First Apology 67

And we afterwards continually remind one another of these things; and those of us who have means help all who are in want, and we are always together with one another. And for all that we receive we bless the Maker of all through his Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. And on the day called the day of the Sun there is a gathering in one place of all who live in cities or in the country, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then, when the reader has stopped, the president in a discourse admonishes and urges the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and send up prayers; and, as we said before, when we have finished our prayer, bread is brought, and wine and water, and the president likewise sends up prayers and thanksgivings, as much as he is able, and the people assent, saying the Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a partaking of the things over which thanks have been given, and they are sent through the deacons to those who are not present. And those who are well off and willing give what each thinks fit, each by his own choice; and what is collected is deposited with the president, and he helps orphans and widows, and those who are in want through sickness or any other cause, and those in prison, and strangers staying among us; and in a word he takes care of all who are in need. And we all hold our common gathering on the day of the Sun, since it is the first day, on which God, having changed the darkness and matter, made the world, and Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead on the same day; for they crucified him on the day before Saturn's day, and on the day after Saturn's day, which is the day of the Sun, he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught them these things, which we have handed over to you also for your consideration.