Proshchenniki

a category of the feudally dependent population of ancient Rus’, mentioned in various literary monuments of Old Russian ecclesiastical law.

The proshchenniki were most probably former kholopy (enslaved serfs) who had received proshchenie (pardon, or freedom) on the condition that they work on church lands. They were legally dependent on the bishop and were obliged to pay him a feudal rent. In translations into Russian, the term proshchenniki denotes emancipated slaves.