Structuring of the Church in the

Apostolic Tradition

Bishop AT 2: “1. Let the bishop be ordained as we

appointed above, having been elected by all the people. 2. When he has been named and found pleasing to all, let the people come together with the presbyters, and any bishops who are present, on the Lord’s day. 3. When all give their consent they lay hands on him, and the presbytery stands in silence.

4. And all shall keep silence, praying in their heart for the descent of the Holy Spirit. 5. After this, at the request of all, one of the bishops who is present, laying a hand on him who is being ordained bishop, shall pray thus:

AT 3: “’God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercies and God of all consolation, you dwell in the heights and look upon the lowly, you know all things before they come to be, 2 you set limits in the church through your word of grace, for foreordained from the beginning a righteous race from Abraham, you established rulers and priests, and have not left your sanctuary without ministers, from the foundation of the world you were well pleased to be glorified in those you have chosen.

3. Even now pout out from yourself the power of the Spirit of governance, which you gave to your beloved child Jesus Christ, which he gave to the holy apostles, who set up the church in every place as your sanctuary, for the unceasing glory and praise of your name. 4. Father, you know the heart; grant that your servant, whom you have chosen for oversight, should shepherd your flock and should serve before you as high priest without blame, serving by night and day, ceaselessly propitiating your countenance and offering the gifts of your holy church.

5. And let him have the power of high priesthood, to forgive sins according to your command, to assign duties according to your command, to loose every tie according to the power which your gave to the apostles, to please you in gentleness and with a pure heart, offering you the scent of sweetness. 6. Through your child Jesus Christ, through whom be glory and might and honor to you, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and to the ages of ages. Amen.’”

Presbyters AT 7: “1. When a presbyter is ordained the

bishop will lay a hand upon his head, the presbyters likewise touching him, and he shall speak as we said above, as we said before concerning the bishop, praying and saying:

‘2. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, look upon this your servant and impart the Spirit of grace and counsel of presbyterate so that he might assist and guide your people with a pure heart, 3 as you looked upon the people of your choice and directed Moses to choose presbyters whom you filled with your spirit which you gave to your servant.

4. And now Lord, grant that the Spirit of your grace may be preserved unceasingly in us, filling us and making us worthy to minister to you in simplicity of heart, praising you 5 through your child Jesus Christ, through whom be glory and might to you, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church both now, and to the ages of ages. Amen.’”

AT 8: “6. On a presbyter, however, the presbyters also lay their hands because of the common and like spirit of their order. 7 For the presbyter has authority in this matter only, that he may receive; he does not, however, have the authority to give. Therefore he does not appoint clergy; at the ordination of a presbyter he seals, as the bishop lays hands.”

Deacons AT 8: “1. And when a deacon is installed let him

be chosen in accordance with those things which were said above, in the same way the bishop alone laying on hands. Just so we prescribe that at the ordination of a deacon the bishop alone lay hands, 2 for the reason that he is not ordained to the priesthood, but to serve the bishop, that he might do those things which are commanded by him.

3. For he is not a participant in the council of the clergy but looks after and indicates to the bishop what is necessary, 4 not receiving the spirit of the presbytery which the presbyters share, but that which is entrusted to him under the power of the bishop. 5 For which reason the bishop alone shall ordain a deacon….

9. Over a deacon, therefore, let him say thus:

‘10. God, who created all things and ordered them by your Word, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom you sent to serve your will and to show us your desire, 11 grant the Holy Spirit of grace and sincerity and diligence on this your servant,

whom you have chosen to serve your church and to present in your holy of holies that which is offered to you by your appointed high-priest to the glory of your name that serving blamelessly and in purity he may be worthy of the rank of his exalted order and praise you 12 through your child Jesus Christ, through whom be glory and power and praise to you, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church now and always and to the ages of ages. Amen.’”

Confessors AT 9: “1. Now if a confessor is in chains for

the sake of the name of the Lord, a hand is not laid on him for the diaconate or for presbyterate. For he has the honor of the presbyterate on account of his confession. If he is to be installed as a bishop, then is the hand to be laid upon him.

2. If a confessor has not been taken up to trial, or has not be punished with chains, or has not been shut up in prison or has not been condemned with any penalty but by chance has been merely abused on account of the name of our Lord and has been punished with domestic punishment, although he bore witness, let the land be laid on him for whatever orders of which he is deserving.”

Readers AT 11: “A reader is installed as the bishop

hands him a book. He has no laying on of hands.”

On subdeacons AT 13: “A hand is not laid on the

subdeacon; rather he is named so that he might go after the deacon.”

Widows AT 10: “1. When a widow is appointed she

does not receive laying on of hands but is chosen by the name. 2. If her husband has been dead a long time let her be appointed. 3. If her husband is recently dead do not believe her. Even if she is elderly she should be tested for a time, for often the passions grow old in one who finds a place for them in himself.

4. Let the widow be installed with the word only and let her join the rest. But a hand shall not be laid on her because she does not lift up the sacrifice nor does she have a proper liturgy. 5. For the laying on of hands is with the clergy on account of the liturgy, whereas the widow is installed on account of prayer, which is for everybody.”

Virgins AT 10: “A virgin is not installed by people,

nor is appointed; she herself chooses to be separated and takes the name. A hand is not laid on a virgin but her choice alone makes her a virgin.”

On Spiritual Gifts AT 14: “If somebody appears to have

received the gift of healing or revelation a hand is not laid on him for the facts of the matters will reveal whether he has spoken the truth.”