synodicon, anathematizing various heresies and lauding those who have remained constant in the [[dogma]] and [[Holy Tradition]] of the Church.