Abtilis

Canon 58

Overview

This canon condemns those who deny the faith out of fear of Jews, pagans, or heretics, prescribing expulsion for laypersons and deposition for clergy, with a possibility of restoration upon repentance.

1Abṭelis, 58. If a man, whether a priest or a layperson, denies his faith out of fear of Jews, pagans, or heretics, and does not confess his faith, he is a cup of heresy and a denial of Christ. Let him be expelled from the church. But if he is a priest, let him be deposed from his rank. But if he repents, let him be forgiven along with the penitents.