Apostolic Tradition 26

1For it constantly happens that some one wishes to make an offering—and such a one must not be denied—and then the bishop, after breaking the bread, must in every case taste and eat it with the other believers. [At such an offering] each shall take from the bishop’s hand a piece of [this] bread before breaking his own bread. [This service has a special ceremonial] for it is “a Blessing”, not “a Thanksgiving”, as is [the service of] the Body of the Lord. But before drinking, each one, as many of you as are present, must take a cup and give thanks over it, and so go to your meal. But to the catechumens is given exorcised bread, and each of them must offer the cup. No catechumen shall sit at the Lord’s Supper. But at each act of offering, the offerer must remember his host, for he was invited to the latter’s home for that very purpose. But when you eat and drink, do so in an orderly manner and not so that anyone may mock, or your host be saddened by your unruliness, but behave so that he may pray to be made worthy that the saints may enter his dwelling: “for ye”, it is said, “are the salt of the earth”. If the offering should be one made to all the guests jointly, take your portion from your host [and depart]. But if all are to eat then and there, do not eat to excess, so that your host may likewise send some of what the saints leave to whomsoever he will and [so] may rejoice in the faith. But while the guests are eating, let them eat silently, not arguing, [attending to] such things as the bishop may teach, but if he should ask any question, let an answer be given him; and when he says anything, everyone in modest praise shall keep silence until he asks again. And even if the bishop should be absent when the faithful meet at a supper, if a presbyter or a deacon is present they shall eat in a similar orderly fashion, and each shall be careful to take the blessed bread from the presbyter’s or deacon’s hand; and in the same way the catechumens shall take the same exorcised bread. But if [only] laymen meet, let them not act presumptuously, for a layman cannot bless the blessed bread. Let each one eat in the name of the Lord; for this is pleasing to the Lord that we should be jealous [of our good name] even among the heathen, all sober alike.