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Dogma

A defined doctrine — an irreformable teaching of the Church binding on all the faithful; to be distinguished from theologoumena.

A dogma is a doctrine formally defined by the Church (typically at an Ecumenical Council) as necessary for the Christian faith. Dogmas are irreformable: they cannot be contradicted, though they can be more precisely articulated. Orthodox theology distinguishes dogmas from theologoumena (opinions held by Fathers but not defined) and oikonomia (pastoral applications of canonical principles).