that

21919 occurrences across the corpus

Ethiopian Orthodox Broader Canon

THAT THE LAYMAN OUGHT NOT TO EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF THE PRIESTHOOD. [iii., 10.] We command you,! then, that no layman execute the office of the priesthood, . (that he) neither offer incense, nor baptize, nor lay on hands, nor bless,® nor give the bread of the blessing. For there is none that can receive this grace, unless it be given him of God. But they must needs receive this grace and honour from the bishop. And he to whom the dignity of the priesthood hath not been given shall find con- demnation, if he transgress, like Uzziah the King. {iii., 11.) Moreover we do not command that all that are in the Church should baptize—(that is) neither the readers, nor the singers, nor the doorkeepers but only the bishops and the presbyters, and let. the deacons $ minister together with them. And they who transgress and do thus shall find the condemnation which befell the sons of Korah. Behold we command that presbyters ordain not deacons, nor deaconesses, nor readers, nor singers, nor doorkeepers; but let bishops only ordain according to the order of the Church—and such in whom is no revenge, nor envy, nor slander, nor hatred, nor malice. {iii., 12.) Behold we have told you before that they that do thus are aliens 5 from the society ® of Christians : and above all widows.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 16:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 17:1

OF WIDOWS. For Satan seeketh an occasion whereby to ensnare, as he did of old in the case of Cain. For there are some who say, We are widows, but do not do the works that befit widows, even as Cain! did toward his brother that which befitted not. These then are they that 2 have no knowledge. For it is not by being called widows that they shall enter into? the Kingdom of heaven, but by a right faith and by good works. But she that taketh the name of a widow, and doeth the work of Satan,® belieth the name (? )® so that she shall find eternal condemnation.’ Behold we hear that there are among the widows some that are evil and envious and slanderers,® and that cause strife amongst the brethren. These are not of Christ, for they have not kept the word of admonition. If there be one of the sisters, and (others of them) see men give her alms, whether money, or raiment,® or food, or drink, and (if) she then rejoice and find rest, they ought to say thus: {iii., 13.] Blessed be the Lord our !°© God, Who hath granted rest and ¥ joy to the widow, our beloved sister, O Lord send blessing and honour ? on him who hath given to this widow, and increase his substance in righteousness and in purity, and remember him with Thy goodness, in the greatness of * Thy ¢ompassion and mercy. And to this bishop also give Thou a double honour, who hath taught and exhorted those that have given unto us: give him the crown of glory when he shall depart this life. And in like manner let this widow pray and entreat along with them for those that have shewn mercy towards her. (iii., 14.] And now’ also let her give to the destitute from that which she hath received; and for this cause shall her works be well-pleasing before God, as it is written, saying, ‘Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth, and let thine alms be secret.” '* Thus let '* the widow ra anes unto her and bestowed Hes eee ines bel Sr, bys thy Father, who seeth - reward thee openly. But wi Bae ane “ta begs - commandment of Gane oO hath given alms to their si ue fend) they ask, and say, Who is it that eee unde her? ai then when they under- and » they go to him th Y gi their sister to iraukee: him, and i ne in, whe tae thou given first unto her, while we are far riGie sac than she? For they are foolish who say thus an ing it is a gift from man, whereas the gift of avour is from God. But if 2° she was manifestly in want, uiGy ought not to go to trouble?! him ‘that showed ? mercy, but rather is it right that they should remain * at home, and fall down on their faces, and repent and Pray to God. For God sheweth merc to them that Proclaim His goodness. Our Lord 24 saith eee ye enter into a house, say, Peace be to this sa and if a son of peace be there, your peace shall sores it; and, if not, your peace shall return to fiii., 15.] But if peace ”* find not (a plac (for her) where she may rest, she sean Roe but returneth to him that sent her. In like manner the unrighteous curse shall not come on him that hath not sinned, but shall rather return on him that uttered it He that hath cursed another without cause, hath cursed himself, as Solomon saith.?* In like manner ye also shall be requited even as ye have done unto others. For it is said, ‘“‘ He hath digged a pit, and hollowed it out, and he shall fall into the pit which he made. And his toil shall return on his own head, and his wickedness shall descend upon his own pate.” 7* For he that diggeth a pit for his neighbour shall fall,into it,*° and he that feareth a curse, let him not curse another; and what he hateth for himself let him not do to his neighbour. Wherefore, O bishop, do thou as a master *? admonish those women *? that despise widows, and bear patiently with the angry, and visit the sick, and rejoice with the elect who bless and curse not, and command them to do not that which is evil, but to make peace.** Whether it be a bishop, or a presbyter, or a deacon, or whosoever it be of those set in authority, let there not proceed from his mouth cursing, lest he inherit a curse ** instead of a blessing. The bishop ought to admonish and teach ** and command the people that no word of cursing proceed from their mouths.** But let him show care for priests, and deacons, and virgins, and widows, and the people. [iii., 16.] Wherefore, O bishop, prove the deacons who do service with thee, and help them in doing good, that they may be ready to minister unto the people, and let a deaconess also be appointed to minister unto the women, an elect and pure woman who is blameless. For a deacon ought not to minister unto the women, lest there arise an evil report from those that believe not. Therefore let there be a deaconess as a minister to the women, and let her anoint them with oil, and clothe them after baptism. And do thou, O bishop, anoint the foreheads of them that are baptized, men and women, with holy oil according to the ordinance of '* Mt 6, 3f. pray for them that are under you, and baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And then let the deacon take the men, and let the deaconess also take the women, that the seal which they receive, which no man may (break), may be holy and pure. And after they have been baptized, let the bishop anoint them with the oil of balsam, for they have been baptized into the death of * Christ. {ili., 17.] The oil of balsam is the strength of faith, for when a man cometh forth from the water,*’ he is in the likeness of Christ whom the Father raised from the dead. This is He who is over all;°* our Lord Jesus Christ is the only-begotten Son the Lord of life, and the Paraclete is the Spirit of truth who was sent by the Father to teach all things. (iii., 18.) But let them that are baptized be far from transgression and be pure from sin, and let them be friends of God and enemies of the devil, and fellow- heirs of Christ and + adversaries of t Satan ®* and his devices. And they shall be pure without stain, and shall be called the sons of Christ. Moreover let them pray and entreat the Father that they may be one congre- gation together with the faithful, and say thus, Our Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. And thy will be done, as in heaven so also on earth. Give us to-day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses and our iniquities, as we also forgive him that hath trespassed against us. And bring us not into temptation, but save us and deliver us from all evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. [ili., 19.) The deacons then must needs be pure and good, without blame, as the bishop; and serve continually in the Holy Church, and minister unto God with a good ministry, and fulfil their office in wisdom with one -heart and one spirit, and understand the reward of their service, and not be puffed up in ministering to the destitute. Even as our Lord Jesus Christ came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life « ransom for many. And moreover He refused not to give His life in place of His friends.*° And if the Lord of glory and the Lord of heaven and earth endured all this patiently for our sakes, how then are ye puffed up in ministering to the poor and needy? Ye ought in everything to be imitators of our Lord Jesus Christ, who endured to become a servant, and accepted poverty and want, and humbled Himself, and bore the sufferings of the Cross for our sakes. In like manner do ye also do service to the poor your brethren, and be imitators of Christ. But he among you that desireth to be chief, let him be your servant. So our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled in word and in deed all that was written, and became the servant of many. He took a towel,'' and poured water into a bason, and first washed the feet of His disciples and (then) wiped them with the towel wherewith His loins were girded. He did thus that we might love‘? one another, and taught us to love our neighbours as ourselves.‘? And if our Lord and Saviour humbled Himself, and did thus, how then are ye puffed up and slothful to do good to the destitute and afflicted? Do service, then, in perfect love without murmuring, or accepting of persons. Howbeit do not this for outward appearance, but for God’s sake, that ye may receive the reward of your toil from Him at the last day. The deacons ought to scek to satisfy the desires of the poor, before they ask them. Moreover let them do service unto the bishop, and be of one mind ‘** (with him), and account him as father and teacher and monitor. [iii., 20.) And behold we command that a bishop be ordained by three bishops, and if not, by two. But by ““ The word is singular in “ At this word the lacuna in one bishop it is not possible to give ‘* ordination: for by the testimony of three or two ‘* (witnesses) let ¢’ every word be established. Presbyters and deacons and others set in authority in the Church shall be ordained by one bishop. To presbyters and to deacons it is not given to ordain a layman; but let the presbyter teach, and baptize, and bless the people, and burn incense, and offer up the sacrifice. And as for the deacon there ‘is nothing that he may do except minister to the bishop and the presbyters;‘*® and let him fulfil aright his ministry.¢® -

The Ethiopic Didascalia 17:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 18:1

OF ORPHANS. [iv., 1.] CHRISTIAN people who have no children ought to educate orphans, whether youths or virgins, and adopt them as their own children, and love them yet more. And he that hath a son who hath attained the due age, let him marry the orphan virgin. And if ye do thus, ye shall accomplish a great work and be the fathers of the orphans, (and) obtain a reward from the Lord God for the service ye have done. But if there be one that is proud, and despiseth the orphan, and saith, I will not marry a poor woman,’ let him understand then who is the father of the orphan, and the protector? of the widow. For he that thinketh to do thus shall scatter his wealth to another, and shall fulfil in himself * that which the Scripture saith, “ What the saints have not eaten, the Syrians‘ shall eat,” even as Isaiah saith, “Your land a foreign enemy shall devour it in your sight.” *

The Ethiopic Didascalia 18:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 19:1

THAT BISHOPS OUGHT TO SHOW CARE FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. {iv., 2.] Ye bishops, provide for the sustenance of the destitute and supply their needs, and give to the orphans' as an inheritance the substance of their fathers; and to the widows also the substance of their husbands; and for the youths and virgins provide marriages, as is fitting; and to them that do service give their reward; and provide shelter for the poor,? and satisfy the hungry; and give drink to the thirsty, and clothe the naked, and visit the sick, and help the prisoners. Think on this, and do thus for the orphans and widows by day and night. [iv., 3.] For he that can do thus, blessed is he. Behold then he hath saved himself, for he hath received the widow, and the orphan, and the stranger. Where- fore our Lord saith, “It is better to give than to receive.” > But those that oppress the poor shall be condemned for what they have done, in the presence of God at the last day. But he that bestoweth of the alms which he hath received, and giveth to the orphan ar to the aged‘ or to the sick, or the poor man that hath children—him that doeth thus, blame not, but commend, for he is an altar of God. It is right also that he pray at all times without slothfulness § for those that have given him alms. {iv., 4.] But he that receiveth alms while he hath (sufficient}—with him God will reckon, for he hath snatched away the bread of the poor, and hath* not done good to himself nor to others. And he also that hath wealth, and giveth not to the destitute, is like unto the rich man who gathered together, and filled his barns in vain, and he shall be destroyed from before God, for his wealth shall not profit him in the fire’ of the anger of God. But he that doeth thus, believeth not in God,*® but worshippeth ® his wealth and trusteth therein, and desireth not truth, but accepteth persons,’° and hath no mercy, and setteth not the fear of God before his eyes: love is not in him; (he is) his own enemy, and hath no friend. And as for him that doeth thus, his wealth shall perish, and a foreign enemy shall devour it, either while he liveth, or after he is dead. For it is said, ‘‘He that gathereth his riches by evil-doing, his riches shall be taken from him.” ™

The Ethiopic Didascalia 19:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 20:1

THAT UNMARRIED WOMEN AND WIDOWS! OUGHT TO RECEIVE WITH THANKSGIVING THAT WHICH 1S BESTOWED UPON THEM. [iv., 5.) Ler us exhort widows and unmarried women? to receive that which God hath bestowed on them with thanksgiving in fear and_ trembling, and to give thanks to God who giveth food to the hungry. Which of you is there that eateth and drinketh in moderation? Is it not God who giveth unto him? He who stretcheth® out His hand and multiplieth good things according to His will; who giveth corn‘ to the young men, wine to the maidens, and the oil of rejoicing to the living; * abundance to the cattle, and liberty to servants, and flesh to the beasts, and fruits to the birds, and food to all, as it befitteth. Wherefore our Lord saith, “ Be ye like unto the birds of heaven * which sow not, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feedeth them: ye are far better than many birds. Think not, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Whcrewithal shall we be clothed? For your Father who is in heaven knoweth that ye seek all these things.””’ But if ye desire to receive His good things, and to inherit His kingdom, offer unto Him praise and thanksgiving and blessing. And to those that reccive the widow and the orphan God the Father shall give gladness in the Kingdom of heaven, through ° His* Son our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 20:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 21:1

THAT THE BISHOP ! OUGHT TO SHOW UNDERSTANDING IN RECEIVING OFFERINGS FROM THOSE (ONLY) THAT ARE WORTHY. [iv., 6.) THe bishop ought to show understanding and? make a difference about receiving offerings in cases when it befitteth not.° Beware, then,‘ of the seller of strong drink, for far removed is his salvation from sin. Wherefore it is said, “ \Voe unto them that mingle water with wine.””> Let us ® keep far from drunken- ness and fornication, for the Lord God saith, “ Bring ye not an offering of the reward of fornication.” 7 Beware of the extortioners® and of them that lend their money on interest, and of the defiled in spirit. Those that make sacrifice thus are not well pleasing unto God. The bishop must needs keep far from those that oppress widows and orphans, and from those that fill the prison with the innocent who have done no wrong, and from those® that lay a grievous burden of service on their servants, and torment them with hunger and thirst. The sacrifice of such men is unclean 3, Teceive it not from them, for everyone that doeth evil and speaketh iniquity is rejected of God. Let us keep far from robbers and publicans, and from them that make idols, and (from) seducers, and such as use false balances, and from wicked soldiers who plunder the houses of the poor and needy, and seize their goods unjustly. Beware, then of murderers and liers in wait by the way, and of the ungodly,'® and of those that pervert good works, and of unclean persons," and of drunkards,’2_ and of blasphemy, and above all of those that exact interest, for such are the enemies of God.'8 For it is written, saying, “Better is a little with righteousness than the great riches of sinners.” And again it is written, saying, “Thou hast hated, O Lord, all workers of iniquity, and thou shalt destroy all them that speak lies.” ** But he that vexeth'® him that feedeth the widow and the orphan shall be condemned before God. For that which Adonias did is written in the book of Kings, how he transgressed against God, and ate bread and drank water in the place wherein the Lord com- manded him that he should not eat, because of the transgression of Jeroboam the son of Nebat; and for this cause was he slain. For that which (a man) obtaineth by his toil for the sustenance of the widow, be it much or little, is acceptable before God, because it was not (gotten) by iniquity. For it is written, saying,’’ “Better is a little with righteousness than the great riches of sinners.” '* But if a widow eat and be filled at the hands of the ungodly, and pray for them, God shall not hear her prayer, for God trieth the heart and reins.'® For God saith concerning the ungodly and unbelievers, “Though Moses 7° and Samuel stand and pray before me,’' I will not hear their prayer, nor pardon their sin.” 22, And (He spake) not concerning these alone, but of others also that have sinned, and refused to turn unto repentance. And when they pray He will not hear their prayer 2° for them that do such things; but they provoke God to anger, and remember not the evil of their doings. {iv., 7.] Keep far, then, from all such deeds, for all they that do thus are transgressors of the Jaw. For Elisha #4 did not receive the offering of Hazael who reigned over Syria, and Ahijah did not receive the offering of Jeroboam. But if the prophets of God did not receive offerings from the ungodly, in like manner it is right that bishops should 7° fear to do so. And Simon the Sorcerer also brought presents to us, even to us, Peter and John, and planned to receive the honour which is above every honour. But we received not the presents from him, but bound him with eternal bonds. But he desired to snatch an honour that was not given unto him by God. Keep far, then, from the pol- luted offerings which they bring into the house of God. And again it is said, ‘Depart from iniquity in fear and trembling.” 7* . ; {iv., 8.] But if ye say, If we receive not offerings from the ungodly, what shall we give to the widows and orphans, and to the destitute who have no sus- tenance ?—if ye do thus it shall become sin unto you. For God?’ hath appointed for you, as of old for the ™ Ps 76, 16. their prayer. Perhaps the * P jis unintelligible in this clause belongs to some other clause. part of the context. Neither 2° P adds: and Elijah. reading is very intelligible. ™ P pray for them. * P Elijah. ; 32 Jer 15, 1. 7° P in like manner let bis- 33 A here reads: And when hops. they turn T will have compas- %* Cf. Isa 54, 14. Levites, that they should receive offerings of the people. But if all this which ?* hath been appointed for the Church is not sufficient for you,?* ye ought to endure patiently, and remain *° in hunger and in thirst, rather than receive offerings from the enemies of God, and become a laughing-stock and a mockery. And concern- ing these the prophet saith, ‘But let not my head be anointed with the oil of sinners.”*! Take heed to receive offerings from such as do good; but from the ungodly receive them not. But if thou be destitute, tell the faithful brethren that love God, that they may give (thee) what thou needest. And from that which thou receivest from them, give unto the widows and orphans in righteousness. [iv., 9.] Solomon *? said to the people, “Give to the Lord of thy labour in righteousness, that he may ‘fill thy barns with wheat and that thy wine-press “may gush forth.” ** And from the toil of the faithful clothe the naked, and entertain them from the offerings which (men) bring unto you, and do service unto them accord- ing to the ordinance of the saints, and redeem the captives, and visit the prisoners, and deliver those that oe appointed) unto death,** that ye may find life before 10d. fiv., 10.1 Behold, then, we command you that ye follow not the way of the ungodly and unbelievers, nor accept their offerings, nor take their money,** for they are prepared as fuel for fire, and that ye be not partakers with them, for the offering of sinners is unclean in the sight of God. This have we spoken to you, brethren, for the profit of your souls.

The Ethiopic Didascalia 21:1

The Ethiopic Didascalia 22:1

THAT FATHERS OUGHT TO CORRECT THEIR CHILDREN. [iv., 11.] ANpb ye also, fathers,’ teach your children to observe the commandment of the Lord, and to follow the way of Christ and command them to learn a handi- craft and not sit idly. Now they will be pufted up in spirit and be far away from doing good. Wherefore train them, and spare not to correct them; for children die not by correction, but rather are saved from condemna- tion. For it is said, ‘Spare not thy rod from thy son, for the ? hope is good, and when thou beatest him with a rod, thou shalt save his soul from death.”* And moreover it is said, ‘He that correcteth not his son is a fool. Beat thy son and scourge his sides while he is young, lest he become hardened, and go far from thee. And he that teachcth not and * correcteth not his son hateth him.’’® Teach, then, your children, and correct them in® their youth with sharp correction, that they may be humble, and obedient to everyone. Teach them to write, and to read the holy Scriptures, and permit them not to live idly, lest they 7 transgress your commandments. And suffer them not to enter a tavern, lest they forget your admonition,* and be corrupted with fornication. But if their fathers be slothful in teaching and correcting * them, they become partakers in the sin with their children. And when they have come to the full time of youth,’® let (each) marry a wife in pure wedlock, lest the impure desires of youth assault them, and they be sin unto them. And because of this God will require the sin at the hands of their fathers in the day of recompense.