.--A popular name for the Feast of the Purification,
observed on February 2d, from the custom of lighting up churches
with tapers and lamps in remembrance of our Lord having been
declared {45} on this day by Simeon to be "a light to lighten
the Gentiles." (St. Luke 2:25-32.)

Canon.--A Greek word meaning _rule_, and in the usage of the Church
has various applications, as follows:

1. THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE means those books of Scripture which the
Church has received or accepted as inspired, and therefore declares
them to be canonical, to distinguish them from profane, apocryphal
or disputed books.

2. CANON LAW means the body of ecclesiastical laws enacted by the
Church for the rule and discipline of its clergy and people. There
are ecumenical canons, including the Apostolic canons of unknown
date, and the canons of the undisputed General Councils; the canons
of the English Church which are regarded as binding in this country
where they do not conflict with enactments of the American Church;
the General canons of the American Church, and the Diocesan canons
enacted by the various Dioceses.

3. THE CANON OF THE LITURGY, by which is meant the rule for the
celebration of the Holy Communion by which it is always to be
offered. This includes the Prayer of Consecration, which was formerly
called the "Canon of the Mass."

4. CANON, the name given to a clergyman connected with a cathedral;
an officer of the cathedral staff; a member of the cathedral
chapter.

Canonical--Pertaining, or according to the Canons.

Canonical Hours.--Seven stated hours appointed for devotional
exercises, viz., Nocturns, Matins with Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext,
Nones, and Vespers with {46} Compline. Each of the Seven Hours is
said to commemorate some point in the Passion of our Lord, as set
forth in the old rhyme,

"At _mattins_ bound, at _prime_ reviled,
Condemned to death at _tierce_,
Nailed to the Cross at _sexts_, at _nones_
His blessed side they pierced.

"They take Him down at _vesper_-tide
In grave at _compline_ lay:
Who thenceforth bids His Church observe
The sevenfold hours alway."

Canonical Residence.--By this is meant that every clergyman of the
American Church is connected with some one or other of the various
Dioceses, and is always under some Bishop. His canonical residence
begins with his ordination, or from the Bishop's acceptance of his
letter of transfer from one Diocese to another. (See DIM