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Egeria's Description of the Liturgical Year in Jerusalem:=20 Translation


Based on the translation reproduced in Louis Duchesme's Christian = Worship (London, 1923)


Egeria's Return to Constantinople

XXIII 8. = On=20 the next day, crossing the sea, I arrived at Constantinople, giving = thanks to=20 Christ our God who deigned to give me such grace, unworthy and = undeserving as I=20 am, for He had deigned to give me not only the will to go, but also the = power of=20 walking through the places that I desired, and of returning at last to=20 Constantinople.=20

9. When I had arrived there, I went through all the=20 churches--that of the Apostles and all the martyr-memorials, of which = there are=20 very many--and I ceased not to give thanks to Jesus our God, Who had = thus=20 deigned to bestow His mercy upon me.=20

10. From which place, ladies, light of my eyes, while I = send=20 these (letters) to your affection, I have already purposed, in the Name = of=20 Christ our God, to go to Ephesus in Asia, for the sake of prayer, = because of the=20 memorial of the holy and blessed Apostle John. And if after this I am = yet in the=20 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=20 another project in mind, I will send you news of it in a letter. But do = you,=20 ladies, light of my eyes, deign to remember me, whether I am in the body = or out=20 of the body.=20

The Liturgy of Jerusalem

The Daily Offices

The Sunday Offices


  • [A page is missing.]=20

    FESTIVALS AT EPIPHANY

    1. Night Station at Bethlehem.

    Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, and the = rest which=20 follows. And since, for the sake of the monks who go on foot, it is = necessary to=20 walk slowly, the arrival in Jerusalem thus takes place at the hour when = one man=20 begins to be able to recognise another, that is, close upon but a little = before=20 daybreak.=20

    7. And on arriving there, the bishop and all with him = immediately=20 enter the Anastasis, where an exceedingly great number of lights are = already=20 burning. There a psalm is said, prayer is made, first the catechumens = and then=20 the faithful are blessed by the bishop; then the bishop retires, and = every one=20 returns to his lodging to take rest, but the monks remain there until = daybreak=20 and recite hymns.

    Morning Services at Jerusalem.

    8. = But=20 after the people have taken rest, at the beginning of the second hour = they all=20 assemble in the greater church, which is in Golgotha.=20

    Now it would be superfluous to describe the adornment either of the = church,=20 or of the Anastasis, or of the Cross, or in Bethlehem on that day; you = see there=20 nothing but gold and gems and silk. For if you look at the veils, they = are made=20 wholly of silk striped with gold, and if you look at the curtains, they = too are=20 made wholly of silk striped with gold. The church vessels too, of every = kind,=20 gold and jewelled, are brought out on that day, and indeed, who could = either=20 reckon or describe the number and weight of the cereofala, or of the = cicindelae,=20 or of the lucernae, or of the various vessels?=20

    9. And what shall I say of the decoration of the fabric = itself,=20 which Constantine, at his mother's instigation, decorated with gold, = mosaic, and=20 costly marbles, as far as the resources of his kingdom allowed him, that = is, the=20 greater church as well as the Anastasis, at the Cross, and the other = holy places=20 in Jerusalem ?=20

    10. But to return to the matter in hand: the dismissal = takes=20 place on the first day in the greater church, which is in Golgotha, and = when=20 they preach or read the several lessons, or recite hymns, all are = appropriate to=20 the day. And afterwards when the dismissal from the church has been = made, they=20 repair to the Anastasis with hymns, according to custom, so that the = dismissal=20 takes place about the sixth hour.=20

    11. And on this day lucernare also takes place = according to the=20 daily use.

    Octave of the Festival.

    On the second day also they proceed in like manner to the church in = Golgotha,=20 and also on the third day; thus the feast is celebrated with all this = joyfulness=20 for three days up to the sixth hour in the church built by Constantine. = On the=20 fourth day it is celebrated in like manner with similar festal array in = Eleona,=20 the very beautiful church which stands on the Mount of Olives; on the = fifth day=20 in the Lazarium, which is distant about one thousand five hundred paces = from=20 Jerusalem; on the sixth day in Sion, on the seventh day in the = Anastasis, and on=20 the eighth day at the Cross. Thus, then, is the feast celebrated with = all this=20 joyfulness and festal array throughout the eight days in all the holy = places=20 which I have mentioned above.=20

    12. And in Bethlehem also throughout the entire eight = days the=20 feast is celebrated with similar festal array and joyfulness daily by = the=20 priests and by all the clergy there, and by the monks who are appointed = in that=20 place. For from the hour when all return by night to Jerusalem with the = bishop,=20 the monks of that place keep vigil in the church in Bethlehem, reciting = hymns=20 and antiphons, but it is necessary that the bishop should always keep = these days=20 in Jerusalem. And immense crowds, not of monks only, but also of the = laity, both=20 men and women, flock together to Jerusalem from every quarter for the = solemn and=20 joyous observance of that day.

    The Presentation Mass.

    XXVI = The=20 fortieth day after the Epiphany is undoubtedly celebrated here with the = very=20 highest honour, for on that day there is a procession, in which all take = part,=20 in the Anastasis, and all things are done in their order with the = greatest joy,=20 just as at Easter. All the priests, and after them the bishop, preach, = always=20 taking for their subject that part of the Gospel where Joseph and Mary = brought=20 the Lord into the Temple on the fortieth day, and Symeon and Anna the=20 prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, saw Him,-- treating of the words = which they=20 spake when they saw the Lord, and of that offering which His parents = made. And=20 when everything that is customary has been done in order, the sacrament = is=20 celebrated, and the dismissal takes place.

    LENT

    XXVII = And=20 when the Paschal days come they are observed thus : Just as with us = forty days=20 are kept before Easter, so here eight weeks are kept before Easter. And = eight=20 weeks are kept because there is no fasting on the Lord's Days, nor on = the=20 Sabbaths, except on the one Sabbath on which the Vigil of Easter falls, = in which=20 case the fast is obligatory. With the exception then of that one day, = there is=20 never fasting on any Sabbath here throughout the year. Thus, deducting = the eight=20 Lord's Days and the seven Sabbaths (for on the one Sabbath, as I said = above, the=20 fast is obligatory) from the eight weeks, there remain forty-one fast = days,=20 which they call here Eortae, that is Quadragesimae.

    Services on Sundays.

    2. = Now=20 the several days of the several weeks are kept thus: On the Lord's Day = after the=20 first cockcrow the bishop reads in the Anastasis the account of the = Lord's=20 Resurrection from the Gospel, as on all Lord's Days throughout the whole = year,=20 and everything is done at the Anastasis and at the Cross as on all = Lord's Days=20 throughout the year, up to daybreak.=20

    3. Afterwards, in the morning, they proceed to the = greater=20 church, called the martyrium, which is in Golgotha behind the Cross, and = all=20 things that are customary on the Lord's Days are done there. In like = manner also=20 when the dismissal from the church has been made, they go with hymns to = the=20 Anastasis, as they always do on the Lord's Days, and while these things = are=20 being done the fifth hour is reached. Lucernare, however, takes place at = its own=20 hour, as usual, at the Anastasis and at the Cross, and in the various = holy=20 places; on the Lord's Day the ninth hour is kept.

    Weekday Services.

    4. = On=20 the second weekday they go at the first cockcrow to the Anastasis, as = they do=20 throughout the year, and everything that is usual is done until morning. = Then at=20 the third hour they go to the Anastasis, and the things are done that = are=20 customary throughout the year at the sixth hour, for this going at the = third=20 hour in Quadragesima is additional. At the sixth and ninth hours also, = and at=20 lucernare, everything is done that is customary throughout the whole = year at the=20 holy places.=20

    5. And on the third weekday all things are done as on = the second=20 weekday.

    Wednesday and Friday.

    Again, on the fourth weekday they go by night to the Anastasis, and = all the=20 usual things are done until morning, and also at the third and sixth = hours. But=20 at the ninth hour they go to Sion, as is customary at that hour on the = fourth=20 and sixth weekdays throughout the year, for the reason that the fast is = always=20 kept here on the fourth and sixth weekdays even by the catechumens, = except a=20 martyrs' day should occur. For if a martyrs' day should chance to occur = on the=20 fourth or on the sixth weekday in Quadragesima, they do not go to Sion = at the=20 ninth hour.=20

    6. But on the days of Quadragesima, as I said above, = they proceed=20 to Sion on the fourth weekday at the ninth hour, according to the custom = of the=20 whole year, and all things that are customary at the ninth hour are = done, except=20 the oblation, for, in order that the people may always be instructed in = the law,=20 both the bishop and the priest preach diligently. But when the dismissal = has=20 been made, the people escort the bishop with hymns thence to the = Anastasis, so=20 that it is already the hour of lucernare when he enters the Anastasis; = then=20 hymns and antiphons are said, prayers are made, and the service (missa) = of=20 lucernare takes place in the Anastasis and at the Cross.=20

    7. And the service of lucernare is always later on = those days in=20 Quadragesima than on other days throughout the year. On the fifth = weekday=20 everything is done as on the second and third weekday. On the sixth = weekday=20 everything is done as on the fourth, including the going to Sion at the = ninth=20 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=20 hour of their arrival from Sion with hymns, until morning, that is, from = the=20 hour of lucernare, when they entered, to the morning of the next day, = that is,=20 the Sabbath. And the oblation is made in the Anastasis the earlier, that = the=20 dismissal may take place before sunrise.=20

    8. Throughout the whole night psalms are said = responsively in=20 turn with antiphons and with various lections, the whole lasting until = morning,=20 and the dismissal, which takes place on the Sabbath at the Anastasis, is = before=20 sunrise, that is, the oblation, so that the dismissal may take place in = the=20 Anastasis at the hour when the sun begins to rise. Thus, then, is each = week of=20 Quadragesima kept.=20

    9. The dismissal taking place earlier on the Sabbath, = i.e. before=20 sunrise, as I said, in order that the hebdomadarii, as they are called = here, may=20 finish their fast earlier. For the custom of the fast in Quadragesima is = that=20 the dismissal on the Lord's Day is at the fifth hour in order that they = whom=20 they call hebdomadarii; that is, they who keep the weeks' fast, may take = food.=20 And when these have taken breakfast on the Lord's Day, they do not eat = until the=20 Sabbath morning after they have communicated in the Anastasis. It is for = their=20 sake, then, that they may finish their fast the sooner, that the = dismissal on=20 the Sabbath at the Anastasis is before sunrise. For their sake the = dismissal is=20 in the morning, as I said; not that they alone communicate, but all who = are so=20 minded communicate on that day in the Anastasis.=20

    XXVIII<= A=20 name=3Dch28>. This is the custom of the fast in Quadragesima: some, = when they=20 have eaten after the dismissal on the Lord's Day, that is, about the = fifth or=20 sixth hour, do not eat throughout the whole week until after the = dismissal at=20 the Anastasis on the Sabbath; these are they who keep the weeks' fast.=20

    2. Nor, after having eaten in the morning, do they eat = in the=20 evening of the Sabbath, but they take a meal on the next day, that is, = on the=20 Lord's Day, after the dismissal from the church at the fifth hour or = later, and=20 then they do not breakfast until the Sabbath comes round, as I have said = above.=20

    3. For the custom here is that all who are apotactitae, = as they=20 call them here, whether men or women, eat only once a day on the day = when they=20 do eat, not only in Quadragesima, but throughout the whole year. But if = any of=20 the apotactitae cannot keep the entire week of fasting as described = above, they=20 take supper in the middle (of the week), on the fifth day, all through=20 Quadragesima. And if any one cannot do even this, he keeps two days' = fast (in=20 the week) all through Quadragesima, and they who cannot do even this, = take a=20 meal every evening.=20

    4. For no one exacts from any how much he should do, = but each=20 does what he can, nor is he praised who has done much, nor is he blamed = who has=20 done less; that is the custom here. For their food during the days of=20 Quadragesima is as follows:--they taste neither bread which cannot be = weighed,=20 nor oil, nor anything that grows on trees, but only water and a little = gruel=20 made of flour. Quadragesima is kept thus, as we have said.=20

    XXIX. And at the end of the weeks' fast the vigil is kept in = the=20 Anastasis from the hour of lucernare on the sixth weekday, when the = people come=20 with psalms from Sion, to the morning of the Sabbath, when the oblation = is made=20 in the Anastasis. And the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth weeks = in=20 Quadragesima are kept as the first.=20

    HOLY WEEK AND THE FESTIVALS AT EASTER

    Saturday before Palm Sunday.--Station at Bethany.

    2. = Now=20 when the seventh week has come, that is, when two weeks, including the = seventh,=20 are left before Easter, everything is done on each day as in the weeks = that ,are=20 past, except that the vigils of the sixth weekday, which were kept in = the=20 Anastasis during the first six weeks, are, in the seventh week, kept in = Sion,=20 and with the same customs that obtained during the six weeks in the = Anastasis.=20 For throughout the whole vigil psalms and antiphons are said appropriate = both to=20 the place and to the day.=20

    3. And when the morning of the Sabbath begins to dawn, = the bishop=20 offers the oblation. And at the dismissal the archdeacon lifts his voice = and=20 says: " Let us all be ready to-day at the seventh hour in the Lazarium." = And so,=20 as the seventh hour approaches, all go to the Lazarium, that is, = Bethany,=20 situated at about the second milestone from the city.=20

    4. And as they go from Jerusalem to the Lazarium, there = is, about=20 five hundred paces from the latter place, a church in the street on that = spot=20 where Mary the sister of Lazarus met with the Lord. Here, when the = bishop=20 arrives, all the monks meet him, and the people enter the church, and = one hymn=20 and one antiphon are said, and that passage is read in the Gospel where = the=20 sister of Lazarus meets the Lord. Then, after prayer has been made, and = when all=20 have been blessed, they go thence with hymns to the Lazarium.=20

    5. And on arriving at the Lazarium, so great a = multitude=20 assembles that not only the place itself, but also the fields around, = are full=20 of people. Hymns and antiphons suitable to the day and to the place are = said,=20 and likewise all the lessons are read. Then, before the dismissal, = notice is=20 given of Easter, that is, the priest ascends to a higher place and reads = the=20 passage that is written in the Gospel: When Jesus six days before the = Passover=20 had come to Bethany, and the rest. So, that passage having been read and = notice=20 given of Easter, the dismissal is made.=20

    6. This is done on that day because, as it is written = in the=20 Gospel, these events took place in Bethany six days before the Passover; = there=20 being six days from the Sabbath to the fifth weekday on which, after = supper, the=20 Lord was taken by night. Then all return to the city direct to the = Anastasis,=20 and lucernare takes place according to custom.=20

    Palm Sunday: Services in the Churches.

    XXX On = the=20 next day, that is, the Lord's Day, which begins the Paschal week, and = which they=20 call here the Great Week, when all the customary services from cockcrow = until=20 morning have taken place in the Anastasis and at the Cross, they proceed = on the=20 morning of the Lord's Day according to custom to the greater church, = which is=20 called the martyrium. It is called the martyrium because it is in = Golgotha=20 behind the Cross, where the Lord suffered.=20

    2. When all that is customary has been observed in the = great=20 church, and before the dismissal is made, the archdeacon lifts his voice = and=20 says first: " Throughout the whole week, beginning from to-morrow, let = us all=20 assemble in the martyrium, that is, in the great church, at the ninth = hour."=20 Then he lifts his voice again, saying: " Let us all be ready to-day in = Eleona at=20 the seventh hour."=20

    3. So when the dismissal has been made in the great = church! that=20 is, the martyrium, the bishop is escorted with hymns to the Anastasis, = and after=20 all things that are customary on the Lord's Day have been done there, = after the=20 dismissal from the martyrium, every one hastens home to eat, that all = may be=20 ready at the beginning of the seventh hour in the church in Eleona, on = the Mount=20 of Olives, where is the cave in which the Lord was wont to teach.=20

    Procession with Palms on the Mount of = Olives.

    XXXI=20 Accordingly at the seventh hour all the people go up to the Mount of = Olives,=20 that is, to Eleona, and the bishop with them, to the church, where hymns = and=20 antiphons suitable to the day and to the place are said, and lessons in = like=20 manner. And when the ninth hour approaches they go up with hymns to the = Imbomon,=20 that is, to the place whence the Lord ascended into heaven, and there = they sit=20 down, for all the people are always bidden to sit when the bishop is = present;=20 the deacons alone always stand. Hymns and antiphons suitable to the day = and to=20 the place are said, interspersed with lections and prayers.=20

    2. And as the eleventh hour approaches, the passage = from the=20 Gospel is read, where the children, carrying branches and palms, met the = Lord,=20 saying; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, and the = bishop=20 immediately rises, and all the people with him, and they all go on foot = from the=20 top of the Mount of Olives, all the people going before him with hymns = and=20 antiphons, answering one to another: Blessed is He that cometh in the = name of=20 the Lord.=20

    3. And all the children in the neighbourhood, even = those who are=20 too young to walk, are carried by their parents on their shoulders, all = of them=20 bearing branches, some of palms and some of olives, and thus the bishop = is=20 escorted in the same manner as the Lord was of old.=20

    4. For all, even those of rank, both matrons and men, = accompany=20 the bishop all the way on foot in this manner, making these responses, = from the=20 top of the mount to the city, and thence through the whole city to the=20 Anastasis, going very slowly lest the people should be wearied; and thus = they=20 arrive at the Anastasis at a late hour. And on arriving, although it is = late,=20 lucernare takes place, with prayer at the Cross; after which the people = are=20 dismissed.=20

    Monday in Holy Week.

    XXXII = On=20 the next day, the second weekday, everything that is customary is done = from the=20 first cockcrow until morning in the Anastasis; also at the third and = sixth hours=20 everything is done that is customary throughout the whole of = Quadragesima. but=20 at the ninth hour all assemble in the great church, that is the = martyrium, where=20 hymns and antiphons are said continuously until the first hour of the = night and=20 lessons suitable to the day and the place are read, interspersed always = with=20 prayers.=20

    2. Lucernare takes place when its hour approaches, that = is, so=20 that it is already night when the dismissal at the martyrium is made. = When the=20 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;=20 the catechumens and then the faithful are blessed, and the dismissal is = made.=20

    Tuesday in Holy Week.

    XXXIII = On=20 the third weekday everything is done as on the second, with this one = thing=20 added--that late at night, after the dismissal of the martyrium, and = after the=20 going to the Anastasis and after the dismissal there, all proceed at = that hour=20 by night to the church, which is on the mount Eleona.=20

    2. And when they have arrived at that church, the = bishop enters=20 the cave where the Lord was wont to teach His disciples, and after = receiving the=20 book of the Gospel, he stands and himself reads the words of the Lord = which are=20 written in the Gospel according to Matthew, where He says: Take heed = that no man=20 deceiveyou. And the bishop reads through the whole of that discourse, = and when=20 he has read it, prayer is made, the catechumens and the faithful are = blessed,=20 the dismissal is made, and every one returns from the mount to his = house, it=20 being already very late at night.=20

    Wednesday in Holy Week.

    XXXIV = On=20 the fourth weekday everything is done as on the second and third = weekdays=20 throughout the whole day from the first cockcrow onwards, but after the=20 dismissal has taken place at the Martyrium by night, and the bishop has = been=20 escorted with hymns to the Anastasis, he at once enters the cave which = is in the=20 Anastasis, and stands within the rails; but the priest stands before the = rails=20 and receives the Gospel, and reads the passage where Judas Iscariot went = to the=20 Jews and stated what they should give him that he should betray the = Lord. And=20 when the passage has been read, there is such a moaning and groaning of = all the=20 people that no one can help being moved to tears at that hour. = Afterwards prayer=20 follows, then the blessing, first of the catechumens, and then of the = faithful,=20 and the dismissal is made.=20

    Maundy Thursday: Mass celebrated twice.

    XXXV = On=20 the fifth weekday everything that is customary is done from the first = cockcrow=20 until morning at the Anastasis, and also at the third and at the sixth = hours.=20 But at the eighth hour all the people gather together at the martyrium = according=20 to custom, only earlier than on other days, because the dismissal must = be made=20 sooner. Then, when the people are gathered together, all that should be = done is=20 done, and the oblation is made on that day at the martyrium, the = dismissal=20 taking place about the tenth hour. But before the dismissal is made = there, the=20 archdeacon raises his voice and says: "Let us all assemble at the first = hour of=20 the night in the church which is in Eleona, for great toil awaits us = to-day, in=20 this very night."=20

    2. Then, after the dismissal at the martyrium, they = arrive behind=20 the Cross, where only one hymn is said and prayer is made, and the = bishop offers=20 the oblation there, and all communicate. Nor is the oblation ever = offered behind=20 the Cross on any day throughout the year, except on this one day. And = after the=20 dismissal there they go to the Anastasis, where prayer is made, the = catechumens=20 and the faithful are blessed according to custom, and the dismissal is = made.=20

    Night Station on the Mount of Olives.

    And so every one hastens back to his house to eat, because = immediately after=20 they have eaten, all go to Eleona to the church wherein is the cave = where the=20 Lord was with His Apostles on this very day.=20

    3. There then, until about the fifth hour of the night, = hymns and=20 antiphons suitable to the day and to the place are said, lessons, too, = are read=20 in like manner, with prayers interspersed, and the passages from the = Gospel are=20 read where the Lord addressed His disciples on that same day as He sat = in the=20 same cave which is in that church.=20

    4. And they go thence at about the sixth hour of the = night with=20 hymns up to the Imbomon, the place whence the Lord ascended into heaven, = where=20 again lessons are read, hymns and antiphons suitable to the day are = said, and=20 all the prayers which are made by the bishop are also suitable both to = the day=20 and to the place.=20

    Stations at Gethsemane.

    XXXVI = And=20 at the first cockcrow they come down from the Imbomon with hymns, and = arrive at=20 the place where the Lord prayed, as it is written in the Gospel: and He = was=20 withdrawn (from them) about a stone's cast, and prayed, and the rest. = There is=20 in that place a graceful church The bishop and all the people enter, a = prayer=20 suitable to the place and to the day is said, with one suitable hymn, = and the=20 passage from the Gospel is read where He said to His disciples: Watch, = that ye=20 enter not into temptation; the whole passage is read through and prayer = is made.=20

    2. And then all, even to the smallest child, go down = with the=20 Bishop, on foot, with hymns to Gethsemane; where, on account of the = great number=20 of people in the crowd, who are wearied owing to the vigils and weak = through the=20 daily fasts, and because they have so great a hill to descend, they come = very=20 slowly with hymns to Gethsemane. And over two hundred church candles are = made=20 ready to give light to all the people.=20

    3. On their arrival at Gethsemane, first a suitable = prayer is=20 made, then a hymn is said, then the passage of the Gospel is read where = the Lord=20 was taken. And when this passage has been read there is so great a = moaning and=20 groaning of all the people, together with weeping, that their = lamentation may be=20 heard perhaps as far as the city.=20

    Return to Jerusalem.

    From that hour they go with hymns to the city on foot, reaching the = gate=20 about the time when one man begins to be able to recognise another, and = thence=20 right on through the midst of the city; all, to a man, both great and = small,=20 rich and poor, all are ready there, for on that special day not a soul = withdraws=20 from the vigils until morning. Thus the bishop is escorted from = Gethsemane to=20 the gate, and thence through the whole of the city to the Cross.=20

    Good Friday: Service at Daybreak.

    4.. And when they arrive before the Cross the daylight = is already=20 growing bright. There the passage from the Gospel is read where the Lord = is=20 brought before Pilate, with everything that is written concerning that = which=20 Pilate spake to the Lord or to the Jews; the whole is read.=20

    5. And afterwards the bishop addresses the people, = comforting=20 them for that they have toiled all night and are about to toil during = that same=20 day, (bidding) them not be weary, but to have hope in God, Who will for = that=20 toil give them a greater reward. And encouraging them as he is able, he=20 addresses them thus: " Go now, each one of you, to your houses, and sit = down=20 awhile, and all of you be ready here just before the second hour of the = day,=20 that from that hour to the sixth you may be able to behold the holy wood = of the=20 Cross, each one of us believing that it will be profitable to his = salvation;=20 then from the sixth hour we must all assemble again in this place, that = is,=20 before the Cross, that we may apply ourselves to lections and to prayers = until=20 night."=20

    The Column of the Flagellation

    XXXVII = After this, when the dismissal at the Cross has been made, that is, = before the=20 sun rises, they all go at once with fervour to Sion, to pray at the = column at=20 which the Lord was scourged. And returning thence they sit for awhile in = their=20 houses, and presently all are ready.=20

    Veneration of the Cross.

    Then a chair is placed for the bishop = in=20 Golgotha behind the Cross, which is now standing; the bishop duly takes = his seat=20 in the chair, and a table covered with a linen cloth is placed before = him; the=20 deacons stand round the table, and a silver-gilt casket is brought in = which is=20 the holy wood of the Cross. The casket is opened and (the wood) is taken = out,=20 and both the wood of the Cross and the title are placed upon the table.=20

    2. Now, when it has been put upon the table, the = bishop, as he=20 sits, holds the extremities of the sacred wood firmly in his hands, = while the=20 deacons who stand around guard it. It is guarded thus because the custom = is that=20 the people, both faithful and catechumens, come one by one and, bowing = down at=20 the table, kiss the sacred wood and pass through. And because, I know = not when,=20 some one is said to have bitten off and stolen a portion of the sacred = wood, it=20 is thus guarded by the deacons who stand around, lest any one = approaching should=20 venture to do so again.=20

    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=20 then with their eyes; then they kiss the Cross and pass through, but = none lays=20 his hand upon it to touch it. When they have kissed the Cross and have = passed=20 through, a deacon stands holding the ring of Solomon and the horn from = which the=20 kings were anointed; they kiss the horn also and gaze at the ring . . . = all the=20 people are passing through up to the sixth hour, entering by one door = and going=20 out by another; for this is done in the same place where, on the = preceding day,=20 that is, on the fifth weekday, the oblation was offered.=20

    Station before the Cross. The Three Hours.

    4. = And=20 when the sixth hour has come, they go before the Cross, whether it be in = rain or=20 in heat, the place being open to the air, as it were, a court of great = size and=20 of some beauty between the Cross and the Anastasis; here all the people = assemble=20 in such great numbers that there is no thoroughfare.=20

    5. The chair is placed for the bishop before the Cross, = and from=20 the sixth to the ninth hour nothing else is done, but the reading of = lessons,=20 which are read thus: first from the psalms wherever the Passion is = spoken of,=20 then from the Apostle, either from the epistles of the Apostles or from = their=20 Acts, wherever they have spoken of the Lord's Passion; then the passages = from=20 the Gospels, where He suffered, are read. Then the readings from the = prophets=20 where they foretold that the Lord should suffer, then from the Gospels = where He=20 mentions His Passion.=20

    6. Thus from the sixth to the ninth hours the lessons = are so read=20 and the hymns said, that it may be shown to all the people that = whatsoever the=20 prophets foretold of the Lord's Passion is proved from the Gospels and = from the=20 writings of the Apostles to have been fulfilled. And so through all = those three=20 hours the people are taught that nothing was done which had not been = foretold,=20 and that nothing was foretold which was not wholly fulfilled. Prayers = also=20 suitable to the day are interspersed throughout.=20

    7. The emotion shown and the mourning by all the people = at every=20 lesson and prayer is wonderful; for there is none, either great or = small, who,=20 on that day during those three hours, does not lament more than can be=20 conceived, that the Lord had suffered those things for us. Afterwards, = at the=20 beginning of the ninth hour, there is read that passage from the Gospel=20 according to John where He gave up the ghost. This read, prayer and the=20 dismissal follow.=20

    Evening Offices.

    8. = And=20 when the dismissal before the Cross has been made, all things are done = in the=20 greater church, at the martyrium, which are customary during this week = from the=20 ninth hour --when the assembly takes place in the martyrium--until late. = And=20 after the dismissal at the martyrium, they go to the Anastasis, where, = when they=20 arrive, the passage from the Gospel is read where Joseph begged the Body = of the=20 Lord from Pilate and laid it in a new sepulchre. And this reading ended, = a=20 prayer is said, the catechumens are blessed, and the dismissal is made.=20

    9. But on that day no announcement is made of a vigil = at the=20 Anastasis, because it is known that the people are tired; nevertheless, = it is=20 the custom to watch there. So all of the people who are willing, or = rather, who=20 are able, keep watch, and they who are unable do not watch there until = the=20 morning. Those of the clergy, however, who are strong or young keep = vigil there,=20 and hymns and antiphons are said throughout the whole night until = morning; a=20 very great crowd also keep night-long watch, some from the late hour and = some=20 from midnight, as they=20

    Vigil of Easter.

    XXXVIII= =20 Now, on the next day, the Sabbath, everything that is customary is done = at the=20 third hour and also at the sixth; the service at the ninth hour, = however, is not=20 held on the Sabbath, but the Paschal vigils are prepared in the great = church,=20 the martyrium. The Paschal vigils are kept as with us, with this one = addition,=20 that the children when they have been baptised and clothed, and when = they issue=20 from the font, are led with the bishop first to the Anastasis.=20

    2. The bishop enters the rails of the Anastasis, and = one hymn is=20 said, then the bishop says a prayer for them, and then he goes with them = to the=20 greater church, where, according to custom, all the people are keeping = watch.=20 Everything is done there that is customary with us also, and after the = oblation=20 has been made, the dismissal takes place. After the dismissal of the = vigils has=20 been made in the greater church, they go at once with hymns to the = Anastasis,=20 where the passage from the Gospel about the Resurrection is read. Prayer = is=20 made, and the bishop again makes the oblation. But everything is done = quickly on=20 account of the people, that they should not be delayed any longer, and = so the=20 people are dismissed. The dismissal of the vigils takes place on that = day at the=20 same hour as with us.=20

    Services in the Easter Octave.

    XXXIX=20 Moreover, the Paschal days are kept up to a late hour as with us, and = the=20 dismissals take place in their order throughout the eight Paschal days, = as is=20 the custom everywhere at Easter throughout the Octave. But the adornment = (of the=20 churches) and order (of the services) here are the same throughout the = Octave of=20 Easter as they are during Epiphany, in the greater church, in the = Anastasis, at=20 the Cross, in Eleona, in Bethlehem, as well as in the Lazarium, in fact, = everywhere, because these are the Paschal days.=20

    2. On the first Lord's Day they proceed to the great = church, that=20 is, the martyrium, as well as on the second and third weekdays, but = always so=20 that after the dismissal has been made at the martyrium, they go to the=20 Anastasis with hymns. On the fourth weekday they proceed to Eleona, on = the fifth=20 to the Anastasis, on the sixth to Sion, on the Sabbath before the Cross, = but on=20 the Lord's Day, that is, on the Octave, (they proceed) to the great = church=20 again, that is, to the martyrium.=20

    3. Moreover, on the eight Paschal days the bishop goes = every day=20 after breakfast up to Eleona with all the clergy, and with all the = children who=20 have been baptised, and with a]l who are apotactitae, both men and = women, and=20 likewise with all the people who are willing. Hymns are said and prayers = are=20 made, both in the church which is on Eleona, wherein is the cave where = Jesus was=20 wont to teach His disciples, and also in the Imbomon, that is, in the = place=20 whence the Lord ascended into heaven.=20

    4. And when the psalms have been said and prayer has = been made,=20 they come down thence with hymns to the Anastasis at the hour of = lucernare. This=20 is done throughout all the eight days.=20

    Vesper Station at Sion on Easter Sunday.

    Now, on the Lord's Day = at=20 Easter, after the dismissal of lucernare, that is, at the Anastasis, all = the=20 people escort the bishop with hymns to Sion.=20

    5. And, on arriving, hymns suitable to the day and = place are=20 said, prayer is made, and the passage from the Gospel is read where the = Lord, on=20 the same day, and in the same place where the church now stands in Sion, = came in=20 to His disciples when the doors were shut. That is, when one of His = disciples,=20 Thomas, was absent, and when he returned and the other Apostles told him = that=20 they had seen the Lord, he said: " Except I shall see, I will not = believe." When=20 this has been read, prayer is again made, the catechumens and the = faithful are=20 blessed, and every one returns to his house late, about the second hour = of the=20 night.=20

    Sunday after Easter.

    XL = Again,=20 on the Octave of Easter, that is, on the Lord's Day, all the people go = up to=20 Eleona with the bishop immediately after the sixth hour. First they sit = for=20 awhile in the church which is there, and hymns and antiphons suitable to = the day=20 and to the place are said; prayers suitable to the day and to the place = are=20 likewise made. Then they go up to the Imbomon with hymns, and the same = things=20 are done there as in the former place. And when the time comes, all the = people=20 and all the apotactitae escort the bishop with hymns down to the = Anastasis,=20 arriving there at the usual hour for lucernare.=20

    2. So lucernare takes place at the Anastasis and at the = Cross,=20 and all the people to a man escort the bishop thence with hymns to Sion. = And=20 when they have arrived, hymns suitable to the day and to the place are = said=20 there also, and lastly that passage from the Gospel is read where, on = the Octave=20 of Easter, the Lord came in where the disciples were, and reproved = Thomas=20 because he had been unbelieving. The whole of that lesson is read, with = prayer=20 afterwards; both the catechumens and the faithful are blessed, and every = one=20 returns to his house as usual, just as on the Lord's Day of Easter, at = the=20 second hour of the night.=20

    Easter to Whitsuntide.

    XLI = Now,=20 from Easter to the fiftieth day, that is, to Pentecost, no one fasts = here, not=20 even those who are apotactitae. During these days, as throughout the = whole year,=20 the customary things are done at the Anastasis from the first cockcrow = until=20 morning, and at the sixth hour and at lucernare likewise. But on the = Lord's Days=20 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=20 fourth and sixth weekdays, as no one fasts during those days, the = procession is=20 to Sion, but in the morning; the dismissal is made in its due order.=20

    The Ascension-Festival at Bethlehem.

    XLII = On=20 the fortieth day after Easter, that is, on the fifth weekday--(for all = go on the=20 previous day, that is, on the fourth weekday, after the sixth hour to = Bethlehem=20 to celebrate the vigils, for the vigils are kept in Bethlehem, in the = church=20 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=20 the priests and the bishop preach, treating of the things suitable to = the day=20 and the place, and afterwards every one returns to Jerusalem late.=20

    FESTIVALS OF WHITSUNTIDE

    Whitsunday: Morning Station.

    XLIII = But=20 on the fiftieth day, that is, the Lord's Day, when the people have a = very great=20 deal to go through, everything that is customary is done from the first = cockcrow=20 onwards; vigil is kept in the Anastasis, and the bishop reads the = passage from=20 the Gospel that is always read on the Lord's Day, namely, the account of = the=20 Lord's resurrection, and afterwards everything customary is done in the=20 Anastasis, just as throughout the whole year.=20

    2. But when morning is come, all the people proceed to = the great=20 church, that is, to the martyrium, and all things usual are done there; = the=20 priests preach and then the bishop, and all things that are prescribed = are done,=20 the oblation being made, as is customary on the Lord's Day, only the = same=20 dismissal in the martyrium is hastened, in order that it may be made = before the=20 third hour.=20

    Station at Sion.

    And when the dismissal has been made at the martyrium, all the = people, to a=20 man, escort the bishop with hymns to Sion, [so that] they are in Sion = when the=20 third hour is fully come.=20

    3. And on their arrival there the passage from the Acts = of the=20 Apostles is read where the Spirit came down so that all tongues [were = heard and=20 all men] understood the things that were being spoken, and the dismissal = takes=20 place afterwards in due course. For the priests read there from the Acts = of the=20 Apostles concerning the selfsame thing, because that is the place in = Sion--there=20 is another church there now--where once, after the Lord's Passion, the = multitude=20 was gathered together with the Apostles, and where this was done, as we = have=20 said above. Afterwards the dismissal takes place in due course, and the = oblation=20 is made there. Then, that the people may be dismissed, the archdeacon = raises his=20 voice, and says: " Let us all be ready to-day in Eleona, in the Imbomon, = directly after the sixth hour."=20

    Station at the Mount of Olives.

    4. = So=20 all the people return, each to his house, to rest themselves, and = immediately=20 after breakfast they ascend the Mount of Olives, that is, to Eleona, = each as he=20 can, so that there is no Christian left in the city who does not go.=20

    5. When, therefore, they have gone up the Mount of = Olives, that=20 is, to Eleona, they first enter the Imbomon, that is, the place whence = the Lord=20 ascended into heaven, and the bishops and the priests take their seat = there, and=20 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=20 are interspersed have likewise similar references. The passage from the = Gospel=20 is also read where it speaks of the Lord's Ascension, also that from the = Acts of=20 the Apostles which tells of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven after = His=20 Resurrection.=20

    6. And when this is over, the catechumens and then the = faithful=20 are blessed, and they come down thence, it being already the ninth hour, = and go=20 with hymns to that church which is in Eleona, wherein is the cave where = the Lord=20 was wont to sit and teach His Apostles. And as it is already past the = tenth hour=20 when they arrive, lucernare takes place there; prayer is made, and the=20 catechumens and likewise the faithful are blessed.=20

    Night Procession.

    And then all the people to a man descend thence with the bishop, = saying hymns=20 and antiphons suitable to that day, and so come very slowly to the = martyrium.=20

    7. It is already night when they reach the gate of the = city, and=20 about two hundred church candles are provided for the use of the people. = And as=20 it is a good distance from the gate to the great church, that is, the = martyrium,=20 they arrive about the second hour of the night, for they go the whole = way very=20 slowly lest the people should be weary from being afoot. And when the = great=20 gates are opened, which face towards the market-place, all the people = enter the=20 martyrium with hymns and with the bishop. And when they have entered the = church,=20 hymns are said, prayer is made, the catechumens and also the faithful = are=20 blessed; after which they go again with hymns to the Anastasis.=20

    8. Where also on their arrival hymns and antiphons are = said,=20 prayer is made, the catechumens and also the faithful are blessed; this = is=20 likewise done at the Cross. Lastly, all the Christian people to a man = escort the=20 bishop with hymns to Sion.=20

    9. When they are come there, suitable lessons are read, = psalms=20 and antiphons are said, prayer is made, the catechumens and the faithful = are=20 blessed, and the dismissal takes place. And after the dismissal all = approach the=20 bishop's hand, and then every one returns to his house about midnight.=20

    Thus very great fatigue is endured on that day, for vigil is kept at = the=20 Anastasis from the first cockcrow, and there is no pause from that time = onward=20 throughout the whole day, but the whole celebration (of the Feast) lasts = so long=20 that it is midnight when every one returns home after the dismissal has = taken=20 place at Sion.=20

    Resumption of the Ordinary Services.

    XLIV = Now,=20 from the day after the fiftieth day all fast as is customary throughout = the=20 whole year, each one as he is able, except on the Sabbath and on the = Lord's Day,=20 which are never kept as fasts in this place. On the ensuing days = everything is=20 done as during the whole year, that is, vigil is kept in the Anastasis = from the=20 first cockcrow.=20

    2. And if it be the Lord's Day, at the earliest = cockcrow the=20 bishop first reads in the Anastasis, as is customary, the passage from = the=20 Gospel concerning the Resurrection, which is always read on the Lord's = Day, and=20 then afterwards hymns and antiphons are said in the Anastasis until = daylight.=20 But if it be not the Lord's Day, only hymns and antiphons are said in = like=20 manner in the Anastasis from the first cockcrow until daylight.=20

    3. All the apotactitae, and of the people those who are = able,=20 attend; the clergy go by turns, daily. The clergy go there at first = cockcrow,=20 but the bishop always as it begins to dawn, that the morning dismissal = may be=20 made with all the clergy present except on the Lord's Day, when (the = bishop) has=20 to go at the first cockcrow, that he may read the Gospel in the = Anastasis.=20 Afterwards everything is done as usual in the Anastasis until the sixth = hour,=20 and at the ninth, as well as at lucernare, according to the custom of = the whole=20 year. But on the fourth and sixth weekdays, the ninth hour is kept in = Sion as is=20 customary.=20

    BAPTISM

    The Inscribing of the Competents.

    XLV=20 Moreover, I must write how they are taught who are baptised at Easter. = Now he=20 who gives in his name, gives it in on the day before Quadragesima, and = the=20 priest writes down the names of all; this is before the eight weeks = which I have=20 said are kept here at Quadragesima.=20

    2. And when the priest has written down the names of = all, after=20 the next day of Quadragesima, that is, on the day when the eight weeks = begin,=20 the chair is set for the bishop in the midst of the great church, that = is, at=20 the martyrium, and the priests sit in chairs on either side of him, = while all=20 the clergy stand. Then one by one the competents are brought up, coming, = if they=20 are males (viri) with their fathers, and if females (feminae), with = their=20 mothers.=20

    3. Then the bishop asks the neighbours of every one who = has=20 entered concerning each individual, saying: "Does this person lead a = good life,=20 is he obedient to his parents, is he not given to wine, nor deceitful?" = making=20 also inquiry about the several vices which are more serious in man.=20

    4. And if he has proved him in the presence of = witnesses to be=20 blameless in all these matters concerning which he has made inquiry, he = writes=20 down his name with his own hand. But if he is accused in any matter, he = orders=20 him to go out, saying: " Let him amend, and when he has amended then = -let him=20 come to the font (lavacrum)." And as he makes inquiry concerning the = men, so=20 also does he concerning the women. But if any be a stranger, he comes = not so=20 easily to Baptism, unless he has testimonials from those who know him.=20

    Preparation for Baptism: Catechisings.

    XLVI = This=20 also I must write, reverend sisters, lest you should think that these = things are=20 done without good reason. The custom here is that they who come to = Baptism=20 through those forty days, which are kept as fast days, are first = exorcised by=20 the clergy early in the day, as soon as the morning dismissal has been = made in=20 the Anastasis. Immediately afterwards the chair is placed for the bishop = at the=20 martyrium in the great church, and all who are to be baptised sit = around, near=20 the bishop, both men and women, their fathers and mothers standing there = also.=20 Besides these, all the people who wish to hear come in and sit down--the = faithful however only.=20

    2. No catechumen enters there when the bishop teaches = the others=20 the Law. Beginning from Genesis he goes through all the Scriptures = during those=20 forty days, explaining them, first literally, and then unfolding them=20 spiritually. They are also taught about the Resurrection, and likewise = all=20 things concerning the Faith during those days. And this is called the=20 catechising.=20

    "Traditio" of the Creed.

    3. = Then=20 when five weeks are completed from the time when their teaching began, = (the=20 Competents) are then taught the Creed. And as he explained the meaning = of all=20 the Scriptures, so does he explain the meaning of the Creed; each = article first=20 literally and then spiritually. By this means all the faithful in these = parts=20 follow the Scriptures when they are read in church, inasmuch as they are = all=20 taught during those forty days from the first to the third hour, for the = catechising lasts for three hours.=20

    4. And God knows, reverend sisters, that the voices of = the=20 faithful who come in to hear the catechising are louder (in approval) of = the=20 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=20 being already the third hour, the bishop is at once escorted with hymns = to the=20 Anastasis. So the dismissal takes place at the third hour. Thus are they = taught=20 for three hours a day for seven weeks, but in the eighth week of = Quadragesima,=20 which is called the Great Week, there is no time for them to be taught, = because=20 the things that are [described] above must be carried out.=20

    "Redditio" [Recitation] of the Creed.

    5. = And=20 when the seven weeks are past, [and] the Paschal week is left, which = they call=20 here the Great Week, then the bishop comes in the morning into the great = church=20 at the martyrium, and the chair is placed for him in the apse behind the = altar,=20 where they come one by one, a man with his father and a woman with her = mother,=20 and recite the Creed to the bishop.=20

    6. And when they have recited the Creed to the bishop, = he=20 addresses them all, and says: " During these seven weeks you have been = taught=20 all the law of the Scriptures, you have also heard concerning the Faith, = and=20 concerning the resurrection of the flesh, and the whole meaning of the = Creed, as=20 far as you were able, being yet catechumens. But the teachings of the = deeper=20 mystery, that is, of Baptism itself, you cannot hear, being as yet = catechumens.=20 But, lest you should think that anything is done without good reason, = these,=20 when you have been baptised in the Name of God, you shall hear in the = Anastasis,=20 during the eight Paschal days, after the dismissal from the church has = been=20 made. You, being as yet catechumens, cannot be told the more secret = mysteries of=20 God."=20

    Mystic Catechisings.

    XLVII = But=20 when the days of Easter have come, during those eight days, that is, = from Easter=20 to the Octave, when the dismissal from the church has been made, they go = with=20 hymns to the Anastasis. Prayer is said anon, the faithful are blessed, = and the=20 bishop stands, leaning against the inner rails which are in the cave of = the=20 Anastasis, and explains all things that are done in Baptism.=20

    2. In that hour no catechumen approaches the Anastasis, = but only=20 the neophytes and the faithful, who wish to hear concerning the = mysteries, enter=20 there, and the doors are shut lest any catechumen should draw near. And = while=20 the bishop discusses and sets forth each point, the voices of those who = applaud=20 are so loud that they can be heard outside the church. And truly the = mysteries=20 are so unfolded that there is no one unmoved at the things that he hears = to be=20 so explained.=20

    3. Now, forasmuch as in that province some of the = people know=20 both Greek and Syriac, while some know Greek alone and others only = Syriac; and=20 because the bishop, although he knows Syriac, yet always speaks Greek, = and never=20 Syriac, there is always a priest standing by who, when the bishop speaks = Greek,=20 interprets into Syriac, that all may understand what is being taught.=20

    4. And because all the lessons that are read in the = church must=20 be read in Greek, he always stands by and interprets them into Syriac, = for the=20 people's sake, that they may always be edified. Moreover, the Latins = here, who=20 understand neither Syriac nor Greek, in order that they be not = disappointed,=20 have (all things) explained to them, for there are other brothers and = sisters=20 knowing both Greek and Latin, who translate into Latin for them.=20

    5. But what is above all things very pleasant and = admirable here,=20 is that the hymns, the antiphons, and the lessons, as well as the = prayers which=20 the bishop says, always have suitable and fitting references, both to = the day=20 that is being celebrated and also to the place where the celebration is = taking=20 place.=20

    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=20 church also which is at the Anastasis, that is, in the place where the = Lord rose=20 after His Passion, was consecrated to God on that day. The dedication of = these=20 holy churches is therefore celebrated with the highest honour, because = the Cross=20 of the Lord was found on this same day.=20

    2. And it was so ordained that, when the holy churches = above=20 mentioned were first consecrated, that should be the day when the Cross = of the=20 Lord had been found, in order that the whole celebration should be made=20 together, with all rejoicing, on the self-same day. Moreover, it appears = from=20 the Holy Scriptures that this is also the day of dedication, when holy = Solomon,=20 having finished the House of God which he had built, stood before the = altar of=20 God and prayed, as it is written in the books of the Chronicles.=20

    XLIX. So when these days of dedication are come, they are = kept for=20 eight days. And people begin to assemble from all parts many days = before; not=20 only monks and apotactitae from various provinces, from Mesopotamia and = Syria,=20 from Egypt and the Thebaid (where there are very many monks), and from = every=20 different place and province--for there is none who does not turn his = steps to=20 Jerusalem on that day for such rejoicing and for such high days--but lay = people=20 too in like manner, both men and women, with faithful minds, gather = together in=20 Jerusalem from every province on those days, for the sake of the holy = day.=20

    2. And the bishops, even when they have been few, are = present to=20 the number of forty or fifty in Jerusalem on these days, and with them = come many=20 of their clergy. But why should I say more? for he who on these days has = not=20 been present at so solemn a feast thinks that he has committed a very = great sin,=20 unless some necessity, which keeps a man back from carrying out a good=20 resolution, has hindered him.=20

    3. Now on these days of the dedication the adornment of = all the=20 churches is the same as at Easter and at Epiphany, also on each day the=20 procession is made to the several holy places, as at Easter and at = Epiphany. For=20 on the first and second days it is to the greater church, which is = called the=20 martyrium. On the third day it is to Eleona, that is, the church which = is on=20 that mount whence the Lord ascended into heaven after His Passion, and = in this=20 church is the cave wherein the Lord used to teach his Apostles on the = Mount of=20 Olives. But on the fourth day . . .

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