CANON, commonly called prebendary, a person who possesses a prebend, or revenue allotted for the performance of divine service in a cathedral or collegiate church. Originally, canons were only priests, or inferior ecclesiastics, who lived in community, residing near the cathedral church to assist the bishop, depending entirely on his will, supported by the revenues of his bishopric, and living in the same house as his domestics or counsellors, &c. By degrees these communities of priests, shaking off their dependence, formed separate bodies; in time they freed themselves from their rules, and at length ceased to live in a community. It is maintained, that the colleges of canons, which have
been introduced into each cathedral, were not in the ancient church, but are of modern appointment.
In the Romish church, when a person is promoted to the office of a canon, he must be presented in a very ceremonious manner to the chapter, who assemble in the cathedral, in order to receive him: he kisses the altar thrice, after which he goes and takes his place in the choir; he afterwards makes his confession of faith aloud, and swears to observe the ordinances of the church and his holiness the pope: being thus solemnly installed, he is empowered to assist at the chapter, to chant the office of the choir, &c.
Canons are of various kinds; as,