Early Christian Beliefs About The Order of Virgins

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Direct teaching

Philo and Agathopus the deacons salute you. I salute the company of virgins, and the order of widows;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

and then of the women, the deaconesses, and the virgins, and the widows;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

but let the virgins, and the widows, and the elder women, stand or sit before all the rest;

Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. Mark Supporting witness

Remember the orthodox bishops everywhere, the elders, deacons, sub-deacons, readers, singers, monks, virgins, widows, and laity.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Let us pray for the readers, singers, virgins, widows, and orphans.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...us men, apostles, martyrs, confessors, bishops, presbyters, deacons, sub-deacons, readers, singers, virgins, widows, and lay persons, along with all whose names You know. We further offer to You for this people, that You will make them, to the praise of Your Christ, a royal priesthood and a holy nation; for those who are in virginity and purity; for the widows of the Church; for those in honorable marriage and childbearing; for the infants of Your people, that You will not allow any of us to become castaways. We further beg You also for this city and its inhabitants; for those who are sick; for those in bitter servitude; for those in banishment; for those in prison; for those who travel by water or by land; that You, the helper and supporter of all men, will support them. We further also beg You for those who hate us and persecute us for Your name's sake; for those who are outside and wander out of the way; that You will turn them to goodness and calm their anger. We further also beg You for the catechumens of the Church, for those who are vexed by the adversary, and for our brothers the penitents, that You will perfect the first in the faith, that You will deliver the second fr

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...d the women. Let those women who are married and have children be placed by themselves. But let the virgins, and the widows, and the older women, stand or sit before all the rest. Let the deacon arrange the places, so that everyone who comes in may go to his proper place and may not sit at the entrance. In the same way, let the deacon oversee the people, so that nobody may whisper, or slumber, or laugh, or nod. For all ought in the church to stand wisely, soberly, and attentively, with their attention fixed on the word of the Lord. After this, let all rise up with one consent, and looking toward the east, after the catechumens and penitents have gone out, pray to God eastward, who ascended to the heaven of heavens to the east. Let them also remember the ancient location of paradise in the east, from where the first man, after he gave in to the persuasion of the serpent and disobeyed the command of God, was driven out. As for the deacons, after the prayer is over, let some of them attend to the oblation of the Eucharist, ministering to the Lord's body with fear. Let others watch the crowd and keep them silent. But let that deacon who is at the high priest's side say to the people

Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Direct teaching

...d women, growing old unmarried, in hope of living in closer communion with God. But if remaining in virginity and in the state of a eunuch brings a person nearer to God, while the indulgence of carnal thought and desire leads away from Him, then in the cases where we shun the thoughts, much more do we reject the deeds. For we give our attention, not to the study of words, but to the showing and teaching of actions: that a person should either remain as he was born, or be content with one marriage. For a second marriage is only a specious adultery. For He says, "Whoever puts away his wife and marries another commits adultery," Matthew 19:9. He does not permit a man to send away her whose virginity he has brought to an end, nor to marry again. For he who deprives himself of his first wife, even though she is dead, is a cloaked adulterer. He resists the hand of God, because in the beginning God made one man and one woman, and he dissolves the strictest union of flesh with flesh, formed for the intercourse of the race.

Tertullian, On Prayer Direct teaching

...do you lay bare before God what you cover before men? Will you be more modest in public than in the church? If your self-devotion is a grace of God, and you have received it, "why do you boast," he says, "as if you have not received it?" 1 Corinthians 4:7 Why, by your ostentation of yourself, do you judge others? Is it that, by your boasting, you invite others to good? No. Even you yourself run the risk of losing, if you boast, and you drive others into the same perils. What is assumed from love of boasting is easily destroyed. Be veiled, virgin, if you are a virgin, for you ought to blush. If you are a virgin, shrink from the gaze of many eyes. Let no one wonder at your face. Let no one perceive your falsehood. You do well in falsely assuming the married character, if you veil your head. No, you do not seem to assume it falsely, for you are wedded to Christ. To Him you have surrendered your body. Act as becomes your Husband's discipline. If He commands the brides of others to be veiled, then His own much more. But each individual man is not to think that the institution of his predecessor is to be overturned. Many surrender their own judgment, and its consistency, to the custom

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

20. For this reason, therefore, the Church often mourns over her virgins. This is why she groans over their shameful and detestable stories. This is why the flower of her virgins is put out, the honor and modesty of continence are damaged, and all its glory and dignity are profaned. In this way the enemy who lays siege works his way in by his tricks. In this way, through deceptive snares and secret paths, the devil creeps in. In this way, while virgins want to be adorned more carefully and to roam with greater freedom, they cease to be virgins, corrupted by a hidden disgrace. They become widows before they are married, adulteresses not against a husband, but against Christ. To the same degree that, as virgins, they had been destined for great rewards, they will suffer great punishments for the loss of their virginity.

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

...les gives testimony to Christ; in the martyrs shows the constant faithfulness of their religion; in virgins restrains the admirable continency of their sealed chastity; in others, guards the laws of the Lord's doctrine uncorrupt and uncontaminated; destroys heretics, corrects the perverse, condemns infidels, makes known pretenders; moreover, rebukes the wicked, and keeps the Church uncorrupt and inviolate, in the sanctity of a perpetual virginity and truth.

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

...ou do not wish us to perish. For is this how you usually act? Do you tell the murderer to deny, and order the man guilty of sacrilege to the rack if he continues in his acknowledgment? Is that your way? But if you do not treat us as criminals in this way, then by that very fact you declare us innocent. And as innocent, you are anxious that we should not continue in a confession which you know will bring on us a condemnation at your hands by necessity, not by justice. The man cries out, "I am a Christian." He tells you what he is. You want to hear from him what he is not. Though you hold a place of authority to force out the truth, you do your utmost to get lies from us. "I am," he says, "what you ask whether I am." Why do you torture me to sin? I confess, and you put me to the rack. What would you do if I denied? Certainly you do not quickly believe others when they deny. But when we deny, you believe at once. Let this perversity of yours lead you to suspect that there is some hidden power in the matter, under whose influence you act against legal forms, against the nature of public justice, and even against the laws themselves. For unless I am greatly mistaken, the laws command

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

...les gives testimony to Christ; in the martyrs shows the constant faithfulness of their religion; in virgins restrains the admirable continency of their sealed chastity; in others, guards the laws of the Lord’s doctrine incorrupt and uncontaminated; destroys heretics, corrects the perverse, condemns infidels, makes known pretenders, rebukes the wicked, and keeps the Church uncorrupt and inviolate, in the holiness of a perpetual virginity and truth.

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

in virgins restrains the admirable continency of their sealed chastity;

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...he deacon who has often stayed with a virgin, and also the others who were accustomed to sleep with virgins. But if they have repented of this unlawful lying together, and have separated from one another, then in the meantime the virgins should be carefully examined by midwives. If they are found to be virgins, let them be received to communion and admitted to the Church. Yet this warning must be given: if afterward they return to the same men, or if they live together with the same men in one house or under the same roof, they must be cast out with a more severe censure, and such persons should not afterward be easily received into the Church. But if any one of them is found to have been corrupted, let her repent deeply, because she who has been guilty of this crime is an adulteress, not against a husband, but against Christ. Therefore, after a proper time has been appointed, let her afterward return to the Church when confession has been made. But if they stubbornly continue, and do not separate from one another, let them know that with this shameless stubbornness they can never be admitted by us into the Church, lest they begin to set an example for others to go to ruin by th

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

... set forth. Let the poor feel that you are wealthy. Let the needy feel that you are rich. Lend your estate to God. Give food to Christ. By the prayers of many, move Him to grant that you may carry out the glory of virginity and succeed in coming to the Lord's rewards. Entrust your treasures there, where no thief digs through and no crafty plunderer breaks in. Prepare possessions for yourself, but let them be heavenly ones instead, where neither rust wears them out, nor hail damages them, nor the sun burns them, nor rain spoils your fruits. Let them be lasting and unending, and free from every touch of worldly harm. For in this very matter you are sinning against God if you think that He gave you riches for this purpose: that you should fully enjoy them without any concern for salvation. For God also gave man a voice, and yet because of that, love songs and indecent things should not be sung. And God willed iron to be used for cultivating the earth, but because of that, murders must not be committed. Or because God appointed incense, wine, and fire, should we therefore sacrifice to idols? Or because herds of cattle are plentiful in your fields, should you offer victims and sacrif

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

Only let your virginity remain and endure substantial and uninjured;

Tertullian, On the Veiling of Virgins Supporting witness

For constancy of virginity is maintained by grace;

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

“And the tower,” I asked, “what does it mean?” “This tower,” he replied, “is the Church. And these virgins, who are they? They are holy spirits, and people cannot otherwise be found in the kingdom of God unless these have put their clothing on them. For if you receive the name only, and do not receive the clothing from them, they are of no benefit to you. For these virgins are the powers of the Son of God. If you bear His name but do not have His power, then you bear His name in vain. Those stones,” he continued, “which you saw rejected, bore His name, but did not put on the clothing of the virgins.” “Of what kind is their clothing, sir?” I asked. “Their very names,” he said, “are their clothing. Everyone who bears the name of the Son of God ought to bear the names of these also, for the Son Himself bears the names of these virgins. As many stones,” he continued, “as you saw come into the building of the tower through the hands of these virgins, and remain there, have been clothed with their strength. For this reason you see that the tower became one stone with the rock. In the same way, those who have believed in the Lord through His Son, and are clothed with these spirits, will b

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...wait for him until it gets late. If he does not arrive, I will go away into the house and come back early in the morning." They answered and said to me, "You were entrusted to us. You cannot go away from us." "Then where am I to stay?" I said. "You will sleep with us," they replied, "as a brother, and not as a husband. For you are our brother. And from now on we intend to stay with you, because we love you very much!" But I was ashamed to stay with them. And she who seemed to be the first among them began to kiss me. And the others, seeing her kiss me, also began to kiss me, and to lead me around the tower, and to play with me. I too became like a young man and began to play with them. Some of them formed a chorus, others danced, and others sang. And I, keeping silent, walked with them around the tower and was joyful with them. When it grew late, I wanted to go into the house. But they would not let me, and they kept me there. So I stayed with them during the night and slept beside the tower. The virgins spread their linen tunics on the ground and made me lie down in the middle of them. They did nothing at all except pray. And I prayed with them without ceasing, no less than the

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

Moreover, I sent these virgins to you so that they may live with you. For I saw that they were kind to you. Therefore, you will have them as helpers, so that you may be better able to keep his commands. For it is impossible to keep these commandments without these virgins. I also see that they stay with you willingly. But I will also instruct them not to leave your house at all. Only keep your house pure, because they will delight in living in a pure home. For they are pure, chaste, and hardworking, and they have great influence with the Lord. Therefore, if they find your house pure, they will remain with you. But if any defilement, even a little, comes upon it, they will immediately leave your house. For these virgins do not like any defilement at all. I said to him, "I hope, sir, that I will please them, so that they may always be willing to live in my house. And just as he to whom you entrusted me has no complaint against me, so they will have none either." He said to the Shepherd, "I see that the servant of God wishes to live and to keep these commandments, and that he will place these virgins in a pure home." When he had spoken these words, he again entrusted me to the Shepher

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...ey were found to be just as they had been when they were taken out of the building. So the Shepherd ordered them to be removed from the tower and placed by themselves. Next he examined the stones that had scabs. He took many of these and cut them, and he commanded the virgins to pick them up and throw them into the building. And the virgins lifted them up and put them in the middle of the tower's building. But he ordered the rest to be laid beside the black stones, because these too were found to be black. Next he examined the stones that had cracks. He cut many of these and commanded the virgins to carry them to the building. And they were placed on the outside, because they were found to be sounder than the others. But the rest, because there were so many cracks, could not be cut. Therefore they were rejected from the building of the tower. Next he examined the chipped stones. Many of these were found to be black, and some had large cracks. He commanded these also to be laid down with those that had been rejected. But the rest, after being cleaned and cut, he commanded to be placed in the building. And the virgins lifted them up and fitted them into the middle of the building

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...rs in the building of the tower. When the six men saw these unsuitable stones in the building, they ordered them to be taken away and carried back down to the place from where they had been taken. They were removed one by one and laid aside. Then they said to the men who had brought the stones, "Do not bring any stones at all for the building. Instead, lay them down beside the tower, so that the virgins may carry them through the gate and may give them for the building. For unless they are carried through the gate by the hands of the virgins," they said, "they cannot change their colors. Therefore do not work for nothing."

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

and let the virgins be honoured as representing the altar of incense, and the incense itself.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

XXIV. I, the same, make a constitution in regard to virgins: A virgin is not ordained, for we have no such command from the Lord;

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

Such are the gnostic souls, which the Gospel likened to the consecrated virgins who wait for the Lord.

Shepherd of Hermas, Connection to Revelation 14:4 Supporting witness

Having, therefore, received the seal, they had one understanding and one mind; and their faith became one, and their love one, and with the name they bore also the spirits of the virgins.

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness

Let the virgins know to whom they have consecrated themselves.

1 Corinthians 7:25 Direct teaching

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

1 Corinthians 7:34 Supporting witness

There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:37 Supporting witness

Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

1 Corinthians 7:36 Supporting witness

But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry.

1 Corinthians 7:28 Supporting witness

But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

Revelation 14:4 Direct teaching

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.