Defilers of themselves with beasts, being also leprous, who have infected others,1 the holy Synod commands to pray among the hiemantes.
Those who had engaged in bestiality and coerced others to do the same—spreading sin as one spreads leprous diseases—were left out with the weepers (Προσκλαίοντες, flentes; also called χειμάζοντες, hiemantes): those "who prostrated themselves at the church doors in mourning garments and implored restoration from the clergy and the people."2
Christians largely misunderstand the sinfulness of sin. Planning or committing the act is grievous enough and are to be confessed before God for his cleansing righteousness (1 John 1:9). When we engage in sin so that others are caught up in the same sin because of our actions, how much greater is the gravity of the situation. The consequences of our sin can be harsh. Though we are forgiven before the Lord, more individual care is needed to ensure a consistent walk by faith from true repentance.
1 With the leprosy of this crime
2 Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol 2, accessed at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc2.v.vi.xvii.html.
Those who had engaged in bestiality and coerced others to do the same—spreading sin as one spreads leprous diseases—were left out with the weepers (Προσκλαίοντες, flentes; also called χειμάζοντες, hiemantes): those "who prostrated themselves at the church doors in mourning garments and implored restoration from the clergy and the people."2
Christians largely misunderstand the sinfulness of sin. Planning or committing the act is grievous enough and are to be confessed before God for his cleansing righteousness (1 John 1:9). When we engage in sin so that others are caught up in the same sin because of our actions, how much greater is the gravity of the situation. The consequences of our sin can be harsh. Though we are forgiven before the Lord, more individual care is needed to ensure a consistent walk by faith from true repentance.
1 With the leprosy of this crime
2 Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol 2, accessed at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc2.v.vi.xvii.html.
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