Didascalia Apostolorum

Historical source scan page 94

66 DIDASCALIA. towards the East." As for the Deacons, let one of them stand constantly over the gifts of thankfulness (the Eucharist), and let another stand outside the door and look at those who come in ; and afterwards when ye make offerings, let them serve together in the Church. And if a man be found sitting out of his place, let the Deacon who is within reprove him, and make him get up and sit in the place that befits him, for our Lord compared the Church to a fold. For as we see the irrational beasts, f. 45 b we mean oxen, sheep, and goats, lying down in herds, rising and feeding and mating, and none of them is separate from its race ; and also the beasts of the deserts go in the mountains along with those who are like them. Thus therefore it ought to be also in the Church, that those who are children should sit by themselves, if there be room ; if not, let them stand upon their feet. And let those who are advanced in years sit by themselves. But let the children stay at one side, or let their fathers and mothers keep them beside them and let them stand on their feet. Again, also let those who are girls sit apart, or if there be not room let them stand on their feet behind the women. Let those who are married and young and have children stay by themselves, but the old women and widows sit by themselves, the Deacon seeing as every one enters that he goes to his place, lest any one sit in a place that is not his. Let the Deacon also notice lest any one whisper, or sleep or laugh or make signs ; for thus it is required that [people] be attentive in the Church, with watch- fulness and good manners, and with their ears open to the word of the Ap. con. Lord. If there come a person from another assembly, a brother or a sister, let the Deacon ask and learn if she be the wife of a man, or again if she be a believing widow, if she be a daughter of the Church, or if it be one of the heresies, and then let him lead her and put her in the place that befits her. If an Elder come from another assembly, ye Elders receive him to a share in your place, and if he be a Bishop let him sit with the Bishop, and let him give him the honour of his place like himself; f. 46 a and let the Bishop say to him that he preach to his people ; for entreaty and admonition of strangers is of great help, especially because it is written, Luke iv. 24 that "no prophet is acceptable in his country." When ye are offering the Eucharist, let him speak. If he be wise, and give thee honour and do not wish to officiate, yet over the cup let him speak. If while ye are sitting, there come another person, either man or woman who has honour in the world, either from the place or from another assembly, thou then, O Bishop, who speakest the word of the Lord, or hearest, or readest, do not shew respect to persons and leave off the. service of thy word