What is the Church’s ruling on a person who leaves their faith and then returns?*

Is this considered blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? How does the Church accept their return? Rest assured; this is not considered blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Rest assured. During the severe Roman persecution in the first three centuries of Christianity and the beginning of the fourth century, many people abandoned Christianity. Some even offered incense or sacrifices to idols. When the Edict of Milan was issued in 313 AD, granting religious tolerance, these individuals returned to the Church, which accepted them, though with a period of discipline for their apostasy. The acceptance of these individuals was regulated by the Canons of the Council of Ancyra in 314 AD and the Council of Neocaesarea in 315 AD. This acceptance is also based on the words of Jesus Christ: “Whoever comes to Me, I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). A person returning to the faith does not need to be re-baptized, but only needs the Sacrament of Repentance. They are not considered to have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit for the simple reason that their return is evidence of their response to the work of the Holy Spirit within them. This is a sign of communion with the Holy Spirit, which is undoubtedly contrary to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.