Apostolic Constitutions

Apostolic Constitutions, collection of eight books containing ecclesiastical directives supposedly composed by the 12 apostles and transmitted by them to Clement I of Rome. The books contain comprehensive rules for the Christian life. The first six books are similar in content to a 3rd-century work known as the Didascalia Apostolorum. Part of the seventh book contains material based on the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, or Didache, written in the 2nd century. The eighth book includes the 85 canons, considered the most valuable part of the Constitutions. All eight books were probably compiled and edited by one author, sometimes referred to as Pseudo-Clement, probably of Syrian origin, and with tendencies toward Arianism. Historians estimate the date of composition as between ad340 and 400.