Послание 2 Григория Нисского

So, according to the division of sins in the above-mentioned manner, sins concerning the mental ability of the soul are recognized by the Fathers as the most severe and requiring greater, more prolonged and stricter repentance. For example: if someone has renounced faith in Christ and has given himself over to either Judaism, or idolatry, or Manichaeism, or any other similar type of wickedness, such a person, if he voluntarily rushed to this evil, but then repented, must have a time of repentance the entire time of his life. For such a one is never worthy to worship God together with the people during the sacramental prayer, but he prays in private, and he is completely excommunicated from the communion of the Holy Mysteries. But at the hour of his departure from this life, may he be rewarded with the communion of the Holy Mysteries. If, beyond what was expected, he happens to survive, then again let him live in the same condemnation, not being honored with the Holy Mysteries until his departure. And those who are forced by torment and cruel torture are subject to penance for a certain time. For the Holy Fathers showed them such love for mankind because it was not their soul that suffered the fall, but their bodily weakness could not withstand the torment. Therefore, for a forced retreat by force and torture, upon conversion, the measure of penance is determined according to the example of those who sinned by fornication. (Ap. 62; I Om. 10, 11, 12, 14; Trul. 102; Ancir. 1 – 9 and 21; Laod. 2; Carth. 52; Gregory of Nyssa. 2; Basil Vel. 3, 73, 74, 75, 81 and 84; Petra Alex. 2, 3 ; Gregory Nissk 3). You might be interested in: