Apostolic Constitutions

[To bishops.] For as yours is the burden, so you receive as your fruit the supply of food and other necessities. For you imitate Christ the Lord; and as he "bore the sins of us all on the tree" at his crucifixion, the innocent for those who deserved punishment, so also you ought to bear the sins of the people your own. For concerning our Savior it is said in Isaiah, "He bears our sins and is afflicted for us." … For do not you imagine that the office of a bishop is an easy or light burden.