Economy (Eastern Orthodox Church)

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In the Eastern Orthodox Church, economy (economia) is a bishop's discretionary power to dispense with church standards (or "canons", as they are called) that a parish priest would otherwise be required to follow. Often it amounts to retroactive recognition granted to sacraments performed in heterodox churches when a person converts to Orthodoxy, or in Orthodox jurisdictions with which the bishop's jurisdiction is not in full communion.

Such dispensations are made with a view towards putting the spirit before the letter and helping the cause of the salvation of souls. Generally only bishops can decide to make such deviations. They are seen to be justifiable because the canons are not laws but rather suggestions and guidelines which might, at times, become an impediment.

According to the canon law of the Orthodox Church economia is “the suspension of the absolute and strict applications of canon and church regulations in the governing and the life of the Church, without subsequently compromising the dogmatic limitations. The application of economia only takes place through the official church authorities and is only applicable for a particular case. Because of this concept, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Love, Mercy, and Compassion remain more in control than absolute law.

The normal case should always be akribia, or strict adherence to the standards. Economia means leniently. Akreveia means strictly.