Concerning those who fall into many marriages, the appointed time of penance is well known; but their manner of living and faith shortens the time.
This canon applied to multiple spouses whether contiguously (polygamy) or consecutively (digamy or trigamy). An already accepted time of penance was prescribed to be carried forward for these cases with the understanding that the evidence of Christian growth manifesting itself might lessen the period.
Times of penance, though enacted and carried down, were not always officially recorded. Basil had recounted in a letter to Amphilochius concerning trigamy that the time was "not by the canons, but following the precept of our predecessors,"1 thus giving deference to the wisdom demonstrated in past practice.
1 "To Amphilochius, concerning the Canons," Basil: Letters and Select Works, (NPNF2 8:225).
This canon applied to multiple spouses whether contiguously (polygamy) or consecutively (digamy or trigamy). An already accepted time of penance was prescribed to be carried forward for these cases with the understanding that the evidence of Christian growth manifesting itself might lessen the period.
Times of penance, though enacted and carried down, were not always officially recorded. Basil had recounted in a letter to Amphilochius concerning trigamy that the time was "not by the canons, but following the precept of our predecessors,"1 thus giving deference to the wisdom demonstrated in past practice.
1 "To Amphilochius, concerning the Canons," Basil: Letters and Select Works, (NPNF2 8:225).
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