Canon vs. Priest — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 8, 2024
Canon refers to a clergy member who lives by certain rules or a part of ecclesiastical law, while Priest is a minister authorized to perform sacred rites and lead worship.
Difference Between Canon and Priest
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A canon typically holds a specific role within the governance of a cathedral or a collegiate church, adhering to a set of rules, whereas a priest performs sacraments and acts as a mediator between the congregation and the divine. Canons may have administrative and legal responsibilities within the church's structure, highlighting a distinction in duties from the more sacramental and pastoral roles of a priest.
Canons often are part of a chapter, which is responsible for the administration of a cathedral or a church, focusing on the internal governance and liturgical functions. On the other hand, priests primarily focus on pastoral care, administering sacraments like Eucharist and Reconciliation, and guiding their community in spiritual matters.
The term "canon" can also refer to a cleric who lives communally and follows a specific religious rule, such as the Augustinian canons. While priests, regardless of their community life or diocesan status, are fundamentally involved in the spiritual guidance and sacramental life of their parishioners.
Priests may be secular (diocesan) or regular (members of religious orders), indicating a range of responsibilities and lifestyles, from parish administration to teaching or missionary work. In contrast, a canon's role is more narrowly defined within the context of a cathedral or collegiate church's chapter.
The distinction also extends into their living arrangements and vows. Canons, especially those in religious orders, may take vows and live in community, whereas diocesan priests typically make promises of celibacy and obedience but may live alone or with other priests.
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Comparison Chart
Role
Governance and liturgical functions in a church
Sacramental and pastoral care
Responsibilities
Administrative, legal within a church's structure
Administering sacraments, spiritual guidance
Community
Part of a chapter or living by a religious rule
May belong to a diocese or religious order
Focus
Internal governance, church law
Pastoral care, community spiritual life
Living Arrangements
Often communal, following specific rules
Varies; often alone or with other priests
Compare with Definitions
Canon
A member of the clergy who holds a position in the governance of a cathedral or collegiate church.
The canon was responsible for overseeing the cathedral's treasury.
Priest
Responsible for the spiritual welfare of a community.
The priest visited the sick to offer comfort and prayers.
Canon
Belonging to the group responsible for a cathedral's administration.
She became a canon and joined the cathedral chapter.
Priest
Authorized to perform sacred rites, such as the Eucharist.
The priest celebrated Mass every Sunday.
Canon
Participating in or regulating church ceremonies.
The canon played a key role in organizing the liturgical calendar.
Priest
Offers spiritual direction and confession to parishioners.
Many sought the priest for guidance during difficult times.
Canon
Clergy living according to a religious rule, often within a community.
As a canon regular, he followed the Augustinian rules.
Priest
Acts as a leader within the church and local community.
The priest organized events to bring the community closer.
Canon
Relating to laws or regulations of the church.
He studied to understand the canon law better.
Priest
Educates the community on faith and morality.
The priest taught catechism classes to the children.
Canon
Archaic spelling of canyon
Priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities.
Canon
An ecclesiastical law or code of laws established by a church council.
Priest
An ordained minister of the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican Church, authorized to perform certain rites and administer certain sacraments
The priest celebrated mass at a small altar off the north transept
Canon
A secular law, rule, or code of law.
Priest
A mallet used to kill fish caught when angling.
Canon
An established principle
The canons of polite society.
Priest
Ordain to the priesthood
He was made deacon in 1990 and priested in 1994
Canon
A basis for judgment; a standard or criterion.
Priest
In many Christian churches, a member of the second grade of clergy ranking below a bishop but above a deacon and having authority to administer the sacraments.
Canon
The books of the Bible officially accepted as Holy Scripture.
Priest
A person having the authority to perform and administer religious rites.
Canon
A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field
"the durable canon of American short fiction" (William Styron).
Priest
To ordain or admit to the priesthood.
Canon
The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic
The entire Shakespeare canon.
Priest
A religious clergyman (clergywoman, clergyperson) who is trained to perform services or sacrifices at a church or temple
The priest at the Catholic church heard his confession.
The Shinto priest burnt incense for his ancestors.
The Israelite priests were descended from Moses' brother Aaron.
Canon
Material considered to be officially part of a fictional universe or considered to fit within the history established by a fictional universe
"The Harry Potter series was one of the first pieces of media to inspire widespread fan fiction writing, probably because its popularity coincided with the early days of the Internet, but its creator has also shown herself more than willing to keep updating the canon" (Emma Cueto).
Priest
A blunt tool, used for quickly stunning and killing fish
Canon
Canon The part of the Mass beginning after the Preface and Sanctus and ending just before the Lord's Prayer.
Priest
(Mormonism) the highest office in the Aaronic priesthood
Canon
The calendar of saints accepted by the Roman Catholic Church.
Priest
(transitive) To ordain as a priest.
Canon
(Music) A composition or passage in which a melody is imitated by one or more voices at fixed intervals of pitch and time.
Priest
A presbyter elder; a minister
Canon
A member of a chapter of priests serving in a cathedral or collegiate church.
Priest
One who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the divinity or the gods in any form of religion; as, Buddhist priests.
Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen and garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Every priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
Canon
A member of certain religious communities living under a common rule and bound by vows.
Priest
To ordain as priest.
Canon
Variant of canyon.
Priest
A clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
Canon
A generally accepted principle; a rule.
The trial must proceed according to the canons of law.
Priest
A spiritual leader in a non-Christian religion
Canon
A formally codified set of criteria deemed mandatory for a particular artistic style of figurative art.
The Canon of Polykleitos
Canon
A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field.
Canon
The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic.
The entire Shakespearean canon
Canon
A eucharistic prayer, particularly the Roman Canon.
Canon
A religious law or body of law decreed by the church.
We must proceed according to canon law.
Canon
A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
Canon
In monasteries, a book containing the rules of a religious order.
Canon
A piece of music in which the same melody is played by different voices, but beginning at different times; a round.
Pachelbel’s Canon has become very popular.
Canon
(Roman law) A rent or stipend payable at some regular time, generally annual, e.g., canon frumentarius
Canon
Those sources, especially including literary works, which are considered part of the main continuity regarding a given fictional universe.
A spin-off book series revealed the aliens to be originally from Earth, but it's not canon.
Canon
(cookery) A rolled and filleted loin of meat; also called a cannon.
A canon of beef or lamb
Canon
A large size of type formerly used for printing the church canons, standardized as 48-point.
Canon
The part of a bell by which it is suspended; the ear or shank of a bell.
Canon
A clergy member serving a cathedral or collegiate church.
Canon
A canon regular, a member of any of several Roman Catholic religious orders.
Canon
A law or rule.
Or that the Everlasting had not fixedHis canon 'gainst self-slaughter.
Canon
A law, or rule of doctrine or discipline, enacted by a council and confirmed by the pope or the sovereign; a decision, regulation, code, or constitution made by ecclesiastical authority.
Various canons which were made in councils held in the second centry.
Canon
In monasteries, a book containing the rules of a religious order.
Canon
A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
Canon
A member of a cathedral chapter; a person who possesses a prebend in a cathedral or collegiate church.
Canon
A musical composition in which the voices begin one after another, at regular intervals, successively taking up the same subject. It either winds up with a coda (tailpiece), or, as each voice finishes, commences anew, thus forming a perpetual fugue or round. It is the strictest form of imitation. See Imitation.
Canon
The largest size of type having a specific name; - so called from having been used for printing the canons of the church.
Canon
The part of a bell by which it is suspended; - called also ear and shank.
Canon
See Carom.
Canon
A deep gorge, ravine, or gulch, between high and steep banks, worn by water courses.
Canon
A rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy;
The neoclassical canon
Canons of polite society
Canon
A priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter
Canon
A ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
Canon
A contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts
Canon
A complete list of saints that have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church
Canon
A collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired
Common Curiosities
What is a canon in the church?
A canon is a clergy member who holds a specific role within the governance of a cathedral or collegiate church, often living by certain ecclesiastical rules.
Can a priest become a canon?
Yes, a priest can be appointed or elected as a canon, depending on the church's laws and needs.
What responsibilities does a canon have?
Canons are responsible for the administration and governance of cathedrals or collegiate churches, participating in liturgical functions and sometimes living by a religious rule.
Is being a canon a higher rank than a priest?
Not necessarily in terms of hierarchy; it's more about different roles and responsibilities within the church structure.
How is the community life of a canon different from that of a priest?
Canons may live communally with others who follow the same rule, especially if they are part of a religious order, while priests' living arrangements can vary widely.
How does a priest differ from a canon?
A priest is primarily involved in sacramental and pastoral roles, focusing on the spiritual guidance of a community, whereas a canon has specific administrative and liturgical responsibilities within a church's structure.
What's the significance of a canon in a cathedral?
Canons play a crucial role in the governance, liturgical planning, and daily operations of a cathedral, ensuring its spiritual and administrative needs are met.
What training is required to become a canon?
Training varies by denomination but often involves theological education and specific preparation for the administrative and liturgical roles of a canon.
What is the historical role of canons?
Historically, canons were crucial in maintaining the liturgical and canonical order within cathedrals and collegiate churches, a tradition that continues in various forms.
Do canons perform sacraments?
Canons who are ordained priests can perform sacraments, but their primary responsibilities may lie in church governance and administration.
What is the difference in vows between a canon and a priest?
Canons, especially those in religious orders, may take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, while diocesan priests usually make promises of celibacy and obedience.
How do the roles of canons and priests complement each other?
While canons focus on governance and the cathedral's administration, priests primarily provide sacramental and pastoral care, together supporting the church's mission.
Can a woman be a canon?
In many Christian denominations, women can hold the position of canon, especially in roles not requiring ordination.
Can canons and priests collaborate in church functions?
Yes, they often collaborate, especially in cathedrals or large churches, to fulfill the spiritual and administrative needs of the community.
How does one get appointed as a canon?
Appointment as a canon typically involves nomination by church leadership or election within the chapter, depending on the church's regulations.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
