Didaché -- The Training of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles
The following translation of The Training of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles is based on the
edition prepared by Aaron Milavec, The Didache: Text, Translation, Analysis, and Commentary
published by Liturgical Press Universally known by its Greek title, the Didaché is the oldest and one of the
briefest compilations of Christian doctrine which has come down to us. Tradition has it that it
represents a summary of the teachings of the Apostles themselves. It certainly predates some of the
New Testament writings in antiquity and would have been in circulation while the Apostles were still
living. It is catechetical in style and purpose. Much of its text echoes the scriptures, both Old and
New Testaments, and some of it appears to recall some of the sayings of Jesus which did not find
their way into the canonical writing of scripture. The Didache was originally discovered by Archbishop Bryennios in a private library in Istanbul
in the year 1875. No one at the time, however, was able to recognize it for what it was. Thus,
for over a hundred years, scholars of the early church routinely dismissed the Didache because they
all supposed that it was an ancient church order written in the second century. Milavec, however,
was unsatisfied by this official point of view. He was able to reconstruct the
hopes and the fears, the trials and the successes, that characterized Christians when they were
still a religious faction struggling at the boundaries of Judaism.
Milavec's translation, reproduced here with some alteration, is an attempt to cling closely to the
Greek text including the use of inclusive language where the Greek used an inclusive pronoun. Several other
translations of the Didaché are available on the Internet including an excellent one by
Ivan Lewis.
Besides the Greek version, there appears an old Latin edition of the first six chapters as well
as some Coptic versions and parallels in various other works which have come down to us. The work falls into four parts: Chapters 1--6 are teachings directed at those who are to be
baptised, chapters 7--10 concentrate on the sacraments of Baptism, Confession of sins and the
Eucharist and the prayers and practices which are associated with these sacraments (the Coptic
version also included a prayer associated with the oil of anointing), chapters 11--15 provide
practical advice concerning the recognition and election of prophets, bishops and priests, while
chapter 16 looks to the end-times and the need to be continually on watch. Watch for asterisks as you read. Put the mouse curser over them and a short comment will appear.
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