INTRODUCTION.

whether of an elementary kind appropriate to new converts, or, as in the famous Catechetical School of Alexandria, extending to the higher interpretation of Holy Scripture, and the exposition of Christian philosophy.

The earliest known example of a Catechetical work is the "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles" (the Didaché), which Athanasius names among the "books not included in the Canon, but appointed by the Fathers to be read by those who are just recently coming to us, and wish to be instructed in the word of godliness (κατηχεῖσθαι τὸν τῆς εὐσεβείας λόγον—to be instructed in the word of godliness)²." This use of the Didaché for the instruction of recent converts from Paganism agrees with its original purpose as stated in the longer title, "Teaching of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles for the Gentiles." The first six chapters are evidently adapted for those who need elementary instruction, more particularly for Catechumens of Gentile descent, as distinct from Jewish candidates for Baptism³. The remaining chapters of the Didaché relate chiefly to the administration of Baptism, to Prayer, Fasting, and the services of the Lord's Day, and to the celebration of the Agape and Eucharist⁴. This same division of subjects is observed in the two classes of St. Cyril's Catechetical Lectures: the first class, including the Procatechesis (preliminary instruction), consists of nineteen lectures addressed to candidates for Baptism, and these are followed by five "Mystagogic" lectures, so called as they are explanations of the Sacramental Mysteries to the newly baptized.

The Didaché was taken as the basis of other manuals of instruction, as is evident from the fact that the greater part of the first six chapters is embedded in "The Apostolical Church Order," supposed to date from Egypt in the third century. The Greek text, with an English translation of the part corresponding with the Didaché, is given in "The Oldest Church Manual" as Document V.

A further development of the Didaché, "adapted to the state of the Eastern Church in the first half of the fourth century," is contained in the Seventh Book of the Apostolical Constitutions of Pseudo-Clement of Rome, chapters 1–32. "Here the Didaché is embodied almost word for word, but with significant omissions, alterations, and additions, which betray a later age... The Didaché was thus superseded by a more complete and timely Church Manual, and disappeared." Dr. Schaff has appended this document also to his edition of the Didaché, noting the borrowed passages in the margin, and distinguishing them by spaced type in the Greek text, and by italics in the English translation.

In this work the directions concerning the instruction of Catechumens and their Baptism are addressed to the Catechist and the Minister of Baptism. They contain only a short outline (chapter 39) of the subjects in which the Catechumens are to be instructed, most if not all of which are explained at large in Cyril's lectures. In the directions concerning Baptism, Chrism (anointing with holy oil), and the Eucharist, the similarity is so close that in many passages of the Constitutions the author seems to be referring especially to the use of the Church of Jerusalem.

From this close affinity with earlier works we may be assured that in the Catecheses of Cyril we have trustworthy evidence of the great care which the Church had from the beginning bestowed on the instruction and training of converts before admitting them to the privilege of Baptism. Beyond this, Cyril's own work has a peculiar value as the earliest extant example of a full, systematic, and continuous course of such instruction.

§ 2. Catechist. The duty of catechizing was not limited to a class of persons permanently set apart for that purpose, but all orders of the Clergy were accustomed to take part in the work. Even laymen were encouraged to teach children or new converts the first elements of religion, as we learn from Cyril's exhortation: "If you have a child according to the flesh, admonish him of this now; and if you have begotten one through catechizing, put him also on his guard."

² Festal Epist. 39. Compare Clem. Alex. Strom. V. c. x. § 67. original: "Milk, indeed, instruction is to be considered as the first nourishment of the soul."
³ Schaff, Oldest Church Manual, p. 15.
⁴ Ib. p. 26.