Chapter 53

1But if they are severally chosen to receive‘ the laver, let them be proved and investigated first,> how they have lived while catechumens,’ if they have honoured widows, if they have visited the sick, if they have walked ? in all meekness and love,” if they were earnest in good works. But let them be borne witness to by those who bring them. And when they hear the Gospel, let a hand be laid on them daily. Let them be exorcised from that day when they are chosen. And let them be baptized in the days of Pascha. And when the days approach, let the bishop exorcise each one of them separately by himself, so that he may be persuaded that he is pure. For if there be one that is not pure, or in whom is an unclean spirit, let him be reproved * by that unclean ® spirit. If then any one is found under any such imagination,® let him be removed from the midst [of them], and let him be reproved and reproached that he hath not heard the word of the commandments and of instruction faithfully, because the evil and strange spirit abided in him. Let those who are about to receive the laver be taught on the fifth day of the last week only, to wash and bathe’ their heads. But if any woman then ® be in the customary flux, let her also take in addition another day, washing and bathing beforehand.® Let them fast both [on] the Friday and [on] the Saturday.