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Early Christians expressed their concern for the repose of the souls of their beloved by works of charity and love and by personal and communal prayers. <ref group="note">The non-canonical ''Acts of Paul and Thecla'' ([[Apocrypha#New_Testament|New Testament Apocrypha]]) speak of the efficacy of prayer for the dead, so that they might be "translated to a state of happiness." ([http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/thecla.html Acts of Paul and Thecla], 8:5)</ref> The ''[[Apostolic Constitutions]]'' recommended that part of the possessions of a dead person be distributed to the poor in his "memory".  St. [[John Chrysostom]], [[Jerome]], [[Tertullian]], and others also recommended alms giving in memory of the dead although they believe that this and other good works for the repose of the soul of the dead also benefit the doers.