Ancyra - Canon 3

Those who have fled and been apprehended, or have been betrayed by their servants; or those who have been otherwise despoiled of their goods, or have endured tortures, or have been imprisoned and abused, declaring themselves to be Christians; or who have been forced to receive something which their persecutors violently thrust into their hands, or meat,¹ continually professing that they were Christians; and who, by their whole apparel, and demeanor, and humility of life, always give evidence of grief at what has happened; these persons, inasmuch as they are free from sin, are not to be repelled from the communion; and if, through an extreme strictness or ignorance of some things, they have been repelled, let them forthwith be readmitted.  This shall hold good alike of clergy and laity.  It has also been considered whether laymen who have fallen under the same compulsion may be admitted to orders, and we have decreed that, since they have in no respect been guilty, they may be ordained; provided their past course of life be found to have been upright.

The council recognized that there were some believers who, while proclaiming their allegiance to Christ, would be tortured, abused, or have sacrificial offerings forcibly placed in their hands.  These were to be received back into full communion without reservation as they have not sinned.  Likewise, they were to be allowed ordination should their conduct otherwise allow it.


¹ Meat offered to idols