CANON XI.

CONCERNING those who have fallen without compulsion, without 

the spoiling of their property, without danger or the like, as happened 

during the tyranny of Licinius, the Synod declares that, though they 

have deserved no clemency, they shall be dealt with mercifully. As 

many as were communicants, if they heartily repent, shall pass three 

years among the hearers; for seven years they shall be prostrators; and 

for two years they shall communicate with the people in prayers, but 

without oblation.

NOTES.

ANCIENT EPITOME OF CANON XI.

As many as fell without necessity, even if therefore undeserving of 

indulgence, yet some indulgence shall be shown them and they shall 

be prostrators for twelve years.

On the expression "without oblation" ( kwris  

 prosforas  ) see the notes to Ancyra, Canon V. where 

the matter is treated at some length.

LAMBERT.

The usual position of the hearers was just inside the church door. But 

Zonaras (and Balsamon agrees with him), in his comment on this 

canon, says, "they are ordered for three years to be hearers, or to stand 

without the church in the narthex."

I have read "as many as were communicants" ( oi   

 pistoi  ) thus following Dr. Routh.  Vide his Opuscula. Caranza translates in his Summary of the Councils 

"if they were faithful" and seems to have read  ei   

 pistoi  , which is much simpler and makes better 

sense.

ZONARAS.

The prostrators stood within the body of the church behind the ambo 

[i.e. the reading desk] and went out with the catechumens.