kindness. Allow me to be eaten by the beasts, which are my way of reaching to
God.”
Letter to the Philadelphians (C. 110 AD):
4, 1
“Take care, then, to use one Eucharist, so that whatever you do, you do according
to God: for there is one Flesh of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup in the union
of His Blood; one altar, as there is one bishop with the presbytery and my fellow
servants, the deacons.”
8, 1
“I did my best as a man devoted to unity. But where there is division and anger,
God does not dwell. The Lord, however, forgives all who repent, if their
repentance leads to the unity of God and to the council of the bishop. I have faith
in the grace of Jesus Christ; and He will remove from you every chain.”
Letter to the Smyrnaeans (C. 110 AD):
7, 1
“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess
that the Eucharist is the Flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, Flesh which suffered for
our sins and which the Father, in His goodness, raised up again. They who deny
the gift of God are perishing in their disputes.”
8, 1
“You must all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the
presbytery as you would the Apostles. Reverence the deacons as you would the
command of God. Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the
bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop,
or by one whom he appoints. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there;
just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. Nor is it permitted
without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate the agape...”
Letter to Polycarp (C. 110 AD):
5, 2
“If anyone is able to remain continent, to the honor of the flesh of the Lord, let him
so remain without boasting.”
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