The Testament of Our Lord

II. 19

OF THE DEACONS WHO GO AND PASS AMONG WOMEN, LEST THERE BE DISORDERLY YOUNG CHILDREN °

Let the readers assist them. Similarly also the subdeacons. Let them not allow them to sleep.’ For that night is a figure of the kingdom, and especially that of the Saturday.

Those who labour and work, let them work § till midnight. Let the catechumens first be dismissed, having received blessings ® from the bread which is broken. 1B.: flower. 2 Of. Acts xv. 29. 3 Lit.: thick ; or: well filled. 4 Lit.: dense. » evorabys translated. 8 Lit.: babes (see p. 178). 7 Lit.: nod. 8M.: weep. 5 evAoyla translated ; B.: a blessing. When the faithful are dismissed, let them go in order’

and knowledge to their houses. In their feasts? let them not

forget the prayers. Let the priests not abbreviate their ministrations. Let the women go, each one cleaving to her husband. Let the widows stay till dawn in the temple, having food

there. Let the virgins? abide together in the temple, and let the

bishop help and provide for them, and let the deacons minister

to them.* Let the presbyteresses stay with the bishop till dawn,

praying and resting. Similarly also those who were lately baptized. Let virgins? who are ready for marriage go, cleaving to

their mothers. This is thus fitting.

CHAPTER 205 Let the bishop command that they proclaim ® that no one

taste anything until the Offering is completed. And the whole

body of the Church shall receive a new food. Then in the

evening” let those who are to be® baptized be baptized, after

one lection. But if any one before he approacheth and receiveth of

the Eucharist ® eat something else, he sinneth and his fast is

not reckoned to him. When the catechumens are dismissed, let a hand be laid

on them. If a faithful because of sickness remain [away], let the deacon carry the Offering to him. If any one be a presbyter who cannot come, let a presbyter carry [it] to him. Similarly if a woman be pregnant [and] sick, and cannot fast these two days, let her fast that ?° one day," taking on the first [day] bread and water. And if she cannot come, let a deaconess carry [the Offering] to her.