(1056). Since its rediscovery numerous parts of the Didache have been
recognized in other works, particularly in chapter 7 of the Syrian Apostolic
Constitutions dating from the fourth century. We now have complete
ancient copies of the Didache in Greek and Georgian, and partial extant
copies in Latin, Coptic, Ethiopic and Syriac.
The greatest value of the Didache lies in the old regulations that reflect the
life of the early Church somewhere in the Middle East in the obscure
period between the end of the Apostolic and the beginning of the Sub-
Apostolic ages. These regulations undoubtedly testify to the catholicity of
the Christian Church from its root beginnings.
Extracts
1, 1
“There are two ways, one of life and one of death: and great is the difference
between the two ways. The way of life is this: first, you shall love God, who created
you; second, your neighbor as yourself.”
2, 1
“The second commandment of the teaching: You shall not murder. You shall not
commit adultery. You shall not seduce boys. You shall not commit fornication.
You shall not steal. You shall not practice magic. You shall not use potions. You
shall not procure abortion, nor destroy a newborn child. You shall not bear false
witness. You shall not speak evil. You shall not bear malice.”
4, 14
“Confess your offenses in church, and do not go up to your prayer with an evil
conscience. This is the way of life.”
7, 1
“Baptize thus: After the foregoing instructions, baptize in the name of the Father
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. If you have no living water,
then baptize in other water; and if you are not able in cold, then in warm. If you
have neither, pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Before the Baptism, let the one baptizing and the
one to be baptized fast, as also any others who are able.”
8, 1
“...Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies: fast for those who
persecute you...Do not let your fasts be with the hypocrites. They fast on Monday
and Thursday; but you will fast on Wednesday and Friday.”
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