Chapter 19

1T tell you therefore how the sanctuary? ought to be; then I will make known the holy rule of the priests of the Church. Let the church then be thus: let it have three entrances as a type of the Trinity. Let the diaconicum * be on the right of the right hand entrance, that the eucharists,'* or offerings which are offered, may be seen. Let there be a fore-court, with a portico % going round, to the diaconicum. %” Perhaps we should read: ‘‘after the rest (or quiet) of My Father who hath sent Me, shall dwell . . .” See Note. M4 eixapioriat. The Greek is transliterated into Syriac from accus. pl. } rod transliterated. See Note. Then within the fore-court let there be a place [to serve] for a baptistery, its length twenty-one cubits as a general ? type of the prophets, and its width twelve cubits as a type of those who have been determined to preach the Gospel,’ with one entrance and three exits. Let the Church have a house of the catechumens, which shall be also the house of the exorcists. Let it not be detached from the Church, but so that those who enter and are in it may hear the lections* and spiritual hymns of praise and psalms.> Let there be a throne by the altar ®; on the right and on the left [let there be] the places of the presbyters, so that on the right may sit those who are more exalted and honoured, and those who labour in the word’; but those who are of middle age® on the left hand. But that place where the throne is, let it® be raised three steps, for there the altar ought to be. Let that house have two porches, on the right and on the left, for men and for women. Let all the places be lighted, both for a type, and also for reading. Let the altar have a veil of pure linen, for it is without spot. Also the baptistery likewise, let it be under a veil. Let a place be built as for commemoration, so that the priest and chief deacon sitting with the readers may write the names of those who offer the oblations, or of those for whom they have offered [them], so that when the holy things are offered by the bishop, the reader or chief deacon may name them by way of commemoration, which the priests’ and ‘*place” which is fem. W B.: priest. people offer for them with supplication. For there is thistype also in heaven.? Let the place of the. presbyters be within the veil, beside that place of commemoration. Let the house of the offering and the treasury be quite ” beside the diaconicum. But let the place of the lection 3 be a little outside the altar. Let the house of the bishop be beside that place which is called the fore-court. Also that of those widows who are called “those that sit in front.” Also let that of the presbyters and deacons be behind the baptistery.* _Let the deaconesses abide beside the door of the Lord’s house. Let the Church have a house for entertaining near by, where the chief deacon shall entertain strangers.