Chapter 36

1You shall give thanks in this way: We give thanks to you, Creator of all things, for the [unclear] of this chrism and for this oil of immortality, which you have given us through Jesus Christ your Son. For yours is the glory and [text damaged], forever and ever. Amen.

2Whoever comes to you and gives thanks in this way, receive him as a disciple. But if anyone teaches contrary to the law given to you by the Lord, do not receive him, and do not let him share with you in the thanksgiving.

3Test everyone who comes to you, and diligently examine his deeds. Appoint him as is fitting, for you have knowledge of those on the right hand and those on the left. Judge between those who judge justly and those who judge unjustly. Do good to your neighbor who judges justly, according to his deeds; also repay the one who judges unjustly according to his deed. Do not pray with him, lest you be defiled together with him.

4Every prophet and teacher who comes to you and teaches the truth is worthy of his food, like a good worker who serves his lord. Give the firstfruits to the priests also, so that they may bless your labors. Give all the tithes to widows, orphans, travelers, and strangers.

5On the Sabbath day, which is the day of the resurrection of our Lord, gather together in one place and give thanks to God for all the good things he has done for you in Christ, so that your sacrifice may be perfect and acceptable before God. For it is said concerning the Church that they shall assemble in it and offer incense and sacrifice: “I, says the Lord, am a great King, upholding all the world, and my name is terrible throughout the world and among the Gentiles.”

6Appoint for yourselves bishops, presbyters, and deacons: meek and humble men, chosen from the people, pure and tested in every good work. They must not desire money, but rather teach the word of the Lord and the doctrine, and discern the commandments of Christ uprightly … as father and lord, in love, without anger or impatience, with a humble heart and in meekness.

7Observe everything the Lord has commanded you, for the life of your souls. Let your waists be girded and your lamps burning. Be ready like people waiting for their Lord when he comes, whether in the first hour of the night, at midnight, at cockcrow, or at daybreak. The Lord will come at a time when you do not expect him. Blessed are those servants whom their Lord, when he comes, finds acting in this way. Behold, he will gird himself, go about, and serve them. Pray, then, and work, lest death come upon you suddenly.

8When the glory of the Son of Man appears in heaven, the archangel blows the trumpet, the dead are raised, and our Lord comes with his saints in the clouds of heaven, with all the angels of his power, then he will sit upon the throne of his kingdom. He will destroy the devil, the deceiver, and repay everyone according to his works. Then sinners will go into eternal condemnation, but the righteous into eternal life, and they will rejoice in the kingdom of heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ.

9Be ready, then, so that you may receive his good things. Let us pray and make supplication to him, saying: O our Savior, who existed before the world, God of gods, the Almighty, the one God, Creator of every creature, and Lord of our holy fathers who were blameless before you; God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; merciful and ready to forgive sins, faithful and kind, abundant in compassion and mercy; nothing is hidden from you, but all things lie open before you.

10In you the souls of the righteous trust, and in you the saints hope. You are the Father of the blameless. You hear the prayer of the pure in heart and listen to the supplication of those who are silent. Cause your favor, O Lord, to dwell upon every creature, for you know what the heart thinks before the thought comes.

11At all the ends of the world they offer sacrifice and incense to you with prayer and thanksgiving. You have appointed days on which people may practice righteousness. The gate of your mercy is open to everyone who seeks you. You have appointed laws and ordinances, and you have caused us to understand that the riches of this world are transitory, that the adornment of beauty does not remain forever, and that the might of the strong quickly decays.

12Our father Abraham was the first to walk in the way of righteousness. You gave him honor and riches, and in faith he completed his life. You said to him, “I will multiply your offspring like the stars of heaven and like the sand of the sea.” You gave him Isaac, blessed him, and said to him, “I will be with your offspring after you.”

13For we have known Christ in our father Jacob, whom you sent into the land of Egypt, and to whom you said, “Behold, I will be with you, and I will surely multiply your offspring exceedingly.” In the same way, at the bush you said to Moses, your holy and faithful servant, “I existed before the world, and my name shall endure forever.” Your memorial also endures throughout all generations. You blessed the offspring of Abraham so that they might be blessed forever.

14You created humanity as a rational creature, and in your wisdom you said, “Let us make man in our image and in our likeness.” You appointed Adam to rule over everything and gave him eternal life. When he transgressed your commandment, you expelled him from the garden and brought death upon him. Then you sent your only-begotten Son, raised him from his fall, and restored him to the garden of delight.

15You alone, O Lord, are great, powerful, and terrible, merciful and kind. You are the Almighty who works wonders and does not withhold compassion from any of your works or creatures. You are good and love humanity, dealing gently with sinners and bringing them back through the abundance of your mercy.

16Though we are not worthy to look up to you or raise our eyes to heaven, in the greatness of your power you regard our lowliness. The heavens are upheld by your commandment, and by your word the earth is established. For you, O Lord, are mighty, and the righteousness of your judgment has filled the earth that you created.