A Window into the Worship, Theology, and Church Life of Early Christianity

Compiled in the late fourth century, The Apostolic Constitutions offers a rare and detailed glimpse into the lived experience of the early church. Drawing from earlier sources such as the Didache, the Didascalia Apostolorum, and other church orders, this influential compilation preserves a portrait of Christian belief and practice as it was remembered and shaped in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Structured as a set of instructions purportedly delivered by the apostles to their followers, the Constitutions cover nearly every aspect of ecclesial life: the duties of bishops, presbyters, and deacons; the proper conduct of Christian worship; the role of widows, orphans, and catechumens; and the moral expectations placed on the faithful. They include prayers, liturgies, rules for fasting, and even household codes, all designed to establish a stable and holy community rooted in apostolic tradition.

While modern scholarship recognizes the composite and pseudepigraphal nature of the text, its significance remains unquestioned. It is one of the earliest attempts to systematize Christian doctrine, worship, and governance in a single comprehensive document.

This edition presents The Apostolic Constitutions in clear, accessible English, making it ideal for readers seeking to understand how the early church imagined itself: in continuity with the apostles, yet responding to the challenges of its own day. Whether read for historical insight, theological reflection, or ecclesial curiosity, this text stands as a cornerstone of Christian antiquity.