The APOSTOLIC
CONSTITUTIONS
 

 


(late 300s) , The Ante Nicene Fathers, vol. 7, ed. A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, Book VIII, sec. 2 – 31 (pp. 481-494) Constitutiones apostolorum (fort. compilatore Juliano Ariano), ed. M. Metzger, Les constitutions apostoliques,  vols. (Sources chrétiennes 336. Paris: Cerf, 1987, Bk. 7-8: vol. 3


The following introd. is adapted from: The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, ed. Cross, Livingstone; (OUP, 1983).


A collection of ecclesiastical law dating from c.350–80, and almost certainly of Syrian provenance. The full title is ‘Ordinances of the Holy Apostles through Clement’. The Trullan Synod (692) believed that the Arian tendency of the work was due to the influence of interpolators, but C. H. Turner demonstrated the Arian intention of the original text. Of its eight books 1 to 6 are based on the ‘Didascalia’; 7. 1–32 on the ‘Didache’; 7. 33–49 is liturgical material apparently derived from Jewish blessings; 8. 1–2 may be connected with the work ‘Concerning Spiritual Gifts’ listed on the base of the statue associated with St Hippolytus; 8. 3–46 is loosely based on Hippolytus’ ‘Apostolic Tradition’ and contains an elaborate version of the Antiochene Liturgy; while 8. 47 is the ‘Apostolic Canons’. Various attempts have been made to identify the compiler. J. Ussher (1644) believed the same hand was responsible for the Long Recension of the Letters of St Ignatius of Antioch; D. Hagedorn argued that the author of both works was Julian, an Arian author of a commentary on Job. Despite the wealth of liturgical material contained in the work (there are three accounts of Baptism and one of the Eucharist), it cannot be uncritically accepted as evidence for the usage of the later 4th cent.


Ed. princeps by F. Torres, Venice, 1563, repr. by J. B. Cotelier in Patres Apostolici, 1 (1672), with new Lat.tr.; a later edn. of Cotelier’s text was repr. in J. P. Migne, PG 1. 555–1156. Crit. edns. by F. X. Funk (Paderborn, 1905) and M. Metzger (SC 320, 329, and 336; 1985–7), with full introd. and bibl. Liturgy in bk. 8 also pr. in Brightman,LEW, pp. 3–30, with introd. pp. xvii–xlvii. Eng. tr. by J. Donaldson in ANCL 17 (1870), pt. 2. Eng. tr. of liturgical portions, with notes, by W. J. Grisbrooke (Grove Liturgical Study, 61; 1990). F. X. Funk, Die apostolischen Konstitutionen (1891), and later works. C. H. Turner, ‘Notes on the Apostolic Constitutions’, JTS 16 (1915), pp. 54–61 and 523–38; and 31 (1930) pp. 128–41; D. Hagedorn, Die Hiobkommentar des Arianers Julian (Patristische Texte und Studien, 14; 1973). D. A. Fiensy, Prayers Alleged to be Jewish: An Examination of the Constitutiones Apostolorum (Brown Judaic Studies, 65; Chico, Calif. [1985]). CPG 1 (1983), pp. 220 f. (no. 1730), and Suppl. (1998), p. 36.


(Bk 8) ORDINATIONS.
THE
ORDINATION
of a
BISHOP

 

IV. […] In the first place, therefore, I Peter say, that a bishop to be ordained is to be, as we have already, all of us, appointed, unblameable in all things, a select person, chosen by the whole people, who, when he is named and approved, let the people assemble, with the presbytery and bishops that are present, an the Lord’s day, and let them give their consent.

8.4῞[...] Πρῶτος οὖν ἐγώ φημι Πέτρος ἐπίσκοπον χειροτονεῖσθαι, ὡς ἐν τοῖς προλαβοῦσιν ἅμα πάντες διεταξάμεθα, ἐν πᾶσιν ἄμεμπτον, ἀριστίνδην ὑπὸ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ ἐκλελεγμένον. Οὗ ὀνομασθέντος καὶ ἀρέσαντος συνελθὼν ὁ λαὸς ἅμα τῷ πρεσβυτερίῳ καὶ τοῖς παροῦσιν ἐπισκόποις ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κυριακῇ,

        And let the principal of the bishops ask the presbytery and people whether this be the person whom they desire for their ruler. And if they give their consent, let him ask further whether he has a good testimony from all men as to his worthiness for so great and glorious an authority; whether all things relating to his piety towards God be right; whether justice towards men has been observed by him; whether the affairs of his family have been well ordered by him; whether he has been unblameable in the course of his life.

ὁ πρόκριτος τῶν λοιπῶν ἐρωτάτω τὸ πρεσβυτέριον καὶ τὸν λαόν, εἰ αὐτός ἐστιν, ὃν αἰτοῦνται εἰς ἄρχοντα. Καὶ ἐπινευσάντων προσεπερωτάτω, εἰ μαρτυρεῖται ὑπὸ πάντων ἄξιος εἶναι τῆς μεγάλης ταύτης καὶ λαμπρᾶς ἡγεμονίας, εἰ τὰ κατὰ τὴν εἰς Θεὸν αὐτῷ εὐσέβειαν κατώρθωται, εἰ τὰ πρὸς ἀνθρώπους δίκαια πεφύλακται, εἰ τὰ κατὰ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ καλῶς ᾠκονόμηται, εἰ τὰ κατὰ τὸν βίον ἀνεπιλήπτως.

        And if all the assembly together do according to truth, and not according to prejudice, witness that he is such a one, let them the third time, as before God the Judge, and Christ, the Holy Ghost being also present, as well as all the holy and ministering spirits, ask again whether he be truly worthy of this ministry, that so “in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”

Καὶ πάντων ἅμα κατὰ ἀλήθειαν, ἀλλ' οὐ κατὰ πρόληψιν μαρτυρησάντων τοιοῦτον αὐτὸν εἶναι, ὡς ἐπὶ δικαστῇ Θεῷ καὶ Χριστῷ, παρόντος δηλαδὴ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων καὶ λειτουργικῶν πνευμάτων, ἐκ τρίτου πάλιν πυθέσθωσαν, εἰ ἄξιός ἐστιν ἀληθῶς τῆς λειτουργίας, ἵνα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο ἢ τριῶν μαρτύρων σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα.

        And if they agree the third time that he is worthy, let them all be demanded their vote; and when they all give it willingly, let them be heard. And silence being made, let one of the principal bishops, together with two others, stand near to the altar, the rest of the bishops and presbyters praying silently, and the deacons holding the divine Gospels open upon the head of him that is to be ordained, and say to God thus: —

Καὶ συνθεμένων αὐτῶν ἐκ τρίτου ἄξιον εἶναι, ἀπαιτείσθωσαν οἱ πάντες σύνθημα, καὶ δόντες προθύμως ἀκουέσθωσαν. Καὶ σιωπῆς γενομένης εἷς τῶν πρώτων ἐπισκόπων ἅμα καὶ δυσὶν ἑτέροις πλησίον τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ἑστώς, τῶν λοιπῶν ἐπισκόπων καὶ πρεσβυτέρων σιωπῇ προσευχομένων, τῶν δὲ διακόνων τὰ θεῖα Εὐαγγέλια ἐπὶ τῆς τοῦ χειροτονουμένου κεφαλῆς ἀνεπτυγμένα κατεχόντων, λεγέτω πρὸς Θεόν·

The Form of Prayer
for Episcopal Ordination
.

 

[Oxford Ms.] V. O Thou the great Being, O Lord God Almighty, who alone art unbegotten, and ruled over by none; who always art, and wast before the world; who standest in need of nothing, and art above all cause and beginning; who only art true, who only art wise; who alone art the most high; who art by nature invisible; whose knowledge is without beginning; who only art good, and beyond compare; who knowest all things before they are; who art acquainted with the most secret things; who art inaccessible, and without a superior;

8.5   ὤν, δέσποτα Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ, ὁ μόνος ἀγέννητος καὶ ἀβασίλευτος, ὁ ἀεὶ ὢν καὶ πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων ὑπάρχων, ὁ πάντη ἀνενδεὴς καὶ πάσης αἰτίας καὶ γενέσεως κρείττων, ὁ μόνος ἀληθινός, ὁ μόνος σοφός, ὁ ὢν μόνος ὕψιστος, ὁ τῇ φύσει ἀόρατος, οὗ τὸ εἶναι γνῶσις ἄναρχος, ὁ μόνος ἀγαθὸς καὶ ἀσύγκριτος, ὁ τὰ πάντα εἰδὼς πρὶν γενέσεως αὐτῶν, ὁ τῶν κρυπτῶν γνώστης, ὁ ἀπρόσιτος, ὁ ἀδέσποτος·

the God and Father of Thy only begotten Son, of our God and Saviour; the Creator of the whole world by Him; whose providence provides for and takes the care of all; the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation; who dwellest in the highest heavens, and yet lookest down on things below: Thou who didst appoint the rules of the Church, by the coming of Thy Christ in the flesh; of which the Holy Ghost is the witness, by Thy apostles, and by us the bishops, who by Thy grace are here present;

ὁ Θεὸς καὶ Πατὴρ τοῦ μονογενοῦς Υἱοῦ σου τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν, ὁ δημιουργὸς τῶν ὅλων δι' αὐτοῦ, ὁ προνοητής, ὁ κηδεμών, ὁ Πατὴρ τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν καὶ Θεὸς πάσης παρακλήσεως, ὁ ἐν ὑψηλοῖς κατοικῶν καὶ τὰ ταπεινὰ ἐφορῶν· σὺ ὁ δοὺς ὅρουςἘκκλησίας διὰ τῆς ἐνσάρκου παρουσίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου ὑπὸ μάρτυρι τῷ παρακλήτῳ διὰ τῶν σῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ ἡμῶν διδασκάλων, τῶν χάριτι σῇ παρεστώτων ἐπισκόπων,

who hast fore-ordained priests from the beginning for the government of Thy people—Abel in the first place, Seth and Enos, and Enoch and Noah, and Melchisedec and Job; who didst appoint Abraham, and the rest of the patriarchs, with Thy faithful servants Moses and Aaron, and Eleazar and Phineas; who didst choose from among them rulers and priests in the tabernacle of Thy testimony; who didst choose Samuel for a priest and a prophet; who didst not leave Thy sanctuary without ministers;

ὁ προορίσας ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἱερεῖς εἰς ἐπιστασίαν τοῦ λαοῦ σου,Ἄβελ ἐν πρώτοις, Σὴθ καὶἘνὼς καὶἘνὼχ καὶ Νῶε καὶ Μελχισεδὲκ καὶἸώβ· ὁ ἀναδείξαςἈβραὰμ καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς πατριάρχας σὺν τοῖς πιστοῖς σου θεράπουσιν Μωϋσεῖ καὶἈαρὼν καὶἘλεαζὰρ καὶ Φινεές, ὁ ἐξ αὐτῶν προχειρισάμενος ἄρχοντας καὶ ἱερεῖς ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ὁ τὸν Σαμουὴλ ἐκλεξάμενος εἰς ἱερέα καὶ προφήτην, ὁ τὸ ἁγίασμά σου ἀλειτούργητον μὴ ἐγκαταλιπών,

who didst delight in those whom Thou chosest to be glorified in. Do Thou, by us, pour down the influence of Thy free Spirit, through the mediation of Thy Christ, which is committed to Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ; which He bestowed according to Thy will on the holy apostles of Thee the eternal God.

ὁ εὐδοκήσας ἐν οἷς ᾑρετίσω δοξασθῆναι· αὐτὸς καὶ νῦν μεσιτείᾳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου δι' ἡμῶν ἐπίχεε τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ ἡγεμονικοῦ σου Πνεύματος, ὅπερ διακονεῖται τῷ ἠγαπημένῳ σου παιδὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ, ὅπερ ἐδωρήσατο γνώμῃ σου τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀποστόλοις σου τοῦ αἰωνίου Θεοῦ.

        Grant by Thy name, O God, who searchest the hearts, that this Thy servant, whom Thou hast chosen to be a bishop, may feed Thy holy flock, and discharge the office of an high priest to Thee, and minister to Thee, unblameably night and day; that he may appease Thee, and gather together the number of those that shall be saved, and may offer to Thee the girls of Thy holy Church.

Δὸς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου, καρδιογνῶστα Θεέ, ἐπὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου τόνδε, ὃν ἐξελέξω εἰς ἐπισκοπὴν, ποιμαίνειν τὴν ἁγίαν σου ποίμνην καὶ ἀρχιερατεύειν σοι, ἀμέμπτως λειτουργοῦντα νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας καὶ ἐξιλασκόμενόν σου τὸ πρόσωπον, ἐπισυναγαγεῖν τὸν ἀριθμὸν τῶν σῳζομένων καὶ προσφέρειν σοι τὰ δῶρα τῆς ἁγίας σουἘκκλησίας.

Grant to him, O Lord Almighty, through Thy Christ, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, that so he may have power Δὸς αὐτῷ, δέσποτα παντοκράτορ, διὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου τὴν μετουσίαν τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, ὥστε ἔχειν ἐξουσίαν

[1] to remit sins according to Thy command;

ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν σου,

[2] to distribute portions [give lots] according to Thy command;

διδόναι κλήρους κατὰ τὸ πρόσταγμά σου,

[3] to loose every bond, according to the power which Thou gavest the apostles;

λύειν δὲ πάντα σύνδεσμον κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν, ἣν ἔδωκας τοῖς ἀποστόλοις,
that he may please Thee in meekness and a pure heart, with a steafast, unblameable, and unreprovable mind; εὐαρεστεῖν δέ σοι ἐν πραότητι καὶ καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ, ἀτρέπτως, ἀμέμπτως,

[4] to offer to Thee a pure and unbloody sacrifice,

ἀνεγκλήτως προσφέροντά σοι καθαρὰν καὶ ἀναίμακτον θυσίαν,

          hich by Thy Christ Thou hast appointed as the mystery of the new covenant, for a sweet savour, through Thy holy child Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour, through whom glory, honour, and worship be to Thee in the Holy Spirit, now and always, and for all ages.

ἣν διὰ Χριστοῦ διετάξω, τὸ μυστήριον τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης, εἰς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας διὰ τοῦ ἁγίου Παιδός σουἸησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν, δι' οὗ σοι δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ σέβας ἐν ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

        And when he has prayed for these things, let the rest of the priests add, Amen; and together with them all the people.

Καὶ ταῦτα ἐπευξαμένου οἱ λοιποὶ ἱερεῖς ἐπιλεγέτωσαν·Ἀμήν, καὶ σὺν αὐτοῖς ἅπας ὁ λαός.

 [...] The Form of Prayer for the Faithful.

8.11Ἐπευχέσθω οὖν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ λεγέτω.

        XI. [...] And after this let the deacon say, Let us attend. And let the bishop salute the church, and say, The peace of God be with you all. And let the people answer, And with thy spirit; and let the deacon say to all, Salute ye one another with the holy kiss. And let the clergy salute the bishop, the men of the laity salute the men, the women the women.

Καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο λεγέτω ὁ διάκονος· Πρόσχωμεν. Καὶ ἀσπαζέσθω ὁ ἐπίσκοπος τὴνἘκκλησίαν καὶ λεγέτω·Ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ Θεοῦ μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν. Καὶ ὁ λαὸς ἀποκρινάσθω· Καὶ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματός σου. Καὶ ὁ διάκονος εἰπάτω πᾶσιν·Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ. Καὶ ἀσπαζέσθωσαν οἱ τοῦ κλήρου τὸν ἐπίσκοπον, οἱ λαϊκοὶ ἄνδρες τοὺς λαϊκούς, αἱ γυναῖκες τὰς γυναῖκας.

        And let the children stand at the reading-desk; and let another deacon stand by them, that they may not be disorderly. And let other deacons walk about and watch the men and women, that no tumult may be made, and that no one nod, or whisper, or slumber; and let the deacons stand at the doors of the men, and the sub-deacons at those of the women, that no one go out, nor a door be opened, although it be for one of the faithful, at the the of the oblation.

Τὰ παιδία δὲ στηκέτωσαν πρὸς τῷ βήματι, καὶ διάκονος αὐτοῖς ἕτερος ἔστω ἐφεστώς, ὅπως μὴ ἀτακτῶσιν· καὶ ἄλλοι διάκονοι περιπατείτωσαν καὶ σκοπείτωσαν τοὺς ἄνδρας καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας, ὅπως μὴ θόρυβός τις γένηται καὶ μή τις νεύσῃ ἢ ψιθυρίσῃ ἢ νυστάξῃ. Οἱ δὲ ὑποδιάκονοι ἱστάσθωσαν εἰς τὰς τῶν ἀνδρῶν θύρας καὶ αἱ διάκονοι εἰς τὰς τῶν γυναικῶν, ὅπως μή τις ἐξέλθοι μήτε ἀνοιχθείη ἡ θύρα, κἂν πιστός τις ᾖ, κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν τῆς ἀναφορᾶς.

But let one of the sub-deacons bring water to wash the hands of the priests, which is a symbol of the purity of those souls that are devoted to God.

Εἷς δὲ ὑποδιάκονος διδότω ἀπόρρυψιν χειρῶν τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν, σύμβολον καθαρότητος ψυχῶν Θεῷ ἀνακειμένων.

XII. THE CONSTITUTION OF JAMES THE BROTHER OF JOHN, THE SON OF ZEBEDEE.

 

        And I James, the brother of John, the son of Zebedee, say, that the deacon shall immediately say,

8.12 Φημὶ δὴ κἀγὼἸάκωβος, ὁ ἀδελφὸςἸωάννου τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου, ἵνα εὐθὺς ὁ διάκονος λέγῃ·

        Let none of the catechumens, let none of the hearers, let none of the unbelievers, let none of the heterodox, stay here. You who have prayed the foregoing prayer, depart. Let the mothers receive their children; let no one have anything against any one; let no one come in hypocrisy; let us stand upright before the Lord with fear and trembling, to offer.

Μή τις τῶν κατηχουμένων, μή τις τῶν ἀκροωμένων, μή τις τῶν ἀπίστων, μή τις τῶν ἑτεροδόξων. Οἱ τὴν πρώτην εὐχὴν εὐχόμενοι προσέλθετε· τὰ παιδία προσλαμβάνεσθε, αἱ μητέρες· μή τις κατά τινος, μή τις ἐν ὑποκρίσει· ὀρθοὶ πρὸς Κύριον μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου ἐστῶτες ὦμεν προσφέρειν.

When this is done,

let the deacons bring the gifts to the bishop at the altar;

and let the presbyters stand on his right hand, and on his left, as disciples stand before their Master.

But let two of the deacons, on each side of the altar, hold a fan, made up of thin membranes, or of the feathers of the peacock, or of fine cloth, and let them silently drive away the small animals that fly about, that they may not come near to the cups.

Ων γενομένων οἱ διάκονοι προσαγέτωσαν τὰ δῶρα τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ πρὸς τὸ θυσιαστήριον, καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων στηκέτωσαν, ὡς ἂν μαθηταὶ παρεστῶτες διδασκάλῳ· δύο δὲ διάκονοι ἐξ ἑκατέρων τῶν μερῶν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου κατεχέτωσαν ἐξ ὑμένων λεπτῶν ῥιπίδιον ἢ πτερὸν ταῶνος ἢ ὀθόνης, καὶ ἠρέμα ἀποσοβείτωσαν τὰ μικρὰ τῶν ἱπταμένων ζῴων, ὅπως ἂν μὴ ἐγχρίμπτωνται εἰς τὰ κύπελλα.

Let the high priest, therefore, together with the priests, pray by himself; and let him put on his shining garment, and stand at the altar, and make the sign of the cross upon his forehead with his hand, and say:

Εὐξάμενος οὖν καθ' ἑαυτὸν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς ἅμα τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν καὶ λαμπρὰν ἐσθῆτα μετενδὺς καὶ στὰς πρὸς τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ, τὸ τρόπαιον τοῦ σταυροῦ κατὰ τοῦ μετώπου τῇ χειρὶ ποιησάμενος εἰπ


The grace of Almighty God, and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

Η χάρις τοῦ παντοκράτορος Θεοῦ καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶνἸησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος ἔστω μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.

And let all with one voice say:

And with thy spirit.

Καὶ πάντες συμφώνως λεγέτωσαν, ὅτι·

Καὶ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματός σου.

The high priest:

Lift up your mind.

All the people:

We lift it up unto the Lord.

The high priest:

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

All the people:

It is meet and right so to do.

Καὶ ὁ ἀρχιερεύς·

Ἄνω τὸν νοῦν.

Καὶ πάντες·

Ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν Κύριον.

Καὶ ὁ ἀρχιερεύς·

Εὐχαριστήσωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ.

Καὶ πάντες·

Ἄξιον καὶ δίκαιον

Then let the high priest say: Καὶ ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς εἰπάτω·

It is very meet and fight before all things to sing an hymn to Thee, who art the true God, who art before all beings, “from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named

Αξιον καὶ δίκαιον ὡς ἀληθῶς πρὸ πάντων ἀνυμνεῖν σε τὸν ὄντως ὄντα Θεὸν τὸν πρὸ τῶν γενητῶν ὄντα, ἐξ οὗ πᾶσα πατριὰ ἐν οὐρανοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς ὀνομάζεται,

  [...] And Thou hast not only created the world itself, but hast also made man for a citizen of the world, exhibiting him as the ornament of the world; for Thou didst say to Thy Wisdom: “Let us make man according to our image, and according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowls of the heaven.”

Καὶ οὐ μόνον τὸν κόσμον ἐδημιούργησας, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν κοσμοπολίτην ἄνθρωπον ἐν αὐτῷ ἐποίησας, κόσμου κόσμον αὐτὸν ἀναδείξας· εἶπας γὰρ τῇ σῇ Σοφίᾳ· "Ποιήσωμεν ἄνθρωπον κατ' εἰκόνα ἡμετέραν καὶ καθ' ὁμοίωσιν, καὶ ἀρχέτωσαν τῶν ἰχθύων τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ τῶν πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ."

        Wherefore also Thou hast made him of an immortal soul and of a body liable to dissolution—the former out of nothing, the latter out of the four elements—and hast given him as to his soul rational knowledge, the discerning of piety and impiety, and the observation of right and wrong; and as to his body, Thou hast granted him five senses and progressive motion:

Διὸ καὶ πεποίηκας αὐτὸν ἐκ ψυχῆς ἀθανάτου καὶ σώματος σκεδαστοῦ, τῆς μὲν ἐκ τοῦ μὴ ὄντος, τοῦ δὲ ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων στοιχείων· καὶ δέδωκας αὐτῷ κατὰ μὲν τὴν ψυχὴν τὴν λογικὴν διάγνωσιν, εὐσεβείας καὶ ἀσεβείας διάκρισιν, δικαίου καὶ ἀδίκου παρατήρησιν, κατὰ δὲ τὸ σῶμα τὴν πένταθλον ἐχαρίσω αἴσθησιν καὶ τὴν μεταβατικὴν κίνησιν.

for Thou, O God Almighty, didst by Thy Christ plant a paradise in Eden, in the east, adorned with all plants fit for food, and didst introduce him into it, as into a rich banquet. And when Thou madest him, Thou gavest him a law implanted within him,

Σὺ γάρ, Θεὲ παντοκράτορ, διὰ Χριστοῦ παράδεισον ἐνἘδὲμ κατὰ ἀνατολὰς ἐφύτευσας παντοίων φυτῶν ἐδωδίμων κόσμῳ, καὶ ἐν αὐτῷ, ὡς ἂν ἐν ἑστίᾳ πολυτελεῖ, εἰσήγαγες αὐτὸν καὶ ἐν τῷ ποιεῖν νόμον δέδωκας αὐτῷ ἔμφυτον,

that so he might have at home and within himself the seeds of divine knowledge; and when Thou hadst brought him into the paradise of pleasure, Thou allowedst him the privilege of enjoying all things,

ὅπως οἴκοθεν καὶ παρ' ἑαυτοῦ ἔχοι τὰ σπέρματα τῆς θεογνωσίας. Εἰσαγαγὼν δὲ εἰς τὸν τῆς τρυφῆς παράδεισον, πάντων μὲν ἀνῆκας αὐτῷ τὴν ἐξουσίαν πρὸς μετάληψιν,

only forbidding the tasting of one tree, in hopes of greater blessings; that in case he would keep that command, he might receive the reward of it, which was immortality. But when he neglected that command, and tasted of the forbidden fruit, by the seduction of the serpent and the counsel of his wife, Thou didst justly cast him out of paradise. [...]

ἑνὸς δὲ μόνου τὴν γεῦσιν ἀπεῖπας ἐπ' ἐλπίδι κρειττόνων, ἵνα, ἐὰν φυλάξῃ τὴν ἐντολήν, μισθὸν ταύτης τὴν ἀθανασίαν κομίσηται.Ἀμελήσαντα δὲ τῆς ἐντολῆς καὶ γευσάμενον ἀπηγορευμένου καρποῦ ἀπάτῃ ὄφεως καὶ συμβουλίᾳ γυναικὸς τοῦ μὲν παραδείσου δικαίως ἐξῶσας αὐτόν,

        Being mindful, therefore, of those things that He endured for our sakes, we give Thee thanks, O God Almighty, not in such a manner as we ought, but as we are able, and fulfil His constitution: “For in the same night that He was betrayed, He took bread” in His holy and undefiled hands, and, looking up to Thee His God and Father, “He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, saying,

Μεμνημένοι οὖν ὧν δι' ἡμᾶς ὑπέμεινεν, εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι, Θεὲ παντοκράτορ, οὐχ ὅσον ὀφείλομεν, ἀλλ' ὅσον δυνάμεθα, καὶ τὴν διάταξιν αὐτοῦ πληροῦμεν.Ἐν ᾗ γὰρ νυκτὶ παρεδίδοτο, λαβὼν ἄρτον ταῖς ἁγίαις καὶ ἀμώμοις αὐτοῦ χερσὶν καὶ ἀναβλέψας πρὸς σέ, τὸν Θεὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ Πατέρα, καὶ κλάσας ἔδωκεν τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ εἰπών·

        This is the mystery of the new covenant: take of it, and eat. This is my body, which is broken for many, for the remission of sins.

"Τοῦτο τὸ μυστήριον τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης, λάβετε ἐξ αὐτοῦ, φάγετε, τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ σῶμά μου τὸ περὶ πολλῶν θρυπτόμενον εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.

In like manner also “He took the cup,” and mixed it of wine and water, and sanctified it, and delivered it to them, saying: "Ὡσαύτως καὶ τὸ ποτήριον κεράσας ἐξ οἴνου καὶ ὕδατος καὶ ἁγιάσας ἐπέδωκεν αὐτοῖς λέγων·
Drink ye all of this; for this is my blood which is shed for many, for the remission of sins: do this in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show forth my death until I come.” [...] "Πίετε ἐξ αὐτοῦ πάντες, τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ αἷμά μου τὸ περὶ πολλῶν ἐκχυνόμενον εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν· τοῦτο ποιεῖτε εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν· ὁσάκις γὰρ ἐὰν ἐσθίητε τὸν ἄρτον τοῦτον καὶ πίνητε τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο, τὸν θάνατον τὸν ἐμὸν καταγγέλλετε, ἄχρις οὗ ἂν ἔλθω."

We further offer to Thee also for all those holy persons who have pleased Thee from the beginning of the world—patriarch, prophets, righteous men, apostles, martyrs, confessors, bishops, presbyters, deacons, sub-deacons, readers, singers, virgins, widows, and lay persons, with all whose names Thou knowest. We further offer to Thee for this people, that Thou wilt render them, to the praise of Thy Christ, “a royal priesthood and an holy nation; ”

Ετι προσφέρομέν σοι καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντων τῶν ἀπ' αἰῶνος εὐαρεστησάντων σοι ἁγίων, πατριαρχῶν, προφητῶν, δικαίων, ἀποστόλων, μαρτύρων, ὁμολογητῶν, ἐπισκόπων, πρεσβυτέρων, διακόνων, ὑποδιακόνων, ἀναγνωστῶν, ψαλτῶν, παρθένων, χηρῶν, λαϊκῶν καὶ πάντων ὧν αὐτὸς ἐπίστασαι τὰ ὀνόματα.Ἔτι προσφέρομέν σοι ὑπὲρ τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, ἵνα ἀναδείξῃς αὐτὸν εἰς ἔπαινον τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα, ἔθνος ἅγιον·

   

 Sec. III.—Ordination and Duties of the Clergy.

 


THE ORDINATION
of
PRESBYTERS

 

 

The Constitution of John, Who Was Beloved by the Lord.

 

        XVI. Concerning the ordination of presbyters, I who am loved by the Lord make this constitution for you the bishops:

8.16 Περὶ δὲ χειροτονίας πρεσβυτέρου ἐγὼ ὁ φιλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διατάσσομαι ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐπισκόποις.

        When thou ordainest a presbyter, O bishop, lay thy hand upon his head, in the presence of the presbyters and deacons, and pray, saying:

Πρεσβύτερον χειροτονῶν, ὦ ἐπίσκοπε, τὴν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς ἐπιτίθει αὐτός, τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου παρεστῶτός σοι καὶ τῶν διακόνων, καὶ εὐχόμενος λέγε·

        O Lord Almighty, our God, who hast created all things by Christ, and dost in like manner take care of the whole world by Him; for He who had power to make different creatures, has also power to take care of them, according to their different natures; on which account, O God, Thou takest care of immortal beings by bare preservation, but of those that are mortal by succession—of the soul by the provision of laws, of the body by the supply of its wants. Do Thou therefore now also look down upon Thy holy Church, and increase the same, and multiply those that preside in it, and grant them power, that they may labour both in word and work for the edification of Thy people.

Κύριε παντοκράτορ, ὁ βασιλεὺς ἡμῶν ὁ διὰ Χριστοῦ τὰ πάντα δημιουργήσας, πρὸ δὲ πάντων αὐτὸν ὑποστησάμενος καὶ δι' αὐτοῦ τῶν ὅλων προνοῶν καταλλήλως· ᾧ γὰρ δύναμις διάφορα ποιῆσαι, τούτῳ δύναμις καὶ διαφόρως προνοῆσαι· δι' αὐτοῦ γάρ, ὁ Θεός, προνοεῖς τῶν μὲν ἀθανάτων φυλακῇ μόνῃ, τῶν δὲ θνητῶν διαδοχῇ, τῆς ψυχῆς φροντίδι νόμων, τοῦ σώματος ἀναπληρώσει τῆς ἐνδείας· αὐτὸς οὖν καὶ νῦν ἐπίβλεψον ἐπὶ τὴν ἁγίαν σουἘκκλησίαν καὶ αὔξησον αὐτήν, καὶ πλήθυνον τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ προεστῶτας καὶ δὸς δύναμιν πρὸς τὸ κοπιᾶν αὐτοὺς λόγῳ καὶ ἔργῳ πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ λαοῦ σου.

        Do Thou now also look down upon this Thy servant, who is put into the presbytery by the vote and determination of the whole clergy; and do Thou replenish him with the Spirit of grace and counsel, to assist and govern Thy people with a pure heart, in the same manner as Thou didst look down upon Thy chosen people, and didst command Moses to choose elders, whom Thou didst fill with Thy Spirit.

Αὐτὸς καὶ νῦν ἔπιδε ἐπὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου τοῦτον τὸν ψήφῳ καὶ κρίσει τοῦ κλήρου παντὸς εἰς πρεσβυτέριον ἐπιδοθέντα, καὶ ἔμπλησον αὐτὸν Πνεῦμα χάριτος καὶ συμβουλίας τοῦ ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι καὶ συγκυβερνᾶν τὸν λαόν σου ἐν καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ, ὃν τρόπον ἐπεῖδες ἐπὶ λαὸν ἐκλογῆς σου καὶ προσέταξας Μωϋσεῖ αἱρήσασθαι πρεσβυτέρους, οὓς ἐνέπλησας Πνεύματος.

        Do Thou also now, O Lord, grant this, and preserve in us the Spirit of Thy grace, that this person, being filled with the gifts of healing and the word of teaching, may in meekness instruct Thy people, and sincerely serve Thee with a pure mind and a willing soul, and may fully discharge the holy ministrations for Thy people, through Thy Christ, with whom glory, honour, and worship be to Thee, and to the Holy Ghost, for ever. Amen.

Καὶ νῦν, Κύριε, παράσχου ἀνελλιπὲς τηρῶν ἐν ἡμῖν τὸ Πνεῦμα τῆς χάριτός σου, ὅπως, πλησθεὶς ἐνεργημάτων ἰαματικῶν καὶ λόγου διδακτικοῦ, ἐν πραότητι παιδεύῃ σου τὸν λαὸν καὶ δουλεύῃ σοι εἰλικρινῶς ἐν καθαρᾷ διανοίᾳ καὶ ψυχῇ θελούσῃ, καὶ τὰς ὑπὲρ τοῦ λαοῦ σου ἱερουργίας ἀμώμως ἐκτελῇ, διὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου, δι' οὗ σοὶ δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ σέβας ἐν ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.

   


THE ORDINATION
of
DEACONS

 

 

The Constitution of Philip.

 

        XVII. Concerning the ordination of deacons, I Philip make this constitution: Thou shalt appoint a deacon, O bishop, by laying thy hands upon him in the presence of the whole presbytery, and of the deacons, and shall pray, and say:—

8.17 Περὶ δὲ χειροτονίας διακόνου ἐγὼ Φίλιππος διατάσσομαι. Διάκονον καταστήσεις, ὦ ἐπίσκοπε, ἐπιθεὶς αὐτῷ τὰς χεῖρας, παρεστῶτός σοι παντὸς τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου καὶ τῶν διακόνων, καὶ ἐπευξάμενος ἐρεῖς·

The Form of Prayer for the Ordination of a Deacon.

 

        XVIII. O God Almighty, the true and faithful God, who art rich unto all that call upon Thee in truth, who art fearful in counsels, and wise in understanding, who art powerful and great, hear our prayer, O Lord, and let Thine ears receive our supplication, and “cause the light of Thy countenance to shine upon this Thy servant,” who is to be ordained for Thee to the office of a deacon; and replenish him with Thy Holy Spirit, and with power, as Thou didst replenish Stephen, who was Thy martyr, and follower of the sufferings of Thy Christ. Do Thou render him worthy to discharge acceptably the ministration of a deacon, steadily, unblameably, and without reproof, that thereby he may attain an higher degree, through the mediation of Thy only begotten Son, with whom glory, honour, and worship be to Thee and the Holy Spirit for ever. Amen.

8.18 Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ, ὁ ἀληθινὸς καὶ ἀψευδής, ὁ πλουτῶν εἰς πάντας τοὺς ἐπικαλουμένους σε ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, ὁ φοβερὸς ἐν βουλαῖς, ὁ σοφὸς διανοίᾳ, ὁ κραταιὸς καὶ μέγας· εἰσάκουσον προσευχῆς ἡμῶν, Κύριε, καὶ ἐνώτισαι τὴν δέησιν ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐπίφανον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἐπὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου τόνδε, τὸν προχειριζόμενόν σοι εἰς διακονίαν, καὶ πλῆσον αὐτὸν Πνεύματος καὶ δυνάμεως, ὡς ἔπλησας Στέφανον τὸν πρωτομάρτυρα καὶ μιμητὴν τῶν παθημάτων τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου· καὶ καταξίωσον αὐτόν, εὐαρέστως λειτουργήσαντα τὴν ἐγχειρισθεῖσαν αὐτῷ διακονίαν ἀτρέπτως, ἀμέμπτως, ἀνεγκλήτως, μείζονος ἀξιωθῆναι βαθμοῦ, διὰ τῆς μεσιτείας τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου, τοῦ μονογενοῦς Υἱοῦ σου, δι' οὗ σοὶ δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ σέβας ἐν ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.


THE APPOINTMENT
of a
DEACONESS

 

 

XIX. Concerning a deaconess, I Bartholomew make this constitution: O bishop, thou shalt lay thy hands upon her in the presence of the presbytery, and of the deacons and deaconesses, and shall say:—

8.19 Περὶ δὲ διακονίσσης Βαρθολομαῖος διατάσσομαι.Ὦ ἐπίσκοπε, ἐπιθήσεις αὐτῇ τὰς χεῖρας, παρεστῶτος τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου καὶ τῶν διακόνων καὶ τῶν διακονισσῶν, καὶ ἐρεῖς·

The Form of Prayer for the Appointment of a Deaconess.

 

XX. O Eternal God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of man and of woman, who didst replenish with the Spirit Miriam, and Deborah, and Anna, and Huldah; who didst not disdain that Thy only begotten Son should be born of a woman; who also in the tabernacle of the testimony, and in the temple, didst appoint  women to be keepers of Thy holy gates,—do Thou now also look down upon this Thy servant, who is to be appointed to the office of a deaconess, and grant her Thy Holy Spirit, and “cleanse her from all filthiness of flesh and spirit,” that she may worthily discharge the work which is committed to her to Thy glory, and the praise of Thy Christ, with whom glory and adoration be to Thee and the Holy Spirit for ever. Amen.

8.20Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ αἰώνιος, ὁ Πατὴρ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶνἸησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ ἀνδρὸς καὶ γυναικὸς δημιουργός, ὁ πληρώσας Πνεύματος Μαριὰμ καὶ Δεββῶραν καὶἌνναν καὶὈλδάν, ὁ μὴ ἀπαξιώσας τὸν μονογενῆ σου Υἱὸν γεννηθῆναι ἐκ γυναικός, ὁ καὶ ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ ἐν τῷ ναῷ προχειρισάμενος τὰς φρουρὰς τῶν ἁγίων σου πυλῶν· αὐτὸς καὶ νῦν ἔπιδε ἐπὶ τὴν δούλην σου τήνδε τὴν προχειριζομένην εἰς διακονίαν, καὶ δὸς αὐτῇ Πνεῦμα ἅγιον καὶ καθάρισον αὐτὴν ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος πρὸς τὸ ἐπαξίως ἐπιτελεῖν αὐτὴν τὸ ἐγχειρισθὲν αὐτῇ ἔργον εἰς δόξαν σὴν καὶ ἔπαινον τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου, δι' οὗ σοὶ δόξα καὶ προσκύνησις ἐν ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.


THE ORDINATION
 of a
SUBDEACON

 

 

        XXI. Concerning the sub-deacons, I Thomas make this constitution for you the bishops: When thou dost ordain a sub-deacon, O bishop, thou shalt lay thy hands upon him, and say: O Lord God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things that are therein; who also in the tabernacle of the testimony didst appoint overseers and keepers of Thy holy vessels; do Thou now look down upon this Thy servant, appointed a sub-deacon; and grant him the Holy Spirit, that he may worthily handle the vessels of Thy ministry, and do Thy will always, through Thy Christ, with whom glory, honour, and worship be to Thee and to the Holy Spirit for ever. Amen.

8.21 Περὶ δὲ ὑποδιακόνων ἐγὼ Θωμᾶς διατάσσομαι ὑμῖν τοῖς ἐπισκόποις.Ὑποδιάκονον χειροτονῶν, ὦ ἐπίσκοπε, ἐπιθήσεις ἐπ' αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας καὶ ἐρεῖς· Δέσποτα ὁ Θεός, οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς δημιουργὲ καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς, ὁ καὶ ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου τοὺς νεωκόρους ἀναδείξας τῶν ἁγίων σου σκευῶν φύλακας· αὐτὸς καὶ νῦν ἐπίβλεψον ἐπὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου τόνδε, τὸν προχειρισθέντα ὑποδιάκονον, καὶ δὸς αὐτῷ Πνεῦμα ἅγιον πρὸς τὸ ἐπαξίως ἐφάπτεσθαι τῶν λειτουργικῶν σου σκευῶν καὶ ποιεῖν τὸ θέλημά σου διαπαντὸς διὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ σου, δι' οὗ σοι δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ σέβας ἐν ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.


THE APPOINTMENT
of a
LECTOR

 

 

        XXII. Concerning readers, I Matthew, also callled Levi, who was once a tax-gatherer, make a constitution: Appoint a reader by laying thy hands upon him, and pray unto God, and say: O Eternal God, who art plenteous in mercy and compassions, who hast made manifest the constitution of the world by Thy operations therein, and keepest the number of Thine elect, do Thou also now look down upon Thy servant, who is to be entrusted to read Thy Holy Scriptures to Thy people, and give him Thy Holy Spirit, the prophetic Spirit. Thou who didst instruct Esdras Thy servant to read Thy laws to the people, do Thou now also at our prayers instruct Thy servant, and grant that he may without blame perfect the work committed to him, and thereby be declared worthy of an higher degree, through Christ, with whom glory and worship be to Thee and to the Holy Ghost for ever. Amen.

8.22 Περὶ δὲ ἀναγνωστῶν ἐγὼ Ματθαῖος ὁ καὶ Λευὶς ὅ ποτε τελώνης διατάσσομαι.Ἀναγνώστην προχείρισαι ἐπιθεὶς αὐτῷ τὴν χεῖρα, καὶ ἐπευξάμενος πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν λέγε·Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ αἰώνιος, ὁ πολὺς ἐν ἐλέει καὶ οἰκτιρμοῖς, ὁ τὴν τοῦ κόσμου σύστασιν διὰ τῶν ἐνεργουμένων φανεροποιήσας καὶ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν σου ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ κόσμῳ διαφυλάττων· αὐτὸς καὶ νῦν ἔπιδε ἐπὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου τὸν ἐγχειριζόμενον τὰς ἁγίας σου γραφὰς ἀναγινώσκειν τῷ λαῷ σου, καὶ δὸς αὐτῷ Πνεῦμα ἅγιον, πνεῦμα προφητικόν.Ὁ σοφίσαςἜσδραν τὸν θεράποντά σου ἐπὶ τὸ ἀναγινώσκειν τοὺς νόμους σου τῷ λαῷ σου, καὶ νῦν παρακαλούμενος ὑφ' ἡμῶν σόφισον τὸν δοῦλόν σου καὶ δὸς αὐτῷ, ἀκατάγνωστον διανύσαντα τὸ ἐγχειρισθὲν αὐτῷ ἔργον, ἄξιον ἀναδειχθῆναι μείζονος βαθμοῦ διὰ Χριστοῦ, δι' οὗ σοὶ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ σέβας ἐν ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.


CONCERNING
CONFESORS

 

 

        XXIII. And I James, the son of Alphaeus, make a constitution in regard to confessors: A confessor is not ordained; 8.23Ἰάκωβος δὲ ὁἈλφαίου κἀγὼ διατάσσομαι περὶ ὁμολογητῶν.Ὁμολογητὴς οὐ χειροτονεῖται,
for he is so by choice and patience, and is worthy of great honour, as having confessed the name of God, and of His Christ, before nations and kings. γνώμης γὰρ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπομονῆς· τιμῆς δὲ μεγάλης ἐπάξιος ὡς ὁμολογήσας τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον ἐθνῶν καὶ βασιλέων.

But if there be occasion, he is to be ordained either a bishop, presbyter, or deacon. But if any one of the confessors who is not ordained snatches to himself any such dignity upon account of his confession, let the same person be deprived and rejected; for he is not in such an office, since he has denied the constitution of Christ, and is “worse than an infidel.”

Ἐὰν δὲ χρεία αὐτοῦ ᾖ εἰς ἐπίσκοπον ἢ πρεσβύτερον ἢ διάκονον, χειροτονεῖται. Εἰ δέ τις ὁμολογητὴς μὴ χειροτονηθεὶς ἁρπάσῃ ἑαυτῷ ἀξίωμά τι τοιοῦτον ὡς διὰ τὴν ὁμολογίαν, ὁ τοιοῦτος καθαιρείσθω καὶ ἀποβαλλέσθω· οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν, ἐπείπερ ἤρνηται τὴν Χριστοῦ διάταξιν, καὶ ἔστιν ἀπίστου χείρων.


VIRGINS

 

        XXIV. I, the same, make a constitution in regard to virgins: A virgin is not ordained, for we have no such command from the Lord; for this is a state of voluntary trial, not for the reproach of marriage, but an account of leisure for piety.

8.24  Ὁ αὐτὸς περὶ παρθένων. Παρθένος οὐ χειροτονεῖται, ἐπιταγὴν γὰρ Κυρίου οὐκ ἔχομεν· γνώμης γάρ ἐστι τὸ ἔπαθλον, οὐκ ἐπὶ διαβολῇ τοῦ γάμου, ἀλλ' ἐπὶ σχολῇ τῆς εὐσεβείας.

 

 

 CONCERNING
WIDOWS

 

        XXV. And I Lebbaeus, surnamed Thaddaeus, make this constitution in regard to widows: A widow is not ordained; yet if she has lost her husband a great while, and has lived soberly and unblameably, and has taken extraordinary care of her family, as Judith and Anna —those women of great reputation—let her be chosen into the order of widows. But if she has lately lost her yoke fellow, let her not be believed, but let her youth be judged of by the time; for the affections do sometimes grow aged with men, if they be not restrained by a better bridle.

8.25 Κἀγὼ Λεββαῖος ὁ ἐπικληθεὶς Θαδδαῖος τάδε περὶ χηρῶν διατάσσομαι. Χήρα οὐ χειροτονεῖται, ἀλλ' εἰ μὲν ἐκ πολλοῦ ἀπέβαλεν τὸν ἄνδρα καὶ σωφρόνως καὶ ἀκαταγνώστως ἔζησεν καὶ τῶν οἰκείων ἄριστα ἐπεμελήθη, ὡςἸουδὶθ καὶἌννα αἱ σεμνόταται, κατατασσέσθω εἰς τὸ χηρικόν. Εἰ δὲ νεωστὶ ἀπέβαλεν τὸν ὁμόζυγον, μὴ πιστευέσθω, ἀλλὰ χρόνῳ νεότης κρινέσθω· τὰ γὰρ πάθη ἔσθ' ὅτε καὶ συγγηρᾷ ἀνθρώποις, μὴ ὑπὸ κρείττονος χαλινοῦ εἰργόμενα.

CONCERNING
EXORCISTS

 

        XXVI. I the same make a constitution in regard to an exorcist. An exorcist is not ordained. For it is a trial of voluntary goodness, and of the grace of God through Christ by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For he who has received the gift of healing is declared by revelation from God, the grace which is in him being manifest to all. But if there be occasion for him, he must be ordained a bishop, or a presbyter, or a deacon.

8.26 Περὶ ἐπορκιστῶν ὁ αὐτός.Ἐπορκιστὴς οὐ χειροτονεῖται, εὐνοίας γὰρ ἑκουσίου τὸ ἔπαθλον καὶ χάριτος Θεοῦ διὰ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφοιτήσει τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος· ὁ γὰρ λαβὼν χάρισμα ἰαμάτων δι' ἀποκαλύψεως ὑπὸ Θεοῦ ἀναδείκνυται, φανερᾶς οὔσης πᾶσιν τῆς ἐν αὐτῷ χάριτος.Ἐὰν δὲ χρεία αὐτοῦ γένηται εἰς ἐπίσκοπον ἢ πρεσβύτερον ἢ διάκονον, χειροτονεῖται.

Concerning the Number Necessary for the Ordination of a Bishop.

 

        XXVII. And I Simon the Canaanite make a constitution to determine by how many a bishop ought to be elected. Let a bishop be ordained by three or two bishops; but if any one be ordained by one bishop, let him be deprived, both himself and he that ordained him. But if there be a necessity that he have only one to ordain him, because more bishops cannot come together, as in time of persecution, or for such like causes, let him bring the suffrage of permission from more bishops.

8.27 Σίμων δὲ ὁ Καναναῖος κἀγὼ διατάσσομαι ὑμῖν, ὑπὸ πόσων ὀφείλει χειροτονεῖσθαι ὁ ἐπίσκοπος.Ἐπίσκοπος ὑπὸ τριῶν ἢ δύο ἐπισκόπων χειροτονείσθω· ἐὰν δέ τις ὑπὸ ἑνὸς χειροτονηθῇ ἐπισκόπου, καθαιρείσθω καὶ αὐτὸς καὶ ὁ χειροτονήσας.Ἐὰν δὲ ἀνάγκη ὑπὸ ἑνὸς καταλάβῃ χειροτονηθῆναι διὰ τὸ μὴ δύνασθαι πλείονας παραγενέσθαι, διωγμοῦ ὄντος ἢ ἄλλης τοιαύτης αἰτίας, ψήφισμα κομιζέτω τῆς ἐπιτροπῆς πλειόνων ἐπισκόπων.

THE OFFICES and FUNCTIONS
of T
HE ORDAINED
and
APPOINTED

 

     A BISHOP blesses, but does not receive the blessing. He lays on hands, ordains, offers, receives the blessing from bishops, but by no means from presbyters. A bishop deprives any clergyman who deserves deprivation, excepting a bishop; for of himself he has not power to do that. 8.28  Ὁ αὐτὸς περὶ κανόνων.Ἐπίσκοπος εὐλογεῖ, οὐκ εὐλογεῖται· χειροτονεῖ, χειροθετεῖ, προσφέρει· εὐλογίαν παρὰ ἐπισκόπου λαμβάνει, παρὰ δὲ πρεσβυτέρων οὐδαμῶς.Ἐπίσκοπος καθαιρεῖ πάντα κληρικὸν ἄξιον ὄντα καθαιρέσεως πλὴν ἐπισκόπου· μόνος γὰρ οὐχ οἷός τε.
      A PRESBYTER blesses, but does not receive the blessing; yet does he receive the blessing from the bishop or a fellow-presbyter. In like manner does he give it to a fellow-presbyter. He lays on hands, but does not ordain; he does not deprive, but he does exclude [separate/appoint] those that are under him, if they be liable to such a punishment. Πρεσβύτερος εὐλογεῖ, οὐκ εὐλογεῖται, εὐλογίας δέχεται παρὰ ἐπισκόπου καὶ συμπρεσβυτέρου, ὡσαύτως ἐπιδίδωσιν συμπρεσβυτέρῳ· χειροθετεῖ, οὐ χειροτονεῖ, οὐ καθαιρεῖ, ἀφορίζει δὲ τοὺς ὑποβεβηκότας, ἐὰν ὦσιν ὑπεύθυνοι τῇ τοιαύτῃ τιμωρίᾳ.
     A DEACON does not bless, does not give the blessing, but receives it from the bishop and presbyter: he does not baptize, he does not offer; but when a bishop or presbyter has offered, he distributes to the people, not as a priest, but as one that ministers to the priests. But it is not lawful for any one of the other clergy to do the work of a deacon. Διάκονος οὐκ εὐλογεῖ· οὐ δίδωσιν εὐλογίαν, λαμβάνει δὲ παρὰ ἐπισκόπου καὶ πρεσβυτέρου· οὐ βαπτίζει, οὐ προσφέρει· τοῦ δὲ ἐπισκόπου προσενεγκόντος ἢ τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου, αὐτὸς ἐπιδίδωσιν τῷ λαῷ, οὐχ ὡς ἱερεύς, ἀλλ' ὡς διακονούμενος ἱερεῦσιν. Τῶν τε ἄλλων κληρικῶν τὸ τοῦ διακόνου ἔργον ποιῆσαι οὐδενὶ ἐξόν.
     A DEACONESS does not bless, nor perform anything belonging to the office of presbyters or deacons, but only is to keep the doors, and to minister to the presbyters in the baptizing of women, on account of decency. Διακόνισσα οὐκ εὐλογεῖ, ἀλλ' οὐδέ τι ὧν ποιοῦσιν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἢ οἱ διάκονοι ἐπιτελεῖ, ἀλλ' ἢ τοῦ φυλάττειν τὰς θύρας καὶ ἐξυπηρετεῖσθαι τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις ἐν τῷ βαπτίζεσθαι τὰς γυναῖκας διὰ τὸ εὐπρεπές.
     A DEACON excludes [separate/appoint] a sub-deacon, a reader, a singer, and a deaconess, if there be any occasion, in the absence of a presbyter. Διάκονος ἀφορίζει ὑποδιάκονον, ἀναγνώστην, ψάλτην, διακόνισσαν, ἐὰν ᾖ τι τοιοῦτον μὴ παρόντος πρεσβυτέρου

     It is not lawful for a sub-deacon to exclude [separate/appoint] either one of the clergy or laity; nor for a reader, nor for a singer, nor for a deaconess, for they are the ministers to the deacons.

Ὑποδιακόνῳ οὐκ ἔξεστιν ἀφορίσαι, οὔτε μὴν ἀναγνώστῃ οὔτε ψάλτῃ οὔτε διακονίσσῃ, οὐ κληρικόν, οὐ λαϊκόν· ὑπηρέται γάρ εἰσιν διακόνων.

 

 

Sec. IV.—Certain Prayers and Laws.

 

THE BLESSING
of 
WATER and OIL

 

XXIX. Concerning the water and the oil, I Matthias make a constitution. Let the bishop bless the water, or the oil. But if he be not there, let the presbyter bless it, the deacon standing by. But if the bishop be present, let the presbyter and deacon stand by, and let him say thus: O Lord of hosts, the God of powers, the creator of the waters, and the supplier of oil, who art compassionate, and a lover of mankind, who hast given water for drink and for cleansing, and oil to give man a cheerful and joyful countenance; do Thou now also sanctify this water and this oil through Thy Christ, in the name of him or her that has offered them, and grant them a power to restore health, to drive away diseases, to banish demons, and to disperse all snares through Christ our hope, with whom glory, honour, and worship be to Thee, and to the Holy Ghost, for ever. Amen.

8.29 Περὶ δὲ ὕδατος καὶ ἐλαίου ἐγὼ Ματθαῖος διατάσσομαι. Εὐλογείτω ὁ ἐπίσκοπος τὸ ὕδωρ ἤτοι τὸ ἔλαιον· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ παρῇ, εὐλογείτω ὁ πρεσβύτερος, παρεστῶτος τοῦ διακόνου· ἐπὰν δὲ ὁ ἐπίσκοπος παρῇ, παριστάσθω πρεσβύτερος καὶ διάκονος. Λεγέτω δὲ οὕτως· Κύριε Σαβαώθ, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν δυνάμεων, κτίστα τῶν ὑδάτων καὶ χορηγὲ τοῦ ἐλαίου, οἰκτίρμον καὶ φιλάνθρωπε, ὁ δοὺς τὸ ὕδωρ πρὸς πόσιν καὶ κάθαρσιν, καὶ ἔλαιον τοῦ ἱλαρῦναι πρόσωπον εἰς ἀγαλλίαμα εὐφροσύνης· αὐτὸς καὶ νῦν διὰ Χριστοῦ ἁγίασον τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦτο καὶ τὸ ἔλαιον ἐπ' ὀνόματι τοῦ προσκομίσαντος ἢ τῆς προσκομισάσης, καὶ δὸς δύναμιν ὑγείας ἐμποιητικήν, νόσων ἀπελαστικήν, δαιμόνων φυγαδευτικήν, οἴκου φυλακτικὴν, πάσης ἐπιβουλῆς διωκτικὴν διὰ Χριστοῦ τῆς ἐλπίδος ἡμῶν, δι' οὗ σοὶ δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ σέβας ἐν ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.

FIRST-FRUITS
and TITHES

 

        XXX. I the same make a constitution in regard to first-fruits and tithes. Let all first-fruits be brought to the bishop, and to the presbyters. and to the deacons, for their maintenance; but let all the tithe be for the maintenance of the rest of the clergy, and of the virgins and widows, and of those under the trial of poverty. For the first-fruits belong to the priests, and to those deacons that minister to them.

8.30  Ὁ αὐτὸς περὶ ἀπαρχῶν καὶ δεκατῶν.Ἔτι προστάσσω, πᾶσαν ἀπαρχὴν προσκομίζεσθαι τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ καὶ τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις καὶ τοῖς διακόνοις εἰς διατροφὴν αὐτῶν, πᾶσαν δὲ δεκάτην προσφέρεσθαι εἰς διατροφὴν τῶν λοιπῶν κληρικῶν καὶ τῶν παρθένων καὶ τῶν χηρῶν καὶ τῶν ἐν πενίᾳ ἐξεταζομένων· αἱ γὰρ ἀπαρχαὶ τῶν ἱερέων εἰσὶν καὶ τῶν αὐτοῖς ἐξυπηρετουμένων διακόνων.

CONCERNING
REMAINING ALMS

 

        XXXI. I the same make a constitution in regard to remainders. Those alms [offerings-eulogies] which remain at the mysteries, let the deacons distribute them among the clergy, according to the mind of the bishop or the presbyters: to a bishop; four parts; to a presbyter, three parts; to a deacon, two parts; and to the rest of the sub-deacons, or readers, or singers, or deaconesses, one part. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, that every one be honoured according to his dignity; for the Church is the school, not of confusion, but of good order.

8.31  Ὁ αὐτὸς περὶ περισσευμάτων. Τὰς περισσευούσας ἐν τοῖς μυστικοῖς εὐλογίας κατὰ γνώμην τοῦ ἐπισκόπου ἢ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων οἱ διάκονοι διανεμέτωσαν τῷ κλήρῳ, τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ μέρη τέσσαρα, πρεσβυτέρῳ μέρη τρία, διακόνῳ μέρη δύο, τοῖς δὲ ἄλλοις, ὑποδιακόνοις ἢ ἀναγνώσταις ἢ ψάλταις ἢ διακονίσσαις, μέρος ἕν. Τοῦτο γὰρ καλὸν καὶ ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἕκαστον τιμᾶσθαι κατὰ τὴν αὐτοῦ ἀξίαν· ἡ γὰρἘκκλησία οὐκ ἀταξίας, ἀλλ' εὐταξίας ἐστὶ διδασκαλεῖον.

 

 


xcxxcxxc  F ” “ This Webpage was created for a workshop held at Saint Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, California in 1990....x....   “”.