Chapter V.
Of their Cords.
650
They
also wear double
scarves
651
woven of woollen yarn which the Greeks
call
ἀνάλαβοι
,
but which we should name girdles
652
or
strings,
653
or more properly
cords.
654
These falling down over the top of the neck
and divided on either side of the throat go round the folds (of the
robe) at the armpits and gather them up on either side, so that they
can draw up and tuck in close to the body the wide folds of the dress,
and so with their arms girt they are made active and ready for all
kinds of work, endeavouring with all their might to fulfil the
Apostle’s charge: “For these hands have ministered not only
to me but to those also who are with me,” “Neither have we
eaten any man’s bread for nought, but with labour and toil
working night and day that we should not be burdensome to any of
you.” And: “If any will not work neither let him
eat.”
655
650
Rebracchiatoria. The
whole passage is somewhat obscure, and the various synonyms do not help
us much in the elucidation of it.
᾽Ανάλαβοι
is given
in Petschenig’s text, but
ἀναβολάι
has some
ms.
authority.
᾽Αναβολέυς
is
the word used by Sozomen, who also mentions this cord. “Their
girdle also and cord, the former girding the loins, the latter going
round the shoulders and arms, admonish them that they ought always to
be ready for the service of God and their work.”
651
Resticulæ.
652
Succinctoria.
653
Redimicula.
654
Rebracchiatoria.
655
Acts xx. 34; 2 Thess. iii. 8,
10
.