The Statutes of the Apostles (Apostolic Tradition)

by E., consisting of two unnumbered portions: the first about the gift to the sick, directing the deacon in an emergency to celebrate the Eulogia Blessed bread. or bread of blessing; and the second describing the service of the Agape, with the bringing in of lamps and the thanksgiving of the bishop (though without the Sursum corda Original: "Lift up your hearts."), preceding the meal. After this, the children and virgins pray and chant psalms, while the deacon holds the mingled cup of the Prosphora The offering., which the bishop offers with the psalm of Hallelujah. The passage, however, seems confused. There may be some trace of both portions in the Testamentum at the end of chapter x. and chapter xi. E. continues with a fresh canon, restating the directions about the bishop's speaking and the distribution of the Eulogia, which really belong to the Agape and come naturally after the description of that service. In canon 39, E. has mistaken "lot" for "clergy," otherwise agreeing with A. and S.; but canon 40 offers a long digression, entirely peculiar to E., repeating some of the baptismal ceremonies and supplying the prayers belonging to this and kindred services. The following is a short summary of the prayers: I. Series consisting first of a prayer for those who give in their names as candidates for Baptism. This first prayer does not mention the giving of names, but it is followed by a form with such mention, according to which the officiant (perhaps not the bishop) makes a short preliminary prayer, the deacon utters a summons to pray, and the bishop offers a longer prayer. II. Prayer of consecration for those who bring the bread, water, or oil to be blessed in Quadragesima Lent., after the examination