²But if he is a confessor who was not brought before the authorities nor was punished with bonds nor was shut up in prison, but was insulted (?) casually or privately for the name of the Lord, even though he confessed, hands are to be laid upon him for every office of which he is worthy.[89]
³The bishop shall give thanks [in all ordinations][90] as we have prescribed. [⁴It] is not,[91] to be sure, necessary for anyone to recite the exact words that we have prescribed, by learning to say them by heart in his thanksgiving to God; but let each one pray according to his ability. ⁵If, indeed, he is able to pray competently with an elevated prayer, it is well. ⁶But even if he is only moderately able to pray and give praise, no one may forbid him;[92] only let him pray sound in the faith.
[11.][93] ¹When a widow is appointed, she shall not be ordained but she shall be appointed by the name. ²If her husband has been long dead, she may be appointed [without delay]. ³But if her husband has died recently, she shall not be trusted; even if she is aged she must be tested by time, for often the passions grow old in those who yield to them.
⁴The widow shall be appointed by the word alone, and [so] she shall be associated with the other widows; hands shall not be laid upon her because she does not offer the oblation nor has she a sacred ministry.[94] ⁵Ordination is for the clergy on account of their ministry,[95] but the widow is appointed for prayer, and prayer is the duty of all.
GRE[96][12.] ¹The reader is appointed by the bishop’s giving him the book, for he is not ordained.
SAH[13.] ¹Hands shall not be laid upon a virgin, for it is her purpose alone that makes her a virgin.
[14.] Hands shall not be laid upon a subdeacon, but his name shall be mentioned that he may serve the deacon.
[15.] [If] anyone says, “I have received the gift of healing”, hands shall not be laid upon him: the deed shall make manifest if he speaks the truth.
PART II
[16.] ¹[New][97] converts to the faith, who are to be admitted as hearers of the word, shall first be brought to the teachers before the people assemble. ²And they shall be examined as to their reason for embracing the faith, and they who bring them shall testify that they are competent to hear the word. ³Inquiry shall then be made as to the nature of their life; whether a man has a wife[98] or is a slave.[99] ⁴If he is the slave of a believer and he has his master’s permission, then let him be received; but if his master does not give him a good character, let him be rejected. ⁵If his master is a heathen, let the slave be taught to please his master,[100] that the word be not blasphemed.[101] ⁶If a man has a wife or a woman a husband, let the man be instructed to content himself with his wife and the woman to content herself with her husband. ⁷But if a man is unmarried, let him be instructed to abstain from impurity, either by lawfully marrying a wife or else by remaining as he is.[102] ⁸But if any man is possessed with demons, he shall not be admitted as a bearer until he is cleansed.