Chapter 14

1Concerning the ordination of a Bishop. If it should be a district having few of the Faithful, and if not many people that they may form an assembly about the bishop, not even as many as twelve, they shall send a message to the Churches next to their district where there are many believers, that they may bring three believers, holy and chosen men of that district And they shall try them carefully concerning that which befits them for the good work : if he is a man who has a good character among the people, without sin, and without anger, and a lover of the poor, and kind, not a drunkard, nor adulterer, nor lover of the greater share for himself, nor a railer, not unfair, nor the like of that. And it is good also that he be without wife, though if he have married one (wife) before he is ordained bishop he shall live with her. *And he should be one who shares in good doctrine, and who can expound the Scriptures ; and if he should be one who cannot expound the Scriptures, jo he should be humble and abound in love to all men. That the bishop may be condemned in nothing whatever, nor let him be reproved in anything, y Said Yuhanes : If the bishop who is to be ordained knows how to keep himself and (has) the love of God, two presbyters who have been approved, shall be appointed to be with him. And they all said : Not two but three, because they are twenty and four presbyters, twelve on the right and twelve on the left. And said Yuhanes : Well it is that you have reminded me, O brethren : lo, they who are on the right take the cups from the Archangels and they offer to the Lord ; and they who are on the left have authority over all the angels. And it is proper for the presbyters that they should be like old men who have passed the time of intercourse with wives, and they shall partake of the Mystery with the bishop, and help with him in everything whatsoever, and gather round him with love of their shepherd. And the presbyters who are on the right shall be careful to give assistance at the altar. Let them be worthy of the honour, and reject him who is worthy of rejection. And the presbyters who are on the left shall attend to all the people, that they may be quiet and not in commotion, and be controlled with all control and obey with all obedience.