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The Apostolic Constitutions

Anonymous · c. 375–400 AD

6h 42m read
Nicene

A late fourth-century Syrian compilation in eight books of earlier church orders, covering moral instruction, clerical duties, liturgical practice, and concluding with the Apostolic Canons and an ancient form of the divine liturgy.

Table of Contents

1Concerning the Laity1Sec. I.—General Commandments2Sec. II.—Commandments to Men3Sec. III.—Commandments to Women2Of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons1Sec. I.—On Examining Candidates for the Episcopal Office2Sec. II.—On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop3Sec. III.—How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the Penitent4Sec. IV.—On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of the Clergy, and the Relief of the Poor5Sec. V.—On Accusations, and the Treatment of Accusers6Sec. VI.—The Disputes of the Faithful to Be Settled by the Decisions of the Bishop, and the Faithful to Be Reconciled7Sec. VII.—On Assembling in the Church8Sec. VIII.—On the Duty of Working for a Livelihood3Book III1Sec. I.—Concerning Widows2Sec. II.—On Deacons and Deaconesses, the Rest of the Clergy, and on Baptism4Book IV1Sec. I.—On Helping the Poor2Sec. II.—On Domestic and Social Life5Book V1Sec. I.—Concerning the Martyrs2Sec. II.—All Association with Idols is to Be Avoided3Sec. III.—On Feast Days and Fast Days6Book VI1Sec. I.—On Heresies2Sec. II.—History and Doctrines of Heresies3Sec. III.—The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles4Sec. IV.—Of the Law5Sec. V.—The Teaching of the Apostles in Opposition to Jewish and Gentile Superstitions, Especially in Regard to Marriage and Funerals6Sec. VI.—Conclusion of the Work7Concerning the Christian Life, and the Eucharist, and the Initiation into Christ1Sec. I.—On the Two Ways,—The Way of Life and the Way of Death2Sec. II.—On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving of Thanks to God3Sec. III.—On the Instruction of Catechumens, and Their Initiation into Baptism4Sec. IV.—Enumeration Ordained by Apostles5Sec. V.—Daily Prayers8Concerning Gifts, and Ordinations, and the Ecclesiastical Canons1Sec. I.—On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts2Sec. II.—Election and Ordination of Bishops: Form of Service on Sundays3Sec. III.—Ordination and Duties of the Clergy4Sec. IV.—Certain Prayers and Laws5Sec. V.—All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church6The Ecclesiastical Canons of the Same Holy Apostles