(1) - - In its topmost point (of Mount Olivet), where the Lord ascended into the heavens, there is a large round church. It has three porticoes with rooms and roofs. The inside of the house because of the route taken by the Lord's body, cannot be roofed or covered. Its altar is on the east protected by a narrow roof, and in the centre the Lord's last footprints are to be seen, with the sky above into which he went up. And thou believers daily take away the earth, none the less it remains there, and retains the same appearance as before as if marked deeply with footprints. Round this is a brass railing as high as your chin, entered from the west, and above a great lamp hangs on chains which is alight all day and all night. (2) On the west of this church there are eight windows and in this area the same number of chained lamps, which shine towards Jerusalem though the. windows. Their light is said to make the hearts of those who see them more alert and fearfully penitent. Usually on the Day of the Lord's Ascension every year, when the service is over, a mighty gale of wind comes down, and everyone present in the church lies on the ground. And that night so many lamps are alight that it does not just light the Mount and its sun-oundings, they seem to burn. I should like to draw the plan of this basilica so you can see it.
(transl. Wilkinson)
| Bibliography |
|---|