Cod. S. About Deacons. Let the Deacons in their conduct resemble the Ap. Con.
Bishop ; let them however work very much more than he. Let them not love filthy IIJ- xix-
lucre, but let them be diligent in service. According to the number of the con-
gregation of the Church let there be Deacons, that they may be able to distinguish
and to comfort every one, so that to the aged women who have no strength, and to
the brothers and sisters who are in sicknesses, they may prepare for every one of
them the service that is fitting for him. But let a woman preferably be diligent in the
service of the women, and a man, a Deacon, in the service of the men. Let him be
ready to hear and to obey the command of the Bishop. In every place to which he
is sent to serve or to say something to any one, let him work and labour ; for it is
necessary that every one should know his office, and be diligent in fulfilling it; and be
of one counsel, and of one mind, and of one soul dwelling in two bodies. Know
what that service is, as our Lord and Saviour said in the Gospel, "Whosoever among Matt- xx-
you wishes to be chief let him be your servant ; even as the Son of Man came not to
be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His soul a ransom for many." Thus
ye ought to work also, ye Deacons, even if ye have to give your lives for your
brethren, in the service that is required of you. For even our Lord and Master did
not despise when He served us, as it is written in Isaiah, " To justify the righteous Is. lili. 11
who doeth a good service to many." If therefore the Lord of Heaven and of earth
did service to us, bore and endured everything on our account, how much more
is it required of us, that we should do thus to the brethren, that we, who are His
imitators, and take the place of the Christ, should be like Him ? You will find also
that it is written in the Gospel, how our Lord girt a towel about His loins, and Cf. Joan
poured water into the wash-bason, while we were reclining, and drew near and x ' '
washed the feet of us all, and dried [them] with the towel; but He did this, that He
might show us the love and affection of brethren, that we also should do likewise to
one another. If therefore our Lord did thus, ye Deacons, do ye hesitate to do
thus to those who are sick and have no strength, ye who are doers of the Truth,
and preserve the likeness of the Christ ? Therefore serve in love, and do not
grumble nor hesitate ; but if not, if ye have done this service for the sake of men, and
not for God, ye shall receive your reward according to your service in the day of
judgment. It is therefore required of you Deacons, that ye visit all those who are
in want, and make known to the Bishop those who are afflicted, that ye be his soul
and his mind, and that ye labour and obey him in everything.