Heads of the Canons of Abulide or Hippolytus,

Which are used by the Æthiopian Christians.20362036 These were first published in French by Jo. Michael Wanslebius in his book De Ecclesia Alexandrina, Paris, 1677, p. 12; then in Latin, by Job Ludolfus, in his Commentar. ad historiam Æthiopicam, Frankfort, 1691, p. 333; and by William Whiston, in vol. iii. of his Primitive Christianity Revived, published in English at London, 1711, p. 543. He has also noted the passages in the Constitutions Apostolicæ, treating the same matters.

1. Of the holy faith of Jesus Christ.159 Amos v. 11, 12, 13. Constit. Apostol., lib. vi. ch. 11, etc.

2. Of bishops.160 Lib. vii. ch. 41.

3. Of prayers spoken on the ordination of bishops, and of the order of the Missa.161 Lib. vii. ch. 4, 5, 10. [The service of the faithful, Missa Fidelium, not the modern Mass. See Bingham, book xv. The Missa was an innocent word for the dismission of those not about to receive the Communion. See Guettée, Exposition, etc., p. 433.]

4. Of the ordination of presbyters.

5. Of the ordination of deacons.

6. Of those who suffer persecution for the faith.162 Lib. viii. ch. 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 45.

7. Of the election of reader and sub-deacon.163 Lib. viii. ch. 21, 22.

8. Of the gift of healing.164 Lib. viii. ch. 1, 2.

9. Of the presbyter who abides in a place inconvenient for his office.165 Lib. viii. ch. 46, 32.

10. Of those who are converted to the Christian religion.

11. Of him who makes idols.166 Lib. viii. ch. 46, 32.

12. Various pursuits167 Studia. are enumerated, the followers of which are not to be admitted to the Christian religion until repentance is exhibited.168 Lib. viii. ch. 46, 32.

13. Of the place which the highest kings or princes shall occupy in the temple.169 Wanting.

14. That it is not meet for Christians to bear arms.170 Lib. viii. ch. 32.

15. Of works which are unlawful to Christians.171 Lib. viii. ch. 32.

16. Of the Christian who marries a slave-woman.172 Lib. viii. ch. 32.

17. Of the free woman.173 Lib. viii. ch. 32.

18. Of the midwife; and that the women ought to be separate from the men in prayer.174 Lib. ii. ch. 57.

19. Of the catechumen who suffers martyrdom before baptism.175 Lib. v. ch. 6.

20. Of the fast of the fourth and sixth holiday; and of Lent.176 Lib. v. ch. 13, 15.

21. That presbyters should assemble daily with the people in church.177 Lib. ii. ch. 36.

22. Of the week of the Jews’ passover; and of him who knows not passover (Easter).178 Lib. v. ch. 15, etc.

23. That every one be held to learn doctrine.179 Lib. vii. ch. 39, 40, 41.

24. Of the care of the bishop over the sick.180 Lib. iv. ch. 2.

25. Of him on whom the care of the sick is enjoined; and of the time at which prayers are to be made.181 Lib. iii. ch. 19, viii. ch. 34.

26. Of the time at which exhortations are to be heard.182 Lib. viii. ch. 32.

27. Of him who frequents the temple every day.183 Lib. ii. ch. 59.

28. That the faithful ought to eat nothing before the holy communion.184 Wanting.

29. That care is to be well taken that nothing fall from the chalice to the ground.185 Wanting,

30. Of catechumens.186 Lib. vii. ch. 39, etc.

31. That a deacon may dispense the Eucharist to the people with permission of a bishop or presbyter.187 Lib. viii. ch. 28.

32. That widows and virgins ought to pray constantly.188 Lib. iii. ch. 6, 7, 13.

33. That commemoration should be made of the faithful dead every day, with the exception of the Lord’s day.189 Lib iv. ch. 14, viii. ch. 41–44.

34. Of the sober behaviour of the secular190 i.e., laymen. in church.191 Lib. ii. ch. 57.

35. That deacons may pronounce the benediction and thanksgiving at the love-feasts when a bishop is not present.192 Wanting.

36. Of the first-fruits of the earth, and of vows.193 Or offerings. Lib. ii. ch. 25.

37. When a bishop celebrates the holy communion (Synaxis),194 [Synaxis. Elucidation II.] the presbyters who stand by him should be clothed in white.195 Lib. vii. ch. 29, viii. 30, 31. (See the whole history of ecclesiastical antiquity, on this point, in the learned work of Wharton B. Marriott, Vestiarium Christianum, London, Rivingtons, 1868.]

38. That no one ought to sleep on the night of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.196 Lib. viii. ch. 12, v. ch. 19.