The Procatechesis
The Procatechesis
"Hén µακαριότητος ὀσμὴ πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ὦ φωτιζόµενοι, ἤδη τὰ νοητὰ ἄνθη συλλέγετε πρὸς πλοκὴν ἐπουρανίων στεφάνων: ἤδη τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ ἁγίου ἔπνευσεν ἡ εὐωδία. Ἠδη περὶ τὸ προαύλιον τῶν βασιλείων γεγόνατε' γένοιτο δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως εἰσαχθῆτε. Ἄνθη γὰρ νῦν ἐφάνη τῶν δένδρων: γένοιτο δὲ ἵνα καὶ ὁ καρπὸς τέλειος ᾖ. Ὀνοματογραφία τέως ὑμῖν γέγονε, καὶ στρατείας κλῆσις: καὶ νυμφαγωγίας λαμπάδες, καὶ οὐρανίου πολιτείας ἐπιθυμία, καὶ πρόθεσις ἀγαθή, καὶ ἐλπὶς ἐπακολουθοῦσα: ἀψευδὴς γὰρ ὁ εἰπών, ὅτι «τοῖς ἀγαπῶσι τὸν θεὸν πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν.» Ὁ μὲν γὰρ θεὸς δαψιλής ἐστιν εἰς εὐεργεσίαν: περιμένει δὲ ἑκάστου τὴν γνησίαν προαίρεσιν. Ata τοῦτο ἐπήγαγεν ὁ ἀπόστολος λέγων, «τοῖς κατὰ πρόθεσιν κλητοῖς οὖσιν» ἡ πρόθεσις γνησία οὖσα, κλητόν σε ποιεῖ. κἂν γὰρ τὸ σῶμα ὧδε ἔχῃς, τὴν δὲ διάνοιαν μὴ ἔχῃς, οὐδὲν ὡφελῇ.
Ἡροσῆλθέ ποτε καὶ Σίµων τῷ λουτρῷ ὁ μάγος: ἐβαπτίσθη, ahd' οὐκ ἐφωτίσθη: καὶ τὸ μὲν σῶμα ἔβαψεν ὕδατι, τὴν δὲ καρδίαν οὐκ ἐφώτισε πνεύματι. καὶ κατέβη μὲν τὸ σῶμα, καὶ ἀνέρη: ἡ δὲ ψυχὴ οὐ συνετάφη Χριστῷ, οὐδὲ συνηγέρθη. Ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω τὰς ὑπογραφὰς τῶν πτωμάτων, ἵνα μὴ σὺ ἐμπέσῃς. «Ταῦτα γὰρ τυπικῶς ἐγένετο ἐκείνοις, γέγραπται δὲ πρὸς νουθεσίαν» τῶν μέχρις σήμερον προσερχοµένων. Μήτις ὑμῶν εὑρεθῇ πειράζων τὴν χάριν: «μήτις pila πικρίας ἄνω φύουσα ἐνοχλῇ» µήτις ὑμῶν εἰσέλθῃ λέγων: Ἀφὲς ἴδωμεν τί ποιοῦσιν οἱ πιστοί: εἰσελθὼν
The Procatechesis
Already the sweet smell of blessedness is upon you, O you who are being enlightened; already you are gathering invisible flowers for the weaving of heavenly crowns. Already the fragrant aroma of the Holy Spirit has breathed upon you. Already you have come to the entrance hall of the king's palace. Let it be also that the king leads you inside. For now the buds of the trees are visible; let it be for the perfection of the fruit. So far the writing down of your names has happened, and you have been called to warfare. And there are the lamps of the bridal procession, the desire for heavenly citizenship, and good intentions, and the hope which accompanies it; for he who is not a liar has said, "For those who love God all things work together for the good" (Rom 8.28). For God is generous in his kindness. But he looks for the genuine decision of each one. For this reason the Apostle continued, saying: "to those who are called according to their intention" (Acts 8.13). Having a genuine intention makes you "called" For although your body might be here, if your mind is not, nothing is gained.
Once Simon Magus also entered into the water; he was baptized but not enlightened. And while he plunged his body into the water, he did not enlighten his heart with the Spirit. And his body descended and ascended. But his soul was not buried with Christ, nor raised up. And I give you these examples of falls so that you do not fall. "For these things happened to them as types, and were written for the instruction" (1 Cor 10.11) of those still coming today.
Let none of you be found tempting grace! "Let no root of bitterness springing up trouble you" (Heb 12.15). Let none of you, having
ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
ἴδω ἵνα µάθω τὰ γινόμενα. Ἰδεῖν προσδοκᾷς, τὸ δὲ ὀφθῆναι οὐ προσδοκᾷς; καὶ νομίζεις, ὅτι σὺ μὲν πολυπραγμονεῖς τὰ γινόμενα, θεὸς δὲ σοῦ οὐ πολυπραγμονεῖ τὴν καρδίαν;
Ἐπολυπραγμόνησέ τίς ποτε τὸν γάµον ἐν τοῖς εὐαγγελίοις: καὶ ἀνάξιον ἔνδυμα λαβὼν εἰσῆλθε, καὶ ἀνέπεσε, καὶ ἔφαγε: συνεχώρησε γὰρ ὁ νυµφίος. Ἔδει δὲ αὐτὸν ἰδόντα τὸ λευχειμονοῦν πάντων, καὶ αὐτὸν ἀναλαβέσθαι τοιοῦτον ἔνδυμα. Αλλ᾽ ἴσων μὲν µετελάμβανε βρωµάτων: ἀνισότητα δὲ εἶχε σχημάτων καὶ προαιρέσεως. AX' ὁ νυµφίος, εἰ καὶ δαψιλής, GAA' οὐκ ἄκριτος' περιερχόµενος δὲ τῶν ἀνακειμένων ἕκαστον καὶ θεωρῶν, ἰδών τινα ἀλλότριον, μὴ ἔχοντα γάµου ἔνδυμα, ἔλεγε πρὸς αὐτόν: Ἑταϊῖρε, πῶς εἰσῆλθες ὧδε; ποίῳ χρώματι; ποίᾳ συνειδήσει; ἔστω, ὁ θυρωρὸς οὐκ ἐκώλυσε, διὰ τὸ δαψιλὲς τοῦ παρέχοντος: ἔστω, ἄγνοιαν εἶχες ποταπῷ δεῖ σχήµατι εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸ συµπόσιον: εἰσῆλθες, εἶδες ἀστράπτοντα ὥσπερ τὰ σχήματα τῶν ἀνακειμένων: οὐκ ἔδει σε κἂν ἐκ τῶν φαινομένων διδαχθῆναι; οὐκ ἔδει σε ἐξελθεῖν εὐκαίρως, ἵνα καὶ εὐκαίρως εἰσέλθῃς; Νῦν δὲ ἀκαίρως εἰσῆλθες, ἵνα ἀκαίρως ἐκβληθῆῇς.
Καὶ προστάσσει τοῖς ὑπηρέταις. «Δήσατε αὐτοῦ πόδας» τοὺς τολμηρῶς εἰσβάλλοντας: «δήσατε αὐτοῦ χεῖρας» τὰς μὴ εἰδυίας ἔνδυμα περιβαλέσθαι φαιδρόν. καὶ «ἐκβάλετε αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον» ἀνάξιος γάρ ἐστι λαμπάδων νυμφικῶν. δὲ τί συνέβη τῷ τότε: ἀσφάλισαι τὰ σεαυτοῦ.
Ἠμεῖς μὲν γάρ, οἱ διάκονοι Χριστοῦ, δεδέγµεθα ἕκαστον, καὶ θυρωρῶν ὥσπερ τάξιν ἐπέχοντες, ἀνέτην ἀφήκαμεν τὴν θύραν.
Ἐγχωρεῖ δέ σε βεβορβορωμένην ἔχοντα τὴν ψυχὴν ἁμαρτίαις, καὶ τὴν προαίρεσιν ἐσπιλωμένην, εἰσελθεῖν. Εἰσῆλθες: κατηξιώθης:
The Procatechesis
entered, say: "Come, let us see what the faithful are doing." Going in I will look in order that I might learn what is happening. Do you expect to see, and in seeing not to be seen? And do you think that you can be curious about what is happening but God will not be curious about your heart?
Once in the Gospels a certain man was curious about a wedding. And coming in but taking an improper robe, he sat down and ate. For the bridegroom consented. But when that one saw the white robes of all, he should have himself taken a robe like those also. But although he was sharing food with them equally, he was not equal to them in appearance and purpose. But the bridegroom, even though generous, was not uncritical. And going around to each of them seated at table and observing them, and seeing the stranger who was not wearing a wedding garment, he said to him, "'Friend, how did you get in here'" (Mt 22.12) with that color of garment, with that conscience? Let it be that the doorkeeper did not stop you on account of the generosity of the one holding the banquet. Let it also be that you were ignorant of what sort of garment was necessary for entering into the feast. But, having entered, you saw the shining garments of those at table. Should you not have been taught from what was appearing to you? Should you not have left in a timely manner, that you might have returned in a timely manner? But now you have entered in an untimely manner, that in an untimely manner you may be cast out." And he commands his servants: ""Bind his feet, which boldly entered. 'Bind his hands; which were not able to clothe him in the shining garment. 'And cast him into the outer darkness' (Mt
22.12). For he is unworthy of the lamps of the bridal procession."
Behold what happened to that one then. Secure your own things.
For we, the servants of Christ, have received each of you with hospitality, and taking on the role of doorkeepers, we have left the door open. Perhaps you were allowed to enter, having your soul defiled with sins and with a stained intention. You entered.
ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
ὄνομά σου ἐνεγράφη. Βλέπεις pot TO σεμνὸν τοῦτο τῆς ἐκκλησίας κατάστημα; θεωρεῖς pot τάξιν καὶ ἐπιστήμην; γραφῶν ἀνάγνωσιν, κανονικῶν παρουσίαν, διδασκαλίας ἀκολουθίαν; δυσωπήθητι καὶ τὸν τόπον, καὶ παιδεύθητι ἐκ τῶν φαινομένων: ἔξελθε εὐκαίρως τὰ νῦν, καὶ εἴσελθε αὔριον εὐκαιρότατα. Ei φιλάργυρον ἔχεις τὸ σχῆμα τῆς ψυχῆς, ἄλλο ἐνδυσάμενος εἴσελθε: ἔκδυσαί µοιπορνείαν καὶ ἀκαθαρσίαν, καὶ ἔνδυσαί pot σωφροσύνης λαμπροτάτην στολήν. Ἐγὼ παραγγέλλω, πρὶν ὁ νυµφίος τῶν ψυχῶν εἰσέλθῃ
Ἰησοῦς, καὶ ἴδῃ τὰ σχήματα. Πολλή σοι ἡ προθεσµία: τεσσαράκοντα ἡμερῶν µετάνοιαν ἔχεις: ἔχεις πολλὴν εὐκαιρίαν καὶ ἐκδύσασθαι καὶ ἀποπλύνασθαι, καὶ ἐνδύσασθαι καὶ εἰσελθεῖν. Ei δὲ ἐπιμένεις κακῇ προαιρέσει, ὁ μὲν λέγων ἀναίτιος, σὺ δὲ μὴ προσδόκα λήψεσθαι τὴν χάριν: τὸ μὲν γὰρ ὕδωρ σε δέξεται, τὸ δὲ πνεῦμά σε οὐ δέξεται. Ei τις σύνοιδεν ἑαυτῷ τὸ τραῦμα, τὴν ἔμπλαστρον λαβέτω: ei τις ἔπεσεν, ἐγειρέσθω: μηδεὶς ἐν ὑμῖν Σίµων, undepia ὑπόκρισις, μηδὲ περιεργία τοῦ πράγματος.
Ἐγχωρεῖ σε καὶ προφάσει ἄλλῃ ἐλθεῖν. ἐγχωρεῖ γὰρ καὶ ἄνδρα βούλεσθαι γυναικὶ καθικετεῦσαι, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο προσελθεῖν: ἀντιστρέφει καὶ ἐπὶ γυναικῶν τὸ ὅμοιον ὁ λόγος: καὶ δοῦλος πολλάκις δεσπότῃ, καὶ φίλος φίλῳ ἀρέσαι ἠθέλησε. Δέχομαι τὸ δέλεαρ του ἀγκίστρου, καὶ καταδέχοµαί σε, κακῇ προαιρέσει μὲν ἐλθόντα, ἐλπίδι δὲ ἀγαθῇ σωθησόµενον. Ἴσως οὐκ ᾖδεις ποῦ ἔρχῃ, οὐδὲ ποία σε σαγήνη λαμβάνει: γέγονας εἴσω δικτύων ἐκκλησιαστικῶν: ζωγρήθητι. μὴ φύγῃς: ἀγκιστρεύει γάρ σε
Ἰησοῦς, οὐχ ἵνα θανατώσῃ, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα θανατώσας ζωοποιήσῃ; δεῖ γάρ σε ἀποθανεῖν καὶ ἀναστῆναι. ἤκουσας γὰρ τοῦ ἀποστόλου λέγοντος: «Νεκροὶ μὲν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ζῶντες δὲ τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ»: ἀπόθανε τοῖς ἁμαρτήμασι, καὶ ζῆσον τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ: ἀπὸ τοῦ σήμερον ζῆσον.
The Procatechesis
You were accounted worthy. Your name was written. Are you able to see with me the honorable behavior of this church? Can you observe with me its order and discipline, that is, the reading of the Scriptures, the presence of its canonical ministers, the course of its teachings? Let even the place persuade you, and be instructed by what you see there. Depart these things now when the time is right and come back tomorrow at the right time. If avarice is the garment of your soul, put on another and come in. I pray you, take off for me fornication and impurity, and put on for me the most shining robe of modesty, before Jesus, the bridegroom of souls, enters and sees your garments. You have ample time. You have forty days for repentance.
You have ample time even to take off and wash your garment, put it back on, and enter. But if you continue with an evil intention, the one speaking is blameless; you cannot expect to receive grace. For although the water may receive you, the Spirit will not. If someone is aware of a wound in himself, let him put a poultice on it. Ifany have fallen, let them arise. Let there be no Simon among you, no hypocrisy, and no idle curiosity about the things taking place.
Perhaps you were allowed also to enter under another false motive. Perhaps also a man wishes to comply with the desire of a woman and enters because of this, and this word also applies equally to women; and, frequently, a slave to please his master or a friend to please another friend. I accept the bait from the fishhook and welcome you, coming in with a bad intention, but being saved by a good hope. Perhaps you did not know where you were coming, or what attraction was catching you. You have come into the nets of the Church. Be caught! Stop fleeing! For is not Jesus catching you, not that you might die, but that in dying you might be made alive?
For it is necessary for you to die and to rise. For you have heard the Apostle saying, "dead to sin but living to righteousness" (Rom 6.11).
Die, then, to sins, and live to righteousness! From today on, live!
ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
Βλέπε pot πηλίκην σοι ἀξίαν 6 Ἰησοῦς χαρίζεται. Κατηχούµενος ἐλέγου, ἔξωθεν περιηχούµενος: ἀκούων ἐλπίδα, καὶ μὴ εἰδώς. ἀκούων μυστήρια, καὶ μὴ νοῶν' ἀκούων γραφάς, καὶ μὴ εἰδὼς τὸ βάθος. Οὐκ ἔτι περιηχῇ, ἀλλ᾽ ἐνηχῇ: τὸ γὰρ ἔνοικον πνεῦμα λοιπὸν οἴκους θείους τὴν διάνοιάν σου ἐργάζεται. Ὅταν ἀκούσῃς τὰ περὶ τῶν μυστηρίων γεγραμµένα, τότε νοήσεις ἃ μὴ ἤδεις. Καὶ μὴ νοµίσῃς ὅτι μικρὸν πρᾶγμα λαμβάνεις ἄνθρωπος ὢν οἰκτρός, θεοῦ λαμβάνεις προσηγορίαν. Ἄκουε Παύλου λέγοντος: «Πιστὸς ὁ θεός» ἄκουε ἄλλης γραφῆς λεγούσης:
«Θεὸς πιστὸς καὶ δίκαιος» Τοῦτο προβλέπων ὁ Ψαλμῳδὸς ἔλεγεν ἐκ προσώπου τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐπειδὴ µέλλουσιν ἄνθρωποι θεοῦ προσηγορίαν λαμβάνειν: «Εγὼ εἶπα, θεοί ἐστε, καὶ viol ὑψίστου πάντες»: ἀλλὰ βλέπε, μὴ πιστοῦ μὲν ἡ προσηγορία, ἀπίστου δὲ ἡ προαίρεσις. Εἰσῆλθες εἰς ἀγῶνα, κάµε τὸν δρόµον: ἄλλον καιρὸν τοιοῦτον οὐκ ἔχεις. Εἴ σοι γάμων ἡμέραι προέκειντο, οὐχ ἄν κατεφρόνησας πάντων, καὶ περὶ τὴν ἑτοιμασίαν τῆς ἑστιάσεως ἐγένου; µέλλων δὲ τὴν ψυχὴν καθοσιοῦν τῷ ἐπουρανίῳ νυμφίῳ, οὐκ ἀργήσεις σωματικῶν, ἵνα ἄρῃς πνευματικά;
Ἅπαξ ἀποτυχών, δεύτερον κατορθῶ: ἐὰν δὲ τὸ ἅπαξ ἀποτύχῃς, ἀδιόρθωτον τὸ πρᾶγμα. «Εἷς γὰρ κύριος, καὶ µία πίστις, καὶ ἓν βάπτισμα» µόνον γὰρ αἱρετικοί τινες ἀναβαπτίζονται, ἐπειδὴ τὸ πρότερον οὐκ ἦν βάπτισμα.
Οὐδὲν γὰρ ἄλλο παρ᾽ ἡμῶν ζητεῖ ὁ θεός, εἰ μὴ προαίρεσιν ἀγαθήν. μὴ λέγε Πῶς µου ἐξαλείφονται αἱ ἁμαρτίαι Ἐγώ σοι λέγω, τῷ θέλειν, TH πιστεύειν: τί τούτου συντοµώτερον; Ἐὰν δὲ τὰ μὲν χείλη σου λέγῃ τὸ θέλειν, ἡ δὲ καρδία μὴ λέγῃ, καρδιογνώστης
The Procatechesis
See with me the great dignity Jesus gives to you! You were called a catechumen, one who hears only externally, hearing hope but not knowing it, hearing mysteries but not understanding, hearing the Scriptures but not knowing their depth. But now you hear internally, not externally. For the indwelling Spirit makes your mind into a divine house. When you hear what has been written concerning the mysteries, then you understand what you did not know. And do not think that what you receive is a little thing. You, being a pitiable person, are receiving the name of God. Hear Paul saying, "God is faithful" (1 Cor 1.9). Hear another writing, saying, "God is faithful and just" (1 Jn 1.9). Foreseeing this, that is, that people were to receive the name of God, the psalmist spoke in the person of God, saying, "I have said, you are all gods and children of the Most High" (Ps 82.6).
But see that with the name of faithful you do not have an unfaithful intention. Having entered the race, walk the walk! You do not have another opportunity such as this. If the days of your wedding were coming, would you not regard all other things lightly, and become focused on preparation for the feast? But will you, on the coming dedication of your soul to the heavenly Bridegroom, not rest from material things, in order to take up spiritual things?
The washing (of baptism) is not received two or three times. In such a case it might be said, "Failing once, I will do it successfully a second time." But if you fail the first time, there is no making it right.
"For there is one Lord, and one faith, and one baptism" (Eph 4.5).
For only heretics are re-baptized, since their former baptism was not really baptism.
For God seeks nothing from us other than a good intention.
Stop saying, "How are my sins wiped away?" I say to you, "By willing, by believing." What is simpler than this? But if your lips claim to be willing, although your heart does not speak, the one who knows the heart is the judge. From today on abstain from every evil thing. Let
E RIGS Ayre Me πράγματος: µή σου λαλησάτω ἡ γλῶσσα ἄσεμνα ῥήματα: µή σου τὸ βλέμμα ἁμαρτανέτω, μηδὲ ῥεμβέσθω τὰ μὴ χρήσιμα.
Οἱ δὲ πόδες σου εἰς τὰς κατηχήσεις σπευδέτωσαν. Τοὺς ἐπορκισμοὺς δέχου μετὰ σπουδῆς: Kav ἐμφυσηθῇς, Kav ἐπορκισθῇς, σωτηρία σοι τὸ πρᾶγμα. Νόμισον εἶναι ἀργὸν χρυσόν, καὶ δεδολωµένον, ποικίλαις ὕλαις ἀναμεμιγμένον, χαλκῷ, καὶ κασσιτέρω, καὶ σιδήρῳ, καὶ μολύβδῳ: ζητοῦμεν τὸν χρυσὸν µόνον ἔχειν. χρυσὸς μὴ δύναται ἄνευ πυρὸς καθαρθῆναι τὰ ἀνοίκεια" οὕτως ἄνευ ἐπορκισμῶν οὐ δύναται καθαρθῆναι ψυχή: εἰσὶ δὲ θεῖοι, ἐκθείων γραφῶν συνειλεγμένοι: ἐσκέπασταί σου τὸ πρόσωπον, ἵνα σχολάσῃ λοιπὸν ἡ διάνοια: ἵνα μὴ τὸ βλέμμα ῥεμβόμενον ποιήσῃ ῥέμβεσθαι καὶ τὴν καρδίαν. Tov δὲ ὀφθαλμῶν ἐσκεπασμένων, οὐκ ἐμποδίζεται τὰ ὦτα δέξασθαι τὸ σωτήριον. "Ov γὰρ τρόπον οἱ τῆς χρυσοχοϊκῆς ἐργασίας ἔμπειροι, διὰ τινῶν λεπτῶν ὀργάνων τὸ πνεῦμα τῷ πυρὶ παρεµβάλλοντες, καὶ τὸ ἐν τῇ χώνῃ κεκρυμμένον χρυσίον ἀναφυσῶντες, τὴν παρακειµένην ἐρεθίζοντες φλόγα εὑρίσκουσι τὸ ζητούμενον: οὕτω τῶν ἐπορκιζόντων, διὰ πνεύματος θείου ἐμβαλλόντων τὸν φόβον, καὶ ὥσπερ ἐν χώνῃ, τῷ σώματι, τὴν ψυχἠν ἀναζωπυρούντων: φεύγει μὲν ὁ ἐχθρὸς δαίµων, παραμένει δὲ ἡ σωτηρία, καὶ παραμένει ἡ ἐλπὶς τῆς αἰωνίου ζωῆς, καὶ λοιπὸν ἡ ψυχἠὴ καθαρθεῖσα τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων ἔχει τὴν σωτηρίαν.
Παραμένωμεν τοίνυν τῇ ἐλπίδι, ἀδελφοί, καὶ δῶμεν ἑαυτούς, καὶ ἐλπίσωμεν: ἵνα ὁ θεὸς τῶν ὅλων, τὴν ἡμετέραν προαίρεσιν ἰδών, καθάρῃ μὲν ἡμᾶς τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν, ἐλπίδας δὲ ἡμῖν ἀγαθὰς παράσχῃ τῶν πραγμάτων. Καὶ δώῃ ἡμῖν µετάνοιαν σωτηρίας. Θεὸς ἐκάλεσε, σὺ δὲ ἐκλήθης.
Παράμενε ταῖς κατηχήσεσιν: εἰ καὶ πολλὰ παρατείνωµεν λέγοντες, µήποτε ἡ διάνοιά σου ἐκλυθῇ: ὅπλα γὰρ λαμβάνεις
Ἰουδαίων, καὶ Σαμαρειτῶν, καὶ Ἐθνῶν: πολλοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἔχεις, πολλὰ βέλη λάμβανε: πρὸς πολλοὺς γὰρ ἀκοντίζεις: καὶ χρεία σοι μαθεῖν πῶς κατακοντίσῃς τὸν Ἕλληνα, πῶς ἀγωνίσῃ πρὸς
The Procatechesis
your tongue not speak insignificant words, nor let your sight look at sin, nor let your mind wander toward what is not profitable.
Let your feet hurry to the catechetical lectures. Receive the exorcisms eagerly. Whether you are breathed upon or exorcized, the act is salvation for you. Consider yourselves as unrefined gold, having been disguised and mixed with various materials like copper, tin, iron, and lead. We seek to have only gold. But just as gold is not able to be purified from foreign substances except by fire, so the soul cannot be purified except by the exorcisms. For they are divine, having come from the divine Scriptures. Your face is veiled that your mind might be unoccupied, so that a wandering glance might not cause your mind to wander. And with your eyes veiled your ears are not prevented from receiving salvation. As those who know how the goldsmith works—who, through small tools, puts in the breath of fire, and by blowing on the hidden gold in the crucible enkindles the underlying flame to discover what he is seeking—so in the same way the exorcists put in the fear of the divine Spirit, so that, in the body of the crucible, the soul might be rekindled. The enemy—the demon—departs, but salvation and the hope of eternal life remain, and, henceforth, the soul, purified of its sins, has salvation. Let us then remain in hope, brothers, and offering ourselves let us be hopeful, that the God of all, seeing our intention, may purify us from our sins, and grant to us the good hope of what we have undertaken. And may he also give us repentance toward salvation. God has called and you are called.
Remain firm in these catecheses. And if my speaking is greatly prolonged, never let your mind be relaxed. For you are receiving armor against opposing powers: receiving armor against heretics,
Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. You have many enemies; you are receiving many weapons. For you have many at whom to hurl. And you must learn how to hurl them [i.e., weapons] at the Greek, how to
ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
αἱρετικόν, πρὸς Ἰουδαῖον καὶ Σαµαρείτην: καὶ τὰ μὲν ὅπλα ἔτοιμα, καὶ τὸ ξίφος τοῦ πνεύματος ἑτοιμότατον: δεῖ δὲ καὶ δεξιὰς τείνειν διὰ προαιρέσεως ἀγαθῆς, ἵνα πόλεμον κυρίου πολεμήσῃς, ἵνα νικήσῃς ἀντικειμένας ἐνεργείας, ἵνα ἀήττητος γένῃ παντὶ αἱρετικῷ πράγματι.
Παραγγελία δέσοι καὶ τοῦτο ἔστω. τὰ λεγόμενα µάνθανε, καὶ τήρει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Mr) νοµίσῃς τὰς συνήθεις εἶναι προσοµιλίας: κακεῖναι μὲν γὰρ ἀγαθαί, καὶ πίστεως ἀξίαι: ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν σήμερον ἀμελήσωμεν, αὔριον µανθάνοµεν: τὰ δὲ περὶ τοῦ λουτροῦ τῆς παλιγγενεσίας Kat' ἀκολουθίαν διαδιδόµενα διδάγµατα ἐὰν σήμερον ἀμεληθῇ, πότε κατορθωθήσεται; Νόμισόν pot φυτείας εἶναι δένδρων καιρόν. ἐὰν μὴ σκάψωµεν καὶ βαθύνωμεν, πότε δύναται ἄλλοτε καλῶς φυτευθῆναι τὸ ἅπαξ κακῶς φυτευθέν;
Νόμισόν pot οἰκοδομὴν εἶναι τὴν κατήχησιν: ἐὰν μὴ βαθύνωμεν, καὶ θεµέλιον θῶμεν, ἐὰν μὴ Kat' ἀκολουθίαν δεσμοῖς οἰκοδομῆς ἁρμολογήσωμεν τὸν δόµον, ἵνα μὴ εὑρεθῇ τι χαῦνον, καὶ σαθρὰ γένηται ἡ οἰκοδομή, οὐδὲν ὄφελος οὐδὲ τοῦ προτέρου κόπου: ἀλλὰ δεῖ kat' ἀκολουθίαν λίθον μὲν λίθῳ ἀκολουθεῖν, καὶ γωνίαν γωνίᾳ ἔπεσθαι:. ἀποξεόντων δὲ ἡμῶν τὰ περιττά, οὕτως τελείαν οἰκοδομὴν ἀναβαίνειν. οὕτω προσφέρομέν σοι λίθους ὥσπερ γνώσεως: δεῖ ἀκούειν τὰ περὶ θεοῦ ζῶντος: δεῖ ἀκούειν τὰ περὶ κρίσεως: δεῖ ἀκούειν τὰ περὶ Χριστοῦ. δεῖ ἀκούειν τὰ περὶ ἀναστάσεως: καὶ πολλά ἐστιν ἀκολούθως λεγόμενα, νῦν μὲν σποράδην εἰρημένα, τότε δὲ καθ᾽ ἁρμονίαν προσφερόµενα: ἐὰν δὲ μὴ συνάψῃς ἐν τῷ Evi, καὶ μνημονεύσῃς τῶν πρώτων καὶ τῶν δευτέρων, ὁ μὲν οἰκοδομῶν οἰκοδομεῖ, σὺ δὲ σαθρὰν ἕξεις τὴν οἰκοδομήν.
The Procatechesis
fight against the heretic, the Jew, and the Samaritan. And your armor is ready, as is the sword of the Spirit. But it is necessary also for you to extend your right hand with a good intention, that you might fight the battle of the Lord, that you might overcome the opposing powers, and that you might not be conquered by any heretical action. π.
And let this also be a command for you. Learn these teachings and keep them forever. Stop considering these to be but customary homilies, even if they are certainly good and worthy of belief; but which, if we disregard them today, we can learn them tomorrow.
But concerning the teachings on the washing of regeneration (Tit 3.5) which are given according to sequence, how are they to be made up if they are disregarded today? Consider with me that this is the time for the planting of trees. Unless we have dug and gone down deeply, how is it able to be planted rightly at another time if it has once been planted poorly? Consider with me the catechizing to be a building. Unless we dig deeply, and set the foundation, unless we join the structure of the house together with a sequence of chains, that no gaping hole be found, and the building become unsound, there is no benefit from our former work. But it is necessary that stone follow upon stone in sequence, and corner fall into place with corner, and that our excesses be shaved off, so that the finished building may arise. In such a way we are offering you stones, as it were, of wisdom. It is necessary to hear the things concerning the living God. It is necessary to hear the things concerning judgment.
It is necessary to hear the things concerning Christ. It is necessary to hear the things concerning the resurrection. And many things are spoken sequentially, which are now being delivered as a seed, but then will be offered as a harmonious whole. But unless you connect them as one, and remember what is first and what is second, the builder might build, but again the building will not have a solid foundation.
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12 Ὅτε τοίνυν ἡ κατήχησις λέγηται, ἐάν σε κατηχούµενος ἐξετάσῃ, τί εἰρήκασιν οἱ διδάσκοντες, μηδὲν λέγε τῷ ἔξω: µυστήριον γάρ σοι παραδίδοµεν, καὶ ἐλπίδα μέλλοντος αἰῶνος' τήρησον τὸ µυστήριον τῷ µισθαποδότῃ. Mh ποτέ coi τις εἴπῃ: τί βλάπτῃ, ἐὰν κἀγὼ μάθω; Καὶ οἱ νοσοῦντες τὸν οἶνον ζητοῦσιν: ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν ἀκαίρως δοθῇ, φρενῖτιν ἐργάζεται. καὶ δύο Kaka γίνεται, καὶ ὁ νοσῶν ἀπόλλυται, καὶ ὁ ἰατρὸς διαβάλλεται: οὕτως ὁ κατηχούµενος, ἐὰν ἀκούσῃ παρὰ πιστοῦ: καὶ 6 κατηχούµενος φρενιτιᾷ, οὐκ οἶδε γὰρ τί ἤκουσε, καὶ ἐλέγχει τὸ πρᾶγμα, καὶ ἐκμυκτηρίζει τὸ λεγόµενον: καὶ ὁ πιστὸς ὡς προδότης κατακρίνεται.
Ἠδη δὲ σὺ ἐν µεθορίῳ στήκεις, βλέπε pot μὴ ἐκλαλήσῃς: οὐχ ὅτι οὐκ ἄξια λαλιᾶς τὰ λεγόμενα, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι ἡ ἀκοὴ ἀναξία τοῦ δέξασθαι: ἧς καὶ σύ ποτε κατηχούµεγος, οὐ διηγησάµην σοι τὰ προκείµενα: ὅταν τῇ πείρᾳ λάβῃς τὸ ὕψωμα τῶν διδασκοµένων, τότε ἂν γνώσῃ, ὅτι ἀνάξιοι οἱ κατηχούµενοι τῆς ἀκοῆς.
Μιᾶς μητρὸς γεγόνατε υἱοὶ καὶ θυγατέρες, οἱ ἀπογραφέντες: ὅταν εἰσέλθητε πρὸ τῆς ὥρας τῶν ἐπορκισμῶν, εἷς ἕκαστος ὑμῶν λαλείτω τὰ πρὸς εὐσέβειαν: κἄν τις ὑμῶν μὴ παρῇ, ἐπιζητήσατε.
Εἰς τράπεζαν εἰ ἐκλήθης, οὐκ ἂν περιέµενες τὸν συγκεκληµένον; ἀδελφὸν εἰ εἶχες, οὐκ ἂν τῷ ἀδελφῷ τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐζήτεις Μὴ πολυπραγµόνει λοιπὸν πραγμάτων ἀνωφέλειαν' µή, τί ἐποίησε πόλις; UN, τί ἐποίησε κώμη; µή, τί ἐποίησε βασιλεύς; µή, τί ἐποίησεν ἐπίσκοπος; µή, τί ἐποίησε πρεσβύτερος; Ἄνω βλέπε: ὁ καιρὸς ὁ σὸς ἐκείνου χρείαν ἔχει. «Ἀχολάσατε καὶ γνῶτε. "Ott ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεός.» Ἐὰν ἴδῃς τοὺς πιστοὺς διακονοῦντας, καὶ μὴ μεριμνῶντας: ἔχουσι τὸ ἀσφαλές, οἴδασι τί ἔλαβον, κατέχουσι τὴν χάριν. σὺ δὲ ἀκμὴν ἐν ζυγῷ στήκεις, ἡ δεχθῆναι, ἢ μὴ δεχθῆναι: μὴ µιµῄσῃ τοὺς ἔχοντας τὸ ἀμέριμνον, ἀλλὰ µέτελθε τὸν φόβον.
The Procatechesis "ah
Then, after the catechesis has been delivered, if a catechumen asks you what the teachers said, say nothing to an outsider. For we are giving a mystery to you, as well as the hope of the coming age.
Keep this mystery for the One who pays you. Let no one say to you, "What harm is there if I also learn?" So also the sick seek wine, but if it is given to them wrongly, it causes frenzy, and two bad things happen as a result: the sick person dies, and the doctor has charges brought against him. So also the catechumen if he should hear from a faithful person. And the catechumen enters into a frenzy for he does not know what he heard, and he condemns the teaching and ridicules what was said. And the person of faith is judged as a traitor. But already you are standing on the border. See with me that you speak out nothing. Not that the things being delivered are not worthy of being said, but that the ear is not worthy to receive them.
At one time also you were a catechumen and I did not tell you the coming things. When by your attempt you reach the heights of our teaching, then you will know what the catechumens are not worthy of hearing.
You who have enrolled your names have become sons and daughters of one mother. When you have entered before the hour of the exorcisms, let each one of you speak about the things leading to godliness. And if any of you is not present, go find him. If you were called to a banquet table, would you not wait for another one who was invited? If you have a brother, would you not seek the good of your brother? From now on stop being preoccupied with useless things: what the city has done, what the town has done, what the king has done, what the bishop has done, or what the presbyter has done. Look up! The time requires this of you! "Be still and know that Iam God" (Ps 46.10). For if you see the faithful ministering without anxiety, having security, knowing what they received, they are possessing grace. But you are standing still on the scales, whether to be received or not to be received. Do not imitate those who are without anxiety, but seek after fear.
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Καὶ ὅταν ἐπορκισμὸς γένηται, ἕως ὅτου οἱ ἄλλοι ἐπορκιζόμενοι παραγένωνται, ἄνδρες pet' ἀνδρῶν, καὶ γυναῖκες μετὰ γυναικῶν. Νῦν γάρ pot χρεία τῆς τοῦ Νῶε κιβωτοῦ: ἵνα ᾖ N@e χωρὶς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ: καὶ ἡ γυνή, καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ. Ei γὰρ καὶ µία ἦν ἡ κιβωτός, καὶ κεκλεισµένη ἦν ἡ θύρα: ἀλλὰ ἐσχημάτιστο τὰ πράγματα. Ei καὶ κέκλεισται ἡ ἐκκλησία, καὶ πάντες ὑμεῖς ἔνδον: ἀλλὰ διεστάλθω τὰ πράγματα, ἄνδρες wet' ἀνδρῶν, καὶ γυναῖκες μετὰ γυναικῶν: μὴ γένηται ἡ ὑπόθεσις τῆς σωτηρίας, πρόφασις ἀπωλείας. Kav ἡ ὑπόθεσις καλή, πλησίον ἀλλήλων καθέζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ μακρὰν ἔστω τὰ πάθη. Εἶτα οἱ ἄνδρες καθεζόµενοι καὶ ἐχέτωσαν βιβλίον χρήσιµον: καὶ ὁ LEV τις ἀναγινωσκέτω, ὁ δέ τις ἀκουέτω.: Kav μὴ βιβλίον παρῇ, ὁ μὲν προσευχέσθω, ὁ δέ τι χρήσιμον λαλείτω. Kai 6 σύλλογος πάλιν ὁ παρθενικὸς οὕτω συνειλέχθω, ἢ ψάλλων ἢ ἀναγινώσκων ἡσυχῇ: ὥστε λαλεῖν μὲν τὰ χείλη, μὴ ἀκούειν δὲ τὰ ἀλλότρια ώτα. «Γυναικὶ γὰρ λαλεῖν ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ οὐκ ἐπιτρέπω» καὶ ἡ ἔγγαμος δὲ ὁμοίως µιµείσθω: καὶ προσευχέσθω, καὶ τὰ χείλη κινείσθω, φωνὴ δὲ μὴ ἀκουέσθω: ἵνα παρέλθῃ Σαμουήλ, ἵνα σου ἡ στεῖρα ψυχὴ γεννήσῃ τὴν σωτηρίαν θεοῦ ἐπακούσαντος. Ὁ γὰρ Σαμουὴλ ταύτην ἔχει τὴν ἑρμηνείαν.
Πυρούσθω ἡ διάνοια πρὸς εὐλάβειαν, χαλκευέσθω ἡ ψυχή, σφυροκοπείσθω τὸ σκληρὸν τῆς ἀπιστίας, ἀποπεσάτωσαν αἱ περιτταὶ τοῦ σιδήρου λεπίδες, µενέτω τὸ καθαρόν' ἀποπεσάτω τοῦ σιδήρου ὁ ἰός, µενέτω δὲ τὸ γνήσιον. Ποτὲ ὑμῖν δείξῃ 6 θεὸς ἐκείνην τὴν νύκτα, τὸ σκότος τὸ ἡμεροφανές, περὶ οὗ εἴρηται: «Σκότος οὐ σκοτισθήσεται ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ VLE ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα φωτισθήσεται» τότε ὑμῶν ἑκάστῳ καὶ ἑκάστῃ παραδείσου θύρα ἀνοιχθῇ. Tote ὑδάτων ἀπολαύσητε Χριστοφόρων, ἐχόντων εὐωδίαν. Τότε Χριστοῦ προσηγορίαν λάβητε, καὶ ἐνέργειαν θείων πραγμάτων.
Ἠδη Lot τῆς διανοίας τὸ ὄμμα ἀναβλέψατε: ἤδη pot χοροὺς ἀγγελικοὺς ἐννοήσατε, καὶ δεσπότην τῶν ὅλων θεὸν καθεζόµενον, υἱὸν δὲ μονογενῆ ἐν δεξιᾷ συγκαθήµενον, καὶ
The Procatechesis
And when the exorcism is to take place, until all the others to be exorcized arrive, the men are with the men and the women with the women. For now it is necessary for me to refer to Noah's ark, that Noah and his sons were separate from his wife and the wives of his sons. For although there was only one ark and the door was closed, things had been arranged in an orderly manner. If also the church is closed and all of you are inside, let these things be distinct, men with men and women with women. Stop making the foundation of your salvation a pretense for destruction. Even if there is a good reason for sitting near each other, let the passions be far away. Let the men be seated and let them have a good book; and let one read and another listen. And if there is no book let one of them pray, and let another say something useful. And, further, let the gathering of the virgins be assembled thus, either singing or reading in silence so that their lips may speak but others might not hear with their ears.
"For women are not permitted to speak in church" (1 Cor 14.34). And let the married woman copy this likewise. Let her pray and let her move her lips, but let her voice not be heard, so that Samuel might come and the sterile soul might bear "the salvation of the God who listens" (1 Sam 1.13, 17). For "Samuel" has this meaning.
I see each man's eagerness, each woman's reverence. Let your mind be refined in the fire toward reverence, let your soul be forged as copper, let the hardness of your unbelief be beaten out on the anvil, let the excess scales fall away from the iron, and let the pure remain.
Let the rust fall away from the iron, and let the genuine remain. At last God will show you that night, the darkness that shines like day, about which is said, "The darkness will not be darkened from you, and the night shall be illumined as the day" (Ps 139.12). At that time the doors of paradise will be opened to each man and woman among you. At that time you will enjoy the Christ-bearing waters with their sweet fragrance. At that time you will receive the name of Christ and the power of divine things. Already now you have lifted up for me the eye of your mind and have seen. Already now for me you
ST CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
πνεῦμα συµπαρόν, θρόνους δὲ καὶ κυριότητας λειτουργοῦντας: καὶ ὑμῶν δε ἕκαστον καὶ ἑκάστην, σωζόμενον καὶ σωζοµένην.
ἜἼδη ὑμῶν τὰ Ota ὥσπερ κατηχεῖσθαι ποιήσατε ἐκείνην τὴν καλὴν ἠχήν, ὅτε ὑμῶν σωθέντων οἱ ἄγγελοι ἐπιφωνήσουσι' «Μακάριοι ὧν ἀφέθησαν αἱ ἀνομίαι» ὃτε, ὥσπερ ἀστέρες τῆς ἐκκλησίας, εἰσέλθητε φαιδροὶ τῷ σώματι, καὶ φωτεινοὶ τῇ ψυχῇ.
Μέγα, τὸ προκείµενον βάπτισμα: αἰχμαλώτοις λύτρον: ἁμαρτημάτων ἄφεσις: θάνατος ἁμαρτίας: παλιγγενεσία ψυχῆς' ἔνδυμα φωτεινόν: σφραγὶς ayia ἀκατάλυτος: ὄχημα πρὸς οὖραvov: παραδείσου τρυφή: βασιλείας mpdk_evov: υἱοθεσίας χάρισμα.
Ἀλλὰ δράκων παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν τηρεῖ τοὺς περιπατοὺντας. Βλέπε μὴ δάκῃ τῇ amotia. Βλέπει τοσούτους σωζομένους, καὶ «ζητεῖ τίνα καταπίη.» Πρὸς «πατέρα πνευμάτων» εἰσέρχῃ, ἀλλὰ dt' ἐκείνου τοῦ δράκοντος διέρχῃ: πῶς οὖν αὐτὸν διέλθῃς; «Ὑπόδησαι τοὺς πόδας ἐν ἑτοιμασίᾳ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς εἰρήνης.» ἵνα Kav δάκῃ, μὴ βλάπτῃ: πίστιν ἔνοικον ἔχε, κραταιὰν ἐλπίδα, κρηπίδα ἰσχυράν, ἵνα διέλθῃς τὸν ἐχθρόν, καὶ εἰσέλθῃς πρὸς τὸν δεσπότην. Τὴν σαυτοῦ καρδίαν ἑτοίμασον εἰς ὑποδοχὴν διδασκαλίας, εἰς κοινωνίαν ἁγίων μυστηρίων. Εὔχου πυκνότερον, ἵνα ὁ θεός σε καταξιώσῃ τῶν ἐπουρανίων καὶ ἀθανάτων μυστηρίων. Μήτε ἡμέραν ἄργει, µήτε νύκτα: ἀλλ᾽ ὅταν ὁ ὕπνος ἐκ τῶν ὀμμάτων σου ἐκπέσῃ, τότε ἡ διάνοιά σου εἰς προσευχὴν σχολαζέτω. Kav ἴδῃς λογισμὸν αἰσχρὸν ἀναβάντα εἰς τὴν διάνοιάν σου, λάβε κρίσεως ὑπομνηστικὸν σωτηρίας: σχόλασον τὴν διάνοιαν εἰς τὸ μαθεῖν, ἵνα ἐπιλάθῃ φαύλων πραγμάτων. Ἐὰν ἴδῃς τινά σοι λέγοντα: Καὶ εἰσέρχῃ εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ καταβῆναι; ἄρτι γὰρ οὐκ ἔχει ἡ πόλις βαλανεῖα; Γίνωσκε ὅτι ὁ δράκων τῆς θαλάσσης ταῦτά σοι κατασκευάζει: μὴ πρόσεχε τοῖς χείλεσι τοῦ λαλοῦντος, ἀλλὰ τῷ ἐνεργοῦντι θεῷ. Φύλασσε τὴν σαυτοῦ ψυχήν, ὅπως ἄληπτος γένῃ: ἵνα παραµείνας τῇ ἐλπίδι, κληρονόμος γένῃ σωτηρίας αἰωνίου.
The Procatechesis
think of the angelic choirs and God the Lord of all sitting, and the Only-begotten Son seated with him at his right hand, and the Spirit present with them, and the thrones and dominions offering their liturgy, and each man and woman among you receiving salvation.
Already now make your ear ring with that great sound which, when you are saved, the angels will sing out. "Blessed are those whose sins have been forgiven" (Ps 32.1), when, like stars of the Church, you will have entered beaming with joy in body and enlightened in soul.
Great is the baptism being set before you. It is a release to prisoners, the forgiveness of sins, the death of sin, the regeneration of the soul, the putting on of the garment of light, the indestructible holy seal, the chariot to heaven, the luxurious food of paradise, the gaining of the kingdom, and the grace of divine adoption. But a serpent by the road is seeking those walking about. Look that he does not bite you with unbelief. He sees so many being saved and "he seeks that he might devour some of them" (1 Pet 5.8). You are going to the "Father of spirits" (Heb 12.9) but you have to go by that serpent. How then will you get past him? "Put your sandals on your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph 6.5), so that even if he bites you he cannot injure you. Have faith dwelling in you, strong hope, powerful boots, that you might pass the enemy, and come to the Lord. Prepare your heart for the reception of instruction, toward the communion of the holy mysteries. Pray more frequently that God may make you worthy of the heavenly and immortal mysteries. Do not be idle by day or night, but when sleep falls from your eyes, then let your mind be devoted to prayer. If you see any shameful thought rising in your mind, remind yourself of judgment and salvation. Focus your mind on the teaching, that you might forget evil things. If you see someone saying to you, "And are you going in to descend into the water? Por does the city no longer have baths?" know that the sea serpent is plotting these things against you. Stop paying attention to the lips of the one speaking, but to God who is working. Guard your soul so that it may not be caught, so that, dwelling in hope, you may become an heir of eternal salvation.
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17 Ἡμεῖς μὲν ταῦτα, ὡς ἄνθρωποι, καὶ παραγγέλλομεν καὶ διδάσκοµεν. Mi) ποιήσητε δὲ τὴν οἰκοδομὴν ἡμῶν «χόρτον, καὶ καλάμην, καὶ ἄχυρα»" ἵνα μὴ τοῦ ἔργου κατακαέντος, ζημιωθῶμεν: ἀλλὰ ποιήσατε τὸ ἔργον «χρυσίον, και ἀργύριον, καὶ λίθους τιµίους.» Ἐν ἐμοὶ μὲν γάρ ἐστι τὸ εἰπεῖν, ἐν coi δὲ τὸ προθέσθαι, ἐν θεῷ δὲ τὸ τελειῶσαι. Νευρώσωμεν τὴν διάνοιαν: συντείνωµεν τὴν ψυχήν: ἑτοιμάσωμεν τὴν καρδίαν: περὶ ψυχῆς τρέχοµεν: περὶ αἰωνίων πραγμάτων ἐλπίζομεν. Δυνατὸς δὲ ὁ θεός, ὁ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν εἰδώς καὶ γινώσκων τίς μέν ἐστι γνήσιος, τίς δὲ ὑποκριτὴς, τὸν μὲν γνήσιον φυλάξαι, τὸν δὲ ὑποκριτὴν πιστοποιῆσαι. Δύναται γὰρ ὁ θεὸς καὶ τὸν ἄπιστον πιστοποιῆσαι, ἐὰν µόνον δῷ τὴν καρδίαν. Καὶ «ἐξαλείψαι τὸ καθ᾽ ὑμῶν χειρόγραφον»: ἀμνηστίαν δὲ ὑμῖν παράσχοι τῶν πρώτων παραπτωµάτων. φυτεύσοι δὲ ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ στρατεύσοι ὑμᾶς ἑαυτῷ, ὅπλα περιβαλὼν τῆς δικαιοσύνης: οὐρανίων δὲ πραγμάτων καινῆς διαθήκης πληρώσειε, καὶ πνεύματος ἁγίου σφραγίδα δώῃ ἀνεξάλειπτον εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν, ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Αμήν.
The Procatechesis
We indeed command and teach these things as human beings.
Do not make our building "hay, straw, and chaff} lest "our work be burned and we suffer loss." But make the work "gold, and silver, and precious stones" (1 Cor 3.12, 15). For it is in me to speak, in you to purpose, and in God to bring to completion. Let us strengthen our minds. Let us direct our souls. Let us prepare our hearts. Let us run for our soul. Let us hope for eternal things. And God, who knows your hearts and knows the one who is genuine and the one who is a hypocrite, has the power to preserve the genuine and to make of the hypocrite a person of faith. For God has the power to make even the one with no faith into a person of faith, if he only gives to him his heart. And "may he wipe away the handwriting that is against you" (Col 2.14), give you amnesty for your past sins, plant you in the Church, and enlist you in his army, putting upon you the armor of righteousness. And may he fill you with the heavenly things of the new covenant and give you the indelible seal of the Holy Spirit unto the ages, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory unto the ages of ages. Amen.