Chapter 34

1Give praise and sing over those who have entered into rest, and give alms on their behalf.

2Gather together diligently in the church, and read the Holy Scriptures over those righteous Christians who have fallen asleep and over your brethren, the martyrs who have entered into rest in the faith of Christ. Celebrate the Eucharist for them, offering in the church his holy Body and precious Blood. When you bring them to the church and to the tomb, sing psalms over them, for it is said, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the righteous.” And again, “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord is your help.” Again it is said, “The remembrance of the righteous man is accompanied by praise,” and, “Their souls are in the hand of God; even if they sleep, they are not dead.”

3Our Savior said to the Sadducees, “Concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what Scripture says: ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not, then, the God of the dead; he is the God of the living,” [and not all are living, nor …].

4Elisha also, in his death, raised the man who had been killed in Syria; when the dead body touched him, it was raised. Righteous Joseph also touched the body of Jacob on the bier and was not defiled. Moses and Joshua son of Nun, when they brought Joseph’s bones out of the land of Egypt and touched them, were not defiled.

5In the same way, you bishops and all the people, when you touch the dead bodies of those who have fallen asleep, do not consider it an abomination to carry their bones, for you will not be defiled because of them. Remove this practice from among you, for it is foolish. Instead, adorn yourselves with wisdom and knowledge, so that you may find eternal life and a portion with the souls of the righteous in the kingdom of heaven, in a place of rest, through Jesus Christ our Savior.

6He is able to open the ears of your hearts so that you may hear the words of God, which have instructed you in the Gospel through the admonition of our Lord Jesus Christ the Nazarene. He was crucified in the days of Pontius Pilate and King Herod. He suffered, died, and rose from the dead, and he will come again with glory and great power. He will raise the dead and repay everyone according to his works; and he ascended with great glory to his Father.

7After he rose from the dead, we saw him, ate and drank, and remained with him for forty days. Then he ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of the Father, the Almighty who sits upon the cherubim. Concerning him David says, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I bring your enemies beneath the footstool of your feet.’” The blessed Stephen saw him and cried out, “Behold, I see heaven opened and the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God.” He created the hosts of angels. To him be great glory, honor, thanksgiving, and dominion, with his Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.