Library › Testament of Our Lord
Testament of Our Lord
tr. Cooper and Maclean, 1902
19. Book II, Chapter 19
Of the Deacons who Go and Pass Among Women, Lest there be Disorderly Young Children1
Let the readers assist them. Similarly also the subdeacons. Let them not allow them to sleep.2 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 blessings3 from the bread which is broken.
When the faithful are dismissed, let them go in order and knowledge to their houses. In their feasts4 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 virgins5 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 virgins5 who are ready for marriage go, cleaving to their mothers. This is thus fitting.
Notes
- Lit.: babes (see p. 178).
- Lit.: nod.
- εὐλογίαι translated; B.: a blessing.
- The Agapé?—B.: in a feast.
- Fem.