Didascalia Apostolorum

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DIDASCALIA. J\ office of widows, but let them be taken care of and trained1 lest by reason of their indigence they seek to take a husband a second time, and this act be an undisciplined one ; for ye know that she who has had one husband has had him lawfully2, and beyond this it is fornication. Therefore take by Ap. con. the hand those who are young, that they may remain in chastity to God. Take care of them, therefore, O Bishop, and remember also the poor; hold them by the hand, and provide for them, even if none of f. 49 b them be widowers or widows, and they need help on account of poverty, or of sickness, or are straitened on account of the education of their children. It is required of thee that thou care for all men, and pay attention to all men. Therefore those who bring gifts are not to give to Ap. con. the widows with their own hands, but are to offer to thee on their behalf, as thou art well acquainted with those who are straitened, that thou mayest distribute to them like a good steward (S. + from what is given to thee) ; for God knoweth him that giveth, even when he is not present ; and when thou distributest tell them the name of the giver, that they may pray for him by his name. For in all the Scriptures the Lord commandeth about the poor, even that they be partakers ; and He even adds in Isaiah, and saith thus, " Break thy bread to the hungry, and bring isaiah the poor man that hath no shelter into thy house ; when thou seest the naked clothe him, and turn not away from thine own flesh." Therefore by every means care for the poor. CHAPTER XV. How it befits Widows to condiict themselves in tranquillity and chastity, and it is not fitting that women should teach, not even those who are the Widows of tJie Church, nor the laity. About the dissimulation of false Widows. On the manners of chaste Widows. That it is necessary for Widows to be obedient to tlie Bishop and Deacons, and not to do anything without permission, and that those are guilty who act thus, or pray with those wJio are separated. That it is not permitted to a woman to baptize. Again, of the jealousies of false Widows amongst themselves. Reproof of those who curse by their jealousies. It is required, therefore, of every one who is a widow that she be Ap. con. humble, peaceful and quiet ; and also that she be not wicked nor angry, nor a great talker, nor lift up her voice when she speaks, and that she have f. 5oa not a long tongue, nor love quarrels ; and that when she sees or hears any- thing that is hateful, she be as though she saw and heard it not. Let the 1 S. helped 2 S. C. + and two