Canon

CANON: A word used in a variety of senses in ecclesiastical terminology, all more or less related to the primary meaning of the Greek word kanōn, "a straight rod or bar, rule, standard." (1) The decisive list of the books considered as forming part of the Holy Scriptures (see Canon of Scripture). (2) In ancient usage, any official church list, as of those who were to be commemorated in the liturgy, whence the term canonization, or of the clergy attached to a certain church, whence (3) A member of a body of clergy living together under a more or less definite rule in connection with a cathedral or collegiate church or in a quasimonastic organization as canons regular (see Chapter; Augustinians; Premonstratensians). (4) The decree or decision of a council for the regulation of doctrine or discipline (see Canon Law). (5) The fixed, most important portion of the mass, from the Sanctus to the Pater noster. (6) In the hymnology of the Eastern Church, an important class of long and elaborate hymns usually sung in the morning office, founded mainly on the Old Testament canticles then used, and composed of either eight or nine odes.