An '''anathemaAnathema''' is the most extreme sanction that the Orthodox Church can take against a member of the Church for wrong doing. An anathema is a complete separation, an expulsion , from the Church.
:''Now suppose The Orthodox Church distinguishes between [[excommunication]], that some member not only refuses to abide by is "separation from the rules but also holds many views completely opposed to those communion of the society and even rises up against its very goal. He not only does not himself observe temperance but even reviles temperance itself Church", and disseminates notions which might tempt others other penances and deflect them from temperanceanathema. What does Under excommunication a person remains a member of the society ordinarily do with such people? First it admonishes themChurch even though his or her participation in its mystical life, and then it expels them. There you have an anathema!'' — St. particularly communion, is restricted until the [[Theophan the Recluserepentance]]of the one under excommunication. Whereas those under anathema are considered to be completely separated from the Church until repentance.
The two principal causes for which a person may be anathematized are [[heresy]] and [[schism]]. Anathematization is used by the Church only as a last resort, and must always be preceded by pastoral attempts to reason with the offender to bring about his restoration to the faith.
{{stub}} ==See alsoSource==*[[Excommunication]]*[[HeresyWikipedia: Anathema]]
==External links==
*[http://www.orthodox.net/articles/anathema-bp-theophan.html What is an Anathema?] by Bp. Theophan the Recluse (translated from the Russian text published in ''Pravoslavnaya Rus'', #4, 1974)
*[http://www.stmaryofegypt.org/library/st_john_maximovich/on_anathema.htm Examples of Anathema from the Holy Canons]
*[[w:Anathema|''Anathema'' at Wikipedia]]
[[bg:Анатема]]
[[Category:Liturgics]]
