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"CONSTANTINUS, the victorious and the great, to
Macarius.
"The grace of our Saviour is so wonderful, that no words are
adequate to express the present marvel. The fact that the monument of
His most holy sufferings should have remained concealed beneath the
earth, during so long a course of years, until the time when, on the
death of the common enemy of all, it was destined to shine forth on
His liberated servants, surpasses every other subject of admiration.
If all the wise men throughout the world were collected into one
place, and were to endeavour to express themselves worthily of it,
they could not approach within an infinite distance of it; for this
miracle is as much beyond all human power of belief, as heavenly things
by their nature are mightier than human. Hence it is my first and only
object that, as by new miracles the faith in the truth is daily
confirmed, so the minds of us all may be more earnestly devoted to the
holy law, wisely, zealously, and with one accord. As my design is,
I think, now generally known, I desire that you, above all, should
be assured that my most intense anxiety is to decorate with beautiful
edifices that consecrated spot, which by God's command I have
relieved from the burden of the foul idol which encumbered it. For
from the beginning He declared it holy, and has rendered it still more
holy from the time that He brought to light the proof and memorial of
the sufferings of our Lord.
I trust, then, to your sagacity to take every necessary care, not
only that the basilica itself surpass all others; but that all its
arrangements be such that this braiding may be incomparably superior to
the most beautiful structures in every city throughout the world. We
have entrusted our friend Dracilianus , who discharges the functions
of the most illustrious praefect of the province, with the
superintendence of the work of the erection and decoration of the
walls. He has received our orders to engage workmen and artisans, and
to provide all that you may deem requisite for the building. Let us
know, by letter, when you have inspected the work, what columns or
marbles you consider would be most ornamental, in order that whatever
you may inform us is necessary for the work may be conveyed thither from
all quarters of the world. For that which is of all places the most
wonderful, ought to be decorated in accordance with its dignity. I
wish to learn from you whether you think that the vaulted roof of the
basilica ought to be panelled , or to be adorned in some other way;
for if it is to be panelled it may also be gilt. Your holiness must
signify to the aforesaid officers, as soon as possible, what workmen
and artificers, and what sums of money, are requisite; and let me
know promptly not only about the marbles and columns, but also about
the panelled ceiling, if you decide that this will be the most
beautiful mode of construction.May God preserve you, beloved brother
."
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