Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIV/Additional Canons 1/The Council of Neocaesarea/Canons/Canon V

Canon V.

a catechumen coming into the Church have taken his place in the order of catechumens, and fall into sin, let him, if a kneeler, become a hearer and sin no more.&#160; But should he again sin while a hearer, let him be cast out.

Notes.

If a catechumen falls into a fault and if while a kneeler he sins no more, let him be among the hearers; but should he sin while among the hearers, let him be cast out altogether.

There are two sorts of catechumens.&#160; For some have only just come in and these, as still imperfect, go out immediately after the reading of the scriptures and of the Gospels.&#160; But there are others who have been for some time in preparation and have attained some perfection; these wait after the Gospel for the prayers for the catechumens, and when they hear the words &#8220;Catechumens, bow down your heads to the Lord,&#8221; they kneel down.&#160; These, as being more perfect, having tasted the good words of God, if they fall, are removed from their position; and are placed with the &#8220;hearers&#8221;; but if any happen to sin while &#8220;hearers&#8221; they are cast out of the Church altogether.