Chapter 53

1If they are individually chosen to receive baptism, let them first be examined and investigated as to how they lived while they were catechumens: whether they honored widows, visited the sick, walked in all meekness and love, and were earnest in good works. Let those who bring them testify about them.

2When they hear the Gospel, let a hand be laid on them daily. Let them be exorcised from the day they are chosen, and let them be baptized during the days of Pascha.

3When the days approach, let the bishop exorcise each one separately, so that he may be assured that each is pure. For if anyone is not pure or has an unclean spirit, let that person be reproved by that unclean spirit. If anyone is found under any such delusion, let that person be removed from among them and reproved and rebuked for not having faithfully heard the word of the commandments and instruction, because the evil and alien spirit remained within.

4Let those who are about to receive baptism be taught on the fifth day of the last week only to wash and bathe their heads. But if any woman is then experiencing her customary flow, let her take another day as well, washing and bathing beforehand.

5Let them fast on both Friday and Saturday.