Chapter 40

1Let a widow be appointed,® being chosen, if for a long time past she have abided without a husband ; if though often 1M.: Thou hast enlightened. 2 Or: to Thy sanctity. pressed by men! to be married? because of the faith she have not been married.2 But if not, it is not yet right that she should be chosen; but let her be proved for a time, if she be pious, if having? children she have brought them up * in holiness, if she have not taught them worldly wisdom, if she have made them examples of the holy law and of the Church, if she have loved and honoured strangers, if she have been constant in prayers if she have lived meekly, if she have cheerfully aided those who are afflicted? if it have been revealed to the saints about her, if she have not neglected the saints, if she have ministered? with all her power, if she be fit to bear and endure the burden, being one who prayeth without ceasing,’ being perfect in all things, being fervent in spirit,’ having the eyes of her heart opened in everything, being alway kind, loving innocency, not possessing anything in this world, but alway taking and bearing about the cross, crucifying™ all evil, by night and by day’ abiding by the altar, working cheerfully and secretly. If she have one or two or three likeminded * in my Name, I am among them.“ But let her be perfect in the Lord, as one who is visited by the Spirit. Let her do the things which are made known to her with fear and earnestness. Let her instruct those women who do not obey ; let her teach those * [women] who have not learnt; let her convert those who are foolish; let her instruct them to be grave %; Jet her prove the deaconesses; let her make those who enter!” to know of what sort and who they are; also let her instruct them that they abide. To those who hear’® let her patiently counsel those things which are proper. To those who are disobedient after three instructions let her not speak. Let her love those who desire to be in virginity Pshitta unaltered. 15 Yeminine pronouns throughout. or in purity; those who oppose themselves let her correct modestly and quietly. With every one let her be peaceful. Let her privately shut the mouth of + those who talk much and idly; but if they do not hear, let her take with her an aged woman, or let her take [it] up to the hearing of the bishop. But in the church let her be silent.2. In prayer let her be persistent. Let her visit those [women] who are sick ; on each first day of the week let her take with her one deacon or two and help them? If she have any possession * let her give® it for the poor® and the faithful.? But if she have nothing, let her be helped by thé Church. Let her do no secular work, as it were for a trial. But let her have these works of the Spirit; let her continue in prayers and fasts; let her ask for nothing deep; let her receive those things which the Lord giveth ; let her not be anxious for [her] children °; let her deliver them to the Church, so that they living in the house of God may be fit for the service of the priesthood Her requests to God will be acceptable; they are the sacrifice and altar of God. For those ® who have ministered well shall be praised? by the archangels. But as for them who are dissolute and raging and drunken, and babblers and curious and evil, that is, those who love pleasures much, the figures of their souls, which stand before the Father of light, perish and are carried to darkness to dwell. or their deeds which are visible, going up before the most High, drag them easily ™ to the pit, so that after this world is changed and passeth away the figures of their souls may stand against them as witnesses, not allowing them to look up. For the figure and type of every soul standeth before God from the foundation of the world.” Therefore let her be chosen who can go to meet the holy phials. Of them # are the twelve presbyters who praise My Father who is in heaven. These who receive the prayers of every holy soul, offer [them] to the most High [as] a sweet savour. 1Lit.: muzzle. Cf. St. Matt. xviii. 16. 2 Of. 1 Tim. ii. 12.