Egeria's Description of the Liturgical Year in Jerusalem:

Translation
Based on the translation reproduced in Louis
Duchesme's Christian Worship (London, 1923)
Egeria's Return to Constantinople
XXIII 8. On the next day, crossing the sea, I arrived at
Constantinople, giving thanks to Christ our God who
deigned to give me such grace, unworthy and undeserving as
I am, for He had deigned to give me not only the will to go,
but also the power of walking through the places that I
desired, and of returning at last to Constantinople.
9. When I had arrived there, I went through all the churches-
-that of the Apostles and all the martyr-memorials, of which
there are very many--and I ceased not to give thanks to Jesus
our God, Who had thus deigned to bestow His mercy upon
me.
10. From which place, ladies, light of my eyes, while I send
these (letters) to your affection, I have already purposed, in
the Name of Christ our God, to go to Ephesus in Asia, for
the sake of prayer, because of the memorial of the holy and
blessed Apostle John. And if after this I am yet in the body,
and am able to see any other places, I will either tell it to
your affection in person, if God deigns to permit me this, or
in anywise, if I have another project in mind, I will send you
news of it in a letter. But do you, ladies, light of my eyes,
deign to remember me, whether I am in the body or out of
the body.
The Liturgy of Jerusalem
The Daily Offices
1. Matins.
XXIV 1. Now that your affection may know what is the
order of service (operatio) day by day in the holy
places, I must inform you, for I know that you would
willingly have this knowledge. Every day before
cockcrow all the doors of the Anastasis are opened, and
all the monks and virgins, as they call them here, go
thither, and not they alone, but lay people also, both
men and women, who desire to begin their vigil early.
And from that hour to daybreak hymns are said and
psalms are sung responsively (responduntur), and
antiphons in like manner; and prayer is made after each
of the hymns. For priests, deacons, and monks in twos
or threes take it in turn every day to say prayers after
each of the hymns or antiphons.
2. But when day breaks they begin to say the Matin
hymns. Thereupon the bishop arrives with the clergy,
and immediately enters into the cave, and from within
the rails (cancelli) he first says a prayer for all,
mentioning the names of those whom he wishes to
commemorate; he then blesses the catechumens,
afterwards he says a prayer and blesses the faithful.
And when the bishop comes out from within the rails,
every one approaches his hand, and he blesses them
one by one as he goes out, and the dismissal takes
place, by daylight.
2. Sext and None.
3. In like manner at the sixth hour all go again to the
Anastasis, and psalms and antiphons are said, while the
bishop is being summoned; then he comes as before,
not taking his seat, but he enters at once within the rails
in the Anastasis, that is in the cave, just as in the early
morning, and as then, he again first says a prayer, then
he blesses the faithful, and as he comes out from
[within] the rails every one approaches his hand. And
the same is done at the ninth hour as at the sixth.
3. Vespers.
4. Now at the tenth hour, which they call here licinicon,
or as we say lucernare, all the people assemble at the
Anastasis in the same manner, and all the candles and
tapers are lit, making a very great light. Now the light
is not introduced from without, but it is brought forth
from within the cave, that is from within the rails,
where a lamp is always burning day and night, and the
vesper psalms and antiphons are said, lasting for a
considerable time. Then the bishop is summoned, and
he comes and takes a raised seat, and likewise the
priests sit in their proper places, and hymns and
antiphons are said.
5. And when all these have been recited according to
custom, the bishop rises and stands before the rails, that
is, before the cave, and one of the deacons makes the
customary commemoration of individuals one by one.
And as the deacon pronounces each name the many
little boys who are always standing by, answer with
countless voices: Kyrie eleyson, or as we say Miserere
Domine.
6. And when the deacon has finished all that he has to
say, first the bishop says a prayer and prays for all, then
they all pray, both the faithful and catechumens
together. Again the deacon raises his voice, bidding
each catechumen to bow his head where he stands, and
the bishop stands and says the blessing over the
catechumens. Again prayer is made, and again the
deacon raises his voice and bids the faithful, each
where he stands, to bow the head, and the bishop
likewise blesses the faithful. Thus the dismissal takes
place at the Anastasis.
7. And one by one all draw near to the bishop's hand.
Afterwards the bishop is conducted from the Anastasis
to the Cross [with] hymns, all the people accompanying
him, and when he arrives he first says a prayer, then he
blesses the catechumens, then another prayer is said
and he blesses the faithful. Thereupon both the bishop
and the whole multitude further proceed behind the
Cross, where all that was done before the Cross is
repeated, and they approach the hand of the bishop
behind the Cross as they did at the Anastasis and before
the Cross. Moreover, there are hanging everywhere a
vast number of great glass chandeliers, and there are
also a vast number of cereofala, before the Anastasis,
before the Cross and behind the Cross, for the whole
does not end until darkness has set in. This is the order
of daily services (operatio) at the Cross and at the
Anastasis throughout the six days.
The Sunday Offices
8. But on the seventh day, that is on the Lord's Day, the
whole multitude assembles before cockcrow, in as great
numbers as the place can hold, as at Easter, in the
basilica which is near the Anastasis, but outside the
doors, where lights are hanging for the purpose. And
for fear that they should not be there at cockcrow they
come beforehand and sit down there. Hymns as well as
antiphons are said, and prayers are made between the
several hymns and antiphons, for at the vigils there are
always both priests and deacons ready there for the
assembling of the multitude, the custom being that the
holy places are not opened before cockcrow.
9. Now as soon as the first cock has crowed, the bishop
arrives and enters the cave at the Anastasis; all the
doors are opened and the whole multitude enters the
Anastasis, where countless lights are already burning.
And when the people have entered, one of the priests
says a psalm to which all respond, and afterwards
prayer is made; then one of the deacons says a psalm
and prayer is again made, a third psalm is said by one
of the clergy, prayer is made for the third time and
there is a commemoration of all.
10. After these three psalms and three prayers are
ended, lo! censers are brought into the cave of the
Anastasis so that the whole basilica of the Anastasis is
filled with odours. And then the bishop, standing within
the rails, takes the book of the Gospel, and proceeding
to the door, himself reads the (narrative of the)
Resurrection of the Lord. And when the reading is
begun, there is so great a moaning and groaning among
all, with so many tears, that the hardest of heart might
be moved to tears for that the Lord had borne such
things for us.
11. After the reading of the Gospel the bishop goes out,
and is accompanied to the Cross by all the people with
hymns, there again a psalm is said an(l prayer is made,
after which he blesses the faithful and the dismissal
takes place, and as he comes out all approach to his
hand.
12. And forthwith the bishop betakes himself to his
house, and from that hour all the monks return to the
Anastasis, where psalms and antiphons, with prayer
after each psalm or antiphon, are said until daylight; the
priests and deacons also keep watch in turn daily at the
Anastasis with the people, but of the lay people,
whether men or women, those who are so minded,
remain in the place until daybreak, and those who are
not, return to their houses and betake themselves to
sleep.
2. Morning Services.
XXV 1. Now at daybreak because it is the Lord's Day
every one proceeds to the greater church, built by
Constantine, which is situated in Golgotha behind the
Cross, where all things are done which are customary
everywhere on the Lord's Day. But the custom here is
that of all the priests who take their seats, as many as
are willing, preach, and after them all the bishop
preaches, and these sermons are always on the Lord's
Day, in order that the people may always be instructed
in the Scriptures and in the love of God. The delivery
of these sermons greatly delays the dismissal from the
church, so that the dismissal does [not] take place
before the fourth or perhaps the fifth hour.
2. But when the dismissal from the church is made in
the manner that is customary everywhere, the monks
accompany the bishop with hymns from the church to
the Anastasis, and as he approaches with hymns all the
doors of the basilica of the Anastasis are opened, and
the people, that is the faithful, enter, but not the
catechumens.
3. And after the people the bishop enters, and goes at
once within the rails of the cave of the martyrium.
Thanks are first given to God, then prayer is made for
all, after which the deacon bids all bow their heads,
where they stand, and the bishop standing within the
inner rails blesses them and goes out.
4. Each one draws near to his hand as he makes his exit
Thus the dismissal is delayed until nearly the fifth or
sixth hour. And in like manner it is done at lucernare,
according to daily custom. This then is the custom
observed every day throughout the whole year except
on solemn days, to the keeping of which we will refer
later on.
5. But among all things it is a special feature that they
arrange that suitable psalms and antiphons are said on
every occasion, both those said by night, or in the
morning, as well as those throughout the day, at the
sixth hour, the ninth hour, or at lucernare, all being so
appropriate and so reasonable as to bear on the matter
in hand.
6. And they proceed to the greater church, which was
built by Constantine, and which is situated in Golgotha,
that is, behind the Cross, on every Lord's Day
throughout the year except on the one Sunday of
Pentecost, when they proceed to Sion, as you will find
mentioned below; but even then they go to Sion before
the third hour, the dismissal having been first made in
the greater church...
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FESTIVALS AT EPIPHANY
1. Night Station at Bethlehem.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, and the
rest which follows. And since, for the sake of the monks
who go on foot, it is necessary to walk slowly, the arrival in
Jerusalem thus takes place at the hour when one man begins
to be able to recognise another, that is, close upon but a little
before daybreak.
7. And on arriving there, the bishop and all with him
immediately enter the Anastasis, where an exceedingly great
number of lights are already burning. There a psalm is said,
prayer is made, first the catechumens and then the faithful
are blessed by the bishop; then the bishop retires, and every
one returns to his lodging to take rest, but the monks remain
there until daybreak and recite hymns.
Morning Services at Jerusalem.
8. But after the people have taken rest, at the beginning of
the second hour they all assemble in the greater church,
which is in Golgotha.
Now it would be superfluous to describe the adornment
either of the church, or of the Anastasis, or of the Cross, or
in Bethlehem on that day; you see there nothing but gold
and gems and silk. For if you look at the veils, they are
made wholly of silk striped with gold, and if you look at the
curtains, they too are made wholly of silk striped with gold.
The church vessels too, of every kind, gold and jewelled, are
brought out on that day, and indeed, who could either reckon
or describe the number and weight of the cereofala, or of the
cicindelae, or of the lucernae, or of the various vessels?
9. And what shall I say of the decoration of the fabric itself,
which Constantine, at his mother's instigation, decorated
with gold, mosaic, and costly marbles, as far as the
resources of his kingdom allowed him, that is, the greater
church as well as the Anastasis, at the Cross, and the other
holy places in Jerusalem ?
10. But to return to the matter in hand: the dismissal takes
place on the first day in the greater church, which is in
Golgotha, and when they preach or read the several lessons,
or recite hymns, all are appropriate to the day. And
afterwards when the dismissal from the church has been
made, they repair to the Anastasis with hymns, according to
custom, so that the dismissal takes place about the sixth
hour.
11. And on this day lucernare also takes place according to
the daily use.
Octave of the Festival.
On the second day also they proceed in like manner to the
church in Golgotha, and also on the third day; thus the feast
is celebrated with all this joyfulness for three days up to the
sixth hour in the church built by Constantine. On the fourth
day it is celebrated in like manner with similar festal array in
Eleona, the very beautiful church which stands on the Mount
of Olives; on the fifth day in the Lazarium, which is distant
about one thousand five hundred paces from Jerusalem; on
the sixth day in Sion, on the seventh day in the Anastasis,
and on the eighth day at the Cross. Thus, then, is the feast
celebrated with all this joyfulness and festal array
throughout the eight days in all the holy places which I have
mentioned above.
12. And in Bethlehem also throughout the entire eight days
the feast is celebrated with similar festal array and
joyfulness daily by the priests and by all the clergy there,
and by the monks who are appointed in that place. For from
the hour when all return by night to Jerusalem with the
bishop, the monks of that place keep vigil in the church in
Bethlehem, reciting hymns and antiphons, but it is necessary
that the bishop should always keep these days in Jerusalem.
And immense crowds, not of monks only, but also of the
laity, both men and women, flock together to Jerusalem
from every quarter for the solemn and joyous observance of
that day.
The Presentation Mass.
XXVI The fortieth day after the Epiphany is undoubtedly
celebrated here with the very highest honour, for on that day
there is a procession, in which all take part, in the Anastasis,
and all things are done in their order with the greatest joy,
just as at Easter. All the priests, and after them the bishop,
preach, always taking for their subject that part of the
Gospel where Joseph and Mary brought the Lord into the
Temple on the fortieth day, and Symeon and Anna the
prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, saw Him,-- treating of
the words which they spake when they saw the Lord, and of
that offering which His parents made. And when everything
that is customary has been done in order, the sacrament is
celebrated, and the dismissal takes place.
LENT
XXVII And when the Paschal days come they are observed
thus : Just as with us forty days are kept before Easter, so
here eight weeks are kept before Easter. And eight weeks
are kept because there is no fasting on the Lord's Days, nor
on the Sabbaths, except on the one Sabbath on which the
Vigil of Easter falls, in which case the fast is obligatory.
With the exception then of that one day, there is never
fasting on any Sabbath here throughout the year. Thus,
deducting the eight Lord's Days and the seven Sabbaths (for
on the one Sabbath, as I said above, the fast is obligatory)
from the eight weeks, there remain forty-one fast days,
which they call here Eortae, that is Quadragesimae.
Services on Sundays.
2. Now the several days of the several weeks are kept thus:
On the Lord's Day after the first cockcrow the bishop reads
in the Anastasis the account of the Lord's Resurrection from
the Gospel, as on all Lord's Days throughout the whole year,
and everything is done at the Anastasis and at the Cross as
on all Lord's Days throughout the year, up to daybreak.
3. Afterwards, in the morning, they proceed to the greater
church, called the martyrium, which is in Golgotha behind
the Cross, and all things that are customary on the Lord's
Days are done there. In like manner also when the dismissal
from the church has been made, they go with hymns to the
Anastasis, as they always do on the Lord's Days, and while
these things are being done the fifth hour is reached.
Lucernare, however, takes place at its own hour, as usual, at
the Anastasis and at the Cross, and in the various holy
places; on the Lord's Day the ninth hour is kept.
Weekday Services.
4. On the second weekday they go at the first cockcrow to
the Anastasis, as they do throughout the year, and
everything that is usual is done until morning. Then at the
third hour they go to the Anastasis, and the things are done
that are customary throughout the year at the sixth hour, for
this going at the third hour in Quadragesima is additional. At
the sixth and ninth hours also, and at lucernare, everything is
done that is customary throughout the whole year at the holy
places.
5. And on the third weekday all things are done as on the
second weekday.
Wednesday and Friday.
Again, on the fourth weekday they go by night to the
Anastasis, and all the usual things are done until morning,
and also at the third and sixth hours. But at the ninth hour
they go to Sion, as is customary at that hour on the fourth
and sixth weekdays throughout the year, for the reason that
the fast is always kept here on the fourth and sixth weekdays
even by the catechumens, except a martyrs' day should
occur. For if a martyrs' day should chance to occur on the
fourth or on the sixth weekday in Quadragesima, they do not
go to Sion at the ninth hour.
6. But on the days of Quadragesima, as I said above, they
proceed to Sion on the fourth weekday at the ninth hour,
according to the custom of the whole year, and all things
that are customary at the ninth hour are done, except the
oblation, for, in order that the people may always be
instructed in the law, both the bishop and the priest preach
diligently. But when the dismissal has been made, the
people escort the bishop with hymns thence to the Anastasis,
so that it is already the hour of lucernare when he enters the
Anastasis; then hymns and antiphons are said, prayers are
made, and the service (missa) of lucernare takes place in the
Anastasis and at the Cross.
7. And the service of lucernare is always later on those days
in Quadragesima than on other days throughout the year. On
the fifth weekday everything is done as on the second and
third weekday. On the sixth weekday everything is done as
on the fourth, including the going to Sion at the ninth hour,
and the escorting of the bishop thence to the Anastasis with
hymns.
Saturday.
But on the sixth weekday the vigils are observed in the
Anastasis from the hour of their arrival from Sion with
hymns, until morning, that is, from the hour of lucernare,
when they entered, to the morning of the next day, that is,
the Sabbath. And the oblation is made in the Anastasis the
earlier, that the dismissal may take place before sunrise.
8. Throughout the whole night psalms are said responsively
in turn with antiphons and with various lections, the whole
lasting until morning, and the dismissal, which takes place
on the Sabbath at the Anastasis, is before sunrise, that is, the
oblation, so that the dismissal may take place in the
Anastasis at the hour when the sun begins to rise. Thus,
then, is each week of Quadragesima kept.
9. The dismissal taking place earlier on the Sabbath, i.e.
before sunrise, as I said, in order that the hebdomadarii, as
they are called here, may finish their fast earlier. For the
custom of the fast in Quadragesima is that the dismissal on
the Lord's Day is at the fifth hour in order that they whom
they call hebdomadarii; that is, they who keep the weeks'
fast, may take food. And when these have taken breakfast on
the Lord's Day, they do not eat until the Sabbath morning
after they have communicated in the Anastasis. It is for their
sake, then, that they may finish their fast the sooner, that the
dismissal on the Sabbath at the Anastasis is before sunrise.
For their sake the dismissal is in the morning, as I said; not
that they alone communicate, but all who are so minded
communicate on that day in the Anastasis.
XXVIII. This is the custom of the fast in Quadragesima:
some, when they have eaten after the dismissal on the Lord's
Day, that is, about the fifth or sixth hour, do not eat
throughout the whole week until after the dismissal at the
Anastasis on the Sabbath; these are they who keep the
weeks' fast.
2. Nor, after having eaten in the morning, do they eat in the
evening of the Sabbath, but they take a meal on the next day,
that is, on the Lord's Day, after the dismissal from the
church at the fifth hour or later, and then they do not
breakfast until the Sabbath comes round, as I have said
above.
3. For the custom here is that all who are apotactitae, as they
call them here, whether men or women, eat only once a day
on the day when they do eat, not only in Quadragesima, but
throughout the whole year. But if any of the apotactitae
cannot keep the entire week of fasting as described above,
they take supper in the middle (of the week), on the fifth
day, all through Quadragesima. And if any one cannot do
even this, he keeps two days' fast (in the week) all through
Quadragesima, and they who cannot do even this, take a
meal every evening.
4. For no one exacts from any how much he should do, but
each does what he can, nor is he praised who has done
much, nor is he blamed who has done less; that is the
custom here. For their food during the days of
Quadragesima is as follows:--they taste neither bread which
cannot be weighed, nor oil, nor anything that grows on trees,
but only water and a little gruel made of flour.
Quadragesima is kept thus, as we have said.
XXIX. And at the end of the weeks' fast the vigil is kept in
the Anastasis from the hour of lucernare on the sixth
weekday, when the people come with psalms from Sion, to
the morning of the Sabbath, when the oblation is made in the
Anastasis. And the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth
weeks in Quadragesima are kept as the first.
HOLY WEEK AND THE FESTIVALS AT EASTER
Saturday before Palm Sunday.--Station at Bethany.
2. Now when the seventh week has come, that is, when two
weeks, including the seventh, are left before Easter,
everything is done on each day as in the weeks that ,are past,
except that the vigils of the sixth weekday, which were kept
in the Anastasis during the first six weeks, are, in the
seventh week, kept in Sion, and with the same customs that
obtained during the six weeks in the Anastasis. For
throughout the whole vigil psalms and antiphons are said
appropriate both to the place and to the day.
3. And when the morning of the Sabbath begins to dawn, the
bishop offers the oblation. And at the dismissal the
archdeacon lifts his voice and says: " Let us all be ready to-
day at the seventh hour in the Lazarium." And so, as the
seventh hour approaches, all go to the Lazarium, that is,
Bethany, situated at about the second milestone from the
city.
4. And as they go from Jerusalem to the Lazarium, there is,
about five hundred paces from the latter place, a church in
the street on that spot where Mary the sister of Lazarus met
with the Lord. Here, when the bishop arrives, all the monks
meet him, and the people enter the church, and one hymn
and one antiphon are said, and that passage is read in the
Gospel where the sister of Lazarus meets the Lord. Then,
after prayer has been made, and when all have been blessed,
they go thence with hymns to the Lazarium.
5. And on arriving at the Lazarium, so great a multitude
assembles that not only the place itself, but also the fields
around, are full of people. Hymns and antiphons suitable to
the day and to the place are said, and likewise all the lessons
are read. Then, before the dismissal, notice is given of
Easter, that is, the priest ascends to a higher place and reads
the passage that is written in the Gospel: When Jesus six
days before the Passover had come to Bethany, and the rest.
So, that passage having been read and notice given of
Easter, the dismissal is made.
6. This is done on that day because, as it is written in the
Gospel, these events took place in Bethany six days before
the Passover; there being six days from the Sabbath to the
fifth weekday on which, after supper, the Lord was taken by
night. Then all return to the city direct to the Anastasis, and
lucernare takes place according to custom.
Palm Sunday: Services in the Churches.
XXX On the next day, that is, the Lord's Day, which begins
the Paschal week, and which they call here the Great Week,
when all the customary services from cockcrow until
morning have taken place in the Anastasis and at the Cross,
they proceed on the morning of the Lord's Day according to
custom to the greater church, which is called the martyrium.
It is called the martyrium because it is in Golgotha behind
the Cross, where the Lord suffered.
2. When all that is customary has been observed in the great
church, and before the dismissal is made, the archdeacon
lifts his voice and says first: " Throughout the whole week,
beginning from to-morrow, let us all assemble in the
martyrium, that is, in the great church, at the ninth hour."
Then he lifts his voice again, saying: " Let us all be ready to-
day in Eleona at the seventh hour."
3. So when the dismissal has been made in the great church!
that is, the martyrium, the bishop is escorted with hymns to
the Anastasis, and after all things that are customary on the
Lord's Day have been done there, after the dismissal from
the martyrium, every one hastens home to eat, that all may
be ready at the beginning of the seventh hour in the church
in Eleona, on the Mount of Olives, where is the cave in
which the Lord was wont to teach.
Procession with Palms on the Mount of Olives.
XXXI Accordingly at the seventh hour all the people go up
to the Mount of Olives, that is, to Eleona, and the bishop
with them, to the church, where hymns and antiphons
suitable to the day and to the place are said, and lessons in
like manner. And when the ninth hour approaches they go
up with hymns to the Imbomon, that is, to the place whence
the Lord ascended into heaven, and there they sit down, for
all the people are always bidden to sit when the bishop is
present; the deacons alone always stand. Hymns and
antiphons suitable to the day and to the place are said,
interspersed with lections and prayers.
2. And as the eleventh hour approaches, the passage from
the Gospel is read, where the children, carrying branches
and palms, met the Lord, saying; Blessed is He that cometh
in the name of the Lord, and the bishop immediately rises,
and all the people with him, and they all go on foot from the
top of the Mount of Olives, all the people going before him
with hymns and antiphons, answering one to another:
Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
3. And all the children in the neighbourhood, even those
who are too young to walk, are carried by their parents on
their shoulders, all of them bearing branches, some of palms
and some of olives, and thus the bishop is escorted in the
same manner as the Lord was of old.
4. For all, even those of rank, both matrons and men,
accompany the bishop all the way on foot in this manner,
making these responses, from the top of the mount to the
city, and thence through the whole city to the Anastasis,
going very slowly lest the people should be wearied; and
thus they arrive at the Anastasis at a late hour. And on
arriving, although it is late, lucernare takes place, with
prayer at the Cross; after which the people are dismissed.
Monday in Holy Week.
XXXII On the next day, the second weekday, everything
that is customary is done from the first cockcrow until
morning in the Anastasis; also at the third and sixth hours
everything is done that is customary throughout the whole of
Quadragesima. but at the ninth hour all assemble in the great
church, that is the martyrium, where hymns and antiphons
are said continuously until the first hour of the night and
lessons suitable to the day and the place are read,
interspersed always with prayers.
2. Lucernare takes place when its hour approaches, that is,
so that it is already night when the dismissal at the
martyrium is made. When the dismissal has been made, the
bishop is escorted thence with hymns to the Anastasis,
where, when he has entered, one hymn is said, followed by a
prayer; the catechumens and then the faithful are blessed,
and the dismissal is made.
Tuesday in Holy Week.
XXXIII On the third weekday everything is done as on the
second, with this one thing added--that late at night, after the
dismissal of the martyrium, and after the going to the
Anastasis and after the dismissal there, all proceed at that
hour by night to the church, which is on the mount Eleona.
2. And when they have arrived at that church, the bishop
enters the cave where the Lord was wont to teach His
disciples, and after receiving the book of the Gospel, he
stands and himself reads the words of the Lord which are
written in the Gospel according to Matthew, where He says:
Take heed that no man deceiveyou. And the bishop reads
through the whole of that discourse, and when he has read it,
prayer is made, the catechumens and the faithful are blessed,
the dismissal is made, and every one returns from the mount
to his house, it being already very late at night.
Wednesday in Holy Week.
XXXIV On the fourth weekday everything is done as on the
second and third weekdays throughout the whole day from
the first cockcrow onwards, but after the dismissal has taken
place at the Martyrium by night, and the bishop has been
escorted with hymns to the Anastasis, he at once enters the
cave which is in the Anastasis, and stands within the rails;
but the priest stands before the rails and receives the Gospel,
and reads the passage where Judas Iscariot went to the Jews
and stated what they should give him that he should betray
the Lord. And when the passage has been read, there is such
a moaning and groaning of all the people that no one can
help being moved to tears at that hour. Afterwards prayer
follows, then the blessing, first of the catechumens, and then
of the faithful, and the dismissal is made.
Maundy Thursday: Mass celebrated twice.
XXXV On the fifth weekday everything that is customary is
done from the first cockcrow until morning at the Anastasis,
and also at the third and at the sixth hours. But at the eighth
hour all the people gather together at the martyrium
according to custom, only earlier than on other days,
because the dismissal must be made sooner. Then, when the
people are gathered together, all that should be done is done,
and the oblation is made on that day at the martyrium, the
dismissal taking place about the tenth hour. But before the
dismissal is made there, the archdeacon raises his voice and
says: "Let us all assemble at the first hour of the night in the
church which is in Eleona, for great toil awaits us to-day, in
this very night."
2. Then, after the dismissal at the martyrium, they arrive
behind the Cross, where only one hymn is said and prayer is
made, and the bishop offers the oblation there, and all
communicate. Nor is the oblation ever offered behind the
Cross on any day throughout the year, except on this one
day. And after the dismissal there they go to the Anastasis,
where prayer is made, the catechumens and the faithful are
blessed according to custom, and the dismissal is made.
Night Station on the Mount of Olives.
And so every one hastens back to his house to eat, because
immediately after they have eaten, all go to Eleona to the
church wherein is the cave where the Lord was with His
Apostles on this very day.
3. There then, until about the fifth hour of the night, hymns
and antiphons suitable to the day and to the place are said,
lessons, too, are read in like manner, with prayers
interspersed, and the passages from the Gospel are read
where the Lord addressed His disciples on that same day as
He sat in the same cave which is in that church.
4. And they go thence at about the sixth hour of the night
with hymns up to the Imbomon, the place whence the Lord
ascended into heaven, where again lessons are read, hymns
and antiphons suitable to the day are said, and all the prayers
which are made by the bishop are also suitable both to the
day and to the place.
Stations at Gethsemane.
XXXVI And at the first cockcrow they come down from the
Imbomon with hymns, and arrive at the place where the
Lord prayed, as it is written in the Gospel: and He was
withdrawn (from them) about a stone's cast, and prayed, and
the rest. There is in that place a graceful church The bishop
and all the people enter, a prayer suitable to the place and to
the day is said, with one suitable hymn, and the passage
from the Gospel is read where He said to His disciples:
Watch, that ye enter not into temptation; the whole passage
is read through and prayer is made.
2. And then all, even to the smallest child, go down with the
Bishop, on foot, with hymns to Gethsemane; where, on
account of the great number of people in the crowd, who are
wearied owing to the vigils and weak through the daily fasts,
and because they have so great a hill to descend, they come
very slowly with hymns to Gethsemane. And over two
hundred church candles are made ready to give light to all
the people.
3. On their arrival at Gethsemane, first a suitable prayer is
made, then a hymn is said, then the passage of the Gospel is
read where the Lord was taken. And when this passage has
been read there is so great a moaning and groaning of all the
people, together with weeping, that their lamentation may be
heard perhaps as far as the city.
Return to Jerusalem.
From that hour they go with hymns to the city on foot,
reaching the gate about the time when one man begins to be
able to recognise another, and thence right on through the
midst of the city; all, to a man, both great and small, rich and
poor, all are ready there, for on that special day not a soul
withdraws from the vigils until morning. Thus the bishop is
escorted from Gethsemane to the gate, and thence through
the whole of the city to the Cross.
Good Friday: Service at Daybreak.
4.. And when they arrive before the Cross the daylight is
already growing bright. There the passage from the Gospel
is read where the Lord is brought before Pilate, with
everything that is written concerning that which Pilate spake
to the Lord or to the Jews; the whole is read.
5. And afterwards the bishop addresses the people,
comforting them for that they have toiled all night and are
about to toil during that same day, (bidding) them not be
weary, but to have hope in God, Who will for that toil give
them a greater reward. And encouraging them as he is able,
he addresses them thus: " Go now, each one of you, to your
houses, and sit down awhile, and all of you be ready here
just before the second hour of the day, that from that hour to
the sixth you may be able to behold the holy wood of the
Cross, each one of us believing that it will be profitable to
his salvation; then from the sixth hour we must all assemble
again in this place, that is, before the Cross, that we may
apply ourselves to lections and to prayers until night."
The Column of the Flagellation
XXXVII After this, when the dismissal at the Cross has
been made, that is, before the sun rises, they all go at once
with fervour to Sion, to pray at the column at which the
Lord was scourged. And returning thence they sit for awhile
in their houses, and presently all are ready.
Veneration of the Cross.
Then a chair is placed for the bishop in Golgotha behind the
Cross, which is now standing; the bishop duly takes his seat
in the chair, and a table covered with a linen cloth is placed
before him; the deacons stand round the table, and a silver-
gilt casket is brought in which is the holy wood of the Cross.
The casket is opened and (the wood) is taken out, and both
the wood of the Cross and the title are placed upon the table.
2. Now, when it has been put upon the table, the bishop, as
he sits, holds the extremities of the sacred wood firmly in his
hands, while the deacons who stand around guard it. It is
guarded thus because the custom is that the people, both
faithful and catechumens, come one by one and, bowing
down at the table, kiss the sacred wood and pass through.
And because, I know not when, some one is said to have
bitten off and stolen a portion of the sacred wood, it is thus
guarded by the deacons who stand around, lest any one
approaching should venture to do so again.
3. And as all the people pass by one by one, all bowing
themselves, they touch the Cross and the title, first with their
foreheads and then with their eyes; then they kiss the Cross
and pass through, but none lays his hand upon it to touch it.
When they have kissed the Cross and have passed through, a
deacon stands holding the ring of Solomon and the horn
from which the kings were anointed; they kiss the horn also
and gaze at the ring . . . all the people are passing through up
to the sixth hour, entering by one door and going out by
another; for this is done in the same place where, on the
preceding day, that is, on the fifth weekday, the oblation was
offered.
Station before the Cross. The Three Hours.
4. And when the sixth hour has come, they go before the
Cross, whether it be in rain or in heat, the place being open
to the air, as it were, a court of great size and of some beauty
between the Cross and the Anastasis; here all the people
assemble in such great numbers that there is no
thoroughfare.
5. The chair is placed for the bishop before the Cross, and
from the sixth to the ninth hour nothing else is done, but the
reading of lessons, which are read thus: first from the psalms
wherever the Passion is spoken of, then from the Apostle,
either from the epistles of the Apostles or from their Acts,
wherever they have spoken of the Lord's Passion; then the
passages from the Gospels, where He suffered, are read.
Then the readings from the prophets where they foretold that
the Lord should suffer, then from the Gospels where He
mentions His Passion.
6. Thus from the sixth to the ninth hours the lessons are so
read and the hymns said, that it may be shown to all the
people that whatsoever the prophets foretold of the Lord's
Passion is proved from the Gospels and from the writings of
the Apostles to have been fulfilled. And so through all those
three hours the people are taught that nothing was done
which had not been foretold, and that nothing was foretold
which was not wholly fulfilled. Prayers also suitable to the
day are interspersed throughout.
7. The emotion shown and the mourning by all the people at
every lesson and prayer is wonderful; for there is none,
either great or small, who, on that day during those three
hours, does not lament more than can be conceived, that the
Lord had suffered those things for us. Afterwards, at the
beginning of the ninth hour, there is read that passage from
the Gospel according to John where He gave up the ghost.
This read, prayer and the dismissal follow.
Evening Offices.
8. And when the dismissal before the Cross has been made,
all things are done in the greater church, at the martyrium,
which are customary during this week from the ninth hour --
when the assembly takes place in the martyrium--until late.
And after the dismissal at the martyrium, they go to the
Anastasis, where, when they arrive, the passage from the
Gospel is read where Joseph begged the Body of the Lord
from Pilate and laid it in a new sepulchre. And this reading
ended, a prayer is said, the catechumens are blessed, and the
dismissal is made.
9. But on that day no announcement is made of a vigil at the
Anastasis, because it is known that the people are tired;
nevertheless, it is the custom to watch there. So all of the
people who are willing, or rather, who are able, keep watch,
and they who are unable do not watch there until the
morning. Those of the clergy, however, who are strong or
young keep vigil there, and hymns and antiphons are said
throughout the whole night until morning; a very great
crowd also keep night-long watch, some from the late hour
and some from midnight, as they
Vigil of Easter.
XXXVIII Now, on the next day, the Sabbath, everything
that is customary is done at the third hour and also at the
sixth; the service at the ninth hour, however, is not held on
the Sabbath, but the Paschal vigils are prepared in the great
church, the martyrium. The Paschal vigils are kept as with
us, with this one addition, that the children when they have
been baptised and clothed, and when they issue from the
font, are led with the bishop first to the Anastasis.
2. The bishop enters the rails of the Anastasis, and one hymn
is said, then the bishop says a prayer for them, and then he
goes with them to the greater church, where, according to
custom, all the people are keeping watch. Everything is done
there that is customary with us also, and after the oblation
has been made, the dismissal takes place. After the dismissal
of the vigils has been made in the greater church, they go at
once with hymns to the Anastasis, where the passage from
the Gospel about the Resurrection is read. Prayer is made,
and the bishop again makes the oblation. But everything is
done quickly on account of the people, that they should not
be delayed any longer, and so the people are dismissed. The
dismissal of the vigils takes place on that day at the same
hour as with us.
Services in the Easter Octave.
XXXIX Moreover, the Paschal days are kept up to a late
hour as with us, and the dismissals take place in their order
throughout the eight Paschal days, as is the custom
everywhere at Easter throughout the Octave. But the
adornment (of the churches) and order (of the services) here
are the same throughout the Octave of Easter as they are
during Epiphany, in the greater church, in the Anastasis, at
the Cross, in Eleona, in Bethlehem, as well as in the
Lazarium, in fact, everywhere, because these are the Paschal
days.
2. On the first Lord's Day they proceed to the great church,
that is, the martyrium, as well as on the second and third
weekdays, but always so that after the dismissal has been
made at the martyrium, they go to the Anastasis with hymns.
On the fourth weekday they proceed to Eleona, on the fifth
to the Anastasis, on the sixth to Sion, on the Sabbath before
the Cross, but on the Lord's Day, that is, on the Octave,
(they proceed) to the great church again, that is, to the
martyrium.
3. Moreover, on the eight Paschal days the bishop goes
every day after breakfast up to Eleona with all the clergy,
and with all the children who have been baptised, and with
a]l who are apotactitae, both men and women, and likewise
with all the people who are willing. Hymns are said and
prayers are made, both in the church which is on Eleona,
wherein is the cave where Jesus was wont to teach His
disciples, and also in the Imbomon, that is, in the place
whence the Lord ascended into heaven.
4. And when the psalms have been said and prayer has been
made, they come down thence with hymns to the Anastasis
at the hour of lucernare. This is done throughout all the eight
days.
Vesper Station at Sion on Easter Sunday.
Now, on the Lord's Day at Easter, after the dismissal of
lucernare, that is, at the Anastasis, all the people escort the
bishop with hymns to Sion.
5. And, on arriving, hymns suitable to the day and place are
said, prayer is made, and the passage from the Gospel is
read where the Lord, on the same day, and in the same place
where the church now stands in Sion, came in to His
disciples when the doors were shut. That is, when one of His
disciples, Thomas, was absent, and when he returned and the
other Apostles told him that they had seen the Lord, he said:
" Except I shall see, I will not believe." When this has been
read, prayer is again made, the catechumens and the faithful
are blessed, and every one returns to his house late, about
the second hour of the night.
Sunday after Easter.
XL Again, on the Octave of Easter, that is, on the Lord's
Day, all the people go up to Eleona with the bishop
immediately after the sixth hour. First they sit for awhile in
the church which is there, and hymns and antiphons suitable
to the day and to the place are said; prayers suitable to the
day and to the place are likewise made. Then they go up to
the Imbomon with hymns, and the same things are done
there as in the former place. And when the time comes, all
the people and all the apotactitae escort the bishop with
hymns down to the Anastasis, arriving there at the usual
hour for lucernare.
2. So lucernare takes place at the Anastasis and at the Cross,
and all the people to a man escort the bishop thence with
hymns to Sion. And when they have arrived, hymns suitable
to the day and to the place are said there also, and lastly that
passage from the Gospel is read where, on the Octave of
Easter, the Lord came in where the disciples were, and
reproved Thomas because he had been unbelieving. The
whole of that lesson is read, with prayer afterwards; both the
catechumens and the faithful are blessed, and every one
returns to his house as usual, just as on the Lord's Day of
Easter, at the second hour of the night.
Easter to Whitsuntide.
XLI Now, from Easter to the fiftieth day, that is, to
Pentecost, no one fasts here, not even those who are
apotactitae. During these days, as throughout the whole
year, the customary things are done at the Anastasis from
the first cockcrow until morning, and at the sixth hour and at
lucernare likewise. But on the Lord's Days the procession is
always to the martyrium, that is, to the great church,
according to custom, and they go thence with hymns to the
Anastasis. On the fourth and sixth weekdays, as no one fasts
during those days, the procession is to Sion, but in the
morning; the dismissal is made in its due order.
The Ascension-Festival at Bethlehem.
XLII On the fortieth day after Easter, that is, on the fifth
weekday--(for all go on the previous day, that is, on the
fourth weekday, after the sixth hour to Bethlehem to
celebrate the vigils, for the vigils are kept in Bethlehem, in
the church wherein is the cave where the Lord was born)--
On this fifth weekday, the fortieth day after Easter, the
dismissal is celebrated in its due order, so that the priests
and the bishop preach, treating of the things suitable to the
day and the place, and afterwards every one returns to
Jerusalem late.
FESTIVALS OF WHITSUNTIDE
Whitsunday: Morning Station.
XLIII But on the fiftieth day, that is, the Lord's Day, when
the people have a very great deal to go through, everything
that is customary is done from the first cockcrow onwards;
vigil is kept in the Anastasis, and the bishop reads the
passage from the Gospel that is always read on the Lord's
Day, namely, the account of the Lord's resurrection, and
afterwards everything customary is done in the Anastasis,
just as throughout the whole year.
2. But when morning is come, all the people proceed to the
great church, that is, to the martyrium, and all things usual
are done there; the priests preach and then the bishop, and
all things that are prescribed are done, the oblation being
made, as is customary on the Lord's Day, only the same
dismissal in the martyrium is hastened, in order that it may
be made before the third hour.
Station at Sion.
And when the dismissal has been made at the martyrium, all
the people, to a man, escort the bishop with hymns to Sion,
[so that] they are in Sion when the third hour is fully come.
3. And on their arrival there the passage from the Acts of the
Apostles is read where the Spirit came down so that all
tongues [were heard and all men] understood the things that
were being spoken, and the dismissal takes place afterwards
in due course. For the priests read there from the Acts of the
Apostles concerning the selfsame thing, because that is the
place in Sion--there is another church there now--where
once, after the Lord's Passion, the multitude was gathered
together with the Apostles, and where this was done, as we
have said above. Afterwards the dismissal takes place in due
course, and the oblation is made there. Then, that the people
may be dismissed, the archdeacon raises his voice, and says:
" Let us all be ready to-day in Eleona, in the Imbomon,
directly after the sixth hour."
Station at the Mount of Olives.
4. So all the people return, each to his house, to rest
themselves, and immediately after breakfast they ascend the
Mount of Olives, that is, to Eleona, each as he can, so that
there is no Christian left in the city who does not go.
5. When, therefore, they have gone up the Mount of Olives,
that is, to Eleona, they first enter the Imbomon, that is, the
place whence the Lord ascended into heaven, and the
bishops and the priests take their seat there, and likewise all
the people. Lessons are read there with hymns interspersed,
antiphons too are said suitable to the day and the place, also
the prayers which are interspersed have likewise similar
references. The passage from the Gospel is also read where
it speaks of the Lord's Ascension, also that from the Acts of
the Apostles which tells of the Ascension of the Lord into
heaven after His Resurrection.
6. And when this is over, the catechumens and then the
faithful are blessed, and they come down thence, it being
already the ninth hour, and go with hymns to that church
which is in Eleona, wherein is the cave where the Lord was
wont to sit and teach His Apostles. And as it is already past
the tenth hour when they arrive, lucernare takes place there;
prayer is made, and the catechumens and likewise the
faithful are blessed.
Night Procession.
And then all the people to a man descend thence with the
bishop, saying hymns and antiphons suitable to that day, and
so come very slowly to the martyrium.
7. It is already night when they reach the gate of the city,
and about two hundred church candles are provided for the
use of the people. And as it is a good distance from the gate
to the great church, that is, the martyrium, they arrive about
the second hour of the night, for they go the whole way very
slowly lest the people should be weary from being afoot.
And when the great gates are opened, which face towards
the market-place, all the people enter the martyrium with
hymns and with the bishop. And when they have entered the
church, hymns are said, prayer is made, the catechumens
and also the faithful are blessed; after which they go again
with hymns to the Anastasis.
8. Where also on their arrival hymns and antiphons are said,
prayer is made, the catechumens and also the faithful are
blessed; this is likewise done at the Cross. Lastly, all the
Christian people to a man escort the bishop with hymns to
Sion.
9. When they are come there, suitable lessons are read,
psalms and antiphons are said, prayer is made, the
catechumens and the faithful are blessed, and the dismissal
takes place. And after the dismissal all approach the bishop's
hand, and then every one returns to his house about
midnight.
Thus very great fatigue is endured on that day, for vigil is
kept at the Anastasis from the first cockcrow, and there is no
pause from that time onward throughout the whole day, but
the whole celebration (of the Feast) lasts so long that it is
midnight when every one returns home after the dismissal
has taken place at Sion.
Resumption of the Ordinary Services.
XLIV Now, from the day after the fiftieth day all fast as is
customary throughout the whole year, each one as he is able,
except on the Sabbath and on the Lord's Day, which are
never kept as fasts in this place. On the ensuing days
everything is done as during the whole year, that is, vigil is
kept in the Anastasis from the first cockcrow.
2. And if it be the Lord's Day, at the earliest cockcrow the
bishop first reads in the Anastasis, as is customary, the
passage from the Gospel concerning the Resurrection, which
is always read on the Lord's Day, and then afterwards hymns
and antiphons are said in the Anastasis until daylight. But if
it be not the Lord's Day, only hymns and antiphons are said
in like manner in the Anastasis from the first cockcrow until
daylight.
3. All the apotactitae, and of the people those who are able,
attend; the clergy go by turns, daily. The clergy go there at
first cockcrow, but the bishop always as it begins to dawn,
that the morning dismissal may be made with all the clergy
present except on the Lord's Day, when (the bishop) has to
go at the first cockcrow, that he may read the Gospel in the
Anastasis. Afterwards everything is done as usual in the
Anastasis until the sixth hour, and at the ninth, as well as at
lucernare, according to the custom of the whole year. But on
the fourth and sixth weekdays, the ninth hour is kept in Sion
as is customary.
BAPTISM
The Inscribing of the Competents.
XLV Moreover, I must write how they are taught who are
baptised at Easter. Now he who gives in his name, gives it in
on the day before Quadragesima, and the priest writes down
the names of all; this is before the eight weeks which I have
said are kept here at Quadragesima.
2. And when the priest has written down the names of all,
after the next day of Quadragesima, that is, on the day when
the eight weeks begin, the chair is set for the bishop in the
midst of the great church, that is, at the martyrium, and the
priests sit in chairs on either side of him, while all the clergy
stand. Then one by one the competents are brought up,
coming, if they are males (viri) with their fathers, and if
females (feminae), with their mothers.
3. Then the bishop asks the neighbours of every one who has
entered concerning each individual, saying: "Does this
person lead a good life, is he obedient to his parents, is he
not given to wine, nor deceitful?" making also inquiry about
the several vices which are more serious in man.
4. And if he has proved him in the presence of witnesses to
be blameless in all these matters concerning which he has
made inquiry, he writes down his name with his own hand.
But if he is accused in any matter, he orders him to go out,
saying: " Let him amend, and when he has amended then -
let him come to the font (lavacrum)." And as he makes
inquiry concerning the men, so also does he concerning the
women. But if any be a stranger, he comes not so easily to
Baptism, unless he has testimonials from those who know
him.
Preparation for Baptism: Catechisings.
XLVI This also I must write, reverend sisters, lest you
should think that these things are done without good reason.
The custom here is that they who come to Baptism through
those forty days, which are kept as fast days, are first
exorcised by the clergy early in the day, as soon as the
morning dismissal has been made in the Anastasis.
Immediately afterwards the chair is placed for the bishop at
the martyrium in the great church, and all who are to be
baptised sit around, near the bishop, both men and women,
their fathers and mothers standing there also. Besides these,
all the people who wish to hear come in and sit down--the
faithful however only.
2. No catechumen enters there when the bishop teaches the
others the Law. Beginning from Genesis he goes through all
the Scriptures during those forty days, explaining them, first
literally, and then unfolding them spiritually. They are also
taught about the Resurrection, and likewise all things
concerning the Faith during those days. And this is called
the catechising.
"Traditio" of the Creed.
3. Then when five weeks are completed from the time when
their teaching began, (the Competents) are then taught the
Creed. And as he explained the meaning of all the
Scriptures, so does he explain the meaning of the Creed;
each article first literally and then spiritually. By this means
all the faithful in these parts follow the Scriptures when they
are read in church, inasmuch as they are all taught during
those forty days from the first to the third hour, for the
catechising lasts for three hours.
4. And God knows, reverend sisters, that the voices of the
faithful who come in to hear the catechising are louder (in
approval) of the things spoken and explained by the bishop
than they are when he sits and preaches in church. Then,
after the dismissal of the catechising is made, it being
already the third hour, the bishop is at once escorted with
hymns to the Anastasis. So the dismissal takes place at the
third hour. Thus are they taught for three hours a day for
seven weeks, but in the eighth week of Quadragesima,
which is called the Great Week, there is no time for them to
be taught, because the things that are [described] above must
be carried out.
"Redditio" [Recitation] of the Creed.
5. And when the seven weeks are past, [and] the Paschal
week is left, which they call here the Great Week, then the
bishop comes in the morning into the great church at the
martyrium, and the chair is placed for him in the apse behind
the altar, where they come one by one, a man with his father
and a woman with her mother, and recite the Creed to the
bishop.
6. And when they have recited the Creed to the bishop, he
addresses them all, and says: " During these seven weeks
you have been taught all the law of the Scriptures, you have
also heard concerning the Faith, and concerning the
resurrection of the flesh, and the whole meaning of the
Creed, as far as you were able, being yet catechumens. But
the teachings of the deeper mystery, that is, of Baptism
itself, you cannot hear, being as yet catechumens. But, lest
you should think that anything is done without good reason,
these, when you have been baptised in the Name of God,
you shall hear in the Anastasis, during the eight Paschal
days, after the dismissal from the church has been made.
You, being as yet catechumens, cannot be told the more
secret mysteries of God."
Mystic Catechisings.
XLVII But when the days of Easter have come, during those
eight days, that is, from Easter to the Octave, when the
dismissal from the church has been made, they go with
hymns to the Anastasis. Prayer is said anon, the faithful are
blessed, and the bishop stands, leaning against the inner rails
which are in the cave of the Anastasis, and explains all
things that are done in Baptism.
2. In that hour no catechumen approaches the Anastasis, but
only the neophytes and the faithful, who wish to hear
concerning the mysteries, enter there, and the doors are shut
lest any catechumen should draw near. And while the bishop
discusses and sets forth each point, the voices of those who
applaud are so loud that they can be heard outside the
church. And truly the mysteries are so unfolded that there is
no one unmoved at the things that he hears to be so
explained.
3. Now, forasmuch as in that province some of the people
know both Greek and Syriac, while some know Greek alone
and others only Syriac; and because the bishop, although he
knows Syriac, yet always speaks Greek, and never Syriac,
there is always a priest standing by who, when the bishop
speaks Greek, interprets into Syriac, that all may understand
what is being taught.
4. And because all the lessons that are read in the church
must be read in Greek, he always stands by and interprets
them into Syriac, for the people's sake, that they may always
be edified. Moreover, the Latins here, who understand
neither Syriac nor Greek, in order that they be not
disappointed, have (all things) explained to them, for there
are other brothers and sisters knowing both Greek and Latin,
who translate into Latin for them.
5. But what is above all things very pleasant and admirable
here, is that the hymns, the antiphons, and the lessons, as
well as the prayers which the bishop says, always have
suitable and fitting references, both to the day that is being
celebrated and also to the place where the celebration is
taking place.
DEDICATION OF CHURCHES
XLVIII Those are called the days of dedication when the
holy church which is in Golgotha, and which they call the
martyrium, was consecrated to God; the holy church also
which is at the Anastasis, that is, in the place where the Lord
rose after His Passion, was consecrated to God on that day.
The dedication of these holy churches is therefore celebrated
with the highest honour, because the Cross of the Lord was
found on this same day.
2. And it was so ordained that, when the holy churches
above mentioned were first consecrated, that should be the
day when the Cross of the Lord had been found, in order
that the whole celebration should be made together, with all
rejoicing, on the self-same day. Moreover, it appears from
the Holy Scriptures that this is also the day of dedication,
when holy Solomon, having finished the House of God
which he had built, stood before the altar of God and prayed,
as it is written in the books of the Chronicles.
XLIX. So when these days of dedication are come, they are
kept for eight days. And people begin to assemble from all
parts many days before; not only monks and apotactitae
from various provinces, from Mesopotamia and Syria, from
Egypt and the Thebaid (where there are very many monks),
and from every different place and province--for there is
none who does not turn his steps to Jerusalem on that day
for such rejoicing and for such high days--but lay people too
in like manner, both men and women, with faithful minds,
gather together in Jerusalem from every province on those
days, for the sake of the holy day.
2. And the bishops, even when they have been few, are
present to the number of forty or fifty in Jerusalem on these
days, and with them come many of their clergy. But why
should I say more? for he who on these days has not been
present at so solemn a feast thinks that he has committed a
very great sin, unless some necessity, which keeps a man
back from carrying out a good resolution, has hindered him.
3. Now on these days of the dedication the adornment of all
the churches is the same as at Easter and at Epiphany, also
on each day the procession is made to the several holy
places, as at Easter and at Epiphany. For on the first and
second days it is to the greater church, which is called the
martyrium. On the third day it is to Eleona, that is, the
church which is on that mount whence the Lord ascended
into heaven after His Passion, and in this church is the cave
wherein the Lord used to teach his Apostles on the Mount of
Olives. But on the fourth day . . .
[The rest of the manuscript is sadly lost]