Based on the simplicity of the ceremonies and ecclesiastical order, most modern scholars (and the Catholic Encyclopedia) date it to the late first century AD, shortly after the death of the [[twelve Apostles]]. Long thought to be lost, the text was rediscovered in 1883 and a number of [[English]] language translations now exist. | Based on the simplicity of the ceremonies and ecclesiastical order, most modern scholars (and the Catholic Encyclopedia) date it to the late first century AD, shortly after the death of the [[twelve Apostles]]. Long thought to be lost, the text was rediscovered in 1883 and a number of [[English]] language translations now exist. |