← Work overview Chapter 9 of 14

Letter to the Smyrnaeans

Chapter 8

~1 min

Editions · Modern English — VOTF Versions · 1
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Aa

All of you, follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as the apostles. Respect the deacons as the commandment of God. Let no one do anything pertaining to the Church apart from the bishop. Let that Eucharist be considered valid which is celebrated under the bishop, or by someone to whom he gives permission.

Wherever the bishop appears, there let the congregation be, just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic Church. It is not permitted to baptize or to hold a love feast apart from the bishop; but whatever he approves is also pleasing to God, so that everything you do may be secure and valid.

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