Didascalia Apostolorum

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DIDASCALIA. I/ prayer for all those who are in temptation and in regard to revelations and signs, for what is necessary, but one to be continually with the women who are tried by sickness, who is good at service, watchful to make known what is required to the Elders. [Let them] not be lovers of filthy lucre, not accustomed to much wine, so that they may be able to be watchful in the night services of the sick, and in any other good works that any one wishes to do, for these things are the first good treasures 'that are desirable1. Andrew said, Let Deacons, doers of good works, go round to every place by night and by day, that they may not neglect the poor, nor accept the persons of the rich ; let them recognize him who is in straits, and deprive him not of the blessings. Let them constrain those who are able to lay up for themselves treasures in good works, looking forward to the words of our Teacher, that ye saw Me hungry, and fed Me not ; for those who have served Him well and blamelessly, prepare for themselves 2a large place2. Philip said, The laymen shall obey the commands for laymen, being submissive to those who serve continually at the altar. Every one in his place shall please the Lord, not shewing enmity to one another concerning those things that are appointed, every one in that wherein he has been called of God. Let not one persuade to the course of another, for the angels also, beyond what is appointed to them, do no other things. Andrew said, It would be very good, my brethren, that we should appoint women as Deaconesses. Peter said, As we have commanded and appointed all these things, and arrived at this point, let us in truth make known accurately about the offerings of the Body and Blood. John said, It has escaped you, my brethren, that when our Teacher asked for the Bread and the Cup, and blessed them saying, This is my Body and my Blood, He did not allow these to remain with us. Martha said about Mary, I saw her laughing between her teeth joyfully. Mary said, I did not surely laugh, but I remembered the words of our Lord, and I rejoiced, for ye know that He said to us before, when He was teaching, He that is weak shall be saved by means of the strong. Cephas said, We ought to remember the single things, for it is not fitting for women to take the communion with heads uncovered, but having covered their heads. James said, How then can we define any service for the women, except only some service of strengthening and helping those women who are in want ? Philip said, Now, my brethren, let us say this to you, in regard to the participa- tion in gifts. He that doeth good works, lays up and prepares good treasures for himself, for he who lays up for himself treasures in the kingdom shall be counted as a workman (it is written) before God. Peter said, These things, my brother, we do not command as necessary from the power that we have over men, but as we have a commandment from the Lord, our Lord, we persuade you to keep the commandments, not diminishing aught from them nor adding aught. In the name of our Lord Jesus the Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. The teaching of the Twelve holy Apostles is finished by the hands of Baltous, an odious and lazy servant of the Christ, son of George Moses of the tribe of the 1 M. of the Lord. 2 M. the place of a shepherd. D. C