Lapsed

Lapsed (Lapsi), the designation applied, in the early centuries of the Christian church, to those who, overcome by heathen persecution, did not continue faithful to the Christian religion. They were distinguished according as they had sacrificed (sacrificati) or burned incense (thurificati) to idols, or had purchased a certificate (libellus) from the authorities to the effect that they had done so (libellatici). Afterwards, during the Diocletian persecution, those were included among the lapsed who had given up copies of the Scriptures (traditores). The lapsed were at first punished by excommunication, and their reception into the church again was strenuously resisted; but in the 3d century a milder course was generally adopted with regard to them. The treatment of the lapsed was one of the practical questions most earnestly discussed in the early church. See NOVATIAN; also DONATISTS.