Statute 71

1Concerning the memorial of those who have fallen asleep: The third day shall be observed with psalms and prayers because of the resurrection of our Lord on the third day. They shall also observe seven days as a memorial of the living and the dead.

2They shall observe the completion of a month in the likeness of the ancient ordinance, just as the people mourned for Moses for thirty days. They shall also observe the completion of forty days, half a year, and the completion of a year in the likeness of their memorial.

3They shall give to the poor from the property of those who die, as a propitiation for their soul and as their memorial. We say this only concerning the servants of God.

4As for the wicked, even if they gave the wealth of the whole world to the poor, it would not profit them. If a person was an enemy of God while alive, it is clear that he remained God’s enemy when he departed from the world. He finds no mercy, because with God there is no partiality. God is righteous and loves righteousness. See, a person is judged by his work; and see, of the person who is good, they say that his work is also good.

5If you are invited, eat moderately and in the fear of God, because it is fitting to pray for those who have departed from this world.

6You presbyters and deacons who are in our Lord Christ, it is fitting that you should be temperate at all times, as should others also, so that you may be able to do what Scripture says: “The strong and angry shall not drink wine, lest they become drunk, forget wisdom, and become unable to judge rightly.”

7The presbyters and deacons, who are the authorities of the church, serve as administrators under God the Almighty and the only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We say this not to forbid them to drink wine, for we cannot despise what God created for human gladness, but so that they may not drink to the point of drunkenness.

8Scripture does not say, “They shall not drink wine,” but, “They shall not drink wine to drunkenness.” Again it says, “Drunkenness causes thorns to spring up in a man’s hand.”

9What we say is not for priests alone, but for all Christian people who are called by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He spoke concerning them and said, “For whom are sorrow, indignation, darkness of eyes, fighting, and broken bones? For whom are they, if not for those who exceed in drinking wine and those who seek out and go wherever there is drinking?”