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Church Orders

OF THE CHRISM. [vii., 27.] Thou shalt give thanks thus: We give thanks to Thee, Creator of all things, for the savour of this chrism, and for this oil of immortality, which Thou hast revealed to us by Jesus Christ Thy Son. For Thine is the glory, and the kingdom, and the power for ever and ever. Amen. [vii., 28.] And whosoever cometh to you, and giveth thanks thus, receive him as a disciple of Christ; and if there be anyone that teacheth contrary to the law which was given unto you by the Lord, receive him not, and let him not have fellowship with you in thanksgiving. Prove everyone that cometh unto you, and examine diligently his deeds, (and) appoint as is fitting for ye have knowledge of those on the right hand and on the left. And judge between those who rule justly and (those who) rule unjustly; and to your neighbour that judgeth justly do good according to his doings; to him also that judgeth unjustly render according to his doing; and pray not with him, lest ye be defiled together with him. And every prophet and teacher that cometh unto you and teacheth truly is worthy of his meat, as a good workman who serveth his lord. [vii., 29.] To the priests also give the first-fruits that they may bless your labours; and give all the tithes to the widows, and to the orphans, and to travellers,” and to strangers. [vii., 30] And on the Sabbath day, which is (the day of) the resurrection of our Lord, gather ye together in one place, and give thanks to God for all the good things that He hath done for you in Christ, that your sacrifice may be perfect and acceptable before God, for it is said concerning the Church that they shall assemble therein, and offer up incense and sacrifice, (for) ‘I, saith the Lord, am a great King upholding all the world, and my name is terrible in all the world, and (among) the Gentiles.” [vii., 31.] Appoint for yourselves bishops, presbyters, and deacons, meek men and humble, who are chosen from the people, pure and tried in every good work; who desire not money, but rather teach the word of the Lord and the doctrine, and discern in uprightness the commandments of Christ... as father and lord in love without anger and impatience, with a humble heart and in meekness. Observe all this that ye have been commanded of the Lord for the life of your souls. Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning, and be ye ready as men who wait for their Lord when he cometh, whether at the first hour of the night, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or at break of day. The Lord will come at a time that thou expectest not. Blessed are those servants whom their Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Behold, He will gird Himself, and go about, and serve them. Pray then and work, lest death come upon you suddenly. [vii., 32-] And when the glory of the Son of Man shall appear in heaven, and the archangel shall blow the trumpet, and the dead shall be raised, and our Lord shall come with His Saints in the clouds of heaven, and all the angels of His power with Him, then shall He sit on the throne of His Kingdom, and destroy the devil, the deceiver, and shall render to every man according to his works; and then shall the sinners go into eternal condemnation, but the righteous into life eternal, and (these) shall rejoice in the Kingdom of heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ. [vii., 33-] Be ye, then, ready that ye may receive His good things. Let us pray and make supplication unto Him, and say, O, our Saviour; Who art before the world (was), God of gods, the Almighty, One God, the Creator of every creature, the Lord of our holy fathers, who were without blame before Thee, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Who art) merciful, and ready to forgive sins, faithful and kind, plenteous in compassion and mercy, from whom nothing is hidden, (but) all is open before Thee: in Thee the souls of the righteous trust, and in Thee the saints hope; (Thou art) the Father of them that are blameless, and hearest the prayer of the pure in heart, and hearkenest to the supplication of them that are silent. Make Thy favour, O Lord, to dwell on every creature, for Thou knowest that which the heart thinketh before the thought (cometh); and in all the ends of the world they offer up to Thee sacrifice and incense with prayer and thanksgiving; Who hast appointed days that men may do righteousness, and the gate of whose mercy is open to everyone that seeketh Thee, and hast appointed laws and ordinances, and caused us to understand that the riches of this world are transitory and that the ornament of beauty abideth not for ever, and that the might of the strong decayeth speedily. For our father Abraham was the first to walk in the way of righteousness, and Thou gavest him honour and riches, and in faith he accomplished his life; and Thou saidst unto him, “I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand of the sea”; and Thou gavest Isaac unto him; Thou didst bless him and say unto him, “I will be with thy seed after thee.” For we have known Christ in our father Jacob, whom Thou didst send to the land of Egypt, and didst say unto him, “ Behold I will be with thee, and will surely multiply thy seed exceedingly.”' And in like manner Thou didst say unto Moses, Thy holy and faithful servant at the bush, “I am from before the world (was), and my name shall be for ever”; and Thy memorial also is for generations of generations; Who didst bless the seed of Abraham that they might be blessed for ever.; [vii., 34.] Thou didst create man that he might be a rational (creature), and Thou didst say in Thy wisdom, ‘Let us make man in our image and in our likeness ”; and Thou didst set Adam to be ruler over all, and didst give him life eternal. And when he transgressed Thy commandment, Thou didst put him forth from the garden, and didst bring death on him. Then Thou didst send Thy only-begotten Son and didst raise him from his fall, and didst restore him to the garden of delight. [vii., 35-] Thou, O Lord, alone are great, and powerful, and terrible, merciful and kind, the Almighty who doest wonders, and withdrawest not ‘Thy compassion from any of Thy works or creatures, good and a lover of men, and dealing gently with sinners, and bringing them back in the multitude of Thy mercy, and though we are not worthy to look up unto Thee, nor raise our eyes to heaven, Thou in the greatness of Thy power regardest our humility. The heavens are supported by Thy commandment, and by Thy word the earth is established, for Thou, O Lord, art mighty, and the righteousness of Thy judgment hath filled the earth which Thou hast created.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 36:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 37:1

OF THE SERVICE OF THE HOSTS OF SPIRITUAL ONES AND THE HOLY CHURCH. ALL the spiritual hosts of angels are a flame of fire, and the holy cherubim with six wings glorify Thee with a loud voice, and sing with a voice that is never silent, and say, ‘“ Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Hosts, the holiness of Thy glory [is perfect and] filleth the heavens and the earth.”” The (whole) number of these angels, thrones and authorities, dominions and principalities, and powers, the cherubim and seraphim cry and say, Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, and blessed be this Church of the nations (which) is like unto the host of heaven. Day and night with holy soul and perfect heart thus they sing, and say, “The Chariot, of God is ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of them that glorify the Lord in the holy mount of Sinai.’? The heavens and all that is therein give humble thanks to Thee, for Thou hast hung the heavens as a vault, and hast laid the foundations of the earth, and established it on the waters; and Thou hast separated darkness from light, and numbered the stars in their fulness, and called them all by their names. The whole creation declareth Thy greatness, and the trees of the field also Thou hast made to grow. Wherefore the whole creation of mankind must needs offer up to Thee glory and thanksgiving, sacrifice and offering and incense through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Thy only-begotten Son. Thou alone art Almighty, good, and loving mercy, and beneficent, for Thine is the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. Thou art in heaven, and Thou art on earth, and Thou art in the sea; Who hast gathered together the whole creation from the confines of the earth, and there is no end of Thy greatness. For it is not we who have said this, but Thou didst say, am the Lord God who am above the heavens,” and am present in every place, and besides me there is no other god. True is Thy word, and there is none that is like unto Thee, the holy God, the Lord of the Saints, and the souls of all are in Thy hand. Thou art worthy of glory and exaltation, Whose throne is unchangeable, and (Whose) strength decayeth not, and (Whose) greatness none can declare, and the excellence of (Whose) beauty is marvellous. There is none that dareth to draw nigh to thy habitation, and the knowledge of Thy wisdom is without number. Thy righteousness hath no end, Thou needest none to counsel Thee, nor seekest any to help Thee; Thou hast no beginning nor any end; Thy kingdom passeth not away, and there is none that can overcome Thy power, and innumerable are the hosts of angels who minister unto Thee. Thou art the Father of wisdom, and the maker of the whole creation, and the framer of the law. Thou destroyest the ungodly, and rewardest the righteous. (Thou art) God the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Lord of those who give Him humble thanks, in Whom is no falsehood;. Who takest no bribe in judgment, Whose praises are innumerable. To Thee is due the honour, and glory, and worship which every rational soul sendeth up to Thee for ever and ever. Amen.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 37:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 38:1

THAT WE OUGHT TO REST ON THE SABBATH DAYS AND HEARKEN TO THE WORDS OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES THAT WE MAY DO HIS WILL, AND REMEMBER THE SUFFERINGS WHICH GOD THE WORD ENDURED FOR OUR SAKES. [vii., 36.] O Lord Almighty, who didst create the world by Jesus Christ our Saviour, and didst appoint the Sabbath, and rest thereon from all Thy work, and hast commanded us to rest (on it) from all the work of our hands, and to be ready to serve and do Thy commandments; and hast given us feast days (for) the joy of our souls; and that we should remember the skill of Thy wisdom, that God the word was pleased to be born of a woman for our sakes, and appeared manifestly in this world (); and was baptized as man, though He was God, and endured patiently the sufferings of the Cross, died and rose from the dead in great might. Wherefore we keep as a feast the holy day of His resurrection, and honour the first day of the week, and give glory, and sing praise to Him who conquer death and cave light to the whole world, and hath bestowed on us incorruptible honour and glory, and hath gathered the scattered people, and made them to be one pure flock, and hath blessed them, even as He blessed Israel. (It was) Thou, O Lord, who broughtest our fathers from the land of Egypt, and didst deliver them from bitter bondage, and didst save them from the sea, and from the labour of the brick-kiln, and didst bring them forth from the power of Pharaoh and his hosts; and leddest them through the sea on dry ground, and didst sustain them with all good things in the wilderness, and appoint for them the law of the ten words which Thou didst utter with Thy voice, and didst write with Thy hands, and didst command them to rest on the Sabbath day, that they might give Thee humble thanks, and be safe from all evil; and didst bind them with words of admonition, and gather them and bring them into the house of Thy sanctuary. Wherefore He hath commanded us to rest on every Sabbath day, because on the Sabbath day our Lord rested from all His work. Let us, then, seek after all His law, and give thanks to Him, and bless God for all the good things that He hath bestowed on us, the sons of men. And greater than all these is (the day of) His holy resurrection which our Lord and Saviour and Creator, God the Word, hath taught us (to observe), He who was begotten before the world was created, the Son of the Father, and (was born) of the Virgin Mary without human father: He suffered and was crucified and died in the days of Pontius Pilate; and rose from the dead on the day of the Christian Sabbath. Remember, O Lord, that which we offer to Thee on this day, the sacrifice, and the oblation, and the eucharist of Thy holy peace, this great portion which Thou hast given unto us, that we may offer () that which is good unto the greatness of Thy power. (vii., 37.] And Thou hast fulfilled the prophecy, and hast shown mercy unto Zion, and hast had compassion on Jerusalem, and hast exalted the throne of David thy servant amongst us by the birth of Christ, who was born of a virgin of his seed according to the flesh. Do Thou, O Lord, receive the prayer and supplication of Thy people who call upon Thee in truth, even as Thou didst receive the sacrifices of the righteous each in its own time: first of Abel, whose sacrifice Thou didst respect and receive; of Noah when he was going forth from the Ark; of Abraham when he was going forth from the land of the Chaldees; of Isaac when he was going forth from the Well of the Oath; of Jacob in Bethlehem; and of Moses in the mount; and of Aaron in the wilderness; and of Joshua the son of Nun in Gilgal; and of Gideon on the rock; and of Manoah and his wife in the plain; and of Samson when he was athirst before he transgressed; and of Jephthah in war; and of Barak and Deborah over Sisera; and of Samuel in Mizpeh; and of David in the field of Ornan the Jebusite; and of Solomon in Gibeon and in Jerusalem; and of Elijah on Mount Carmel; and of Elisha at the fountains; and of Jehoshaphat in battle; and of Hezekiah in his sickness and concerning Sennacherib; and of Manasseh in the mount of the Chaldees after he had transgressed; and of Josiah in Pasa; and of Ezra when he was returning; and of Daniel in the den of lions; and of Jonah in the belly of the whale; and of the Three Children in the furnace of fire; and of Hannah in the tabernacle of testimony by the ark; and of Nehemiah when he was building the wall with Zerubbabel; and of Mattathias and his sons on the hilltop (); and of Joel in the blessing; now also in like manner receive the prayer and supplication of those who offer to Thee with knowledge through Jesus Christ.: [vii., 38.] We give thanks to Thee for all things. Thou takest not from us Thy compassion and Thy mercy, for Thou art merciful and full of compassion in all generations, Who didst receive Enosh, and Enoch, and Noah, (and didst help) in the days of Moses and Joshua, (and) the Judges, and in the days of Samuel and Elijah and the other prophets, and in the days - of David and the other kings, and in the days of Esther and Mordecai, and in the days of Judith, and in the days of Judas Maccabaeus and his brethren: receive us also in like manner in our days through Thy Son Jesus Christ the Great High-priest, who hath saved us from the sword and famine, and hath fed us and satisfied us, and healed us from (our) sickness, and protected us from evil tongues. To Thee we give thanks at all times through Jesus Christ, who hath bestowed on us a sweet and articulate voice, and a tongue fair as the sound of an instrument, and hath made us to discern between sweet and bitter, (and given us) eyes to see, and ears to hear, and noses to smell, and hands to handle with, and feet to walk; and these Thou hast created from a tiny drop that is gathered in the womb; and Thou didst bestow (on man therewith) a soul that shall not die, and make him a rational being. And Thou didst instruct him by Thy law and adorn him by Thy commandments; and after a while Thou didst make him mortal and didst. grant him a resurrection. How then shall man repay Thee for all this that Thou hast done for him? Now also we must needs give Thee thanks and glorify Thee according to the measure of our power. Receive (us) that (our service) may be acceptable before Thee; and save us from the apostasy of the wicked whose gods are many, and deliver us from those who contend against Christ, and free us from the error of Satan, for Thou didst send Christ Thy beloved Son to become man, though He is God, and didst cause the Paraclete to dwell in us, and didst set the angels to bless us, and didst put Satan to shame. Since Thou hast created us and granted us life, preserve us, and give us sustenance, and turn us to repentance; for Thou art worthy of glory and worship for all that Thou hast done for us through Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen. Follow after this at all times, brethren; the Lord be with you on earth and in heaven and in the Kingdom of His Father, who sent Him to free us from deeds of sin, and the service of Satan, and (who) hath given life to the sons of men, even to those that believe in the Lord God, the Creator, that those who believe in Christ may live. [vii., 39.] What thanks is it fitting that we should offer to God the Father through Jesus Christ? Behold we have told you before, and have taught you. Observe all this that ye may find life eternal. Amen.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 38:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 39:1

OF THE CATECHUMENS WHO DESIRE TO BE BAPTIZED. HE that desireth to be baptized must needs be taught the word of instruction, and be made to understand the knowledge of God the Father, and be instructed as to the incarnation of the only-begotten Son and the good pleasure of the Holy Spirit. Moreover let them tell him that God created the world and man upon it, and how God sent judgment on the wicked by the waters of the flood, and destroyed sinners with fire, and did magnify the saints in all generations. These are Seth, and Enosh, and Enoch, and Noah, and Abraham, and all those that were begotten of them, and Melchizedek, and Job, and Moses, and Joshua, and Caleb, and Phinehas the priest, and all the righteous according to their generations; and how God pitied and chose mankind, and rejected them not, but rather called them, and turned them at all times from error and from vanity to true knowledge, and brought them forth from the service of the adversary, and made them an army to do His commandments, and saved them from deadly error, and led them unto life. All this then let him understand who desireth to be baptized, and (then) let him receive baptism. And let him who layeth hands upon him worship God the Father the maker of all things, who sent unto us His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ to save mankind, from filthiness of flesh and soul, and to sanctify them according to the good pleasure of His goodness, and to lead them in the way, and to enlighten the eyes of their hearts, that they might understand His wondrous works, and learn His righteousness and be far from wickedness, and walk in the way of uprightness, that they may be worthy to be baptized as sons of Christ, in a hope that is full of grace and truth. But let them have understanding of wisdom and knowledge, and receive the works of righteousness, that they may enter into life. And after the thanksgiving let them be taught the incarnation of the Lord and His sufferings, and His resurrection from the dead, and His ascension into heaven. (vii., 40.) And let the catechumen who desireth to be baptized be taught to renounce Satan, and to believe in Christ, and to forsake his former habits, and to purify his heart from all evil and revenge and impurity and deceit. Then let them receive the holy mysteries. As a wise man who purgeth his field of thorns and thistles, and soweth wheat therein, so ye also in like manner must needs be separated from all impurity, and cleanse your hearts from evil, that ye may be worthy to receive holy baptism. For thus our Lord taught us, saying, ‘Baptize all nations into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” [vii., 41.) And again, let them command him that is baptized to say thus, I renounce thee, Satan, and all thy works, and all thine evil, and all thy service, and all thine angels and all thine arts, and all thy might. And after the renunciation thou shalt confess, and say, I believe in Christ; and again, I believe in the One true God unbegotten, the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Almighty and the Creator of all things, by whom are all things; and I am baptized into His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, who was begotten before the world (was), by the will of the Father, by whom all things were made, both those in heaven and those in earth, both visible and invisible; and who came down from heaven in the latter days, and was incarnate of the Holy Virgin Mary, and was born in purity; and (who) fulfilled the law of His Father, and was crucified for us in the days of Pontius Pilate, and died, and abode in the heart of the earth three days and three nights, and rose from the dead and ascended into heaven in glory, and sat on the right hand of the Father; and (who) shall come again at the last day to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there is no end. And I am baptized also into the Paraclete the Holy Spirit, who proceedeth from the Father, and was strong () through the Son, and dwelt in the holy patriarchs; and (who), again, was sent upon the apostles from the Father by our Lord Jesus Christ; and after the apostles He was sent and given to the faithful in Jesus Christ; and (I am baptized) into the apostolic Church for remission of sins, and for the Kingdom of heaven, and for the life to come for ever. [vii., 42.] And after he has made confession, let him draw near to the anointing of the holy oil which the priests have consecrated for the remission of sins and let the priest pray and make supplication to God, and say, May God the Father unbegotten, the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, King of kings sanctify and purify this oil in the name of His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ; may it be a spiritual grace and power for the remission of sins; and a pledge () for this baptism by the anointing of this holy oil, that (he that cometh thereto) may be worthy. to keep Thy commandments.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 39:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 40:1

Concerning the prayer which is said over the water. When the priest standeth over the water, let him pray thus, saying, O Lord our God, the Almighty, Father of Thine only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, I give Thee thanks for that thou didst send Thine only-begotten Son, and He hath saved the whole world, and He heareth all who make supplication unto Him, and proclaimeth concerning the Kingdom of heaven, and remission of sins, and the resurrection of the dead. I glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks, and praise Thee that Thou didst patiently endure the sufferings of death on the cross for all; Who hast given us baptism, which is the new birth. I glorify Thee, O God the Father, God alone, in the name of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that Thou the Doer of all wonders hast not rejected mankind; Who didst create Adam and set him in the garden, and when he transgressed Thy commandment, Thou didst put him forth from the garden by Thy righteous judgment, but in Thy manifold mercy Thou didst not cast him off, but didst send Thy Son in the latter days to become man, and to endure suffering without sin. I pray to Thee and entreat Thee; look down from heaven upon this water, and sanctify it by Thy power, that all they who are baptized thereby according to Christ's command may be together with Him partakers in His crucifixion, and death, and His resurrection, and His ascension into heaven, that Thou mayest save them from the death of sin, and that they may live in righteousness. And after this let him baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and anoint with the oil of balsam, and say:

The Ethiopic Didascalia 40:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 41:1

Of the prayer which is said over the chrism. O Lord God, the Lord of the whole Creation, Who hast granted us the sweet savour of this chrism, even to all the nations who believe in Thee, grant also the efficacy of this chrism as a mystery to those that are baptized into Thy name. And after this he shall stand, and pray this prayer which our Lord hath taught us: "Our Father who art in heaven," unto the end thereof. Then let the priest turn towards the East, and raise his eyes to heaven, and say, "Glorify the Lord, for the Lord is good; and sing to His name, for it is good, for His mercy is for ever."

The Ethiopic Didascalia 41:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 42:1

THE catechumens who have been baptized shall pray this prayer: O God Almighty, the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son, that lovest a body undefiled, and acceptest a meek heart and a humble spirit, and a knowledge of wisdom that hath no decay, make Thy Holy Spirit to dwell in us by Thy good will and the strength of Thy power through Jesus Christ, by whom to Thee be glory and power with Him and with the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 43:1

OF THE BISHOPS WHO WERE ORDAINED BY THE APOSTLES. [vii., 46.] THESE are the names of those who were ordained by us. First in Jerusalem, James, the brother of our Lord; and after him was ordained in his stead Simeon, the son of Cleopas; and after him Judas the son of James. And in Caesarea of Palestine, first, Zacchaeus the publican; and after him, Cornelius; and after him, Theophilus. And in Antioch, first, Evodius (ordained) by Peter; and after him Ignatius, by Paul. And in Alexandria, first, Annianus, who was ordained by Mark the Evangelist; and after him, Avilius (ordained) by Luke the Evangelist. And in the Church of Rome, first, Linus (ordained) by Paul; and after him Clement, who was ordained by Peter. And in Ephesus, first, Timothy (ordained) by Paul; and after him was ordained John by John the Evangelist. And in Smyrna, first, Aristos; and after him Strataeas, the son of Lois; and after him Ariston. And in Pergamus, first, Gaius. And in Philadelphia, first, Demetrius (ordained) by Peter. And in Cenchreae, first, Lucius (ordained) by Paul. And in Crete, Titus. And in Athens, Dionysius. And in the three cities of Phoenicia, Marthones. And in Laodicea, Archippus. And in Colossae, Philemon. And in Macedonia and in Beroea, Onesimus (the servant) of Philemon. And in the Church of Galatia, Crescens. In the region of Asia, Aquila and Nicetas. And in the Church Aegina, Crispus. These are they whom we entrusted (with the churches), and ordained in Jerusalem, and sent forth to preach and to teach in their several regions. Remember, then, their toil, and receive their admonition, and observe their words. May the Lord be with you from henceforth and for ever, even as He said unto us when He was ascending to heaven to the Father, “Behold I am with you all a the days unto the end of the world.” Glory be to God, to whom be glory and honour for ever, and ever, and ever. Amen and Amen. So be it.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 43:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 6:1

But if a bishop or one of the priests who does not accept the eucharist at the time of the solemnization, mentions a reason for this ; and if there is something that made him unworthy, let him be forgiven : but if he does not mention a reason, let him be deposed ; for he was the leader that there should be sin to the people, and has caused them to take offence at him who has brought the eucharist, as though he had not brought it in purity.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 6:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 7:1

Every believer who enters the Christian church and hears the Scriptures, and does not stand while they pronounce the prayers and does not receive the holy eucharist — over such an one they shall not pray, and it is their duty that he be expelled ; for he has caused contention and disturbance in the Christian church.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 10:1

And if one of the priests or a layman who have been expelled goes into a city just as if he had not been expelled, and he enters this city without permission [of the bishop] and is ordained, then let both he and the one who ordained him be expelled. For if he had been driven outside [of the congregation], let him be driven out a still greater length of days, for he has lied to the Church of God.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 10:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 11:1

It is not allowed to a bishop to leave his diocese and be ordained over another, even if the people should urge him, except for the sake of benefit, and [unless] they shall urge him to do this, because he will be able to benefit those who are there through the word of truth. But this he shall not do of his own account, but according to the judgment of many bishops and on account of a very strong entreating.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 14:1

A priest who becomes security for a man shall be deposed.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 15:1

Concerning eunuchs. If any one has become a eunuch through men by force, or if they have deprived him of his organ in war, or if he has been born thus, and they deem him worthy, let him be ordained as bishop. But if he has castrated himself of his own will, he cannot become one of the ordained ; for he has become a slayer of himself and an enemy of the creature of God. And if one of the ordained castrate his organ, let him be deposed, for he is only a slayer of himself. And a layman who castrates himself shall be expelled three years, for he is only an enemy of his life.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 15:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 16:1

Concerning him who commits fornication or swears falsely or steals. A bishop or an elder or a deacon who is discovered in fornication or in swearing falsely or in theft, shall be deposed, but shall not be expelled. For God says that he does not punish twice for one crime.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 16:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 17:1

And also with reference to the rest of the ordained. Those who are readers or psalmsingers, if they enter into the priesthood and desire to marry, let them marry. But we command them only that while they are readers they shall marry. But then it shall not be possible for them afterwards to be ordained.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 18:1

Concerning the priests who strike every one. A bishop or an elder who strike a Christian or one who does not believe, when he has sinned, and seeks by this deed to cause men to fear, we command that he be deposed. For the Lord did not command that we should do this : for when they struck him, he did not strike ; when they reviled him, he did not revile ; and when they afflicted him, he did not take vengeance or become angry.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 18:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 22:1

Concerning the elder who despises the bishop. If an elder despises a bishop and separates himself from him and builds for himself an altar, although no guilt is found in judgment against the bishop, and he is right in reference to the service of the Lord, let him be deposed ; for he is ambitious for office, and also all the priests who follow him, for he is a rebel. And the laymen who follow him shall be expelled. And this shall take place when the bishop shall have asked them once and a second time and a third time.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 22:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 24:1

Let not a strange bishop receive as elder and deacon those who have been admitted in the lower clergy, except that they have the permission of being ordained and associated. And if they are preachers of righteousness, let them enter. But if not, then let them give them what they desire, and let them not associate with them. For there are many such impure ones.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 28:1

Let the bishop take thought for the property of the church and let him manage this as one upon whom the Lord is looking. And not shall it be his privilege to take anything thereof for himself alone as profit ; and not shall he give any property of the Lord to the children of his relationship, even if they are poor. And not shall it be his privilege to sell the property of the Lord on these pretexts.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 28:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 29:1

Concerning the consultation of the bishop. No elder or deacon shall do anything whatever without the advice of the bishop ; for he is the one to whom the people of the Lord have been entrusted, and he again it is who will answer for their souls.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 29:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 30:1

It should be known what is the private property of the bishop, if he has private property ; and it should be known what is the property of the Lord, so that when the bishop dies, he can control his property and give it to whom he pleases. For it is not right that the property of the bishop should be destroyed on the pretext of the property of the church, especially if he has a wife or children or kindred or servants. For it is not right that the property of the church be destroyed because it is unknown what is the property of the bishop, nor [is it right] that the property of the bishop and of his kindred be destroyed, on the pretext of the property of the church, and that these fall into famine and curse over his death.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 30:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 31:1

Concerning the setting of the bishop over the property of the church. We command therefore that the bishop be the one who shall have control of the property of the church. For he is the one to whom are entrusted the precious souls of men ; what, therefore, is all the property that is given to him, that he should have command over it by his will and should feed the poor with it through the elders and the deacons in the fear of the Lord and in trembling? And he himself shall take for himself of it according to his desire, if he is poor in regard to those things which the brethern from afar ask of him who visit him, so that he may not lack those things which they ask of him. For it is a law of God that those who serve at the altar shall also be sustained from the altar ; for the soldiers of a king will not fight against his enemies while supporting themselves.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 31:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 33:1

A bishop or an elder or a deacon who attends the baptism of the heretics or their celebration of the Eucharist, we command that he shall be deposed. For what communion has Christ with Satan ; or what part have believers with those who do not believe?

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 35:1

Concerning the deposing of him who does not receive those who have repented of their sins. If a bishop or an elder or a deacon is not willing to receive him who has repented of his sins, let him be deposed ; for he grieves the heart of our Lord who says, that there will be joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 37:1

If one of the priests has been found eating or drinking in a place of public resort, let him be removed, except if it be in an inn for strangers on account of the needs of travel. And if one of those ordained curses a bishop, let him be deposed ; for it is said, " Thou shalt not curse the leader of thy people." And if one of the lower clergy curses an elder or a deacon, let him be expelled. And if one of the priests ridicules a person that is deaf or lame or blind or deformed at his feet, let him be expelled ; and thus also in the case of a layman, if he does this.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 37:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 47:1

Concerning him who is ordained a second time. If a bishop or an elder or a deacon has been ordained a second time, let him be deposed, as also the one who ordained him ; unless indeed it is certain that they have been ordained by heretics, for it will never be that they who have been baptized or ordained by such men will become believers [i.e., church members] or clergy.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 50:1

Concerning him who steals the oil or the wax or anything that is the property of the church. If any of the clergy steals the wax belonging to the church, or the oil, let him be deposed, and what he has stolen he shall refund fivefold. Silver vessels and clothes, if they have been seen a few days, no man shall take from them for himself alone anything ; for this action is a sin. And he who does this shall be expelled, and they shall punish him.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 50:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 52:1

That they shall not listen to the testimony of a heretic against a bishop, and shall not listen to a single person. The testimony of a heretic shall not be received against a bishop, and the testimony of a single person shall not be received ; for " everything shall stand by the mouth of two and three." Nor shall it be lawful for a bishop to bestow the office of bishop upon his brother or his son or his kindred, nor shall he ordain whomsoever he pleases ; for it is not right that the episcopal dignity shall be inherited : nor shall he give away the property of the Lord for the sake of the will of men, for it is not allowed to make the church of Christ an inheritance. For if they do thus, and thus take to themselves of the office, they will be as though they were naught ; and [the guilty one] himself shall be condemned by a punishment. He who is one-eyed or lame in his foot and is worthy of the episcopal honor, shall be ordained. For a defect of the body does not corrupt him, but a defect of the soul [does]. A deaf and a blind man, however, shall not be ordained as a bishop, not as being unclean, but less the property of the church be scattered. He who is possessed of a devil shall not be ordained, and he shall not pray with the believers. And if he is purified, they shall admit him ; and if he be worthy, he may be ordained as one of the clergy.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 52:1

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 53:1

He who has lately been baptized shall not be ordained as a bishop. He who has come from among the gentiles, or has been living in sins and has been baptized, shall not be ordained as bishop at once ; nor is it allowed that he who has not been tried, shall become the teacher of other men, but he shall become this by the grace of God. Nor shall it be allowed the bishop that he shall gather and accumulate wealth, but he shall be found to be a servant of the church ; but if not, he shall not perform episcopal functions. "There is no one who can serve two masters," according to the command of our Lord. And we command that no servant shall be ordained but with the consent of his master, lest his master be offended, for in this way the families are diminished. If ever there is found a servant in his time who is worthy of the station of ordination, as there has appeared to us Onesimus, and his master sets him free and lets him go forth from his family, let him be ordained.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 54:1

A bishop or an elder or a deacon who connects himself with the army, and desires to perform these two offices, that he should follow a human calling and the priestly calling, let him be expelled. For it is said : Give unto the Lord that which is the Lord's, and unto the king that which is the king's. He who despises the king or the magistrate, except with justice, him they shall punish ; if it be one of the clergy, he shall be deposed, and if a layman, he shall be expelled.

Sinodos: The Apostolic Canons (57 Canons, Fell/Schodde) 57:1

Concerning the Canons of the Apostles. This we command you, O bishops, in reference to the Synodus : for if ye listen to it, ye shall be saved and delivered, and there shall be peace unto you forever. But if ye do not obey this and do not receive what is in this, [the Lord] will scorn you, and there shall be sadness in your midst forever, and afterwards ye shall meet with the judgment which ye deserve on account of your transgression. And may God, the only one, and his only begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Maker of all Creation, give unto each one of you peace, and may he help you with all good things, and may ye not faint, but be ye without stain, having no sin. And may he make you worthy of a place in eternal life, through his Son whom he loves, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Living one, the Savior, to whom is glory with the Father and with the Holy Spirit to all eternity, Amen. This is the Synodus of the Apostles, which we have sent with Clemens, and glory [be] to God to all eternity, Amen.

Testament of Our Lord, Book I 1:1

And we returned answer, saying, Lord, what is the Holy Ghost, and what is His power, whom Thou badest us to ask for? And our Lord said unto us, Verily I say unto you that ye shall not be the children of the light except by the Holy Ghost. And we returned answer to Him, and said, O our Lord, give us this [Spirit]. And immediately Jesus breathed on us. And after we had received the Holy Ghost, He said unto us, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have been made disciples unto the kingdom of heaven, and who have believed in Me with undoubting heart, and have cleaved unto Me, shall be with Me; and all those who through you know and do the will of My Father, who keep My words and know My sufferings, shall be made holy, and shall dwell in the habitations of My Father, and shall be delivered from the evil days that are about to come; and I will be with them, shewing them My ways in which they shall live.

Testament of Our Lord, Book I 2:1

And Peter and John answered and said unto Him:—Tell us, O our Lord, the signs of the end, and all the deeds which shall then be [done] by them who live in this world, so that we also may make [them] known to them who believe in Thy Name in all the nations, that those generations may observe [them] and live. But Jesus answered and said:— Did I not, before I suffered for those that dwell on the earth, tell you some things about the end? We answered and said, [Yea,] O our Lord; but now we desire to know the deeds which [are] the signs of the end of this world, if our Lord hath judged that this is fitting for us to know —for us, and for those who [shall] hear.

Testament of Our Lord, Book I 2:1

Testament of Our Lord, Book I 3:1

And Jesus answered and said:—In the time when I was in the world, I spoke unto you before I should be glorified, of signs that the end is near, thus:—that there shall be on earth famines and pestilences, tumults, and commotions, risings of nations against nations, and those other things whereof I have told you But I commanded you to watch and pray. And now hear, ye children of the light; for My Father who hath sent Me to His inheritance hath predetermined in His foreknowledge, that in the last days, out of the latest generation, there should be vessels [of grace] holy, and honoured, and elect. Wherefore I make known unto you exactly [what are] the things which are about to be, and when he shall arise, that Son of Perdition, the Enemy, the Adversary, and what he is like.