Sermo ob sacerdotum instructione1

Of the Same. Instructions to Priests. III. On Divine Grace. Pay attention to yourself, O priest, and to those whom you are about to teach, and consider the ministry which you have received, that you may fulfill it. For you have not been entrusted with an earthly ministry, but a heavenly one; not of men, but of angels. Strive to present yourself to the Lord as a blameless worker, cutting straight the word of truth. Never stand at the assembly bearing enmity against anyone, lest you drive away the Paraclete on the day of assembly. Do not judge, nor be contentious at all, but remaining hidden, staying in the church, pray and read until the hour in which you must celebrate the divine mystagogy. And thus stand in compunction at the holy altar, not looking around here and there, but standing with trembling and fear before the heavenly King. Do not hasten or shorten the prayers for the sake of human favor, not pleading "take the face of a man," but look toward the King who is before you and the powers standing around. Make yourself worthy of the sacred canons; do not concelebrate with those whom the canon rejects. Therefore, consider before whom you stand, how you perform the sacred rites, and to whom you give communion. Consider that you do not forget the Lord's command and that of the holy apostles: "Do not give," it says, "the holy things to the dogs, and do not cast the pearls before the swine." "Beware of the dogs," and so forth. Therefore, consider that you are not led by human fear, that you are not terrified of a man to your own fall; do not deliver the Son of God into the hands of the unworthy.

See then that you are not ashamed before the illustrious ones of the earth, nor are you awed by the one who wears the diadem at that hour when you stand to perform the sacred rite. Observe how you give to those who wish to receive a gift in their homes; I have no part in this, you will see. To those worthy of divine communion, give freely, as you yourself received; to those whom the divine canons do not permit, do not give, for they are accounted as gentiles, and woe to those who give to them before they convert. See then that a mouse or something else does not touch the divine mysteries; that through your negligence they are not moistened or smoked or handled by unholy persons. [See how you lay away the holy things after the completion of the divine liturgy; do not let a pearl fall in haste, see that you do not leave the holy cup containing liquid and let it become moldy, but lay both away and then depart. See, if holy gifts remain, it is not permitted for anyone but priests alone to commune with them; if not, and there are sufficient sober children, bring them also to commune, and let them remain fasting until the fifth hour. See that flies do not fall into the holy cup or settle upon the bread; see that nothing else touches the divine mysteries.] Guard these and such things, and you will save both yourself and those who hear you.