Oikonomia Sources

[Little_Boy_Lost]

Hi all,

I have a Roman Catholic friend who is curious as to the precedents regarding oikonomia in the byzantine tradition. He was asking me for patristic precedent or sources which describe the use of oikonomia or its application since he was skeptical of it’s origin. I could not tell him much and I even don’t know when the practice of oikonomia became widespread in the byzantium.

Also, do other eastern traditions have this practice within their praxis?

Thanks!

 

[ConstantineTG]

Isn’t Oikonomia the Eastern term for dispensations? Its not like the Roman Catholic Church doesn’t have this. In fact I’ve heard a Roman Catholic priest talk about granting annulments for the good of one’s soul, in the case of a previously married, non-Catholic who may otherwise have had a valid marriage. Sounds like Eastern Oikonomia to me.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the difference is that dispensations are usually left to higher authorities, and then priests are granted authority to dispense. Whereas in the East there may not necessarily be any formal hierarchy of authority for this.

 

[Aramis]

Hi all,

I have a Roman Catholic friend who is curious as to the precedents regarding oikonomia in the byzantine tradition. He was asking me for patristic precedent or sources which describe the use of oikonomia or its application since he was skeptical of it’s origin. I could not tell him much and I even don’t know when the practice of oikonomia became widespread in the byzantium.

Also, do other eastern traditions have this practice within their praxis?

Thanks!

The earliest examples I can think of are in St. Paul’s comments on Marriage… better a man marry than burn, but best of all to be unmarried and chaste.

 

[5Loaves]

Hi all,

I have a Roman Catholic friend who is curious as to the precedents regarding oikonomia in the byzantine tradition. He was asking me for patristic precedent or sources which describe the use of oikonomia or its application since ** he was skeptical of it’s origin.** I could not tell him much and I even don’t know when the practice of oikonomia became widespread in the byzantium.

Also, do other eastern traditions have this practice within their praxis?

Thanks!

I haven’t read this, at least not in recent memory and don’t have time to do so now, but Sr. Vassa (Larin) is a brilliant scholar (studied at length under Archimandrite Robert Taft) and I see she has this piece which may be of use for your question. In her larger essay see her section “I. The Concept of “oikonomia” and its Application in the early Church”

(Any time you google a topic and something with Mother Vassa’s name on it comes up I suggest giving it a look. )