Testament of Our Lord

tr. Cooper and Maclean, 1902

36. Book I, Chapter 36

Let the deacon be such as this, so that he may appear with fear and modesty and reverence. With regard to fervour of spirit,¹ let him have a perfect manner of life. Let him observe and look at those who come into the house of the sanctuary. Let him investigate who they are, so that he may know if they are lambs or wolves. And when he asketh, let him bring in him that is worthy, lest, if a spy enter, the liberty of the Church be searched out,² and his sin be on his head.

If any one come late to the [service of] praise, either when that of the dawn is being said or when the Offering is being offered, whoever he be, let him remain outside, and let not the deacon bring him in,—for it³ is a type of the day of judgment⁴ which is to come,—lest by the noise of the entrance there be distraction to those who are praying. But when he cometh and findeth that the door is shut,⁴ let him not knock, because of what hath been said already.

But after the hymn of praise which is placed first is finished, let the faithful man or faithful woman enter. Let the deacon say, either, Over the offering: or, For⁵ the hymn of praise, let us beseech that the Lord may write our supplication in the book of life, and [that] God who [is] for ever may remember us in His holy habitations of light. For⁶ [this] brother who is late, let us beseech that the Lord may give him earnestness and labour, and turn away from him every bond of this world, and give him the will of affection and love and hope.

Similarly also for⁷ a sister or for⁷ a deaconess, for⁷ those who are⁸ late or remain⁹ outside, let him admonish¹⁰ that all the people may beseech for them. For thus when a deacon mentioneth and admonisheth about them,¹¹ earnestness is strengthened and the bond of love¹² is fulfilled, and the despiser and the slothful is disciplined.

Notes

B.: because he is the shewing forth (or example) of the Spirit. Rom. xii. 11.
I.e. attacked.
Or: he.
St. Matt. xxv. 12.
Or: with regard to, as in Chap. 35.
Or: with regard to.
Or: with regard to.
Lit.: were.
Lit.: remained.
Lit.: make known.
Masculine (i.e. both sexes).
Cf. Col. iii. 14.