in church history. See AUDIENTES.

The auditors formed one branch of the Manichean sect, which was divided into electi and auditors; corresponding, according to some writers, to clergy and laity; and according to others, to the faithful and catechumens among the Catholics. By the Manichean rule, a different course of life was prescribed to the elect from that of the auditors. The latter might eat flesh, drink wine, bathe, marry, traffic, possess estates, bear magistracy, and the like; all which things were forbidden to the elect. The auditors were obliged to maintain the elect, and knelt down to ask their blessing. Beaufort observes, that the elect were ecclesiastics, and in general such as made profession of observing certain counsels, called evangelic; such as the clergy and monks; and they were called the perfect by Theodore. The auditors were the laity, and so denominated, because they heard in the church whilst others taught and instructed.