Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 64

poor, and examine into their lives, and know their condition. Moreover, when the faithful desire to call the poor and widows and orphans to a feast, as God, even our Lord, hath commanded, it is fitting that the Deacons should minister ; and let them inquire into their lives, let them call them in, and place them each one in his seat, as is fitting. Let them divide portions unto them, and give thereof to the Shepherd also apart, for the honoxir of the Lord, seeing that the priesthood hath been given unto him. And when there hath been given unto the widows, then let the Deacons take thereof, two portions ; and so also the Priests, who watch, and teach the word of exhortation : let them receive double honour, for they are the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ ; they are the counsellors of the Bishop, and the crown of the Church, who judge in it righteously. And let the Reader take one portion; and, in hke manner, let the Singers and the Door-keepers receive, each one according to the ordinance of the Church. And let the people render unto each such honour as becometh him, and not overlook the Bishop, nor delay to give unto him; but let them send quickly to him, together with the ministers, the Deacons. Now it is fitting that the Deacons should report to the Bishop all the matters of the people, that he may command the people to do what is right. For, in old time, there was no 64