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THE temple, called the "Great Martyrium," which was built in
the place of the skull at Jerusalem, was completed about the thirtieth
year of the reign of Constantine; and Marianus, an official, who
was a short-hand writer of the emperor, came to Tyre and delivered a
letter from the emperor to the council, commanding them to repair
quickly to Jerusalem, in order to consecrate the temple. Although
this had been previously determined upon, yet the emperor deemed it
necessary that the disputes which prevailed among the bishops who had
been convened at Tyre should be first adjusted, and that they should
be purged of all discord and grief before going to the consecration of
the temple. For it is fitting to such a festival for the priests to be
like-minded. When the bishops arrived at Jerusalem, the temple was
therefore consecrated, as likewise numerous ornaments and gifts, which
were sent by the emperor and are still preserved in the sacred edifice;
their costliness and magnificence is such that they cannot be looked
upon without exciting wonder. Since that period the anniversary of the
consecration has been celebrated with great pomp by the church of
Jerusalem; the festival continues eight days, initiation by baptism
is administered, and people from every region under the sun resort to
Jerusalem during this festival, and visit the sacred places.
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