Penance

[MariaRegina]

I think I now recall the Greek word. It is epixima with the /x/ pronounced almost like an /h/ but it is a Greek voiced velar fricative.

 

[MariaRegina]

I thnk this is an important distinction between how we use the word "penance" and how the West uses the word.

Aria, in this part:


is the definition (the part in bold) you gave reffering to Penance or epistemia? I am guessing the latter. If so, this is how my priest distinguishes between a Penance and what he has been taught to call an "obediance" so it's neat to learn the technical word for it, if I am indeed understanding you correctly.

So it seems that a Post-Catholic "penance" is more comparable to an epistemia/obediance. I think this is an important point highlight so we know we can be sure we are talking about the same thing (in East/West discussions).

John

Epixima is an obedience prescribed by the Orthodox priest and it is similar to the Catholic idea of a 'penance' given by a Catholic priest such as praying an act of faith, hope and charity, giving alms, visiting the sick.

Guess we will have to ask one of our Greek TAW members how to correctly transliterate the word into English from the Greek.

 

[The Virginian]

Hey,

Could someone explain the Orthodox view of Penance? Or, point me in the direction of some good articles. My priest said it is unlike Catholic penance, but we ran out of time to discuss it further. Also, what are some common (or standard) penances for sins such as adultery, murder, apostacy, etc. I understand that being denied the eucharist is a very common form....I guess some "Hail, Marys" and "Our Fathers" don't cut it.


Peace.

The first part of penance is no doubt partaking in the mystery of Confession. I do not remember which of the Fathers said it, but it's true that no matter how harsh or lax the penance, there's nothing we can ever do to merit the love of the love of God.

Confession is the place where the priest/doctor, administers the prescribed medicinal penance for what ails us. As with much in each jurisdiction, the agreed upon form of penance for each transgression may differ.
I would point you to articles, or books but the time is late.

 

[Annoula]

I think I now recall the Greek word. It is epixima with the /x/ pronounced almost like an /h/ but it is a Greek voiced velar fricative.

i haven't heard of the word "epixima", maybe i haven't come across it.

i thought that "epixima" may be what we say "epitimio, but the dictionary says that penance is epitimio.

so i am not sure what is what no more.....

in greek i've heard the words "canon" and "epitimio" but i am not sure what kind of penance they represent.

 

[MariaRegina]

My dictionary doesn't have that word,
so I cannot verify the English spelling of this Greek word,
but only give the phonetic pronunciation [epixima],
which is not the English transliteration of that Greek word.

Besides, English doesn't know how to represent
the voiced velar fricative /x/, which is found
in the coda position in the Scottish word Loch.

In other words, introduced from the Spanish,
we pronounce the /x/ as a 'j' as in the word hijo.
Phonetically, hijo is pronounced as [ixo],
while hija is pronounced as [ixa].

So we see the English graphemes 'j', 'y', and the 'ch'
used to inadequately represent the voiced velar fricative [x].

Our 'x' in English is not the voiced velar fricative
but is represented in the IPA as [ ɛks ]
although some of you will just see a box.
For those of you seeing the box,
the vowel sound in that box is the same one
found in pen.

 

[MariaRegina]

i haven't heard of the word "epixima", maybe i haven't come across it.

i thought that "epixima" may be what we say "epitimio, but the dictionary says that penance is epitimio.

so i am not sure what is what no more.....

in greek i've heard the words "canon" and "epitimio" but i am not sure what kind of penance they represent.

I'd like to see the IPA pronunciation, as I thought the Greek priest used the voiced velar fricative.
as in [epiximion] perhaps.

BTW: The use of the word 'canon' or 'canonization' has a different meaning under Orthodoxy.

(1) Someone who is canonized while alive is placed under the canon(s) that call for a penance.

(2) A canonized saint is one who is found worthy of veneration under the canons.


Okay, I checked in The Orthodox Church by Bishop Kallistos (Timothy Ware) and found this word on page 290 (top of the page)

epitimion

The priest may, if he thinks it advisable, impose a penance (epitimion), but this is not an essential part of the sacrament and is very often omitted.​

The penance prescribed under an epitimion is usually an obedience to say certain prayers, read certain passages from the Holy Bible, give alms, make amends with certain persons, etc.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

Thanks Annoula!