Lapsi (Christian)
Encyclopedia
Lapsi was the name given to apostates in the early Christian Church
, when Christians were persecuted by the Roman authorities
to renounce their faith. It also means those who have lapsed
or fallen away from their faith and decide later in life to come back to it.
), or had, by bribing the authorities, caused such certificates to be drawn up for them, representing them as having offered sacrifice, without, however, having actually done so. A two year sanction was imposed as penance. From Latin libellus - "little book; letter; certificate"
Early Christianity
Early Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John....
, when Christians were persecuted by the Roman authorities
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
to renounce their faith. It also means those who have lapsed
Lapsed Catholic
A lapsed Catholic is a person who has ceased practicing the Catholic faith, in the sense of attending Mass. Such a person may still identify as a Catholic.-"Lapsed Catholic" and "ex-Catholic":...
or fallen away from their faith and decide later in life to come back to it.
Sacrificati
Those who had actually offered a sacrifice to the idols. Christians that made sacrifices, especially to Roman gods, were only offered absolution on their deathbeds.Thurificati
Those who had burnt incense on the altar before the statues of the gods. From Latin thurificare - "burn incense"Libellatici
Those who had drawn up attestation (libellusLibellus
A libellus was a document given to a Roman citizen to certify performance of a pagan sacrifice, hence demonstrating loyalty to the authorities of the Roman Empire...
), or had, by bribing the authorities, caused such certificates to be drawn up for them, representing them as having offered sacrifice, without, however, having actually done so. A two year sanction was imposed as penance. From Latin libellus - "little book; letter; certificate"