Sunday, October 31, 2010

Nicaea - Canon 14

Concerning catechumens who have lapsed, the holy and great Synod has decreed that, after they have passed three years only as hearers, they shall pray with the catechumens.

Catechumens were those who had more than an interest in the faith are were being taught the basics in preparation for baptism.  By this time people were being discipled before baptism rather than after, since the mark of baptism identified the individual as being fully committed.  More than hearers, these believers (for so they must have been) were being prepared for full fellowship with the saints.  If one of these should lapse, there was a required three-year period among those interested but not discipled before returning to the cycle of a catechumen.

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