List of  Christians in the Holy Land



Aaron, the priest. He was the brother of Moses. Aaron is designated as the speaker for Moses; Aaron was invited to accompany Moses to the peak of Sinai (Ex 19, 24) alone. Another tradition adds his two sons and 72 elders (Ex 24, 1), while another leaves him with Hur in charge of the people (Ex 24, 14). Aaron was associated with the construction of the golden calf (Ex 32, 1ff), but was not punished. Greek synaxaries venerate Aaron on July 20; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on Aug 9, also Sept 3 and 5, Oct 5. On Sept 3 the commemoration is of Aaron, Eleazar, Phinees, priests.

Aaron in the Islam: When Muhammad's Jewish spouse, Safiyya, was insulted by one of the Prophet's other wives, he allegedly advised her to retort: 'My father was Aaron and my uncle Moses'.


Aaron's Tomb. Tradition assigns Mount Hor (Num 20, 22-29) and Moses (Moserah) (Dt 10, 6) as the location of Aaron's death. Djebel Haroun (1396 m.) near Petra in East-Jordan has a weli (sanctuary) that is built over a tomb. The shrine was restored in the 13th century by the Mamluk Sultan Qalaoun. This so-called Tomb of Aaron and the identification of this hill with Mount Hor, date from the first centuries of the Christian era.


Aaron and Pantaleon and Aelianus, saints: Here not meant Aaron the priest of the Old Testament, but a saint who was named Aaron. The memory of these three saints was, according to the Georgian liturgy, on Aug 12.


Aaron of Galilee: Salutation to the great teacher of Dabra Maryam, Absadi and Aaron of Galilee. (This paragraph is wanting in the Bodleian ms). On the 30th of Maskaram (= First month, Sept 8 - Oct 7) in the Ethiopian Synaxarium.


Aaron, the Syrian. This monk had the gift of healing and working miracles. He is remembered in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 21th day of the month Genbot.


Abas, Armenian. see Thevas. 


Abba Gabra Mantas Kedus, the star of the desert. He was from the city of Nehisa, in the north of Egypt. The Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 29th day of the month Magabit: A great voice cried, « Take the body of Gabra Manfas Kedus, and carry it away, and let his grave be in Jerusalem, on the right-hand side of the altar».


Abd-Kelal, Homeritarum rex. He became a Christian before 297. (Vita S. Arethae, Nr 4)


Abdeyu = Obadiah. He was the third captain whom Ahab, the King of Samaria, sent with fifty men to summon Elijah, the prophet, to the King. After Elijah went down and went to Ahab, this just man knew within himself that the service of Elijah was greater and more honourable then the service of the kings of the earth. He forsook the service of King Ahab and followed Elijah, the prophet, and ministered unto him. Obadiah died in peace and was buried in the tomb of his fathers in the field which was known as Bet Kherum. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Ter 15)

Abdias, prophet. see Obadiah. (Nov 19)


Abdias St. Prophet: His Tomb is venerated in the crypt of a Byzantine church in the village of Samaria (Hieronymus, ep 46, 13). in the «Vitae Prophetarum» the tomb of prophet Abdias is identified with the tomb of the homonymous Abdias, an officer of King Ahab (1 Kings 18, 3).


AbduI Masich (Mar = Saint) Jew, in the city Singara, (5th century) Anal. Boll. V. The Analecta Bollandiana have a vita, aramaica cum latina versione.


Abdenego: Babylonian name of Misael, one of the three children in the furnace. (Ethiopian Syn., Takhshash 2)


Abel. He was the second son of Adam and Eve. He was murdered by Cain, his older brother (Gen 4, 1-9). The Fathers of the Church name Abel a martyr. Abel is not listed in the Roman Martyrology or in the Byzantine Synaxaries. He is venerated by the Ethiopians. Abel (the «just» is named, together with Abraham and with Melchisedech, in the first canon (Roman canon) of the Mass. The sacrifice of Abel was accepted by God; therefore Abel is counted among the just of the Old Testament),. On some paintings Abel is represented with a nimbus.

Abel F. M. This Dominican scholar published in 1933-38 'Géographie de la Palestine' in 2 volumes.


Abercius, St. bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia: the Georgians have his feast on Oct 21; the Greeks on Oct 22. This Abercius was famous in the time of Emperor Marcus Antoninus; his feast is on Oct 22 in the Roman Martyrology (AA.SS.: Oct 21). The Emperor Marcus Antoni(n)us was murdered in 2431244 during an Eastern expedition.

Aberkius was the son of Alphaeus the Apostle, and he suffered martyrdom. The Greek liturgy venerates Aberkius on May 26.


Abgarus, Abgar V, king of Osrhoene in Syria. He reigned 4 BCE to 7 CE and 13 - 50 CE. A legend tells: Abgar received a portrait of the Lord Jesus, that was made by the Lord Himself. Feast June 20; see also Analecta Boll., IV.

Abibo, St. (Feast: Aug 3. in Mart. Rom.) Christian tradition relates that he was the son of Gamaliel 1 (the Elder), and that his body was found in the tomb together with the bodies of his father Gamaliel, Nicodemus and Stephen, the first martyr. The finding happened in Kafargamala in 415. Jewish sources name other children of Gamaliel: Simeon who succeeded him, and a daughter (Tosef., Av. Zar. 3, 10) Kafargamala, 11 Sepolcro di Santo Stefano, protomartire e dei Santi Nicodemo, Gamaliele e Abibone, ritrovata a Beitgemal, 1923.


Abimelech. He was the son of Gideon, the Judge, and his Canaanite concubine. Abimelech murdered all the sons of Gideon except Jotham. Abimelech himself was killed during an attack on Thebez (now Tubas) by a mil1stone flung from the wall by a woman (Jgs 9, 50). This misfortune became proverbial (2 Sam 11, 21).


Abimelek, the Ethiopian. He was the captain of the royal guard. He brought prophet Jeremiah out of the prison. He is venerated in the Ethiopian Synaxary on the 20th of the month Miyazya.


Abisalom. See: Apselamos. 


Abo, St., Jan 7: On the shore of the Lake of Tiberias was the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the memory of the martyr, Abo, Georgian, who was before an Ishmaelite. Abo of Tiflis was martyred on Jan 6, 786. On account of the feast of Ephiphany, his feast was postponed to Jan 7.

Abraham, St. Patriarch and Father of the Believers. (Feast Oct 9 in Mart. Rom.) He erected an altar at Bethel(= Beitin), another at Mambre (north of Hebron). At Shechem he received the promise that his descendants would possess Canaan. He was met at Salem (Jerusalem) by its king Melchizedek. Beersheva is associated with Abraham; it was a point on Hagar's flight from Sarah, the wife of Abraham. The Arabic name for the town of Hebron is « EI Khalil » - the Friend. Abraham bought there the cave of Makpela as a burial-place for Sarah. In the cave of Makpela Sarah, Abraham, lsaac, Rebecca, Leah were buried and finally Jacob, whose body was brought back from Egypt. In Jerusalem « Maison d'Abraham » recalls the hospitality of Abraham to the three angels. Jewish tradition (already recorded by Josephus) identifies the Sacred Rock (now covered with the Dome of the Rock) with Mount Moriah upon which Abraham had prepared the sacrifice of his son Isaac.

Abraham and Mount Moriah: Abraham was ordered to offer Isaac in the land of Moriah, which was three days' distance from Beersheva and visible from afar. Early tradition identifies Mount Moriah with the place where Solomon built the Temple. Josephus reports this tradition (Ant. I, 226). The biblical story left the location of Moriah deliberately vague. The Samaritans locate the sacrifice of Abraham on their holy mountain Mount Gerizim.

Abraham and the Oak of Mamre. Mamre is a topographical name. The site was called the terebinths of Mamre (Gen 18, 1). At present there is no terebinth or oak in the Enclosure of the High Place of the Friend (Haram Ramet el Khalil). The Vulgate translates the place as Convallis Mambre. The site, Haram Ramet el Khalil, is about 3 Kms north of Hebron. There is the well, dug by the patriarch Abraham. Under the oaks of Mamre, Abraham received the three Angels. Isaac also received at Mamre. There David was anointed King (2 Sam 5, 1). There Absalom, affecting to bring a sacrifice to God, proclaimed himself king in Hebron (2 Sam 15, 7-37). Herod the Great erected the Enclosure. After the first Jewish revolt (66-70) Mamre became a market centre. Emperor Hadrian (117-138) crushed in 134 the second Jewish Revolt, that was led by Bar Kochba, and in the market of Mamre sold the Jews into slavery. Eutropia, mother-in-law of Constantine, made a pilgrimage to Mamre, and was shocked by the superstitious practices. Her son-in-law ordered a « house of prayer, to be erected in honour of the Holy Trinity.

Abraham, the Patriarch, and Lot, the Just, and the deposit of Andrew, the Apostle. In Golgotha prope Bethlehem (perhaps near Bethel) the memory... on Oct 9. The Greek Synaxaries have the feast on Oct 9: Abraham, the patriarch and Lot, the Just. See: Saller S. and Bagatti, The town of Nebo (Khirbet Mekhayyat), Jerusalem, 1949 p. 193-199.

St Abraham Convent: is situated on the east side of the atrium before the entrance to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Under this convent is a big cistern. The convent of St Abraham belongs to the Greek Orthodox. In the convent of St Abraham, in the upper part, is a chapel where the Anglicans can function with permission of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch. To this place was attached the story of Abraham's ram.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: On the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, is the commemoration of the Patriarchs, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Abraham, archbishop. An inscription in the Greek Orthodox parish church of Abud mentions archbishop Abraham. The inscription refers to the year 450 of the hegira, i.e. 1058 Christian Era.

Abraham, bishop of the Armenians in Jerusalem (638-669). At the time of the Arab conquest, he stood for the rights of the Armenians in the Holy Places.

Abraham 11, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Died 1192; he was a contemporary of Saladin. Abraham 11 has his burial site in the Saint James Cathedral of the Armenian Compound in Jerusalem.

Abraham, deacon. Tombstone (21) in Museum of Flagellation.

Abraham Father, Armenian. He carved the wooden door in the entrance of the colonnaded nave of the Basilica in Bethlehem in the year 624 Hegira (= 1227 AD).

Abraham, the Armenian candle-vendor. An inscription in the Armenian cemetery outside Sion Gate in Jerusalem reads: Let this cross intercede with God for the candle-vendor Abraham. In this grave 1 will await with hope for Your second coming. Summon me to Your glory.

Abramios, hegumen of the monastery of Nea in Jerusalem. Successor of Eudoxius. (John Moschus, Pratum Spirituale, nr. 187)

Abramios, episc. Cratiensis, January 30. Abramios, bishop of Cratea and monk in Palestine, died 553, Dec 6. The reason why he is venerated on Jan. 30 is unknown. He is also venerated on Dec 6 in the Georgian liturgy; on Dec 7 in the Greek synaxaries.

Abramius. He was the architect of the Greek convent of St. Mary on the Mount of Olives in the 6th century. He belonged to the clergy of the Nea. On the western outskirts of Jerusalem, on the western slope of Nahal Raqafot is Kusr el Bramia, the Stonehouse of Abramius, in local parlance Havat Nanazir, the Monk's Farm. There Roman tombs were discovered in December 1972. (Atiqot, English Series, XI, 1976, p. 77)

Abrokonyos (Procopius?) of Jerusalem. This soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ became a martyr. This saint was born in the city of Jerusalem, and the name of this father was Christopher, which is, being interpreted 'Bearer of Christ', and he was a Christian. The name of his mother was Theodosia, and she was a worshipper of idols. Procopius became governor of Antioch during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). There he was martyred. The Ethiopian Synaxarium salutes him on the 14th day of the month Hamle.

Abrokoros, see: Prochorus. One of the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples. Abrokoros is the Ethiopian name of Prochorus.

Absalon: See Peter Absalon.

Abukir (Ethiopian name for Cyrus). See: Cyrus the monk and his son John, martyrs.

Abundus: See Justus at Abundus.

Abu-Saadia, Melkite bishop of Jerusalem. (See: Saada)

Abyssinian priest. He suffered martyrdom during the 16th century (probably 1597) in the courtyard before the entrance to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Acacius, St. and Codratus, St. They were converted at the martyrdom of St. Paul and of his sister Juliana in Ptolemais (Acre) under Emperor Aurelian (271-275). Acacius and Codratus are remembered by Greek synaxaries on March 4; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar mentions them on March 22. - Another Acacius of Nicomedia is venerated in the building (= church, monastery) of Passarion, the priest, on May 10.

Achaikus. One of the 70 disciples, in the Greek list. Not named in the Roman martyrology.

Achardus de Aroasia, prior Templi Domini. (Vita S. Joh., episcopus Morinorum) AA.SS.: in the 12th century, Jan 27.

Achillius of Larissa. He was born in the second half of the 3rd century. He went to Jerusalem, to Rome, and later to Greece, where he lived in Thessaly. He was elected bishop of Larissa, and attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. The Greek liturgy has his feast on May 15.

Acre, Martyrs of Acre. In May 1291 Acre fell to Sultan Malik el Ashraf. Franciscan and Dominican Fathers and Sisters Poor Clares were killed. Acre was not considered by the Orthodox Jews to belong to the Land of Promise. Acre Jews buried their dead in Haifa.

Adalbertus of Prague, St. He began his pilgrimage to Palestine in 990. (Vita S. Adalb., c. III, Nr. 14 - vita ejusdem altera, c. III, Nr. 12. - AA.SS.: April 23)

Adam, the first human being. Adam has, since the Evangelium (apocryphal) of Nicodem, been considered a saint. A legend (perhaps before Christ) told that the skull of Adam was buried in Jerusalem, under the hollow rock of Calvary, in the 'Grotto of Adam'. Adam is not listed in the Martyrologium Romanum. Among the just who are commemorated on the first Sunday of Advent in the Byzantine liturgy figures Adam. The Ethiopian church celebrates the death of Adam and Eva. In the martyrology of Rabban Sliba, Adam and Eve, together with their sons, Seth and Enos, are celebrated in the week after Easter. The Armenian liturgy has the memory of Adam and of all the saints who 'coming out of the tombs, went into the Holy city and appeared to many' (Mt 27, 53). This memory is on Wednesday in the 4th week after Easter. A Greek-Slavonic Menology has the expulsion of Adam from the Paradise on February 4. In the Western liturgy Adam did not receive a feast. Adam is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass; there his fault appears and Adam is there the antitype of Christ. The Ethiopian church has as a feast the death of Adam and Eva. The Martyrologium of Rabban Sliba names Adam and Eva and Seth and Enos in the week after Easter.

Adam and his body in Jerusalem. Angels sealed the doors of the Cave with the seals of Adam and Eve and Seth. Noah took Adam's body into the ark and brought it to Mount Ararat. Then Shem and Melchisedek, an angel of the Lord guiding them, took it from its place and buried it in 'the place of the skull’and Melchisedek continued to minister unto it with incense and offerings. Christ redeemed Adam by His death. Salutation to Adam and salutation to Eva, in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 6th day of the month of Miyazya (eighth month).

Grotto of Adam: The roof of the Calvary-knoll is fissured. The fissure penetrates into the so-called 'Grotto of Adam', a cave under Calvary. It is not excluded that this fissure existed before the death of Christ and that the fissure is related by Matthew 27, 51-53 with the death of Christ. The name 'Grotto of Adam' reflects the legend that the skull of Adam was buried in Jerusalem, under Calvary, in the 'Grotto of Adam'. An Armenian mosaic in the wall, west of the court that leads to the Rotunde of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, portrays the blood of Christ which drips from the feet of the Crucified, and descends through the fissure and rests on the skull of Adam. Saint Paul seems to know the legend. He represents Christ as a second Adam, who died for Jews and Romans (Rom 5, 123).

Adam and Eve and the village Umm Safa: A legend tells: Adam and Eve, after their expulsion from Paradise, came to the village of Umm Safa, Palestine, and covered themselves there with figleaves. Umm Safa is famous for its figs.

Adam, Blessed, confessor. On Mount Sion he accepted Lavinius into the Franciscan Order. Probably he died in the autumn of 1345. The Martyrologium Franciscanum remembers him on October 25.

Adamantius (=of diamond), surname of Origen. 

Adamnanus. Pilgrim Arculf made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land at about AD 670. On his journey back to Europe, pilgrim Arculf told his story to Adamnanus, abbot of a monastery of Scotland, who put the story in writing.

Adamnanus. He is mentioned, round 670, as visiting Palestine. (AA.SS. April 8)

Adas, a teacher. Gospel of Nicodemus XIV, 1: Phinees, a priest, and Adas, a teacher, and Angaeus, a levite, had seen Jesus, with his disciples, sitting on the mount, which is named Mamilch.

Adenauer Konrad, chancelor of West Germany, from 1949 to 1963. He visited the Holy Land before 1966. (Died April 19, 1967)

Aderaldus, St., Trecensis. (Vita S. Aderaldi, n. 7, 11-14), He came to Palestine round 1000. (AA.SS. October 20)

Adjutor (the helper), Sanctus (vita S. Adjutoris, n. 1-4); Adjutor is mentioned in AA.SS. (April 30) in the time of the first Crusade, 1096-1099.

Adolphus: Theodoricus, apud Rhenum ortus, writes in 1172 in 'Libellus de Locis Sanctis': ubi (in Acheldemah) in die sancto palmarum quendam fratrum nostrum defunctum, nomine Adolphus, de Colonia natum sepelivimus. (Tobler, 9)

Adrian Osmolowsky, servant of God, Franciscan. He was born at Antonovca, district of Cerikov, province of Mohilev, in 1838. In 1861 he entered the Franciscan convent of Minsk. This convent was suppressed by the Russian Government in 1863. In 1866 he went into exile to Palestine, and served the Custody of the Holy Land. In 1876 he came to Venice. After a stay in Italy of 48 years, he died on April 9, 1924, in Lonigo (Italy).

Adrianus of Baniyas, lived during the persecutions by the governor Firmilianus. He was decapitated in Caesarea, Palestine, in 308. The Roman Martyrology has his feast on March 5-1 the Greek liturgy on Feb. 3.

Adso, Dervensis abbatis, et Hilduinus, comes Arceiacensis. They came to Palestine in 992. (Miracula S. Bercharii, 1, 11, c. II, n. 14; AA.SS.: October 16)

Aedesius, Martyr in Alexandria, 306, drowned during the reign of Emperor Galerius Maximianus (285-310). Aedesius was the brother of Apphianus, martyr. Aedesius is mentioned in the Martyrologium Romanum on April 2. His memory is on April 8. His brother Apphianus was martyred in Caesarea, Palestine.

Aedesius of Tyre, Lebanon. He was in Ethiopia, together with Frumentius. Aedesius departed to the country of Tyre to see his kinsfolk. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Hamle 26.)

Aegidius, St. He came to Palestine in the 10th century, together with Arcanus, St. (AA. $S. September 1)

Aegidius, St. The 'Miracula S. Aegidii' (round 1188) mention the Persians who fought near the city of Tripoli. (Analecta Bollandiana ]X, 394)

Aegidius of Assisi, Blessed, Franciscan. He came to Palestine round 1250. (Vita prima B. Aegidii, c. [, n. 7; AA.SS.: April 23). Aegidius died at Perugia in 1261.

Aegion, Saint. He lived in the monastery of Khirbet Giohdum, east of Bethlehem. An inscription of a mosaic that has been discovered in Khirbet Makhrum (the ruins are perhaps of the convent of St. Theognius) mentions Aegion, hegumenos. Perhaps the Aegion, monk of Scete, is to be identified with Aegion, hegumenos. (V. Corbo, Gli scavi di Khirbet Siyar el Ghanam, Jerusalem, 1955)

Aegion, Blessed: Memory of Blessed Aegion and Saint Dometius. The Greek synaxaries mention Aegion the anchorite on Aug 16 and Aug 17. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar (on Aug 13 and Aug 14) tells us that Aegion was at Scete in Egypt.

Aelia Capitolina. Emperor Hadrian (117-138) renamed Jerusalem Aelia Capitolina. Aelia in honour of his own family; Capitolina in honour of the Capitolium in Rome.

Aelianus, martyr in the city of Amman Balcani, under Diocletian (284-313). He was martyred on Nov 28, but his feast was kept on Aug 10, the day of the dedication of his oratory. Aelianus is mentioned in the Georgian liturgy on Nov 26 and Nov 28, together with lrenarchus. Aelianus is named in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar also on Aug 10, 12, 14. The city of Amman Balcani is the ancient Philadelphia, the modern Amman. The 'Passio Eliani' speaks of a church in Amman, near the gate of Jerash. (Bagatti B., Liber Annuus, 1973)

Aelius. To be identified with Aelianus. 

Aeneas of Gaza. He criticized in an indirect manner the biograph Philostrat who wrote the life of Apollonios of Tyana. Aeneas of Gaza reproached that Apollonios for the transmigration of souls referred himself to the far-off Indians. (Jahrbuch für Antike und Christentum, Jg 17, 1974, S. 57)

Aerius (?), bishop. He is commemorated on Dec 8 in the Anastasis Church, according to the Georgian liturgy. - Perhaps the name Aerius is a corruption of Ambrosius.

Aetheria. This Christian noblewoman (nun?) journeyed about the beginning of the 5th century through Egypt, Palestine, and Asia Minor. Probably she enjoyed the friendship of the imperial court. A text of her pilgrimage, written in Latin, was discovered in an 11th century manuscript at Arezzo, Italy, in 1884. The journey begins in Sinai. Visits were paid to Mount Nebo and to ldumea. The last 26 chapters are concerned with Jerusalem and its liturgy.

Aetius, bishop of Diospolis (Lydda) was at the Council of Nicaea in 325. 

Aexibius = Auxibius

Afnin, the archangel. He is one of the 99 archangels, who together with Surafel guard the throne of glory. Of him Enoch saith that he goes round that house. Surafel, and Kirubel and Afnin: 'These are the angels who never sleep, and who guard the throne of His glory. ' Salutation to this trinity of Angels who guard the throne of God, (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Khedar 8 (=third month, Nov 7-Dec 6).

Agabarus: see Abgarus, the King of Edessa. 

Agabius of Gaza. On this day (= 19th of Magabit, seventh month March 7-April 5) are commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium the following martyrs: Alexander the Egyptian, Alexander, and Agabius from the city of Gaza, and Amilas (Nimolas) from the city of Bunitos, and Dionysius from the city of Tripolis, and Ramelos and Thalasius from the vineyards of Egypt. These seven men mad(a pact together in Messianic love, and they came to the governor of the country of Caesarea of the Peleshtim (Philistines), and they confessed our Lord Jesus Christ before the governor in the days of the infidel Diocletian. He tortured them, and they received crowns of martyrdom in the kingdom of heaven.

Agabus, the Apostle, the Prophet at Antioch. He was a prophet from Judaea. He foretold the great dearth throughout all the world which came to pass in the days of Emperor Claudius Caesar (Acts 11, 28); he foretold the arrest of the Apostle Paul by the Jews (Acts 21, 10). The Roman Martyrology commemorates Agabus on Feb 13. The Greek liturgy does it on April 8. The Ethiopian Synaxarium relates on Yakatit 4, that the Jews stoned Agabus in Jerusalem. A Jewess confessed 'I believe in the God of this saint'. She was stoned to death and she was buried with saint Agabus in one grave.

Agape (Love). Daughter of Sophia (Wisdom). She is commemorated on October 25 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Sophia, Pistis, Elpis and Agape are mentioned as martyrs on Aug 1.

Agapius of Jerusalem, archbishop of Jerusalem. He received and approved a copy of the table for the reckoning of the Epacts, in the days of Pope Victor (189-199). In the Ethiopian Synaxarium his memory is on Khedar 10.

Agapius, the martyr. He was born in Caesarea, Palestine. He was arrested by the governor Urbanus and was thrown to the wild beasts and finally he suffered martyrdom by being drowned in the sea during the reign of Emperor Maximianus (305-311). The Greek liturgy and the Martyrologium Romanum have his feast on Nov 19. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the feast on Nov 22 in the Church of the Resurrection. The Melkite liturgy has on March 15 Agapius and seven companions: Timolaos of Pontus; Dionysius of Tripoli, Phoenicia; Romylos, subdeacon of Diospolis; Paesis and Alexander, both of Egypt; the seventh is Alexander of Gaza. They fastened themselves with chains and presented themselves to the governor Urbanus, who decapitated them on March 24, 304.

Agathangelus and Cassianus, Blessed, Martyrs of the Capucin Order. They visited Palestine in 1637 on their journey to Ethiopia. They were martyred in Ethiopia. Their feast is special to the Franciscan Order. In Mart. Rom. they are mentioned on Aug 7.

Agathodorus, St., martyr. He was sent, together with Eugenius, Capiton, Elpid(i)lus to convert Scythia and Cherson. They were sent by the bishop of Jerusalem, Hermon (302-312). The four were killed by the pagans. In the Greek liturgy the feast is on March 7.

Agilus, St., vice-count. He came to Palestine round 587. In the AA.SS. he is mentioned on Aug 30.

Agradinus, bishop of Jerusalem. see Praxius. 

Agrippias. Emperor Augustus donated Anthedon to Herod the Great; Herod changed its name in Agrippias, in order to please Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. This minister of Emperor Augustus visited Palestine in 15 BC. Herod accompanied Vipsanius on this visit. Vipsanius ordered the drawing of a map of the World. He died in 12 BC. The map was finished in 7 BC. Anthedon is on the coast northwest of Gaza.

Ahadabui and Qamicho. Round 204 two candidates for the seat of Seleucie-Ctesiphon were sent to Antioch. They were considered as Persian spies and they were followed. Ahadabui could escape, came to Jerusalem where he was consecrated a bishop. Qamicho (or Yawicho) was arrested and together with his host, who was himself a local bishop, was crucified before the gate of the Church of the Apostles at Antioch. (Livre de la Tour).

Ahasverus, the Wandering Jew. For the house of Ahasverus see: Pierotti Hermes.

Ahijah, priest of the house of Eli (1 Sam 14, 3). In Shiloh, during the reign of Saul, Ahijah may have been the priest who inquired of God first whether to advance against the Philistines and then, upon failing to obtain a response, provoked God's displeasure (1 Sam 14, 36).

Ahijah, the Shilonite. Israelite prophet during the latter part of Solomon's reign and during the concurrent reigns of king Rehoboam and king Jeroboam. At a secret meeting with Jeroboam, Ahijah the prophet of Shilo(n) tore Jeroboam's new garment (or his own?) into 12 pieces as a symbol of the 12 tribes and gave him ten. The kingdom would be divided: only one other tribe (Benjamin), beside Judah, would remain loyal to the house of David (1 Kings 11, 29-39). Perhaps Adonijah expected Jeroboam to restore the ancient central sanctuary of his native town, Shiloh. But Jeroboam set up golden calves in the sanctuaries at Bethel and Dan. Ahijah is said to have died a martyr's death at the hands of Abijah, son of Rehoboam and king of Judah. In the Menology of Basilius II, Ahijah is mentioned as a saint. The ‘Vitae Prophetarum' claims that Ahijah is buried in Shiloh, near the oak of Shiloh. A Jewish tradition seeks the tomb of Ahijah in Bethel (Isaak Helo, 1334).

Ailwinus Malverniensis. He came to Palestine round 1090. (Wilhelmus Malmesb., Vita S. WuIstani, c. III, n. 21; AA.SS. Jan 19)

Aitherus, St. confessor (Greeks: March 7) The bishop of Jerusalem sent Aitherus to Cherson. Aitherus asked in Constantinople the help of Emperor Constantine and built a church in Cherson. He came to Constantinople to thank the Emperor. On the return to Cherson, Aitherus was thrown by a storm into the mouth of the river Danapris and there he was drowned. Aitherus is mentioned with the other missionaries: Basil of Cherson, Ephrem of Scythia, who were sent before him, and with Eugenius, Agathodorus, Capiton, and Elpidi(u)s, who were killed before him.

Akayros (Abgar), King of Roha (Edessa) to whom our Lord sent an indestructible portrait of Himself. He is honoured by the Ethiopian Synaxarium, Takhshash 29.

Akrates: is the Ethiopian name for Crete. 

Akylina. She was born in Biblos (Lebanon) and lived during the reign of Diocletian (284-313). She was the daughter of Eutolmius, a nobleman. At the age of five, she was baptized; at the age of twelve, she instructed others in the Christian faith. She was tortured and finally beheaded. The Greek liturgy has her feast on June 13.

AI-Afdal (1094-1121). This Armenian was the son of Badr el-Jamil. From Egypt he twice attempted to reconquer Palestine from the Crusaders: once in August 1099 (Ascalon), a second time in 1105. Twice he failed.

Alamundar. Monks were martyred in Palestine in 504 on the command of Alamundar. Their feast is on Feb 19 (Martyr. Romanum, and AA.SS.) - Alamundar was a sheikh of the Bedouins of the Persian Empire, he devastated the camps of the Christian Bedouins, (in 504), which were in the Judaean desert. Afterwards Alamundar was baptised in 513, and passed to the Byzantines. The AA.SS. mention him on Feb 8. (Cyrillus Scythop., Vita S. Joh. Silentiarii, c. II, nr. 13: May 13)

Alberca y Torres, see Nicolaus Maria Alberca, Blessed, Franciscan, martyred Damascus 1860. Feast on July 10.

Alberga. see Nicola Alberga.

Albert of Aachen. During the Crusades in the 11th century, he wrote 'Book of Travels' about the Holy Land.

Albert of Sarteano, Blessed, Franciscan. He was born round 1384. In 1415 he joined the Franciscan Order. From 1435 to 1437 he worked in the Holy Land. As a delegate of Pope Eugene IV, Albert made a second journey to the Near East in 1439. He contacted the Coptic Patriarch John of Alexandria, and so prepared the way for the reunion realized at the Council of Florence in 1442. From 1442 to 1443 Albert was vicar general of the Franciscan Order. He died in Milan, Aug 15, 1450. His cult has not been publicly approved, but he is honoured in the Franciscan Order as blessed. His memory is there on August 15.

Albert I, King of Belgium (1909-1934). Albert and his wife, Elisabeth, visited Jerusalem privately in 1933. They were the guests of the High Commissioner. King Albert and the Queen accorded an audience to the Reverend Father Custos. The Custos rewarded them with the Golden Cross of the Holy Land. The visit was in the first days of April 1933, during the Holy Week and Easter (Easter was 16 april, 1933) -- Albert had come before to Palestine on March 2, 1930; he flew over Jerusalem by plane on March 22, 1930, in the direction of Bagdad. In 1900 His Holiness Pope Leo XIll instituted a decoration called the Holy Cross for Pilgrims to the Holy Land. The right to confer this decoration-cross (gold, silver, bronze) pertains to the Custos of the Holy Land. The medal bears the image of Pope Leo XIII (1887-1903).

Albertus, abbas Pontidenis, and Henricus Cremonensis. They came to Palestine before 1095. (AA.SS. September 5)

Albertus Carmelita, St (falsum). He visited Palestine in 1295. (AA.SS. 'August 7)

Albertus, Guillipatricius, St. and his seven companions. They visited Palestine round 754. (AA.SS. Jan 8)

Albertus Senensis, St. (Slivanus Razzius, Vita S. Alberti, c. I, n. 2) He visited Palestine before 1181. (AA.SS. Jan 7)

Albertus, St., Patriarch of Jerusalem (1205-1214). First he was bishop of Vercelli, afterwards (1205) he became patriarch of Jerusalem. He gave in 120711209 a rule to the Order of the Carmelite Fathers. He was murdered in 1214. Albertus was knived by the master of the Hospital of the Holy Ghost in Acre, whom he had dismissed for his bad life. The Rule of the Carmelites was approved by Pope Honorius III in 1226. The AA.SS. mention Albertus on April 8. His feast was on Sept 16, 25, 26, and on Aug 4.

Albertus of Vercelli = Albertus of Jerusalem, Patriarch (1205-1214)

Albianus. He visited Palestine round 380. (S. Nilus, Oratio in Albianum) AA.SS. Jan 13.

Albina. She visited Palestine in 417. The AA.SS. mention: Saint Melania, junior, Pinianus et Albina (Jan 7; Jan 31; Dec 31)

Albright WY. archaeologist. The former 'American School of Oriental Research' is renamed Albright Institute. It is north of Herod's Gate.

Aleldis, Scharembecana, Blessed. This saint woman of Belgium prayed for St. Louis, who was a crusader in 1249. (Vita B. Aleidis, c. III, n. 27) The AA.SS. mention Aleidis on June 11.

Alempeyas (Olympius), who was called Paul, was one of the 72 disciples. He became a martyr under Nero. He is commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 6th day of the month Hamle.

Alenar de Selingan, a Norwegian knight, at Acre round 1250. According to Joinville, Alenar (Elenar) de Selingan with his companions, beguiled the time till they should be fighting the Saracens by slaying the lions in the desert.

Alexander. He was from Asia Minor, he came to Palestine before AD 213. He was martyred under the Decian persecution. Decius was emperor from 248 till 251. In 250 Decius began the persecution. This Alexander is also called Alexander of Cappadocia.

Alexander Acoemetus, St. He visited Palestine before 400. (Vita, auct. anonymo). AA.SS.: Jan 15.

Alexander, bishop, and Theodulus, martyrs. Round 274, Jerusalem; Dec 18 (AA.SS. Auct. Flori: Mart.)

Alexander, capellanus Stephani Blesensis. Chron. S. Petri Vivi -AA.SS.: April 23. Alexander was capellanus during the first crusade 1096-1099.

Alexander John, martyr, blessed. This Franciscan lay brother was from Apulia, Italy. He went to Spain. In 1550, together with the laybrother, John Zuaze, he joined the Mission of the Holy Land. Both were imprisoned in Cairo. A delegate of the King of France obtained their liberation. It seems that afterwards Alexander John was arrested again and that he was burned to death, in 1552. The Martyrologium Franciscanum has his feast on July 28.

Alexander, St., martyr, Caesarea, Palestine, 259. Together with Priscus and Malchus, March 28 (Mart. Rom).

Alexander of Caesarea, Palestine, St., Martyr. March 15, 23, 24. Together with Agapius and companions, martyred in 304. Probably to be identified with Alexander of Egypt, who was martyred in 304.

Alexander of Egypt. Martyred in Caesarea, Palestine in 304. This Alexander was from Egypt. His feast is on March 24.

Alexander, a second Alexander, martyr Caesarea, Palestine, in 304. Feast day March 24. This Alexander was from Gaza. The Ethiopian Synaxarium commemorates him on the 19th of the month Magabit.

Alexander of Edessa, St. Confessor. In the Orient his feast is on July 17, and March 17; the Monophysites in Syria venerate him on March 22. His parents married him against his will; he left his bride, with her connivance, on the day of the wedding, and went to Palestine. He died in Edessa after a long life as a hermit. His life was written between 450-475 in Syria. The 'legendary' Alexius came to Rome where he is said to have lived 17 years under a staircase. Only after his death was he identified. This Alexius is the patron of the Alexian Brothers (founded in 1469). The 'Alexius of Rome' has his feast in the Roman Martyrology on July 17. - Only in some versions Alexis made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, instead of going to Edessa. Tentations by the demon are on the way to Jerusalem. Gaston Paris thinks that the visit to Jerusalem has been inserted, because in the Middle Ages every pilgrim visited Jerusalem. (Revue Belge de Philologie et d'Histoire, T. 51, 1973, Nr 3; T. 53, 1975, p. 679-695).

Alexander of Jerusalem, St., bishop of Jerusalem, martyr. Feast March 18 and Jan 30. He was trained in Alexandria where he became the friend of Origen. After becoming bishop of an not known see in Cappadocia about 200, he was imprisoned about 204 during the persecution of Septimius Severus and not released until 211. In the following year Alexander was made coadjutor and later successor of the aged Narciss (died 222?), bishop of Jerusalem, both unusual proceedings at that early date. At Jerusalem Alexander founded the library which was later used by Eusebius of Caesarea in preparing his great history of the early Church. When Origen was condemned by the bishop of Alexandria, Alexander invited him to Jerusalem, ordained him, and put him in charge of the teaching of Scripture and theology in the diocese. Alexander died in prison at Caesarea, Palestine, during the persecution of Decius (died 251). In Greece his feast is on Dec 12. The AA.SS. has his feast on March 18.

Alexander, the senator. He built the Church in honour of St. Stephen in the valley of Cedron (Kidron). This Church was consecrated round 38. (P. Vailhé, Echos d'Orient, 1907, 60)

Alexander, the son of Simon the Crossbearer. (Mk 15, 21)

Alexandra. She was the wife of Emperor Diocletian (284-313), who put to death George of Lydda. Alexandra was converted by St. George. Her husband, the Emperor, imprisoned her. In great anger he tried to throttle her, then he had her executed. She suffered martyrdom together with her three servants, Apollus, Isaakius and Kodratus. The Greek liturgy has her feast on April 21.

Alexius I Comnenus, Byzantine Emperor, 1081-1118. He was born in 1048. The arrival of the first crusade was a setback for him, and he failed to assert his authority over the new Latin principalities in Syria and Palestine. He did, however, regain some former Byzantine territory in Western and Southeast Asia Minor, and in 1108 forced the Norman Bohemund of Antioch to admit his overlordship. The AA. SS mention Alexius on Sept 2.

Ali ben Yehya al Armani. This Armenian general fought against the Greeks round 848.

Aline, Sister of Sion. She was Superior in the Convent Ecce Homo, Jerusalem. She died at Eilath on Sept 20, 1971.  All apostles: The Greek synaxaries have the feast on June 30; the Georgian liturgy also on June 30.

All blind and paralytic, deaf and infirm who have been healed by the Lord. On April 17 in the Lectionary of Paris.

All Fathers (350) of the Church who assisted at the 7th oecumenial Council of Nicaea in 787 against the iconoclasts. Their memory is on the Sunday between Oct 11 and 17 in the Melkite liturgy.

All Patriarchs of Jerusalem. They are commemorated in the Anastasis-Church on Sept 27. In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar all Patriarchs of Jerusalem from James to Modestus are mentioned on May 17.

All Patriarchs of the Old Testament. In the 'Menée Géorgien' of Dumbarton Oaks (a book with the offices of the fixed feasts) are included on Jan 3: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. - The Syriac and Coptic martyrologies add: 'the three companions in the furnace, the prophet Daniel and all other patriarchs'. - The Armenian calendar mentions in August: Adam, Abel, Joseph, Seth, Henoch, Noah, Melchisedech, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Elezar, Josue, Samuel, and the other patriarchs.

All saintly Fathers of the monastery of St. Sabas: Jan 24 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

All saints who have given hospitality to the apostles: April 16 in the Lectionary of Paris.

All Saints' Day: November 1, in the Roman church. The Eastern churches have the feast on the first Sunday after Pentecost. - Nine choirs of Saints: Apostles, Forefathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Bishops, Martyrs, Kings, Women martyrs, Women virgins. Ranks in the Saints: Angels, Kings of the Old Testament, Prophets, Forefathers, Apostles, Hierarchs, Fathers of the Church, bishops, martyrs and monks and hermits, saintly Kings, saintly women.

Allegra Gabriel Maria, Franciscan priest. He was born in Sicily, he died In Hong Kong 1976. He teached at Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Jerusalem, in 1973. The action (causa) for his beatification has been introduced in Rome.

Allenby, British General. He held his formal entry into Jerusalem through. the Jaffa Gate itself on December 11, 1917. Jerusalem capitulated on Dec 9, 1917. A bridge over the river Jordan, 8 kms east of Jericho is called Allenby Bridge. - Jaffa Gate and entrance by a Christian: General Allenby entered through the Jaffa Gate, not through the breach of 1898, on foot. Throughout the ceremony no Allied flag was flown. After the reception Allenby left the city by the Jaffa Gate, and outside the Jaffa Gate he mounted his horse. Th e photographs showing General Allenby leaving Jerusalem on a horse, with the city wall as a background, had difficulty in passing the censorship, but the pictures were finally released because the rampart wall at his back proved he was leaving the city, not entering. (Spafford -Vester B, Our Jerusalem. p. 261)

Allyre of Clermont = Illidius of Clermont. 

Allyrius, St. The Hospitalers, after the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre received in 1213 St Allyrius. (AA.SS. Oct 23)

Al-Nimri Hanna. This priest of the Latin rite was shot down by terrorists on February 26, 1973, in Gaza.

Alphanus, St., archiepiscopus Salernitanus. He is mentioned before 1085. (AA.SS. October 9)

Alphaeus / Alpheus The father of Levi (Matthew) in the Gospel of Mark 2, 14. Greek liturgy represents Alphaeus as 'the brother' of the evangelist Matthew. Greek liturgy venerates him on May 26.

Alpheus The father of the apostle James the Less. This Alpheus is to be distinguished from Alphaeus, the father of Levi. Alpheus was also the husband of Maria Cleophas. - The Greek liturgy has only one Alphaeus (May 26).

Alpheus and Zacchaeus, martyrs in Caesarea, Palestine. Nov 17 of the first year of the persecution (303) (De Mart. Pal. 1, 5). On the same date, according to Eusebius (De Mart. Pal. 11, 1-5) S. Romanus was martyred in Antioch. The three martyrs were remembered together on Nov 17 by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Alpheus served as a deacon in Gadara, East-Jordan. The Roman Martyrology has his memory (together with Zacchaeus) on Nov 17; the Greek synaxaries on Nov 18.

Alphonse XIII, ex-king of Spain. He visited Jerusalem privately, during a cruising-tour, 1932, March 2.

Alphonsine (Sister) of the Rosary. Soultaneh Danil Ghattas. She was born 1843 in Jerusalem. In 1858 she entered the Congregation des Soeurs de St. Joseph de l'Apparition, as the first Palestinian member. In 1883 she joined the new erected (1880) Arab Congregation of the Sisters of the Rosary, which was founded by Joseph Tannous. Sister Alphonsine founded the convent at Bethlehem in 1893. She died in Ain-Karem, March 25, 1927. Her visions of the Holy Virgin contributed to the foundation of the congregation Sisters of the Rosary.

Altmannus, St., Pataviensis. (Monachus Gottwicensis, Vita S. Altm., c. I, n. 3-5; - Vita altera S. Altm., c. I, n. 6-8; Nota de peregrinatione S. Altm.) In Palestine in 1064 (AA.SS.: Aug 8; Oct 20)

Alvaro B. Dominican, died 1420. After his return from the Holy Land, he erected in his convent a series of chapels with répresentations of the way of the Passion.

Alypsios, a Jew of the Diaspora and an adversary of Paul. He is called'Hebrew' (2 Cor 11, 22). Alypsios was from Tiberias (Corpus Inscript. Judaicarum 502)

Amadeus IX of Savoy, count, blessed (March 30), born in 1435, count in 1465. Amadeus was married to a daughter of Charles VII, king of France. In 1469 Amadeus on account of illness abdicated in favor of his wife. Amadeus was a benefactor of the poor. He died in 1472 in Vercelli (Italy). His cult (as patron of Christian rulers) was approved in 1677.

Amadori G. Collected fauna and flora for Museum Flagellation

Amalric I, king of Jerusalem (1162-1174). son of King Fulk.

Amalricus, eighth patriarch (1158-1181) of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 

Amandus Tranensis in Canonizatio S. Nicolai, c. II, n. 64, mentions a miracle during the second crusade, in 1142. (AA.SS. June 2)

Amandus, St., and Berthaidus, St. They were in Palestine before 533. (AA.SS. June 16)

Amaretch Wolzero Walulu. This lady rented land in Jericho in 1921, she became a nun and joined the Ethiopian community of Jerusalem. She died at Deir es-Sultan in Jerusalem in 1969. The rented land was bought in 1953 and a convent of the Ethiopian community was erected in Jericho.

Amator, hermit of Bethlehem. Round 1000 (AA.SS. Aug 20)

Amba Alo (Inscription): A stone with the figure of a man and the letters AMBA ALO is mentioned in the ruin of Umm er-Ru'us. (H. Vincent, Revue Biblique 7, 1898, 614; 8, 1899, 452-457)

Ambrosius of Saxano, servant of God. During 35 years he was sacristan in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. He died 1669, August 28.

Anide Michael, Abba. He was a hermit who lived in the first World War (1914-1918) at the River Jordan near the spot, where according to tradition Christ was baptized by John. In order to save him from the dangers of the war, the British brought him to Jerusalem, but he returned to his cell at the Jordan. His tomb is at the monastery of the Ethiopians (Holy Trinity) at the river Jordan.

American Missionaries: cemetery on Mount Sion in Jerusalem. The plot was bought from the Greek community. Afterwards the cemetery was bought from the American Missionaries by the Franciscan Custody. In 1840 the small cemetery was protected by a permanent wall.

Ammonius and companions, with Dioscorus. They visited Palestine round 400. (AA.SS. Sept 14)

Amos, the father of lsaiah, the prophet. Amos is commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the fifth day of the intercalary month of Paguemen (Sept 3-7). On this day Amos died. He prophesied for fifty years and more, in the days of the kings of Israel, Joash, Amos and Uzziah.

Amos, St. Prophet whose discourses are preserved in the Book of Amos. They were delivered in Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (786-746 BC), probably between 760-750 BC. A period of peace and prosperity is reflected in the book. Nothing is known of the personal life of the prophet Amos except from his book. He is called a shepherd of Tekoa in Judah, a shepherd and a dresser of figs. He was not a professional prophet, but he spoke in obedience to a divine call. Some, perhaps all, of his discourses were delivered at the shrine of Bethel, from which he was expelled by the priest Amaziah. The commemoration of Amos is on March 31. The Greeks have his memory on June 15. The Palestinian-Georgian Calendar on June 17.

Tomb of Amos. The 'Vitae Prophetarum' (the kernel of the book is before 70 CE) tells that the prophet Amos was wounded by the priest Amaziah from the shrine of Bethel, and by the son of Amaziah. Amos, wounded on the head, died, and was buried. A tomb is venerated in Tekoa (one of the caves). Hieronymus of Bethlehem visited the tomb of Amos in Tekoa. In the 6th century Cyril of Scythopolis mentions a monastery of the holy Amos.

Amos, patriarch of Jerusalem, 601 (AA. SS). Pope Gregory the Great (590-604) wrote a letter to priest Anastasius, hegumenos of the monastery Nea, and asked him to suppress the secular (= worldly) habitudes of the monks, and to made reconciliation with Patriarch Amos (594-601). (Patrol. Graeca., LXXVII, 890) The monastery Nea was next to the church Nea. Amos built a church of St. John, north of the walls of Jerusalem. This church existed in the early seventh century.

Amphianus, St. Martyr (April 2). He was born in the Province of Lydia during the reign of Maximianus (285-310). He became a christian in Beirut. He was imprisoned for his faith by the Governor Urbanus, and finally drowned. His martyrdom happened at Caesarea, Palestine, on April 2, in the third year of the persecution. (De Mart. Pal. IV, 15) In the Greek synaxaries Amphianus is commemorated, together with his brother Aedesius, on April 2 and on April 9. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar venerates Amphianus, together with St. Theodosia on April 2. Theodosia was martyred at Caesarea, Palestine, the day of Easter, April 2 of the fifth year of the persecution. Amphianus and Theodosia are mentioned on June 13 by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Amplias, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Odessus-Moesia in the Greek list. 

Ananias, St. (Martyrologium Romanum: Jan 25) the Christian disciple in Damascus. In a vision the Lord said to him: « Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul.... (Acts 9, 17-19). This happened about the year 36 CE. The Greek liturgy venerates Ananias on Oct 1; the Georgian liturgy on Oct 2 and on Dec 30; the Copts have his feast on June 21; the Roman liturgy on January 25. Ananias became the first bishop of Damascus, and he was stoned to death about 40.

Ananias in the fiery furnace; Aug 24. see Three Companions

Anastase. Hegumenos in Jerusalem of the monastery, which was called Nea. Pope Gregory the Great exhorts priest Amos to cooperate with the patriarch AMOS (594-601) of Jerusalem.

Anastasia, nun on the Mount of Olives, round 521. (AA.SS. June 2)

Anastasia. Died 600. Tombstone 12 in Museum Flagellation.

Anastasios Joshua Samuel, archbishop and head of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. He purchased in 1947 from a Bethlehem dealer Dead Sea Scrolls and sold them to the U.S. A.

Anastasius Armenius (7th century). He mentions two Armenian convents on the 'Mount of Galilee', which means here Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

Anastasius, bishop of Areopolis, at Council of Ephesus in 449(?).

Anastasius, bishop. Three inscriptions at Jerash mention that Anastasius (6th cent) decorated with silver and with sculpted stones the Church of SS. Peter and Paul at Jerash.

Anastasius, bishop at Ashkelon. A mosaic discovered at Barnea, north of Ashkelon, mentions: 'in the year 602, in the month Artemisius, in the eighth indiction, under bishop Anastasius, the interior of the diaconicon was constructed from the foundations on, and was mosaiced. ' - The year 602 of the Ashkelon era corresponds to the year 4971498 of the Christian Era. (Bagatti, Ascalon e Majuma di Ascalon, in Liber Annuus, XXIV, 1974, p. 250) - This Anastasius is known, only by this dedication-inscription.

Anastasius, St. The AA.SS. August 17 mention: iter S. Anastasii, Interamnam (?), in the 6th century.

Anastasius, monk of the Convent of St. Euthymius (died 666).

Anastasius, patriarch of Jerusalem. (458-479) He erected a church over the tomb and the grotto where St. Euthymius died in 473 in the laura of Khan el Ahmar. Anastasius was the successor of Juvenal, who was patriarch of Jerusalem from 422 to 458. The feast of Juvenal (Juvenalis) and Anastasius was in the Church of the Apostles on July 1, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Greek synaxaries have the feast on July 2.

Anastasius, the Persian. His original name was Magundot. He served in the army of Chosroas II of Persia when it captured Jerusa lem in 614. There he was converted and adopted the name of Anastasius' the risen one'. He was allowed to preach in Caesarea. There he was arrested. He was taken to Bethsaloe on the Euphrates, where h a suffered martyrdom in 628. - The head of Anastasius was transferred to Rome to the church of the martyrs Vincent and Anastasius, on the site 'Fountain of Salvius'. - The Melkite liturgy has his feast on Jan 22; the Roman Martyrology also on Jan 22, together with 70 companions. The Greek Church venerates him on Jan 24. - Some christians, who were captives in Persia, and a monk, who was the companion of St. Anastase, came to Palestine round 629-630. (Acta S. Anast. Persae, c. VI, n. 36-38; Miracula ejusdem, c. I, 6-11, 15)

Anastasius, priest and superior of the monastery of the Nea in Jerusalem. Anastasius was asked in a letter by Pope Gregory the Great (590-604) to abolish the amusements in his monastery and to reconcile himself with the patriarch Amos (594-601).

Anastasius Sinaites, abbot. He went to Jerusalem. Then he settled at Mount Sinai, where he excelled in ascetism. He succeeded John Climacus, and was a polemic writer. He died in peace round 700. The Greek church venerates him on April 21.

Anastasius, the Count. Inscription in the Monastery of Lady Mary at Beit-Shean. The entrance to the large hall mentions on a mosaic in a Greek inscription Peter and Anastasius, Christ-loving counts. For the inscription, see also: Zosimus.

Anatole. She was the sister of Photine, the Samaritan woman (Jn 4, 1-42).

Anatolius. He was the son of the Samaritan woman.

Anatolus, bishop of Laodicaea, Syria. (Roman Martyrology July 3) Anatolus was ordained bishop by Theoctetus of Caesarea, Palestine, in order to succeed on the see of Caesarea. Anatolus went to the Council that condemned Paul of Samosate. The synod of local bishops in Antioch condemned Paul of Samosate in 264, and deposed him in 268. Anatolus returned from the council of Antioch, and was retained at Laodicea and installed as bishop of Laodicea, Syria. This see had become vacant through the death of his friend Eusebius. Anatole ruled his bishopric under the Emperors Probus (276-282) and Carus (282-283). Anatolus died just before the persecution of Diocletian (283-313). Eusebius and Anatolus were from Alexandria. In Egypt their feast is on July 3.

André. This Belgian priest saved Jews during the Second World War. Yad Washem honoured him as a Righteous One of the Nations. André died on June 1, 1973 near Namur in Belgium.

Andrea of the city of Achon. Salimbene (34) mentions Friar Andrea, round 1221.

Andreas Chiensis, martyr by the Turks in 1465. His 'Acta' in Greek by Georgio Trapezuntio, are translated in Latin. (AA.SS. May 29)

Andreas et Aponius seu Aporius, in Bethlehem, martyrs 41 CE. [AA.SS. Feb 10)

Andreas of Bologna. This Franciscan Father was, according to Salimbene, Minister Provincialis of the Holy Land, between 1255 and 1270. Andreas died in Rome round 1284, at the Sacred Penitentiary.

Andreas of Flanders. A certain Andreas of Flanders is mentioned about 1096 in ' Vita S. Nicolai peregr. I, II, c. Il, n. 44'. AA.SS. June 2.

Andrew, St. Apostle, the first-called. (Feast Nov 30 in the Martyr. Romanum; also Nov 30 in Greece). He was the brother of Simon Peter. Andrew came from Bethsaida in Galilee (Jn 1, 44) and was a disciple of John the Baptist before his call (Jn 1, 40). There are two traditions about his call: in Mk 1, 16 Andrew is called with Peter while they are fishing; in Jn 1, 40 Andrew was called with the 1 unnamed disciple' (John?), while they were in the company of John the Baptist, who pointed out Jesus as the lamb of God. -Andrew calls attention to the boy who had the loaves and fish which were distributed, (Jn 6, 8). In Jn 12, 22 Andrew acts as mediator between Jesus and the Greeks who asked Philip for an interview with Jesus. - According to some traditions, preserved by Eusebius and the 'Acts of Andrew', Andrew preached in Bithynia, Scythia, Macedonia and Achaia, where he was crucified at Patras. Andrew was commonly represented with an X-shaped cross as the instrument of his martyrdom. According to the Ethiopian Synaxarium (Takdhash 4) Andrew was hung up upon a tree and stoned to death in Ledya (Lydda). Lydda means here Lydia in Turkey.

Andrew: Church of St. Andrew. In Jericho the Coptic property has mosaics and Greek inscriptions of the 6th century. The church recalls probably the call of Andrew near the Jordan.

Andrew: His Head. In 1462, Pope Paul 11 solemnly deposited the relic of his head in the Vatican, close to the tomb of St. Peter. In 1964 Pope Paul VI returned the relic to the see of Constantinople.

Andrew, apostle and Sabinus, the priest. The lectionary of Paris has on April 29: 'in the building of the Disciples, the memory of Andrew, the Apostle'. Sabinus was the founder of the church. Andrew, the apostle, and Sabinus, the priest, are mentioned together on Aug 18 in the Georgian calendar.

Andrew, tribune, in Melitene in Armenia, martyred 297. 

Andrew of Crete, the Jerusalemite. Andrew was born in Damascus round 660. He was ordained clerc of the church of Jerusalem by patriarch Theodore. Therefore Andrew is named the Jerusalemite. In 685 he was sent to Constantinople for the 6th oecumenical council against the Monophysites. He was indicated as archbishop of Cortyne in Crete. He defended the cult of the icons against Emperor Leo the Isaurian. He died in peace on the island of Mytilene in 740 (720?).

Andrew of Melitene. The brother of Gainos. Andrew was installed as hegumenos of the martyrium of Saint Menas, which is a chapel within the Armenian Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem.

Andronicus, martyr. He is venerated in Palestine, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on June 27, July 18, Sept 28, Oct 1, Oct 11. Andronicus was ordered to execute Paul and his sister Juliana at Ptolemais, Palestine, under Aurelian (271-275). The same order was given to Acacius and to Codratus (Quodratus). The three servants were converted at the martyrdom of Paul and Juliana, and were killed.

Andronicus, St., goldsmith, and his wife Athanasia. They lived in Jerusalem round 395. (Mart. Rom. Oct g)- Their 'Vitae' are fictitious: they lived in the 5th century in Antioch, they are called Andronicus and Athanasia of Egypt. - The AA.SS. mention Andronicus and his wife Athanasia on Oct 9; May 20. -

 Andronicus and his wife Athanasia pilgrims to Jerusalem: These lovers of God are saluted in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 28th day of the month Hamle. After the death of their two children, Andronicus became a monk with Abba Daniel; Andronicus placed his wife in a house of virgins. Andronicus after 12 years made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem; Athanasia made the same pilgrimage. She recognized Andronicus during the journey. Both returned to Alexandria, but Abba Daniel said to Andronicus: 'Dwell in a place with the person who had been your companion during the journey'. Afterwards Athanasia, who always wore the garments of a man, died. Andronicus now discovered that Athanasia was a woman; a token which she left to her husband revealed that she was his wife. After a few days Andronicus died. Salutation to Andronicus. Salutation to Athanasia.

Andronikus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Pannonia, Illyricum, according to the Greek list. Andronikus and Junius are mentioned by St. Paul in his letter to the Romans (Rom. 16, 17): Greet Andronikus and Junius, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are men of note among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.. Andronikus and Junius are remembered by the Melkite liturgy on May 17.

Andronikus, together with Silas, Silvanus, Crescentius, Epainetus, all of the 70 disciples. The five are venerated by the Melkite liturgy on July 30.

Anectus, St. Martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, in 305. He escorted the Christians to the place of suffering, he was therefore condemned by the Governor Urbanus. First he was scourged by ten soldiers, then his hands and his feet were cut off, and finally he was beheaded (Mart. Rom. Memory June 27).

Angaeus, a levite. He is mentioned in the Gospel of Nikodemus XIV, 1: 'Phinees, a priest, and Adas, a teacher, and ANGAEUS, a levite, came from Galilee and they informed (in Jerusalem) the chiefs of the synagogue, the priests and the levites: We have seen Jesus, with his disciples, sitting on the mount, which is named Mamilch'.

Angela Carmelitana, St. She came to Palestine in 1217. (Vita S. Ang., c. II-IV, n. 4-3) (AA.SS. July 6)

Angela Merici, Saint, foundress of the Ursulines. She was born in Desenzano, Republic of Venice, probably on March 21, 1474. Around 1506, she was favoured with a vision 'Before your death, you will found a society of virgins at Brescia'. In 1516 she lived with the Patengoli family in order to console them because of the recent death of their two sons. In 1524 Angela undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and returned in 1525. In 1535 Angela formed a group of girls into the Company of St. Ursula. Immediately after her death (1540) Angela was honoured as a saint by the people of Brescia. Angela was canonized on May 24, 1807, and in 1861 her cult was extended to the Universal Church by Plus IX.

SS. Angeli ad Pastores 'the Holy Angels to the Shepherds'. The chapel at the Latin Shepherds Field is dedicated to the SS. Angels. The chapel was inaugurated in 1954. Canada financed the construction, as is indicated by an inscription. The chapel reminds one of a tent.

Angelo of Spoleto, martyr, Blessed, and his companions, 1304-1314. In the Mart. Franciscanum we have on April 2.: In Armenia, Blessed Angelo of Spoleto, martyred by the Bulgars. - The Franciscan monk, Angelo of Spoleto, was sent by James ll, king of Aragon, to the Sultan of Egypt in 1303. Afterwards Angelo visited the Holy Land. In July 1307, he joined a group of Franciscans who went to the Tartars. In 1314 killed in Mauro Castro, by the Bulgars.

Angels: The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on the 13th of Khedar (= the third month, Nov 7-Dec 6): 'Salutation to the tens of thousands of the tens of thousands of angels and to the Cherubim and to the Seraphim'.

Angelus Bonus. (Fr. Benincasa, Vita S. Raynerii, c. XVI, n. I n. 162). He was in Palestine before 1160 (AA.SS. June 17).

Angelus of Jerusalem, Carmelite, May 5, Aug 25 (now transferred Aug 16). He was born in 1185 as a son of converted Jews in Jerusalem. He entered the Order of the Carmelites, afterwards he travelled to Sicily, where he acted as a preacher of penitence. In Licata, Sicily, he was martyred, 1220 or 1225, May 5. - His cult is in the Carmelite Order since 1456, and since 1584 in the breviary of the Carmelites.

Angelus of Licata (Sicily) see: Angelus of Jerusalem. 

Anglican Bishopric in Jerusalem, since 1841): 1841, Samuel Alexander, nominated by England (1841-1845); Gobat, who was appointed by Prussia, (1845-1879); Barclay (1879-1881); the bishopric lapsed from 1881 to 1886. It continued from 1886 as an English bishopric: Benson began in 1886; Blyth ended his function on Oct 18, 1914.

Anianus of Alexandria, bishop, April 25; Dec 2; (in Venice, October 4) He was a cobbler, he was indicated by the Apostle Mark as his successor in the bishopric of Alexandria. His relics were brought to Venice. He does not have a feast in the Byzantine Church; the Copts venerate him on Nov 28. He is the patron of the cobblers.

Anicetus, papa. (AA.SS. April 17). He went from Palestine to Rome to become pope. (Mai., Prop., Con. 1, 22, 24) He ruled from 155 to 165.

Anna, Prophetess. (memory Sept 1 in Martyr. Rom.) And there was a prophetess Anna, the daughter of Phanu'el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Lk 2, 36-40) - The Greek and the Armenian Churches venerate Anna (together with Simeon the Elder) on Feb 3, and on Aug 28; the Copts on Feb 2. - Anna has no church or chapel in Jerusalem. A three linear mosaic inscription at the Chapel of Dominus Flevit on the west slope of the Mount of Olives refers perhaps to this Anna. (Bagatti B. in Liber Annuus, VI, 1955/1956, p. 243-244)

Anna, St, wife of St. Joachim and mother of the Holy Virgin. Her name is found in the apocryphal gospels. Feast 26th July in Mart. Rom. - A house of Anna is venerated in the Convent of St. Anna, near the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem; another house of Anna is venerated in Sepphoris (Tzippori), 6 kms northwest of Nazareth. The Romans called this place Diocaesarea; its Arabic name is Saffuriya. An enclosure built by the Franciscans in 1880, contains ruins of a basilica with three aisles built in the 4th century by Joseph, Count of Tiberias. On July 26 the Franciscan community of Nazareth makes a pilgrimage to the shrine of St Anna in Sepphoris and celebrates there Holy Mass. Church of St Anna in Jerusalem: The Moslem writer Abul-Feda tells that before the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem, the church of St. Anna had already become a Moslem 'dar el ilm' -house of learning -, but that 'when the Franks took Jerusalem' it was once again turned into a church. Benedictine Sisters were then installed in the adjoining convent and St Anne's Abbey rose to great importance in the days of Baldwin I, who compelled his wife Arda, an Armenian princess, to take the veil there. (Hanauer, Walks in and around Jerusalem, 1926, p. 215) Death of Anna: According to tradition, Anna died at the age of 69 years; Joachim, her husband, at 80 years. Tradition does not mention who died first. A legend tells: the Virgin Mary was already an orphan when she left the temple at the age of 12 years, to be married to Joseph.

Death of Anna and Joachim: July 25 in the Georgian and Greek liturgy. - Greek synaxaries have on Dec 9 the Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Anna, the mother of prophet Samuel. see: Hannah. 

Anna, a certain Anna of Jerusalem (Legenda). Round 1000. (AA.SS. July 26)

Anonymous (man) came to Palestine round 1125. (Acta B. Gerardi Arv., n. 4) (AA.SS. Aug 11)

Anonymous (pilgrim), came to Palestine in 1104. (Miracula S. Jacobi, n. 214) (AA.SS. July 25)

Anonymus, patriarch of Jerusalem, in the 7th century. (AA.SS. June 24)

Anselm. One of the Canons of the See of Ascalon, was made bishop of the new bishopric of Bethlehem in 1110.

Anselm of Mantova (Italy), servant of God. The Duke of Mantova called this Franciscan to his court. After the death of the Duke, Anselm went to Palestine. He lived in Bethlehem and in Aleppo; afterwards he went to Cairo and took care of the merchants of Venice. He died in the church in 1623.

Anselm Ruschi of Sabbioncello, servant of God. This Franciscan, born in 1646, died in Jerusalem in 1670 from the plague.

Anselmus de Buls, archbishop of Milan. He is mentioned, about 1096 in AA.SS. May 7.

Anselmus, prior Thaboris, (falsus), 1212. AA.SS. Aug 14.

Anthimus. He was one of the unmercenary saints of Arabia, who suffered martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution (285-313). Greek synaxaries mention together with Cosmas and Damianus, their brothers: ANTHIMUS, Leontius and Euprepius on Oct 17. The Roman Martyrology has Anthimus on September 27.

Anthony, bishop of Durazzo, confessor. In 1346 this Franciscan was the superior on Mount Sion. In 1348 he travelled through France, Spain and England. He became bishop of Durazzo (Albania). He died in 1363. The Franciscan Martyrologium has his memory on March 15.

Anthony, Blessed, Martyr in Armenia 1314, together with Monald and Francis Memory in the Franciscan Martyrologium on March 16.

Anthony Bontadini, Blessed. He was born in Ferrara (Italy), he entered the Franciscan Order in 1439. He visited Palestine. He died, soon after his return, in the pilgrims' hospital of Cotignola, Dec 1, 1482. Pope Leo XIII confirmed his cult in 1901.

Anthony of Rosate, martyr, Blessed. As place of his martyrdom is mentioned Egypt, or Syria, or Gaza in Palestine. He was born in Rosate, near Milan. According to tradition, he was sawn asunder in 1369. The Martyrologium Franciscanum remembers him on Feb 24.

Anthos, monk. He lived a certain time with the priest Theodosius in the church of Qadismu south of Jerusalem. (Vita Sabae, ch. 18)

Antibanis (Antipas). This disciple of John the evangelist, is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 16th day of the month Miyazya (April 6-May 5).

Antich Francis, Franciscan lay brother of Spain. He was murdered by Greek pirates in 1833.

Antichrist and Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. Some Arab writers before the 16th century call the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem ' Bab Lydda', the gate of Lydda'. This is because the road to Lydda and Jaffa starts from this gate, and also because some Moslem theologians believe that at the Gate of Lydda the Messiah el Dejjal (the Antichrist), will be defeated. Other Moslem theologians assert that this defeat will take place at Lydda itself, and they mention, as the actual spot, the famous Bir es Zaybac, or 'Quick silver Well'. It is inside the little building, under the great sycomore, half-way between Ramleh and Lydda. (Hanauer J. E. Walks in and around Jerusalem, 2nd Edition, 1926, London)

Antimasius, see: Artemion, one of the 70 disciples. Feast June 30. 

Antioch. Baybars I, Sultan (1260-1277) of the Mamelukes conquered Antioch in 1268. Two Franciscan convents were destroyed.

Antiochos Strategios. The Arab text of 'Conquest of Jerusalem by the Persians' is attributed to Antiochos Strategios. This Antiochus, in a sermon to the population of Jerusalem, after the conquest of ' Jerusalem in 614, rebukes the men for directing their eyes to the ladies, instead of lifting their eyes to heaven. (PG, LXXXVI, 3249)

Antiochus, bishop of Acre (episc. Ptolemaidis), circa 400. (Vita S. Olympiadis, n. 14) (Analecta Bollandiana, XV, 420)

Antiochus, bishop of Lyon. He visited Palestine in 381. (AA.SS. Oct 15) Compare Justus, bishop of Lyon; Viator St.

Antiochus, priest. He visited Palestine round 385, together with Justus, bishop of Lyon and with Viator St., (AA.SS. Sept 2; Oct 21)

Antipas, St. Martyr. He was from Pergamon, Asia. He lived under Emperor Domitian (81-96). St John, who was exiled in the island of Patmos, qualifies Antipas as 'a faithful one, who was killed among you' (Revelation or Apocalypse 2, 13)

Antipater (Antipatrus) of Bosra. Feast June 13. He was bishop of Bosra about 460. He was questioned by Pope Leo I (440-461) about the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon (451). By the seventh general Council (787), Antipater was counted among the authorities of the Church.

Antipatris, bishop, St. Feast April 4. Perhaps to be identified with Antipater of Bosra (5th century), who is commemorated by the Greek Synaxaries on June 13.

Antipatris (locality). At Aphek the Ark of the Covenant was lost (1 Sam 4, 1). Aphek was a Philistine city. In the Hellenistic period it had the name Pegal. It was here that the High Priest met Alexander the Great, according to a Jewish tradition. In 35 BC Herod the Great built the square fortress and named it in memory of his father, Antipatris. St. Paul passed there on his way from Jerusalem to Caesarea, as a prisoner (Acts 23, 31). In the 4th century it was a bishopric.

Antonia-Fortress. Herod the Great rebuilt the Fortress Baris north of the temple, and renamed it Antonia, in honour of his friend, the triumvir Antonius.

Antoninus, St. Martyr (falsum). (Extracta ex Actis spuriis S. Antonini) The AA.SS. mention him, circa 304, on July 4.

Antoninus, St. together with Zebinus and Germanus, martyrs. They were decapitated in Caesarea, Palestine, in 308 by Governor Firmilianus. The memory is on Nov 13 in Mart. Rom.

Antoninus Martyr. He visited the Holy Land, at about 560-570, and wrote ITINERARIUM.

Antoninus Placentinus (Antonine of Placentia). This priest of Placentia (Italy) is known as Antoninus Martyr.

Antoninus, 27th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd century (AA. SS). 

Antonio de Aranda. Franciscan from the province of Castilla (Spain). In 1516 he was at the University of Alcala. On Sept 8, 1529 he came to Jerusalem, in the company of the Superior of Mount Sion. This Superior was Baptista de Macerata. Before Lent 1531 Antonio was sent to Tripoli (Lebanon). Antonio embarked on a Venetian ship to Cyprus. From Cyprus, he embarked after 48 days (June 4, 1531) and he landed at Venice on August 12, 1531. (Arce, Archivum Franciscanum Historicum, An. 68 (1975) p. 453-463)

Antonio Bonfadini, Blessed, confessor, Franciscan (memory Dec 1). He was born in Ferrara (Italy), he visited Palestine, and he died in 1482.

Antonius Chozebita. He was the author of MIRACULA B. V. MARIAE in CHOZIBA. (5th/6th century) (Analecta Bollandiana)

Antonius Manzius Pataviensis, Blessed. He came to Palestine before 1267 (AA.SS. Feb i).

Antonius, monk of Georgia. He brought a part of the rol1stone that was before the Holy Sepulchre and also a relic of the Cross to Symeon, the Younger, the Stylite.

Antoninus de Rosatis, Ordinis Minorum, martyr in 1369 by the Turks. He is mentioned on Feb 2 (AA. SS).

Antoninus of Ephesus, one of the Seven Sleepers, martyr, July 27. In the Eastern Church the feast is on Aug 1. 

Anxouthenius: see Heliophotus. 

Apelles, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Smyrna, in the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology reads on April 22: 'Apelles and Lucius, out of the first disciples'. An APELLES is greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans (Rom 16, 10).

Aphrodisius, later Biterrensis episcopus. (AA.SS. March 22)

Aphrodisius, Meldas and 64 companions, martyrs at Scythopolis (Beth-Shean). Without date. (AA.SS. May 4)

Aphthonius, founder of a shrine near Gethsemane; In the building of Aphthonius, was the dedication of an altar, July 12, according to the lectionary of Latal.

Apollinaria. She was the daughter of Anthemius, Emperor of the West (467-472). She went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and then retired to Scete in Egypt, where she posed as a eunuch. She healed her sister who by coincidence visited Scete. - The Greek liturgy has her feast on Jan 4.

Apollinaris Syncletica, Saint. Visited Palestine between 408-413. (Vita, auct. Simeone Metaphr., lat. vers., c. I, n. 1-6) AA.SS. Jan 5.

Apollinaris, virgin. The Roman Martyrology mentions on Jan 5: 'In Egypt the saint Apollinaris, virgin. ' - Perhaps to be identified with Apollinaria. (Greek liturgy Jan 4)

Apollo, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Caesarea, in Bithynia, in the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology does not mention this Apollo. He is venerated by the Greek liturgy on Jan 8 and Jan 9.

Apollo, Sanctus, bishop of Caesarea Maritime in Palestine in the 2nd century, without year. Feast Dec 9 (AA.SS.)

Apollus: see Alexandra (April 21 in the Greek liturgy). Apollus was a servant of the Empress Alexandra, wife of Emperor Diocletian.

Apostles: 12 Apostles. The Oriental Church has a synaxis of the 12 apostles on June 30; the Western Church has their feast on the octave of SS. Peter and Paul.

Apostles: 70 Apostles. The Gospel of Luke (10, 1) relates the appointment of 70 (or 72) apostles. Moses had indicated a group of 70 elders (Num 11, 24), two men added themselves to the same rank. Legend adds Dionysius Areopagita and Simeon Niger to the 70 apostles, and so the number becomes 72. - Sometimes the number is 60 apostles: 72 minus the 12 apostles. In some eastern churches the group of 70 apostles is venerated on Jan 4.

Apostolic Delegation. From 1929 to 1950 the Apostolic Delegation for Egypt represented the Holy See in Palestine. The Apostolic Delegation, situated on Mount Sion, was destroyed in 1948. The Delegate, now living on the Mount of Olives, represents the Holy See in Jordan, Israel and Cyprus. - Apostolic DELEGATES, since 1950: Testa Gustave 1948-1953; Oddi Silvio 1953-1956; Sensi Giuseppe 1957-1962; Zanini Lino 1962-1965; Sepinsky Augustin 1966-1969; Laghi Pio 1969-1974; Carew, the now acting delegate is a Canadian. The Apostolic Delegation published in 1979 'Annuaire de l’Eglise Catholique en Terre Sainte'.

Apparition of the Cross: Sept 14 in the Palestinian-Gregorian calendar. For the APPARITION of the Cross was a synaxis (liturgical service) in the Martyrion; for the DEDICATION of the Cross, was a synaxis on Mount Sion.

Apphianus, St. He was a student from Lycia (Turkey). Before St. Aedesius, his brother and martyr, Apphianus rebuked the Governor Urbanus. The Governor bound Apphianus' feet in linen that was impregnated with oil, and set on fire. The body of the martyr was thrown into the sea. It happened at Caesarea, Palestine, in 306 under Emperor Galerius Maximianus (285-310). -Memory on April 2 in Mart. Rom.

Apselamos = Peter Apselamos. 

Aquila, martyr, Mart. Rom. Memory March 23. He was martyred in Caesarea, Palestine, together with Domitius, Pelagia, Eparchius and Theodosia.

Aquila, Saint. In the Melkite liturgy, memory on July 14. Aquila was from Pontus, Asia Minor. He was a weaver of tents. He was a Christian in Rome, but by the edict of Emperor Claudius, about 50, he was, together with his wife Priscilia, in Corinth and there gave hospitality to St. Paul. Aquila and Priscilla followed Paul on his journey to Ephesus. Paul departed from Ephesus to Jerusalem. Aquila and Priscilla instructed Apollos of Alexandria, who knew only the baptism of John the Baptist, in the doctrine of Paul. Probably Aquila and Priscilia returned to Rome. They are called 'my fellowworkers' in the letter of Paul to the Romans (Rom 16, 3); they are greeted by Paul in his second letter to Timotheus (2 Tm 4, 19). Nothing is known about the further life of Aquila and his wife Priscilia. The Roman Martyrology has Aquila and Priscilia on July 8.

Aquilina, St. Martyr at Byblos (Phoenicia) under Diocletian. She was arrested by the prefect Nikandros. Her feast is on June 13.

Aquilinus, St. He did not receive in Souka the malcontent monks of the Great Laura of Sabas. The dissidents went then to the desert of Tekoa, where they founded the New Laura in 508. (Khirbet Tina in Wadi Bassas)

Aquitaine (in Gaul): Some anonymous men of Aquitaine, who were soldiers in Syria, round 250. They are mentioned in 'Miracula S. Fidis Aginnensis', auctore Bernardo Scolastico, n. 9. (Analecta Bollandiana, VIll, 80).

Aranda. He speaks (1530) about the Way of the Passion.

Arcadius, bishop of Cyprus. (BHG 684) A homily of Arcadius was read on the feast of S. George of Lydda on Nov 3. 

Arcadius, emperor (395-408), died on Oct 1, 408 (Socrate, Hist. Eccl VI, 23) The Georgian liturgy has his feastday on Aug 27, together with the memory of Praylius, archbishop of Jerusalem (416-422).

Arcadius of Jerusalem, monk, confessor. He was the elder son of Xenophon, and studied in Beirut. He returned to his sick father in Constantinople, who upon seeing Arcadius, recuperated. On his return to Palestine, Arcadius was shipwrecked. Eventually, he settled in a cave near the monastery of St. Sabas in the wilderness of Judaea. His brother was John, son of Xenophon. Arcadius and his brother John are commemorated on Sept 30 by the Georgian liturgy. The Greek Church venerates both on Jan 25.

Arcanus, Saint. He is mentioned, together with Saint Bernardus and Saint Gerardus in AA.SS. Oct 14, (round 1099).

Archangel Gabriel, synaxe; and commemoration of St. Stephen the Sabaite: in the Melkite liturgy on July 13. The Archangel Gabriel is already commemorated by a synaxe on March 26; he has another synaxe on July 13. Perhaps this second feast was to implore the help of Gabriel against the Agarians (descendants of Agar, Arabs, Moslems).

Archangels, i.e. Gabriel and Michael. The Syriac-Jacobite calendars have the feast on June 6; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar has June 6 and June 7; the Copts venerate Michael on June 6, 7, 8. Greek synaxaries mention a synaxis of Michael on June 9.

Archelais, martyr. Feast Feb 9 (Palestinian-Georgian cal.)

Archippus, disciple of St. Paul, martyr, (March 20; in the Byzantine church on Feb 19, together with Philemon Nov 23) Archippus lived and worked in Colosse. Greek Menologies mention him as bishop of Laodicea. Archippus was martyred under Emperor Nero (54-68), probably in Colosse.

Archistrategi, Michael and Gabriel and the other angelic 'powers'. They are commemorated by a synaxe on Nov 8 in the Greek liturgy. - Theology speaks of 9 groups of Heavenly Beings: Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Archangels, Angels, Cherubim, Seraphim.

Architriclinus (Master of the table at the wedding of Cane, John 2, 1-11). In the middle ages the name of the function was considered as a personal name.

Arculfus. He visited Palestine round 670 (AA.SS. Sept 23) He has seen the traces of the cisels in the rock of the tomb of Christ.

Arda, Armenian princess, daughter of Prince Toros. She was the wife of King Baldwin I of Jerusalem, 1100-1118. He compelled her to take the veil in St Anne's Abbey at Jerusalem.

Arduinus, Angligena, Saint (Vita S. Ard., auct. Vitagliano, n. 1, 4) Before 627 he came to Palestine (AA.SS. Oct 25).

Areopolis: Greek name for the city Rabath Moba, the ancient Ar Moab, Er Rabbah in East-Jordan, 12 Kms north of Kerak.

Ares (Areus). see: Aretis (in Ascalon)

Aretas. see: Arethas of Najran.

Aretas, the unmentionable. see: Stephanus, the unprofitable clerk.

Arethas and with him innumerable martyrs who suffered in the town Najran under ruler Dhu Nuwas. The persecution of the Christians of Najran (= town in North Yemen) by the Jewish proselyte king of Himyar, Yusuf Dhu Nuwas, in about 523, is recorded in Greek, Syriac, and Ethiopian literature. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar mentions them on April 20; also on Oct 1; and Oct 20. -The Martyrologium Romanum has on Oct 24 the passion of Aretas and 340 companions.

Aretis, Promotheus (or Poromotus), Elijah of Egypt, who were martyred in Palestine. Memory in the village of Metoba on June 11. Metoba is the actual Umm-Tuba, left from the highway Jerusalem to Bethlehem. - The lectionary of Paris writes: Commemoration of

Aretis, Poromotus. The three martyrs were killed in Ascalon on Dec 14. They have a second memory on Dec 14 in the Church of the Anastasis in Jerusalem.

Areus: see Aretis (in Ascalon).

Aristaenetas, St. and Elpidius, St. They visited Gaza round 400 (Apopht. ad vitam S. Antonii Magni, c. VI, n. 43) (AA.SS. Jan 17)

Aristarchus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Apamea (Syria), according to the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology (Aug 4) has Aristarchus: he was a disciple of Paul and imprisoned together with Paul (Col 4, 10); Paul appointed him bishop of Thessalonica. Aristarchus was martyred under Nero (54-68). - The Melkite liturgy has on April 14: Aristarchus, Pudens, and Trophimus (three of the 70 disciples).

Aristarchus, another of the 70 disciples in the Greek list. 

Aristides Leonori, engineer, Third Order of St. Francis, servant of God. He was born on July 28, 1856 in Rome. There he ruled the Hospice of St. Philip Neri from 1882 to 1907. At Washington he built (1898) the College for the Holy Land; he built at Cairo (1908) the Church of St Joseph. In 1909 he visited Jerusalem, he died in Rome on July 30, 1928. (Compare: Shilling Godfrey)

Aristobulus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Britain (March 15 in the Greek Church) He was the brother of Barnabas, he followed the Apostle Paul. Finally, he is said to have gone to England where he converted many people to Christianity. (The Romans conquered Britain in 43 CE, under Emperor Claudius (41-54). The AA.SS. mention Aristobulus on March 15: 'falso episcopus Bethaniae nuncupatus'.

Arius (Sanctus) sive Macarius at Asterius, bishops of Petra, circa 350. AA.SS. June 20.

'Ark of the Covenant': At the 9th milestone from Jerusalem in a Place that is called Kiriat-Jearim, where the Ark of the Law of God was, there has been built a church (Petrus Diaconus). - The feast of the 'Ark' was on July 2, according to the Georgians and the Armenians. - The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition have erected, on the ruins of the Church of the 5th century, a new church that is dedicated to 'Mary, Ark of the Covenant'. A statue of the Virgin is placed on a pedestal. The church on the hill (Kirjat-Jearim means Town of the Forests) overlooks the area. The shrine recalls the history in 1 Sam 7, 1: 'And the men of Kiriat-Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord, and brought it to the house of Abin'adab on the hill; and they consecrated his son Eleazar, to have charge of the Ark of the Lord. ' The Arabic name is Deir el Azhar (Monastery of Eleazar). Beneath the Byzantine Church was found the mosaic pavement of a synagogue. On the grounds were found tiles with the stamp X Leg. Fret. Indeed, the tenth Legio Fretensis was established here to guard the road to Jerusalem. The name Fretensis indicates that this legio was related to the freta, the straits, probably the Straits of Messina, between Italy and Sicily.

'Ark of the Covenant': Title of the Holy Virgin in the litany of Loreto.

Arkadius of Jerusalem. see Arcadius of Jerusalem.

Armenia: Among the Franciscan victims of the persecution by the Turks in Armenia in 1920, we remember: Francis de Vittorio da Rutiliano (Italy), 38 years, killed Jan 23, 1920; Alfred Dolenz da Magy (Hungary), 67 years, lay brother, killed Jan 23, 1920; Salvator Sabatini da Pizzoli (Italy) (1875 - 1920, Jan 23); Albert Amarisse da Cave (Italy), 46 years, killed Jan 23, 1920; Stefan Jalincatian of Morasc (Less Armenia), Franciscan; Joseph Achilleus of Morasc (Less Armenia), 59 years, killed on Feb 15, 1920.

Armenian anchorites in the valley of Jehosaphat, Jerusalem. They lived there in the 12th century, (attested by John Phocas, PPTS, vol V, pp. 22-23).

Armenian anchorites of Choziba: The necropolis of Choziba, 150 meters east of the Monastery of SS. John and George of Choziba, reveals many Armenian names. The 213 funerary inscriptions which are in a cave, include names of Armenian anchorites.

Armenians and Post Office in Jerusalem. The Austrian Post Office which was the first post and telegraphic office to operate in Palestine (round 1869) was located in the Armenian quarter and was staffed by Armenians. (Hintlian K. History of the Armenians in the Holy Land, 1976, p. 63 note). Since 1973 is in the ancient Austrian Post Office the Christian Information Centre.

Armenians, whose names the Lord knows: In 1895 a mosaic with an Armenian inscription was discovered in the Musrara Quarter, north of Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. The mosaic has 40 medallions. The inscription was 'For the memory and salvation of all the Armenians, whose names the Lord knows'. The inscription was in the funerary chapel of Polyeuctes.

Arnaldus de Comps (?), magister of the Hospitalers. (Vita S. Bonae, c. [, n. 22) He was in Palestine in the 12th century. (AA.SS. May 22)

Arnias and Lekotes, shepherds. Luke does not mention the number or the names of the shepherds. Legend names them Arnias and Lekotes.

Arnulf, canon of St. Augustine. In June 1119, while all the canons were taking rest, Arnulf went to rest beside the cenotaph of lsaac in the mosque of Hebron. Feeling fresh air, he saw a fissure and dropped down a stone. He opened the fissure and found the bodies (?). After the Crusades the place was closed.

Arnulf of Audenarde (Belgium). This knight was killed near Ascalon in 1107. He was buried under the ancient portico (= entrance at the west) of the Church of the Assumption in Jerusalem

Arnulfus, third patriarch (1112-1115) of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 

Arsenius, St. Confessor. He was born at Bethany in Palestine, under Emperor Basil 1 (867-886). He took the monastic habit at 12, studied at Seleucie on the Orontes-river, and was ordained a priest. From Seleucie he went to Constantinople under hegumenos Tryphon, and he was ordained archbishop of Corcyre by the patriarch Theophylactes about 933. He went to Constantinople in order to appease the unjust feelings of Emperor Constantin Porphyrogenetes (912-956) against the notables of Corcyre. On his return, he fell ill at Corinth. The date of his death is unknown. - The Melkite liturgy has his memory on Jan 19. He is not listed in the Roman Martyrology.

Arsenius, patriarch of Jerusalem, 1016-1024. AA.SS.: July 26. See also: Simeon Armenus, St.

Arsuf, martyrs at Arsuf. Arsuf is the Arab name of the stronghold Apollonia, on the coast between Jaffa and Caesarea. Bybars 1, (1260-1277), caliph of Egypt, conquered Caesarea and Arsuf in 1265. Christians fell as martyrs.

Artemas: see: Artemion, one of the 70 disciples. Feast in the Greek liturgy on June 30.

Artemion, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Lystra in the Greek list (June 30) - Artemion is not mentioned in the Roman Martyrology.

Arthur Blessitt. see Blessitt.

Arwa. This Israelitish woman is saluted in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 30th day of the month Genbot. During the absence of her husband, she refused to commit adultery, she raised up a dead child from the grave in Egypt. She dressed in male garments, and departed on a ship and was asked by the old king of an island to become his successor. Then she revealed her sex, but refused to rule as a queen. Later her husband visited her on the island. She died and was buried by her husband.

Ascalon and Gaza: Under Julian the Apostate (361-363) the pagans in Ascalon and Gaza martyred a great number of virgins, women, nuns and monks. They opened the venter of their victims, filled them up with wheat and threw them to the pigs. The Melkite liturgy has the memory on March 29. They are remembered together with Marc, bishop of Arethusa, who was martyred under Julian in 362, and with Cyril the deacon, who was martyred in Heliopolis (Baalbek in Lebanon) in 362. - The Roman Martyrology mentions on March 29, only Cyril, the deacon.

Ascanius. See Nicanor Ascanius, Blessed, Franciscan, martyred Damascus 1860. The feast is on July 10.

Ascension on Mount of Olives. An octogonal edicule in the centre of an octogonal court, contains a slab of rock with the so-called footprint left by Christ when ascending into heaven. On the Feast of the Ascension, the Franciscans erect tents on either side of the entrance of the court. The Greek-Orthodox have their tent for prayer near the southern wall of the enclosure. The Armenians occupy the opposite, northern wall. On the eastern wall, the Copts have their chapel-tent near the Armenians. The Syrians occupy their worship-tent on the eastern wall, near the Greek-Orthodox.

Asclepas of Gaza, bishop. He assisted at the Council of Nicaea (325).

Ascoli. see: Belardo di Ascoli (Italy).

Asculum: Crusaders of the town of Asculum (= town of Picenum) are mentioned round 1096, in 'Miracula S. Emygdii, n. 35'. (AA.SS. Aug 5)

Asenath: see Asineth (Aseneth)

Ashdod: see Azot. 

Asher: Son of Jacob and Zilpah, the slave of Leah. (Gn 30, 13). - Name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Asher occupied the coast, north of the mount Carmel. Anna, the prophetess in the New Testament, was of the tribe of Asher (Lk 2, 36).

Asher Abba: The Ethiopian Synaxarium mentions on the 11th day of the month Genbot 'On this day Abba Asher, the teacher of Bali, was martyred as he was going to Jerusalem in the time of Wanag Sagad (died 1540), the king. Asher worshipped before they cut off his head with the sword, and afterwards they burnt him in the fire, at the gates of Jerusalem, at the place where the foot of our Lord stood'(place of the Ascension?).

Asineth, wife of Joseph of Egypt. She is named among the 'just of the Old Testament' on the First Sunday of the Advent in the Eastern Church. - The Ethiopian Synaxarium has a salutation to ASNET (Asenath, Aseneth) the wife of saint Joseph, the just, the son of Jacob-Israel, on the first day of the month of Saneh (the tenth month: june 5 - july 4).

Aspebet-Peter, bishop of the camps (Paremboles). Round 420 Arab sheikhs, received the order to impede the persecuted Christians of Persia to flee to the Roman Empire. Aspebet favoured the escape. He was betrayed and he fled to the Romans. The prefect of the Orient, Anatolus, appointed him as chief of the Saracen tribes of Arabia. Aspebet brought his sick son Terebon to Euthyme, the Great. This monk healed Terebon. Aspebet converted to Christianity and adopted the name Peter. Round 425, he was ordained 'bishop of the camps' by Juvenal of Jerusalem. His bishopric 'Paremboles, Camps (Castra Sarracenorum) extended between the monastery of St. Euthymius (Khan el-Ahmar or Khan es-Sahel) and the monastery of St. Theoctist (Deir el-Moukelik in wadi Dabor). Peter was present at the Council of Ephesus in 431. After his return he represented the Acts of Ephesus to Euthymius. The signature of Peter was: Petros, episcopos Paremboloon.

Assisi. AA.SS. Oct 4 mention: Iter monachorum Hierosolymitanorum quatuor Assisium (in 353 four monks) - iter eremitarurn Palaestinorum Assisium (in 513).

Assumptionists or Augustinians of the Assumption. They were founded in 1845 by E. Daude d'Alzon. They came to Jerusalem and possess the sanctuary St. Peter's in Gallicantu (cock-crow).

Asterius, Sanctus, bishop of Petra, about 350. (AA.SS. June 20, together with St. Arius sive, Macarius)

Asynkrites (Asynkritus), one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Hyrcania. In the Roman Martyrology he is listed with Herodion on April 8. He is greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans (Rm 16, 14).

Atarbius: He was an emissary of Ephiphanius of Constantia, and began anti-Origenistic propaganda in Palestine (395). Then Jerome foresook his allegiance to Origen's teaching, while Rufinus remained loyal to the doctrine of Origen.

Athanasia, St., wife of Andronicus, the goldsmith in Jerusalem. (Mart. Rom. Oct 9)

Athanasia, martyr, Jan 31 and June 28. She was the mother of three daughters-martyrs: Theodota, Theoctista, Eudoxia. - In the Greek synaxaries her feast is on Jan 31. In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar the 4 women, together with the martyrs Cyrus and his disciple John, are remembered on June 28 'in the church of the Resurrection'.

Athanasius of Alexandria (Athanasius, the Great), St., born at Alexandria, about 295, died Alexandria, May 2, 373. (Feast on May 2). He was bishop of Alexandria from 328 to 373. Emperor Constantine (335) exiled him to Treves in northern Gaul. Athanasius promoted the monastic ideal in his travels through Italy and Gaul. He went to Sardica (in Bulgaria), where a general council had been summoned by the Emperors Constans and Constantius II (343). Constantius II allowed Athanasius to return to his see in Alexandria, where he arrived in Oct 346. During this journey to Alexandria he visited Palestine. - Three archbishops of Alexandria (Alexander, Athanasius, Cyrillus) are commemorated in Jerusalem on Jan 18, according to the calendar of the Georgians.

Athanasius, St. Deacon of Jerusalem and Martyr, July 4 in Mart. Rom. He was tormented by the heretics who followed Eutyches (born 375, condemned by Chalcedon, died 454). Finally Athanasius was killed round 452 by the sword. Particular feast in the Latin Patriarchate. The AA.SS. has his feast on July 5.

Athenadorus of Neocaesarea in Pontus. In 233 he went, with his brother Gregory of Neocaesarea, to Caesarea in Palestine.

Athenais: see Eudokia Augusta (Athenais), wife of Emperor Theodosius II.

Atherius, archbishop from the region of Asia. Round 531 he was in Palestine. (Vita S. Joh. Silent., auct. Cyrilo, n. 15) (AA.SS. May 13)

Attard (Achard), archbishop of Nazareth. Attard and Onfroi II de Toron and Guillaume de Barres and Jocelin Piseau (or Pessel) travelled from the Holy Land to Constantinople to arrange for Baldwin III a marriage with Theodora. Her uncle, Emperor Manuel Comnenus consented. Attard died on this journey to Constantinople. Theodora came in the autumn of 1158 to Jerusalem.

Augustinus Papiensis. He came to Palestine in the 10th century. (AA.SS. July 20)

Aurelianenses, (men of Orleans in France). They were sent by Saint Evurtius to Palestine round 330. (Vita S. Evurtii, c. II, n. 13) (AA.SS. Sept 7)

Aurelius, Eutychis, Zanthius and Theoon. The Roman copper mine at Site 23 in Timna has near the upper opening of the tunnel an inscription in Greek letters. The inscription is topped by a rockcarving of an eagle standing straddle-legged and with a laurel (?) wreath in its beak. Only part of the inscription is readible. It starts with ' In memory ' (Mnesthe), and mentions further the names Aurelius, Eutychis, Zanthius and Theoon. A cross is scratched unto the wall next to the inscription. The names are not carved into the wall at the same time, nor by the same hand, but must have been added every time a man died and was buried nearby. It is clearly a memorial inscription and seems to be related to several tumuli found just outside the upper entrance of the tunnel. (Rothenberg Benno, Timna p. 210)

Ausfridus, Normannus. (Mirac. S. Wulfranni, c. III, n. 25) (AA.SS. March 20) Ausfridus came to Palestine in 1056.

Australian soldiers, who fell in Palestine in World War I (1914-1918). They are buried on the military cemetery on Mount Scopus.

Austrian World War I graves in Palestine. Austrian soldiers fought side by side with the Germans, as allies of the Turkish army against the British troops.

Auxibius of Cyprus, bishop, confessor. In the Menologium of Basilius II the feast is on Feb 17. Auxibius was from Rome, he escaped from the house of his pagan parents. He was instructed by St. Markus as preacher for Cyprus.

Avdalga see: Raisus.

Avedilk, Armenian. He invented a siege machine and in 1124 was summoned from Cilicia to offer his services in the siege of Tyre.

Avitus, Viennensis, St. He sent legates to Palestine between 518 and 523 (AA.SS. Feb 6).

Avraham Kerem see: Finn James.

Awerkios = Abercius.

Awramios see: Abraham. 

Azarias of Babylon in the fiery furnace, Aug 24. See Three companions. The Roman Martyrology commemorates the 3 companions on Dec 16.

Azkir See Arethas.

Azot (Azotus), the later name of Ashdod. Azot had a Crusaders' fortress on the coast. Azot fell to the Muslims round 1280. There the Franciscan monk Philippus was martyred. (AA.SS. March 7)

Bab (Bab-el-Din). The Bab (it means Gate) was born in Shiraz (Iran) as Mirza Ali Muhammed in 1819, and at an early age started preaching the coming of a new religion. He called himself Bab-el-Din (Gate of the Faithful) and heralded the eminent appearance of a man who would found the new faith. Bab was executed by a firing squad in Tabriz (Iran) in 1850. He is buried in Haifa. December 24 is considered as the birthday of the Bab.

Babyla, patriarch of Antioch and his three sons. The anniversary was first recalled at Jan 24 (calendrier syriaque de 411); the Greek synaxaries commemorate him on Sept 4; the calendar of the Georgians on Jan 15. Martyred in 2501251.

Babylas, bishop of Antioch, and his (?) three sons, martyrs. The feast is on Sept 4. The names of his (?) three sons are: Urbanus, Prilidanus, Epolonius. The martyrdom was in 2501251 under Decius.

Bacchus, who was martyred under emir Harthama. He was called Bacchus, the Younger, and was a monk in St. Sabas. Before his baptism he was called dahhak 'the laugher'. He was beheaded at Jerusalem by the Moslems during the reign of Emperor Constantine and Irena (780-797), under the patriarch of Jerusalem Elias II in 7861787. The Greek synaxaries have his feast on Dec 15. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar commemorates him on April 11, and names the emir Harthama.

Badilo, monachus Viziliacensis (Vézelay in France). He came to Palestine in the 11th century. (AA.SS. July 22)

Bafulo Bernardo. This Franciscan Father went to the Holy Land round 123711245 (Salimbene 612-613).

Bagratuni Smbat. He was an Armenian general under the Persian ruler, Chosroas II.

Baha' Ullah (Glory of God). He was born a Persian nobleman, Mirza Hussein Ali. In 1863 he proclaimed that he was the universal prophet whose coming the Bab had foretold. He, too, was declared a heretic and spent most of his life in exile and in prison. He was brought to Acre in 1868 and died in prison there in 1892. He is buried in Acre; the Bab is buried in Haifa. December 25 is considered as the birthday of Baha' Ullah. This day is considered a holyday in the calendar of the Bahai-religion.

Bahlavouni Krikor. This Armenian Catholicos attended a synod in the Cenacle in 1142. (Guillaume de Tyr, T. II, Livre 15, XVIII, pp 73-74).

Baier, Dr. He was the physician of Maximilian, Duke in Bavaria during his visit to the Holy Land in May 1838. Dr. Baier died from the pest at Nazareth on May 23, 1838.

Bain Nisbet. He gives an Armenian description of the Holy Places in the 7th century. (Palestine Exploration Fund, 1896, pp 346)

Balaam: a seer of Pethor, who was summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. (Num 22, 5) Balaam held a conversation with his ass and he praised Israel. A later tradition tells how he counseled the Moabites to seduce the Israelites to the worship of the Baal of Peor, and for this he was executed by the Israelites (Num 31, 8-16; Jos 13, 22). Balaam is mentioned as a teacher of false doctrine in 2 Petrus 2, 16; Jude 11; Apc 2, 14. - The Ethiopian church mentions Balaam on the 12th of Magabit (the 7th month: March 7-April 5).

Balan: The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on Mask. 22: 'And on this day is commemorated Balan'.

Balata. The name of Salome, the sister of the Virgin Mary. She accompanied Mary on the flight to Egypt. This flight is mentioned in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 24th of the month Genbot the ninth month, May 6- June 4).

Baldasar Monconys. A friend of Baldasar Monconys is the last pilgrim who relates in his diary of having celebrated the liturgy in the Latin chapel in the Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai in 1674.

Baldi Donato, Italian, Franciscan Father. Died in Jerusalem in 1965. He wrote 'Guida di Terra Santa' and other books

Baldus, St. (Bondus, St) AA.SS.: Oct 29: he came to Palestine round 565.

Baldwin I, the younger brother of Godfrey of Bouillon. Baldwin was the first King of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, he was sacred on Dec 25, 1100 at Bethlehem. He died, without a heir, at EI Arish in 1118 April 2. He was buried opposite his brother Godfrey, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the place where is since 1810 the northern vertical staircase that leads up to Golgotha. At the construction of this staircase the memorial of Baldwin and the memorial of Godfrey were removed.

Baldwin II, or Baldwin de Bourg (1118-1131). He was a cousin of Baldwin I. Baldwin II was elected king of Jerusalem at Easter 1118 in Jerusalem. After 13 years of ruling he died in Jerusalem on Aug 21, 1131, without having a heir.

Baldwin III, king of Jerusalem (1143-1162). He was the son of Fulk of Anjou. Baldwin became king at the age of 13 years. He was born in the Holy Land. He died in 1162. He was succeeded by his brother Amalric I.

Baldwin IV, king of Jerusalem (1174-1185). At 13 years he became

king. He was a leper. He won the battle of EI Arish against Saladin, who invaded from Egypt. Baldwin died, probably on March 16, 1185 at the age of 24 years.

Baldwin V, king of Jerusalem. This child lived from 1183 to 1186.

Baldwin I (First Emperor of the Latin Kingdom of Constantinople). In November 1199 Baldwin of Flanders took the Cross. He was with Theobald of Champagne, who was the leader of this fourth crusade. In March 1204 the crusaders stormed Constantinople, and Baldwin was made the first Emperor of the Latin Kingdom of Constantinople which lasted from 1204 to 1261. In 1206 he fought against the Bulgars (AA.SS. Oct 21). He died in battle near Adrianopolis.

Baldwin I, King (1951) of Belgium and Queen Fabiola. They came by plane to Amman on Friday, Feb 14, 1964. They visited the Old City of Jerusalem on Feb 15. They visited Nazareth on Monday, Feb 17, 1964.

Balfour Arthur James. (1848-1930). British statesman, signatory of the Balfour Declaration. This British declaration of sympathy with Zionist aspirations appeared on Nov 2, 1917. It favoured the establishment in Palestine of a National Home for the Jewish people, without prejudice to the non-Jewish communities. Balfour opened the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus in 1925.

Balthasar, one of the three Kings (Magi). In the calendar of Koeln his death is mentioned on Jan 11. The 3 kings represented 3 continents: Europe, Africa, Asia. Balthasar (later Caspar), the black king, figured for Africa. The number 3 is related to the 3 kinds of gifts: gold, incense, and myrrhe. The number 3 is related with 3 biblical races (3 sons of Noah): Sem for Semites (Asians); Cham for Chamites (Africans); Japhet for Japhetites (Europeans). The names (Balthasar, Melchior, Caspar) date from the 9th century. The king of the negroes appears in the 12th century; the crowns date from the 10th century. - In the literature it was first Balthasar who figured for the king of the Moors; later Caspar figured for the king of the Moors. Balthasar is now for the Japhetites.

Banayot Harris, Reverend. He died in 1922 in Bethlehem. He tells: 'Women's Cavern' means Milk Grotto in Bethlehem.

Baniuls Isidor. This Franciscan priest during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, was murdered by Greek pirates in 1833.

Barabba: In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Feb 12. Nothing is known about Barabba.

Barachos, bishop of Bakatha. He had the direction over the works at the Nea Church in Jerusalem during its construction (531 till the dedication, in November 543). Bakatha is localised in the country of Philadelphia(= Amman).

Barbara, St. She is venerated on 3 and 4 December, in the Georgian liturgy; the Greek liturgies have her feast on Dec 4. In the general Roman Catholic Church her feast (Dec 4) has been omitted from the list since the reform of the liturgy. On Dec 4 the Roman Church has now the feast of John Damascenus, priest and doctor of the Church. - The Georgian liturgy has a second Barbara on the octave of Barbara, on Dec 11.

Shrine of Barbara. On a hill to the west of the village Abud is the shrine of Barbara. It is reverenced by Christians and Moslems. There are remains of a church of the 6th century.

Barberia: see Bareria, virgin.

Barby; see Burchard of Barby.

Barclay, Barclay's Gate. This English archaeologist of the 19th century discovered an underground gate to the Temple from the West. Barclay's Gate is also named Bab el Magharibah (Gate of the West). Actually Barclay's Gate can be seen in the Mosque el Burak.

Barclay: He was the Anglican bishop (1879-1881) of Jerusalem. He was, only in 1887, succeeded by Blyth.

Bardulio: see Pietro Bardullo. 

Bareria, virgin. Together with Maria, Martha, Kyria and Marcia, she was converted and adopted the ascetic life. When the governor of Caesarea heard about them, they were tortured and killed in 304. The Martyrology has a feast on June 5: there are mentioned Zenaidis, Cyria, Valeria, Marcia. - Bareria is not mentioned in the Roman Martyrology. The Greek liturgy has the feast of Bareria on June 6.

Barichas, priest. He is mentioned in the inscription of el-Mehayet. (Revue Biblique, 1914, p. 1 13). Khirbet Mehayet (Mehayiet) is some 5 kms to the west-north-west of Madaba. The inscription reads: 'Under bishop John, this holy place was founded and finished by priest Barichas, who served in it, in the month of November, at the time of the sixth indiction'.

Baripsaba, hermit, martyr, Sept 10. According to a legend Baripsaba collected the Holy Blood of the Crucified in a gourd-bottle. This relic was brought later to Constantinople. The Synaxarium of Constantinople mentions Baripsaba.

Barkisos, see Praxius, bishop of Jerusalem.

Barlaam, the hermit, and Josaphat (Joasaph), the son of the king. (Feast Nov 27; in the eastern church Nov 17 and Nov 19). John of Damascus wrote a roman: Josaphat, the son of a king, had been prevented by his father from seeing sickness and poverty. Afterwards the boy saw blind men, old people, sick men. The hermit Barlaam with a wonderstone, gained access to Josaphat and converted him by a parable. A sinner is persecuted by an unicorn, flees but fails into an abyss. tie climbs into a tree (=tree of life) but mice and rats day and night gnaw the roots. In the abyss a monster (= hell) threatens, but in the branches of the tree is honey (= life and happiness). The view of the happy things above, causes the sinner to forget the abyss. The romance is an allegory in praise of the monastic life. Since 1583 the Martyrologium Romanum considers Barlaam and Josaphat as saints. Their cult is also in the Byzantine synaxaries.

Barlassina Luigi. Latin patriarch of Jerusalem from 1920 to 1947. He was born at Turin (North Italy) 1872, April 30.

Barluzzi Antonio. Italian who built the Chapel of the Shepherds in Bethlehem, the Chapel of the Flagellation in Jerusalem, the Church of St. Lazare in Bethany. He died in Rome on Dec 14, 1960.

Barnabas, St, Apostle. In Acts 4, 36 the name is explained as 'son of consolation'; the surname was Joseph, a Levite of Cyprus. (Acts 4, 46) Tertullian proposed Barnabas as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews. The Martyr. Rom. says: Barnabas was martyred in Cyprus in the seventh year of Nero (50-68). Feast on June 11. in the Latin and Greek churches and in the Palestinian calendar.

Barnabas and the Gospel of Matthew. A tradition says that in 488 under Emperor Zeno, the body of Barnabas was discovered. On his breast was the Gospel of Matthew in the Greek language. The relics were offered to the Emperor Zeno (474-491). In account of this offering the archbishop of Constantia in Cyprus is allowed to bear a mantle in red silk, to have a sceptre instead of a staff, to sign in red script and to be named Beatitude.

Barnabas. One of the 70 disciples.

Barnabas, the monk. He lived at the time of Emperor Theodosius II (401-450). Barnabas was one of the 300 Palestinians who arrived in Cyprus, where he became a monk. The Greek liturgy mentions him on October 21.

Barochas, hermit of Gaza. Died round 473. He is mentioned as minister St. Porphyrii (round 420). (AA.SS. Feb 26).

Barronyos (or Barfonyos) of Banyos (or Fanyas). On the third day of the month Magabit, Barronyos of Banyos died (Ethiopian Synaxarium).

Barsabas, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Heraclea, in the Greek list. The Acts 1, 23 mention: They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias… And the lot fell on Matthias, and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles. -The Roman Martyrology mentions a St. Barsabas, martyr in Persia, on Dec 11.

Barsoma, the 'son of tasting'. He is saluted in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Yakatit 9. Abba Barsoma, the Syrian, was the father of the monks of the country of Syria. The parents of this saint were of the city of Samosate. Barsoma lived in the days of Abba Simeon of the Pillar (= the Stylite). Barsoma preached in the city of Samaria, and when he wrought before the people many signs and wonders, they believed. A disciple of Barsoma came to a place wherein was the head of Saint John the Baptist, and he saluted this holy head. The disciple asked about the Emperor Marcianus, and a voice came forth from the head of Saint John, saying: 'Fear not, for he is dead; Barsoma complained of him to God'. And Saint Abba Barsoma died, and a pillar of light appeared by the gates of his cell, and the light reached to heaven.

Barsanorius, Abbas see Barsanuphius anchorite of Gaza.

Barsanuphius, St., anchorite of Gaza, in the time of the Emperor Justinian I (523-565). He was the author of 850 letters for spiritual guidance, he died 540. Feast April 11, Mart. Rom. - Notitia ex Vita S. Barsanorii, abbatis.

Barsanuphius, monk. He was born in Egypt and went on pilgrimage

to the Holy Land. He entered the monastery of St. Seridon near Gaza where he stayed in one room for eighteen years. He performed miracles, he died in 400. The Greek Church venerates him on Feb 6.

Bartholomaeus de Bregancia (falsus) Latin patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre, died 1272. (AA.SS. July 1)

Bartholomew, St., Apostle. (Aug 24 in Martyrology Rom.; in the Greek church on June 11). He is listed along with the other Apostles in Mk 3, 18; Mt 10, 3; Lk 6, 14; Acts 1, 13. It is possible to identify him with Nathanael, the disciple who figures in Jn 1, 45-51 and who is named, together with Peter, Thomas and John, in Jn 21, 2. This Nathanael was from Cana. - At the northern end of Cana, the Custody of the Holy Land has built a chapel in honour of St. Bartholomew. On Aug 24 the Franciscan community of Nazareth makes a pilgrimage to Cana and celebrates in the chapel of St. Bartholomew a Holy Mass. - Various traditions name Ethiopia, India, and Persia as his missionary field. According to the Martyrologium Romanum he also preached in Armenia, where he died as a martyr, being flayed alive and then beheaded. The Melkite liturgy has on June 11: the apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas. - The Armenians venerate Bartholomew on Dec 8; Feb 2; Aug 24; - Copts and Ethiopians have his feast on June 18 and on Nov 20; the Jacobites on August 29. According to the Greek liturgy (June 11) Barnabas suffered martyrdom in Urbanopolis (Armenia). His relics appeared in Lipara (Sicily) where they are venerated today.

Translation of his relics. In the Melkite liturgy on Aug 25, together with the memory of the Apostle Titus.

Bartholomew, abbot in Calabria, Blessed. The 'Vita B. Bartholomei, c. III, n. 28-30' mentions his relations with Alexius 1 Comnenus, Byzantine Emperor (1081-1118). (AA.SS. Sept 8, App 800, 808, 821, 822).

Bartholomew Lippi dal Colle, Blessed. In 1458 the General Chapter

of the Franciscan Order sent him to Crete, which belonged to the Mission of the Holy Land. He died in Poggibonsi (Italy) in 1478. His commemoration in the Franciscan Martyrology is on March 15.

Bartholomew of Cremona. This Franciscan Father was the companion of William of Ruisbroek, and went with him to the court of the great Khan Mangu at Karakorum (Dec 1253 - Jan 1254).

Bartholomew of Siena, Franciscan Father. A papal document of 1278 mentions him as Minister Syriae. He was involved in the union between the Churches. After his function, he returned to Italy, where he remained. He seems to belong to the family of Piccolomini in Siena.

Bartimaeus, the blind man who was healed in Jericho (Luke 18, 35. 43). Mark 10, 46 names him Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus. - The Greek liturgy reads the Gospel of Luke 18, 35-43 on the Sunday between Dec 1 and Dec 3. The same gospel is also read after the Cross (= the exaltation of the Cross, Sept 14). Pilgrim Pipinus (died 1320) speaks of a chapel on the way from Jericho to Jerusalem, the chapel recalls the healing of the blind Bartimaeus. There was after 1948 a camp of refugees. The camp had a mosque with a minaret.

Bartoloni Riccardo, Monseigneur. He was Apostolic Delegate for Palestine; he was present when the Latin Patriarch Barlassina inaugurated the Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary at Nablus Road, Jerusalem on Aug 10, 1933. He died in Jerusalem on Oct 11, 1933, and was buried in the Latin co-cathedral.

Baruch, prophet (Nov 15; Sept 28). He was a disciple of Jeremiah, the prophet. In the Martyrologium Romanum and in Greek synaxaries Baruch is mentioned as 'Saint'; sometimes he bears the nimbus of the saints.

Barupsabas, martyr. Sept 10 in Greek synaxaries and by the Georgians. This monk kept a relic of blood (and water) that flowed from

the side of the Crucified. Unbelievers tried to take this relic and killed him. (BHG 238)

Base, martyr. Mentioned without year in Tyre (Phoenicia), Sept 22. (AA.SS.)

Basil, the confessor. He was a monk during the reign of Emperor Leo III, the Isaurian (717-740). He was an opponent of the iconoclasts and worked together with Procopius of Decapolis. Basil died in peace. The Greek liturgy venerates him on Feb 28.

Basil of Cherson (March 7). He lived in the 3rd century and was sent by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Hermon (302-312), to preach the Gospel in Cherson. He called back to life the son of the governor. Thereupon the governor and his family were converted. Basil and the governor and his family suffered martyrdom under Diocletian (283-313). Basil is remembered together with Ephrem, with Eugenius, Agathodorus, Capiton, Aitherus and Elpidus (March 7 in the Greek liturgy). The Martyrologium Romanum has the passion on March 4, and adds: Nestor and Arcadius.

Basil of Jerusalem. Basil was the successor of patriarch Thomas 1 (807-829). Basil signed in 836 a letter to the Emperor Theophilus (827-842) about the cult of images. The feast of Basil is on July 2 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. The feast of patriarch Thomas 1 is on May 12.

Basil the Great. He was born in Pontus, Asia Minor, about 329. He died in Caesarea, Cappadocia, on Jan 1, 379. The Roman liturgy has his feast on June 14; the Eastern Churches on Jan 1, Jan 2, Jan 30. It seems that round 351 Basil came to Caesarea, Palestine, as a priest. In 370 he became bishop of Caesarea, Cappadocia. The AA.SS. name him ' Basilius Caesariensis ' and mention his visit to Palestine round 350. (AA.SS. June 14). Basilius had a brother, Peter of Sebaste, who died in 392. This Peter speaks about the Upper Room on Mount Sion

Basileus of Cherson see Basil of Cherson.

Basilina Cappadocensis. She came to Palestine round 545. (Vita S. Joh. Silent., auct. Cyrilo, c. III, n. 23) (AA.SS. May 13)

Basilius and 70 companions. Martyrs at Scythopolis (Beth-Shan) in Palestine, without date, July 5 (AA.SS.).

Basilius, patriarch of Jerusalem, 760-772. Eusebius, Theodosius, Basilius (AA.SS. Prop.,) (AA.SS.: June 26; Oct 4).

Basilius, Sergius, Salomon, Theodosius, Elias III, patriarchs of Jerusalem, round 821. 907. (AA.SS. May 3, Prop.)

Basily. He had been appointed in 1839 as Russian consul for Syria and Palestine. His permanent seat was in Beirut, but in the course of time he moved to Jerusalem.

Bassa, Bl. Cyril of Scythopolis tells that Bassa was a near relative of Eudocia and had founded (after 444) a martyrion of S. Menas (Vita Euthymii, ch. 30). In the foundation of Bassa was the memory of Isaiah, the prophet, and of Menas and Phocas on May 5. (also on July 10, and on Nov 12: on Nov 12 was the commemoration of the Blessed Bassa in the martyrion of Menas). Bassa was an abbess. She founded the chapel of St. Mena(s) before 456.

Bassa, Bl., June 16: Memory, only in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. In the Foundation of Bassa in the church of Mena: finding of the bones of the prophet Isaiah. - There is a memory of Bassa on Dec 6 in the Georgian liturgy. In Bassae aedificio memorial of Isaiah the prophet and of Menas and Phocas, Oct 31 in the Georgian liturgy. Bassa et Mena (memory June 16) The church of Mena(s) was founded by an Abbess called Bassa before 456, and it may well survive as the chapel of St Mena(s) which projects from the north wall of the present Armenian Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem.

Bathildis, saint, queen. (fabulosum) She came to Palestine round 645 (AA.SS. Jan 20).

Batra (or Zatra) Wangel. Abbot of Dabra Libanos, the sixteenth of the learned fathers. He died on the 20th of the month Genbot. (Ethiopian Synaxarium)

Baumgarter Stephan. He drew in his Itinerarium (non-edited) in 1498 the Edicule which is above the Tomb of Jesus. The Edicule has a turret which is supported by six round columns. The cupola of the turret is without an ikon. - The design of Bernard de Breydenbach (1480) shows also the six columns which support the turret. In the design of Breydenbach the cupola is also without an ikon. An ikon of Christ is mentioned by Daniel Phocas in 1108. The ikon was the work of the Franks.

Bavarian. The 301st, the 302nd, the 303rd and the 304th Bavarian Wings of the German Flying Corps were attached to the Asienkorps in Palestine in World War I (1914-1918). In Jenin is the monument of the fallen airmen of the 300th Wing of the German Flying Corps.

Becket Thomas, St. and his murderers. Just inside the el Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, a spot on the pavement is pointed out as the Tomb of the Sons of Aaron. This is believed to be the resting place of murderers of Thomas Becket. They made a pilgrimage of penance to Jerusalem and some of them died there, and were buried 'ante ostium Templi'. Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in 1170, under Henry II. According to the English chronicler Hovenden, the murderers were admitted to penance by Pope Alexander III.

Belardo di Ascoli (Italy), Belardus de Esculo. He belonged to a religious order, he visited the Holy Land in 1112-1120, and wrote' Descriptio Terrae Sanctae' (Vatican library).

Belgian pilgrims crashed in 1965. In the night of Saturday-Palmsunday 1965 a plane of the Jordanian airline that flew from Beyrouth to Caire, crashed near Damascus. All the passengers, including 48 Belgians and 2 Dutchmen and the 4 men of the crew, were killed.

Bell Gertrude, Miss. She was an archaeologist and an diplomat, she played a role in placing King Feisal, son of King Hussein of Arabia, on the throne in Damascus and later in Iraq. She died in Bagdad in 1926.

Belloni Antonio. He was born at Oneglia (Italy) on Aug 20, 1831. He became professor at the Latin seminary at Beit-Jala near Bethlehem in 1859. He founded an orphanage at Bethlehem in 1863, and an agricultural school in 1878 at Beit Jemal. He also founded the Institute of the Holy Family, an congregation of priests and lay brothers. In 1891 he transferred this congregation to the congregation of Don Bosco (Salesians). Belloni died on Aug 9, 1903.

Bellorini Theophilo, Franciscan. He was born at Olginasio, Italy, on November 23, 1884. He became a Franciscan in 1900; he worked in Jerusalem in 1913-1914. He returned to Palestine in 1921 he acquired Mount Nebo in 1932. He died in the Hospital of Amman, Jan 20, 1957 and was buried at the cemetery of Gethsemane, Jerusalem.

Belludi Luca(s), Blessed. He was a companion of Fidentius of Padova (Italy). Belludi died in 1260 (or 1269). Fidentius died in 1295. Pius XI in 1927 beatified Belludi. Belludi was a friend of St. Anthony of Padua (Padova). Anthony died in Padua on June 13, 1231. The remains of Belludi were reburied in the stone coffin, in which the corpse of St. Anthony of Padua had rested till 1350. A Latin inscription on the coffin mentions: 'Afterwards the stone coffin served for his companion, the Blessed Lucas, till the year 177V.

Benates: see Council (248) of the Bishops against Benates.

Benedict of Alignano, Franciscan Father. He came twice to the Orient. In 1239 he followed Teobald of Navarre. As a bishop he joined the Franciscan order in 1258. He returned to the Middle East in 1260 and stayed there till 1263. He died in 1268. (Grabmann Martin, Der Franziskanerbischof Benedictus de Alignano und seine Summa zum Caput 'Firmiter' des vierten Laterankonzils, in Kirchengeschichtliche Studien P. Michael Bihi, als Ehrengabe dargeboten. Kolmar 1941, S. 50-64)

Benedict of Arezzo, Blessed, confessor. Born in 1190 in Arezzo (Italy). By the treaty of 1229 till 1239 between Malik el-Kamel and Emperor Frederick II, Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem were to remain in the possession of the Christians with a strip connecting Jerusalem to Acre. On account of this treaty, Benedict visited the Holy Places in 1232 and worked for the Union of the Christian Churches. He died in Arezzo on Aug 31, 1282.

Benedict of Bassano, Venice, martyr, Franciscan. He worked some years in the Holy Land and returned to Italy, where he was nominated General Commissar for Palestine in 1638. On his way to Palestine, he visited the island of Stanchio near Cyprus. He was interrogated and acknowledged that he came from Venice. He was denounced as a spy and sent to Rhodos, where he was placed among slaves on a galley. The ambassador of Venice in Constantinople asked for his liberation, but Benedict died after six months of captivity, in 1639.

Benedictus, St., bishop. The AA.SS. on Oct 23 mention 'iter S. Benedicti, episcopi, e Samaria Pictavos'. (4th century)

Benjamin, Saint, 6th bishop of Jerusalem. 2nd century, Dec 11 (AA.SS.)

Bercharius St., Dervensis Abbas, and Welmarus, count of Campania. They visited Palestine after 673. (Vita S. Berch., auctore Adsone, lib. 1, c. III, n. 24; lib. 11, c. II, n. 16) (AA.SS. Oct 16)

Bernadotte of Sweden, Count (1895-1948). He arrived in Palestine on July 24, 1948. He was killed by terrorists in Jerusalem on Sept 17, 1948. A forest near Neve-Ilan (the plain of the tree) is dedicated to Count Bernadotte of Sweden. Bernadotte set up the UN Truce Supervision Organization, with its seat in the former British Government House.

Bernard Caimi, Blessed, Franciscan. This Franciscan left Italy in 1478, for the Holy Land. A second time he came to Palestine in 1487, and ruled this Mission till 1489. He founded a church on Mount Varallo (Italy), and died in 1501 or 1502.

Bernard of Breydenbach. In his sketches of 1480, he shows the Edicule above the Tomb of Jesus, as it was after the conquest of Jerusalem by the Kharismian Turks in 1240-44. (Compare: Baumgarter Stephan (1498)

Bernard, the monk. (France) He wrote 'Itinerarium' (870). He described the Holy Fire on Saturday of Holy Week.

Bernard of Clervaux (France), founder of the Cistercians (10901153). He preached the second Crusade (1146-1149).

Bernard of Mont St. Michel. He stayed in the Latin Quarter of Jerusalem in 870. To be identified with Bernard the monk.

Bernardino Amico. He sketched the Tomb of Rachel with 4 pointed arches, i.e. not yet walled up, as it is now. - He sketched the Edicule above the Tomb as it was after the repair by Bonifacius of Ragusa in 1555. His sketches are printed in the work of Quaresmius.

Bernardus, Arcanus, Gerardus, Saints. They are mentioned about 1099 in AA.SS. Oct 14.

Bernardus, primus episcopus latinus Nazarenus, 1123. (AA.SS. Nov 29)

Bernardus, St., of England. He came to Palestine in the 11th/12th century. (AA.SS. Oct 14)

Bernardus, the father of Saint Bona. Bernardus came to Palestine in 1159 (AA.SS. June 17).

Bernardus Poenitens, St. (Johannes mon., Vita S. Bern., c. I, n. 7) He came to Palestine in the 12th century. (AA.SS. April 19)

Bernes, sister of 'Filles de Charité'. She was 74 years in 1975. She worked in the Home for Children at Ain-Karem. She received a decoration from the Jerusalem Municipality.

Bernhard of Baden, Blessed. (July 15; in Germany July 24). He was born in 142811429. In 1454 he resigned his territorial property (Markgraf of Baden) and, as an ambassador of Emperor Frederick III, he recruited in Germany, France and Italy for a Crusade. In 1458 at Moncalieri near Turin he succumbed to the pestilence, which after his death stopped immediately. In 1769 he was inscribed on the list of the Blessed.

Bernice. name of the daughter who was healed by Jesus, because her mother, the Canaanite or Syrophoenician woman, asked for cure. (Mt 15, 22; Mk 7, 25). - The name of the mother was Justa (Pseudo-Clementine Homelies).

Bernice (in Coptic, Beronice; in Latin, Veronica). This name is given to the woman with an issue of blood, whom Jesus healed (Mt 9, 20; Mk 5, 25; Lk 8, 43). - A tradition says: After her cure she followed Jesus where-ever He went. Tradition also adds that she wiped the face of Christ on the Via Dolorosa (6th Station), and that she was summoned to Rome by the Emperor Tiberius (14-37), who was cured of an illness by merely looking on the image of Christ's face.

Berthaidus, St. The AA.SS. mention, before 533, Amandus St., and Berthaidus St., in Palestine (AA.SS. June 16).

Berthold, the Lombard, St., General Prior of the Carmelites (11451188). He vowed to enter a religious order, provided that God saved the army of the Crusaders from a grave danger. When he arrived in Palestine with the Crusaders, he entered the Order of the Carmelites. He died at 105 years of age on Mount Carmel near Haifa. Feast March 29. (some give as dates for his life: 1130 to 1195. The AA.SS. have for his death 1200)

Berutawos (Protheus?). He sang and played funerary music with the Apostles, when the Virgin Mary died. He is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 21th of the month Miyazya (April 6 - May 5).

Bethlem. A Flemish priest, known as 'Bethlem', who had resided in Jerusalem for a certain time. Bethlem wrote a pious book ' Dit is een devote meditacie op die passie ons liefs Heeren'. This ' devout meditation on the Passion of our Lord'was probably written between 1471 and 1490, but published in the 16th century. The work had three printings in the year 1518 alone. - Bethlem spreads the Passion, which begins in the Cenacle, over 25 episodes among the seven days of the week. Bethlem names a fall of Jesus near the Judgment Gate, which agrees with Burchard of Mount Sion (1283). The work of Bethlem is in a manuscript at Sint-Truiden (Belgium), Franciscan Convent. Bethlem seems unaware of the episode of the Daughters of Jerusalem.

Bethlem. This name is written above a church or convent outside the walls of Brussels, on a map of Nicolaus Visscher (17th century).

The building is to the south of the Gate of Anderlecht and towards 't Groot Speuy, not far from the place where the condemned were hanged.

Bethlehem-bells. Twelve medieval bells, fabricated in France, were discovered at Bethlehem in 1906. The carillon is now in the Museum of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem.

Bet Kherum. Is the field where the tomb of Abdeyu (Obadiah), the prophet and righteous man is venerated. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Ter 15)

Bezennos: see Zebennos, bishop of Eleutheropolis.

Bileam: see Balaam.

Birgitta = Bridget of Sweden.

Bishops of the four Councils: Memory in the Church of the Resurrection, Sept 26, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. The 'Four Councils' were remembered on Sept 17.

Bithynia: A certain non-sleeping monk (acoemetus) of Bithynia visited Palestine round 440. (Vita S. Joh. Calybitae, n. 3-4;- Vita alia ejusdem, lat. vers., c. i, n. 3-5;- Vita ejusdem, auct. Anastasio Biblioth., n. 3-4) The AA.SS. mention the sleeper on Jan 15.

Blasius, Armenian martyr. He is depicted on a column in the nave of the Basilica of Nativity at Bethlehem. (Hamilton R. W. The Church of the Nativity. 1947, p. 70, 78).

Blesensis see Stephanus Blesensis.

Blessing of the water of the Jordan. It was done during the night of Epiphany (516 Jan) by the laura of Calamon (= reed) which was near the Jordan.

Blessitt Arthur, (U.S. X). After 22, 500 kms of walking with a wooden Cross along five continents and through 30 countries Arthur Blessitt came to Jerusalem. On Saturday, February 26, 1977 he pilgrimaged from the Mount of Olives to the courtyard of the Holy Sepulchre. Then he continued to the Garden Tomb (just up from Damascus Gate on Nablus Road), where he preached.

Blind beggar, healed in the Pool of Siloam. see Cedonius.

Blyth. Reverend, (1887-1914) Anglican bishop. Under Blyth the title Bishop of Jerusalem was changed to Bishop in Jerusalem, to appease the Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Nicodemus.

Boamundus see Bohemund

Bohemund I, Duke of Tarentum. The principality of Antioch was founded by Bohemund in 1098. The patriarch of Antioch gave a lot of relics to Bohemund. (Eadmerus, Hist. novorum I, IV, c. II, n. 28 (AA.SS. April 21) Bohemund was back in Normandy in 1106.

Bols L. Sir, Maj. Gen. C. A. British Military Administrator of Palestine from Jan 1, 1920 to 30 June 1920. At 30 June 1920 started the British Civil Administration.

Bona, Saint. She was the daughter of Herachus, patriarch of Jerusalem. Bona came to Palestine in 1169, together with Gaitana and Massaia. (Vita S. Bonae, c. I, n. 1 1-17) (AA.SS. May 29)

Bonaventura Bernaita Brocard (round 1280) Franciscan. He wrote a book 'Delineatio et descriptio Jerusalem et Terrae promissionis' Parisiis, 1533-1534. He is mentioned in Quaresmius, Elucidatio Terrae Sanctae, Liber V, cap. X, per. II, p 379, note a). Bonaventura writes about the Sepulchre of Christ: it has marble plates on the outside, but inside the rock is bare.

Bonaventura Brocart, Franciscan. He was born in Normandy. He was superior in the convent of Carcassone. He was a missionary in Palestine, he wrote a book about the Holy Places, but his work is lost, he returned to Carcassone (France), and died in 1451. The Martyrologium Romanum names him on June 6; the Breviarium Romanum commemorated him on Nov 25.

Bonaventura da Colonnelia, servant of God, martyr, 1609. Soon after his ordination as a priest, he came to Palestine and began to preach. He was imprisoned and died in jail, Dec 30, 1609. The Menology of the Franciscan Order remembers him on Dec 30.

Bondus, St. see Baidus, St. round 565.

Bonifacius of Lausanne, St. He predicts in 1250 the captivity of St. Louis. (Vita S. Bonifacii, c. IV, n. 15) The AA.SS. mention Bonifacius on Feb 19.

Bonifacius of Montferrat, Crusader. He received in 1185 the Castle of St. Elias in Taybeh (=the Biblical Efrem).

Bononius, Saint, Benedictine monk. He was born in the midst of the 10th century. He lived near Cairo. After the battle of Stilo in 982, the besieged christians were sold as slaves. Under them was Petrus, the bishop of Vercelli (Italy). Bononius, who was near Cairo, assisted the prisoners of war and accompanied them as far as Jerusalem and Constantinople. On his way of return over Mount Sinai, Bononius received information that the liberated Petrus had nominated him as abbot of Lucedio (Locedia) in Italy. Bononius went to his abbey, where after 30 years of rule, he died on Aug 30, 1026. John XIX confirmed his cult. (AA.SS. Aug 30; Feb 13)

Boré Eugène, priest (1809-1877). This Frenchman was a disciple of F. de Lamennais. Bord worked during thirty years in Armenia.

Bossi Giuseppe Carlo de Bossi of Turin. This count (1758-1823) was of Florentine origin. He was minister of the king of Piemont. He had only one child, Aurelia. She went to Palestine in 1856, there she built on the site of the Pater Noster on the top of the Mount of Olives a church and a cloister. This cloister, modelled on the Campo Santo of Pisa, was intended as the place for her burial. Aurelia brought the embalmed heart of her father in an urn to Jerusalem and placed the urn above the sarcophage above the sarcophage in which her remains should be buried.

Bossi Aurelia, Princess de la Tour d'Auvergne, et de Bouillon. (1809-1889) Aurelia was the daughter of Giuseppe Carlo de Bossi of Turin. Her second marriage in Genoa was with Prince Maurice Caesar de la Tour d'Auvergne. As a widow of 47 years; she came to Jerusalem in 1856. She needed 11 years (1 857-1868)to buy the site of Pater Noster on top of the Mount of Olives. During 2 years (18681870) she made there excavations with the help of Clermont Ganneau, then Chancellor of the French Consulate. Aurelia built the church and the cloister, which were occupied by the Carmelite Sisters in 1874. She retired to Florence where she died in 1889. Her last desire was that her remains should be laid to rest in the Pater Noster in the sarcophage which she herself had prepared in the cloister. Her wish was fulfilled only on Dec 22, 1957.

Bost Julien (1826-1888) Frenchman. He was the Latin parish priest in Gifneh.

Botta Paul Emile, archaeologist and diplomat. He was French consul in Alexandria. He began the excavations at Tell Kuyunjick, opposite the city of Mosul, Iraq (1842) and at Khorsabad (1843), Botta was consul in Jerusalem from 1848 to 1854. After the intervention of Botta and of the French ambassador in Constantinople, Valerga, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem (1847-1872), received a firman authorizing him to build a church in Beit-Jala. (Firman of July 27, 1854). In Botta street in West Jerusalem is the French Consulate.

Boulos-Bernardine Merlo. Priest, canon of the Holy Sepulchre in the Latin Patriarchate, died on March 9,, 1977; he was 73 years.

Bovet Felix. This Protestant theologian visited the Holy Land in 1858 and wrote about it.

Boziya. The name of the dancing daughter of Herodias (see Dancing Daughter)

Bramanti Bruno. He was born in Florence at the end of 1897. He illustrated with wood engravings Papini's History of Christ (1932), Dickens' Life of Our Lord (1934); during a stay of 6 months in the Holy Land in 1932 he engraved the Jerusalem series of 20 cuts; he engraved the Life of Christ in 65 cuts in 1952. Died in Florence in 1967. The woodcuts of 'Life of Christ' are in the Museum of the Flagellation, Jerusalem. The first Bramanti exhibition to be hold in Jerusalem in 1934 was inaugurated by the artist in person.

Brancovich. The brothers Anthony and James Brancovich were from the Balkan. They bought in 1681 for the Franciscans parts of the Garden of Gethsemane.

Braulion (Broullon). St., bishop of Saragossa. He visited Palestine before Arculf, who came to the Holy Land in 640. Braulion mentions a shroud, in which was wrapped the body of the Lord, without indicating where the shroud is preserved.

Breccia (in Italy): Circa 630 falsa cruciata Brixiensium tempore imperatoris HeracIii (Asc. Martinengus, vita S. Felicis, nr 3) (AA.SS. Feb 23)

Bridegroom of Cana: see Simeon the Canaanite (May 10)

Bridget of Sweden, St. Born Upland, 1302 or 1303, died Rome, 1373. Feast Oct 8. Visions and revelations, which she had first experienced in childhood, became more frequent and began to be written down. Bridget went to Rome in 1349, and for the rest of her life remained there. In 1371 she made a long pilgrimage to the Holy Land. She was especially concerned for the return to Rome of the Avignon popes, and for 20 years she admonished them to do so.

Brigida, St. She is mentioned together with Maura, St. in the 6th/7th century. (AA.SS. May 5; July 13)

Brigitta of Sweden (Bridget of Sweden): Her grandparents visited Palestine in the 13th century. (Birgerus Ups., Vita S. Brig., c I) (AA.SS. Oct 8)

Brisard Maria. She lived in Oordegem (Flanders), she died at 74, on Jan 27, 1979. She had visited the Holy Land for the third time in 1978. She worked during 45 years for the cleansing of the parish church of Oordegem.

British Administration of Palestine (Military) from 1917 to 1920. On Dec 9, 1917 surrender of Jerusalem to Allenby. On Oct 30, 1918 Armistice with Turkey. On June 28, 1919 Treaty of Versailles. On April 25, 1920 the Mandate is allotted to Great Britain. On July 1, 1920 starts the British Civil Administration. On Aug 10, 1920, Treaty of Sèvres: Turkey renounces sovereignty over Palestine. On July 24, 1922 the Mandate for Palestine is approved by the Council of the League of Nations.

British Mandate. During World War II (1939-45) the High Commissioners for Palestine were: Sir Harold Mac Michael (1938-1944), lord Gort (1944-1945). - Sir Alan Cunningham was Commissioner from 1945 to May 15, 1948. On May 14, 1948 the State of Israel was proclaimed. On May 15, 1948 was the termination of the British Mandate.

British Parliamentary Delegation to the State of Israel. The delegation donated the seven branched menorah (candelabrum) - 5 m. high and 4 m. wide - in the Knesset Garden. The panels on this menorah represent figures and events of the Jewish people.

Brocard (or Burchard of Barby, Burchard of Mount Sion). This Dominican Father was in the Holy Land. He wrote about 1290 'Descriptio Terrae Sanctae'. The book had 122 reprints or translations from 1475 to 1880.

Brocardus Bonaventura. This French Franciscan came in 1533 to the Holy Land. He published in 1544 at Paris 'Iter ad loca sancta et ad montem Sina Arabiae'.

Brocardus, St. Prior general of the Carmelite Fathers. He obtained from Albert, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, a rule for the Carmelite Fathers on Mount Carmel. Brocardus is buried on Mount Carmel. The AA.SS. place his death circa 1221, and his feast on April 8. A feast of Sept 2 is particular to the Latin Patriarchate and is not mentioned in Mart. Rom.

Brosserius Philippe, Savonensis. He mentions a tradition that James the Major was beheaded in Joppe. But he prefers the tradition that the beheading was in Jerusalem, where St. James the Major has his church (St James in the Armenian Quarter). (PPTS, vol VI, p. 22) (Revue de l’Orient Latin, IX, p. 351, nb.)

Brussel, Bruxelles, Brussels. Wolf in 'Niederl. Sagen 139, vgl 172 raconte: La nouvelle du retour des croisés Bruxellois (en 1101) de la première croisade (1096-1099) s' était repandue en ville. Les épouses volaient à leur rencontre et rapportaient leurs époux sur leurs dos, tandis que les cloches sonnaient. Depuis lors, la coutume que le soir du 19 janvier (le date de la rentrée) toutes les cloches sonnent à Bruxelles, que l’époux donne des cadeaux à son épouse, et que celle-ci porte sur le dos l’époux dans la chambre à coucher.

Bruxelles, Manneken Pis de Bruxelles. Wolf dans Niederl. Sagen, p. 451 raconte: Quand les croisés rentraient de la Terre Sainte ils furent accueillis avec une procession par le clergé et le peuple. Godfroi, le fils d'un riche citoyen, était parmi les spectateurs. Godfroi commence à pisser au moment que la procession passait. Par manque de respect, la punition divine le frappa! Il continuait à pisser, sans pouvoir finir, jusqu' à ce qu' il mourut. (The book Niederl. Sagen is mentioned by Rôhricht, Pilgerreisen, Beitrâge zur deschichte der Kreuzzuge, Band II, 1878, p. 399)

Burchard (Burkhard) or Brocard. Round 1283 there lived in Jerusalem the count Burchard of Barby. He was a Dominican, and was surnamed 'of Mount Sion'. He declared that the tomb of Jesus bore marble plates on the outside, but the inside was the natural rock, just as at the time of the burial. This Burchard seems to mention a door between the vestibule and the sepulchral chamber. (Reyszbuch, p. 461)

Burchard of Barby, Dominican Father. see Burchard

Burdett-Coutts, Baroness, English. This lady desired to improve the water supply of Jerusalem. She induced Conder to make a survey of Western Palestine. Conder began this survey in 1872.

Burgundy (Duke of Burgundy) 1560. He legated by testament that his heart should be buried in Jerusalem.

Buttadeus (strike Deus, push God). The Dominican Father Peter of Penna (round 1350) in his 'Libellus de locis Ultramarinis' relates: Here (where Simon helped to carry the cross) is shown the place where John Buttadeus derided Christ, when He was going to die. (Revue de l'Orient Latin, 1902 p. 358)

Byzantine Emperors over the Holy Land: 305-337, Constantine the Great began the Byzantine rule. It ended with Emperor Heraclius (610-641). In 637 Caliph Omar conquered the Holy Land.

C. B. American. This American was in Paris, then he went to Egypt and continued to Palestine. He died in August, 1830, at the stay of 25 years in Jerusalem. He was consul in Lyon, he converted from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism in Jerusalem. He was buried and had his tombstone at the Latin cemetery on Mount Sion (Robinson, Palestine, vol 1, p. 338, 1841).

C + M + B: In some countries the father of the family writes with chalk the three initials C, M, B, on the lintels in the house. The three initials stand for C(aspar), M(elchior), B(althasar), the names of the three Kings who visited the Holy Family in Bethlehem.

Caballeros Martino, martyr, Franciscan from Spain. He was decapitated in Jaffa by the Bey Mohammed, nicknamed Abu Dahab, on May 9, 1775.

Caboga Bernard, Count. He was Austrian consul in Jerusalem. He bought in 1869 at Tantur in Bethlehem the area that was called the Tower of Jacob and Ephrata. There in 1876 the Hospice of the Order of Malta was opened.

Cadocus, St. Round 530 he came to Palestine. (Vita S. Cad., c. I, nA; c. II, n. 11) (AA.SS. Jan 24)

Caesar, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Dyrrhachium, Epirus Nova, in the Greek list. This Caesar is not named in the Roman Martyrology. The Menologium of Basilius II (Patr. Gr. CXVII) mentions on Dec 9 out of the 70 disciples, six disciples of Paul. The six were bishops. Among the six is Caesar as bishop of Corone. Caesar Is mentioned together with Sosthenes, Apollo, Kephas, Epaphroditus and Onisophorus.

Caianus. This first bishop of Gezer, was at Nicaea in 325

Cain. The Ethiopian Synaxarium (Ter 2) tells that Cain married Eiyud, who was born with him, instead of Aklima, the sister who was born with Abel. Adam rebuked Cain: 'It is against the Law to take to wife thy sister who was born with thee'. Cain slew Abel.

Cainan, who was the son of Enos, who was the son of Seth. In the Ethiopian Synaxarium: Cainan, who lived a hundred and ten years; he died on the fourth day of the week. Commemorated on the 13th day of Sane (the tenth month, June 5-July 4).

Cajus. One of the 70 disciples, bishop of Ephesus, in the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology has on Oct 4: Crispus and Cajus. Paul baptized Crispus and Cajus in Corinth (1 Cor 1, 14).

Calanicus, surname of Florian of Gaza, St. He was murdered by the Saracens in Eleutheropolis (Beit-Guvrin) during the reign of Emperor Heraclius (609-641), together with 58 companions. Commemoration Dec 17 in Mart. Rom.

Caleb, Nebi Caleb. His tomb is venerated in the valley southeast of Khirbet Tibne, together with a tomb of Joshua (Qubbet el Hindi and a tomb of Nun, the father of Joshua.

Callinicos. This Greek monk repaired in 1878 the Greek convent of SS. John and George of Choziba.

Calvary: Pilgrim Peter Rindfleisch of Breslau visited Jerusalem in 1494 or 1496. He saw the mouth of the hole where the Cross on Calvary stood, surrounded by a circular plate of copper.

Calvary, Second Calvary: The struggle for possession of Calvary between Armenians and Georgians was settled by the Mameluks of Egypt in favour of the Georgians on account of the special connections of the Georgians with the Mameluks. The Armenians were compensated with the Armenian Gallery, which they called the Second Calvary, because it faces Calvary.

Camaria. A gentleman of Camaria (Sicily) came to Palestine round 1220-1266 (AA.SS. April g).

Cambelotti. This Italian artist designed the three vitrails in the Chapel of the Flagellation, which was restored in 1927128.

Cambrai Map. Cambrai is a town in the Northern part of France. The Map of Cambrai was drawn round 1150. It represents Jerusalem as it was in the time of the Crusader Kingdom.

Cana. 'The Lord changed water and made it into sweet wine, and not thin wine, but wine sound and good to the taste, and of pleasant perfume. ' This miracle of Cana is remembered by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Ter. 13.

Canonica. She was the daughter of a chief of Constantinople. She retired to the desert along the Jordan where she took care of the sheep. (Analecta Bollandiana, 31, 1912, p. 317, Nr 45) In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar her feast is on Nov 5.

Canute, St., King of the Danes. He is painted on a column in the nave of the Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem. Also Saint Olaf (of Norway) is painted there.

Caparelli Louis. He was commander of the engineers' unit in Napoleon's expeditionary force before Acre in 1799. The tomb of Caparelli is on the place which is called by the Arabs 'deboya'. The site of his tomb is since 1976 marked with a marble plaque in French, Hebrew and Arabic. Caparelli lost a leg in a campaign in France. He lost a hand in the siege of Acre. He died before Acre and is buried north of the city. The tombstone was placed in July 1976.

Capharnaum of the Crusaders. The hamlet Kafr Lam on the Mediterranean coast to the north of Caesarea, has a Fountain of the Church (Bir-ei-Keniseh). This hamlet was by the Crusaders sometimes considered as Capharnaum-by-the-sea. The village is to the West of El Tira near Kefar Gallim.

Cappiello Lino. Italian, ex-custos of the Holy Land. He died at Jerusalem on April 27, 1971. He and his family donated the central altar in the choir of the Latin Parish Church St. Saviour in Jerusalem.

Capistran: see John Capistran, St.

Capiton. 25th bishop of Jerusalem, died 185. (AA.SS.)

Capiton, St., Martyr. In the Greek liturgy on March 7. The bishop of Jerusalem, Hermon (302-312) sent first Ephrem and Basil, and later Eugenius, Agathodorus, Capiton and Elpid(i)us, and at the end Aitherus, as missionaries. Eugenius, Agathodorus, Capiton and Elpid(i)us were killed by the pagans of Cherson.

Caprasius, prior Carmeli (falsus) 450 (AA.SS. Oct 15)

Caprasius, Saint, first abbot of Lerin; Honoratus, afterwards bishop of Aries, and his brother Venantius, St., of Lerin. They visited Palestine round 380. (AA.SS. June 1; Jan 16; May 30)

Caradon, Lord. He was a Member of the Mandatory officialdom from 1929 to 1937, and he served as District Commissioner in Nablus for a time. From 1939 to 1942 he was Assistant British Resident in Transjordan. He became associated with the wording of UN Resolution 242. Caradon was made a life peer.

Carey Miss. She built an 'Interdenominational Shrine' in 1936 on the wooded hill, Mount Orah, or Jebel er Ras, near the village of Orah, which is east of Jerusalem. The shrine belongs now to the Anglican Bishopric.

Caritas. Latin name of the person Agape. (Love)

Carlos Juan de Bourbon, Prince, and Sofia, princess. They visited the Holy Land in Feb 1966.

Carmelite monks and French soldiers on Mount Carmel, were murdered by the Turks as soon as Napoleon on May 29, 1799 began his retreat from Acre. A small pyramid, surmounted by an iron cross, stands over their remains.

Carmelite Fathers in Haifa. They had a small chapel in 1767. They have the Latin parish since 1832. They built a church in 1868-70, and in 1961 they built a new parish church (St. Joseph) on a site, which belonged to the Italian National Association, and had served as a Salesian School from 1922 to 1948. The church was designed by A. Barluzzi, who died on Dec 14, 1960.

Carmelite coat-of-arms. The three mountain tips of Mount Carmel was the origin of the coat-of-arms of the Carmelite Order. The three stars are for Mary, Elijah and Eliseus.

Carponius, St. He was martyred, together with his sister Fortunata and his brothers Evaristus and Priscianus, in 303 in Caesarea Palestine. (Rom. Mart. memory Oct 14)

Carpus: see Karpus, one of the 70 disciples.

Cartaphilus: When Jesus was carrying His cross, Cartaphilus jeered 'Go on! Faster!' Jesus quietly replied 'I go, but thou shalt wait till I come'. This anecdote originated in Armenia during the 13th century; later it found its way to Europe.

Carter Jimmy. He visited Israel in May 1973, where he met General Eli Zeira. Carter was in 1973 governor of Georgia. As President of the U.S. A. he visited Jerusalem in 1979.

Caspar (Kaspar). Caspar represents the King of the Moors among the three Kings (Magi). In a calendar of Köln, his death is remembered on Jan 1. Caspar figures now for the King of the Moors.

Cassianus, St., martyr. He is one of a large number of Christians who came from Palestine to Cyprus in the 4th century. He suffered martyrdom in Alekhtora in Cyprus. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Sept 16.

Cassianus, Blessed, martyr in Ethiopia. He visited Palestine in 1637. Feast on Aug 7 in the Mart. Rom. together with Agathangelus.

Cassianus, 17th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd century. Feast in May (AA.SS. Prop. XI)

Cassianus: see Johannes Cassianus, St., abbot of Marseilles.

Casterius, martyr. Together with Domninus, Theotimus, Philotheus, Dorotheus and Silvanus of Emesa, martyred in Caesarea, Palestine, under Maximianus (305-311). Mart. Rom. Nov 5.

Castor, St., martyr and Theodora, St. Sept 18 in the Greek synaxaries.

Catalan pilgrims in 1323. They mention the place Gallicantu (the cock-crow) where there was a beautiful church in the time of the Christians.

Catald, St. According to legend Catald was born in Ireland in the beginning of the 7th century, near Lismore. He was the superior of the convent of Lismore and became later bishop of Rachau. His name is connected with the name CATALDUS. Cataldus made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and was later buried in the cathedral of Taranto (South-Italy). He had been asked by the inhabitants of Taranto to be their bishop and he was in this office for 15 years. - A fresco (1, 73 meter on 0, 83 meter) on the 8th column north (=leftside) in the central nave of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem represents Catald. The inscription A(gios) Kat(al)d is in Greek on the right side, and in Latin characters on the left side of the aureole. (Terra Santa, 1950, pp. 272-275). His feast is on March 8 or May 10, very seldom on September 3.

Cataldus: see Catald.

Caterina Trojani, foundress of the Franciscan Missionaries (of Egypt). She died in 1887. These Sisters have convents in the Holy Land. The marquess Pauline de Nicolay foretold to Caterine in 1858: 'Before your death you will have a convent in Jerusalem'. The Custody of the Holy Land called her to Jerusalem in order to erect there an orphanage. Caterine died on May 6, 1887.

Catherine Emmerich. She was born in Emmerich (Germany), she was an Augustine nun, she died in 1824. Clemens Brentano published her visions. According to Catherine Emmerich, the Virgin Mary went to Ephesus with the 'beloved disciple' and died there. Ancient apocryphal works of the 3th century place the death and burial of Mary in Jerusalem. - St. Brigid of Sweden had a vision in Jerusalem (round 1371), in which the Virgin Mary revealed to her that she was buried in Jerusalem and assumed into heaven from the tomb in Jerusalem.

Catharine of Sweden, St. She is mentioned together with Brigid of Sweden, round 1372. (AA.SS. Oct 8) Catherine of Sweden was born in 1331. She was the first abbess of the abbey which had been founded by her mother Brigid (Brigitta) of Sweden. In 1372 Catherine visited Palestine. Catherine died March 24, 1381 in Vadstena. (Ulpho, Vita S. Catharinae, c. V, n. 42; AA.SS. March 24) - The AA.SS. mention Ulpho, who was the husband of St. Brigitta, on Feb 12.

Catholicos. This title was accorded to the Armenian Patriarch in 1142 (Guill. de Tyr, XV, 18)

Cattani. see Peter Catanus.

Cebian Mattia, Franciscan lay-brother. He was murdered by Greek pirates in 1833.

Cedonius (Celidonius) of Aix-en-Provence. (Aug 23; June 10) This Cedonius has been identified with the blind beggar, who was healed by Christ in the Pool of Siloam. The beggar, together with Magdalena, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany, left Palestine and landed in Marseille.

Celidonius of Aix-en-Provence (France). see Cedonius.

Cenacle, Martyrs of the Cenacle after 1365. Peter I of Cyprus, with the agreement of Pope Urban V, attacked Alexandria in 1365. The Sultan took revenge on the Christians. The Franciscans who lived at the Cenacle on Mount Sion, were conveyed to Damascus. Some of them died there in prison. In 1369 Franciscans are again on Mount Sion.

Cendeas, St. He was born in Germany. At the age of eighteen he went to Jerusalem, where he became a monk. He settled in the Jordan Valley. He was ordained a priest, and after several years he entered the monastic life in Cyprus, where he died. The Greek liturgy venerates him on Oct 6.

Cesar of Spiers (Germany), Blessed, Franciscan. Round 1217 he went to the Orient, together with Brother Elias. Cesar returned in 1220 to Italy. He died at the end of 1239.

Cesarius, monk. His epitaph was discovered in the ruins of the Church of the Eleona on the Mount of Olives (see Revue Eleona, 1975, Octobre, p. 8). - Perhaps the Church of the Eleona was the burial place for the patriarchs of Jerusalem.

Cetsippus. see Chrysippus, legate.

Ceverio de Vera. He identifies the villa of 'Botichela' (at a fourth of a mile from the tomb of Rachel) with Rama. He reports that in 1595 the Monastery of the Cross was in possession of the Greeks.

Ceyssens Ananias, Franciscan. Peer (Belgium)- Jerusalem, 1935.

Chamaan. He was the son of Bersellai, who was king of Galaad, east of the Jordan. David took Chamaan to Bethlehem. There David recommends him to the bienveillance of Solomon. (1 Kings 2, 7). Chamaan built in Bethlehem a khan (Jer 41, 7).

Champollion. The French vessel 'Champollion' shipwrecked near the Lebanese coast. French pilgrims, on their way to celebrate Christmas in the Holy Land, were among the shipwrecked. The vessel was named after the scholar Champollion, who deciphered the Egyptian alphabet. The shipwrecking happened during the regime of the Mandelbaum-Gate at Jerusalem (1948-1976).

Charalampos, St., hieromartyr, priest. He was martyred under Septimius Severus (193-211) by president Lucian, in Magnesia, near Ephesus. Together with him were martyred Porphyrius and Dauctus, and three women. Perhaps Charalampos was bishop of Magnesia. The feast is in the Greek liturgy on Feb 10. The convent of Charalampos in Jerusalem has in its northern wall a circular stone-slab. It is the end of a column, that continues to the altar of the chapel. The site recalls the eighth station: Jesus is lamented by the Daughters of Jerusalem. The convent belongs to the Greek-Orthodox community.

Charati, hegumenos. Clermont-Ganneau discovered on the Mount of Olives a mosaic floor with a Greek inscription: 'Tomb belonging to the Very Saint Charati, hegumenos of Annunciation, Monastery of the Armenians'. (Revue Biblique, 1892, p. 571) The mosaic is presently in Paris.

Charbel: see Makhluf.

Chariton, St., monk. He was born in lconium (Turkey). He went to Palestine where he became a monk, and founded the laura at Ain-Farah; then he withdrew to the Mount of Temptation near Jericho, where he established the laura of Douka. From Douka he went to Tekoa. He returned to Ain-Farah, where he died in the middle of the 4th century. He is venerated by the Greek liturgy on Sept 28. Chariton founded also the Laura of Souka. It is also called Old Laura, or Laura of St. Chariton. The Georgian liturgy has the feast of Chariton on Sept 28. Robbers' Cave: In 275 Chariton set out from lconium for Jerusalem. North of the city he was taken by brigands. They led him into their cave. During the night the robbers died of poison. Chariton inherited their cave. It is on the southern cliff of the gorge Wadi Farah. Here Chariton founded a laura, and he built a church, which was dedicated to St. Macarius, bishop of Jerusalem (314-333). Chariton left Farah and founded the laura of Duca (Duq, Douq) near Jericho.

Grotto of St. Chariton: Round the shoulder of the valley Kareitoun is the Grotto of St. Chariton. This grotto (Magharat al- Ma'sa) is on the western slope of the rock cleft. Khirbet (ruins) Kareitoun is on the eastern slope on the north top of the cleft. The Wadi(valley) Kareitoun is between Herodion and Tekoa. In the grotto, the monk Chariton lived, before returning to the ]aura of Pharah.

Charismatical Congress. At Pentecost 1977 there was a Charismatical Congress at Jerusalem. Its moderator was Cardinal Leo Suenens from Belgium. The pilgrimage to Jerusalem was at the occasion of his jubilee of 50 years priesthood.

Charlemagne, Charles the Great, Carolus Magnus, Karl der Grosse. He was King of the Franks from 768 to 814, and after 800 Emperor in the West. Born 742, died in Aachen on Jan 28, 814. Charlemagne established diplomatic ties with the Abasid caliph in Bagdad, Harun-al-Rashid (786-809), who was also hostile towards the Moslems in Spain. Harun recognized in 807 Charlemagne as PROTECTOR of the HOLY PLACES, and accorded to him the keys (=free access) of the Holy Sepulchre and treated the Christians kindly. - Chancellor Rainald von Dassel (died 1167) supported the canonization of Charlemagne. Antipope Paschal III confirmed the canonization, but it was not accepted by Rome. In the dioceses of Aachen and of Osnabrock Charlemagne is honoured as 'Blessed'on Jan 28. - Falsa Caroli Magni in Terram Sanctam expeditio (AA.SS. Jan 28; Oct 8)

Charles de Foucauld, born Strasbourg 1858, killed in Tamanrasset (Algeria) on Dec 1, 1916. Charles lived as gardener in the Poor Clares Convent in Nazareth (1890-1893). Charles was twice in Palestine: (1890-1893) and 1897 to 1900. During a spiritual retreat in 1898, he was perhaps in the Biblical Ephraim (Taybeh), the village where Jesus went from Jerusalem (Jn 11, 54) in order to escape the opposition of the authorities. - The mosaic which is behind the altar in the apse of the Latin church in the village of Taybeh shows Jesus who is welcomed with His disciples by the inhabitants. In the left edge below, Charles de Foucauld leads a child to Jesus. The mosaic is a gift of the 'Chapelains de Montmartre' who directed their pilgrimage to Taybeh. The Latin Church in Taybeh was inaugurated in 1971. (Lugans Georges, Terre Sainte, 1971, p. 72-77). In 1901 Charles was ordained a priest at Viviers (France).

Charles, Lunghi, servant of God, Franciscan. He was born in 1817 in Italy. He became a priest and afterwards he entered the Franciscan Order. He came to Palestine in 1843, where he died at Ain-Karem on March 25, 1849.

Charles, the Great: see Charlemagne.

Charles the Pious, (the Good), Blessed, Count of Flanders (1117-1127). He was the son of Saint Canute IV of Denmark. Charles the Pious was killed at Brugge in the Church of St. Donatianus. During the captivity of King Baldwin II, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was in 1123 offered to Charles the Pious. (Gualbertus notarius, Vita S. Car., c. l, n. 9) (AA.SS. March 2)

Chateaubriand, French writer (1768-1848). He visited Jerusalem in 1806/1807. He published in 1811 'Itinéraire de Paris à Jérusalem et de Jérusalem à Paris'.

Cherubinus, Surrentius. He was martyred by the Turks in 1566. Feast on May 12 (AA.SS.)

Child in the midst of the Apostles. The Syriac 'Book of the Bee' reports: The child whom our Lord called and set in the midst, and said 'Except ye be converted, and become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven' was Ignatius, who became patriarch of Antioch.

Children, who were blessed by the Lord: The Syriac 'Book of the Bee' reports: the children whom they brought near to the Lord, that He might lay His hand upon them and pray, were Timothy and Titus, and they were deemed worthy of the office of bishops.

Chitti, archaeologist. He identified in 1927-1930 the ruins of Khan el-Amar with the convent of St. Euthymius, who died there in 473.

Chodza Amiris. He served as a Turkish soldier in Jerusalem. On the eve of Easter, he witnessed the Holy Fire in the Church of the Resurrection, and was converted to the Christian faith. He suffered martyrdom in 1614 in Jerusalem.

Cholinduch, St., came to Palestine before 590. (AA.SS. July 13)

Chosroas II. The Catholicos KOMITAS (617-625) wrote to Chosroas II, to show pity on the Christians of Jerusalem. Chosroas had an Armenian general Smbat Bagratuni and accorded protection.

Christina, saint and famous martyr. This Christina was martyred - so it is thought - in Tyre, Phoenicia, under Emperor Septimius Severus round 220. A legend tells: Christina was the daughter of a chief of the army, who was named Urbanus. He imprisoned Christina in a tower which was filled with golden idols. Christina broke the golden statues and distributed the pieces to the poor. She was killed after severe tortures. The Melkite liturgy venerates this Christina on May 18; the Greek liturgy has her feast on July 24.

Christodorus I, patriarch of Jerusalem. see Sergius I.

Christodorus II, patriarch of Jerusalem. see Sergius II.

Christodoulos of Patmos. He was born in Nicaea in 1020, and went to Mount Olympus near Prusa. He became a hermit and went to Rome and Jerusalem. He was ordained an archimandrite by Nicholas III and was placed in charge of the monasteries of Mount Latmos, Caria. These monasteries were devastated. Finally, he decided to build a monastery on the island of Patmos. He died there in 1111. The Greek liturgy has his feast on March 16.

Christodoulos, patriarch of Jerusalem. He succeeded the Patriarch, who had been killed on the atrium before the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in the year 936-938 AD. - The name of Christodoulos was Habib; he was from Caesarea; when he became patriarch of Jerusalem, he took the name Christodoulos. He restored the doors of the Basilica. These doors had been burned under his predecessor. The death impeded Christodoulos to finish these repairs.

Christopher, martyr. He was martyred in the time of Mahdi, the chief of the believers in Bagdad. - Christopher is known by the Passion of the twenty monks of Sabas in 797. Christopher was first a Moslem, he became a Christian and a monk in St. Sabas. He was beheaded on April 14, 778, which was Tuesday in Holy Week. - The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on April 13.

Christopher of Varese, Blessed, Franciscan. In 1468 he went to Palestine. He died in Milan in 1491. The Martyrologium Seraphicum has his memory on September 26.

Christophorus, martyr. In the Rom. Mart. on July 25; the Armenian liturgy on July 14; in the Coptic liturgy on Aug 3. The legendary 'giant' Christophorus is represented by the Eastern icons as having the head of a dog (Kynekephalos). Western artists moderate this aspect: they transform 'canineus' (belonging to the dog) into 'Cananeus' (from the country Kanaan) and retain the gigantic stature: Christophorus bears the globe. The man with the head of the dog has become a saint, who carries the infant Jesus across a river.

Christophorus of Ascalon, Patriarch of Jerusalem. He was the father of two sons and two daughters. In the year 325 Hegira (= 936 to 938 AD), at the first feast of Easter, at Palm Sunday, the Muslims laid fire to the southern doors of the Church of St. Constantine (= the church of the Holy Sepulchre). (Eutyches CSCO) (Compare: Christodoulos, patriarch)

Chrysippus, St. He lived in the monastery Khan-el-Ahmar, 15 kms east of Jerusalem. He died in 479.

Chrysippus, legate of St. John Eleemos. (Vita S. Joh. Eleemos., auctore Leontio, lat. versio, c. VI, n. 33; Vita ejusdem, auct. Simeone Metaphr., c. I, n. 6) (AA.SS. Jan 23). Round 614 Chrysippus was in Palestine.

Chryspoldus see Chryspolitus.

Chryspolitus (Chryspoldus) of Bettona. (May 12) A legend tells: He was from Jerusalem and was sent by St. Petrus to Italy. He preached in Bettona (Umbria) and became bishop there. He was martyred together with St. Barontius, and with his sister Tutela and twelve women. Tutela and the twelve women buried Chryspolitus and Barontius and were therefore martyred. It happened under Emperor Maximinian (305-311). Another legend adds: Chryspolitus was sawn asunder in two parts.

Churcher James, Dr. He was born in Tunisia, the son of an English doctor; he studied medicine in England. He came to Haifa as Mission doctor in 1924, for 'The British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews'. This society has over the years assumed its present title of ' Christian Witness to Israel '. Churcher brought his bride, Gladys Gill, to Haifa in 1935. In 1947, at the battle of Haifa, Dr. Churcher helped Jews and Arabs. The couple, who had no children, had 'many patients who are like sons and daughters'. Dr. Churcher left Haifa, after 53 years of medical service, at the age of 79 years, in 1977. - Since the Second World War, Dr. Churcher has almost inevitably been called ' Churchill ' by his patients, Jews and Arabs. (From Jerusalem Post, June 23, 1977)

Churchill, Dr. Since the Second World War the local nickname for Dr. James Churcher, who lived in Haifa from 1924 to 1977.

Churchill Winston. He came through the Holy Land in 1921 and visited Dr. Arthur Ruppin; he paid a flying visit to the Holy Land in 1934 and was the guest of the High Commissioner at Government House in Jerusalem.

Clares (Poor) of Acre. They were massacred in their convent of Acre in 1291.

Clark Francis: see Lewis

Classen David. He was the owner of an estate near Jaffa, in the 19th century. He converted from Christianity to Judaism.

Claude Jarier, servant of God. He was born in France. He died from the plaque in Jerusalem, March 18, 1653, twelve days after his arrival in the Custody of the Holy Land. He was the spiritual director of Skytte Lars, who converted from Lutheranism and became a Franciscan.

Claudia Procula, wife of Pilate. See: Procla.

Claudianus. He was inspector (ward) of the possessions of the Church of Eleutheropolis. At the end of his life, he retreated to the monastery of Romano, which was situated 5 miles from the city. He died in this monastery. Johannes Rufus in the 6th century mentions Claudianus. (Pleroforie in PO (Patrologia Orientalis 8, 90)

Claudianus of Perge, Martyr, died 251. His feast is on Feb 4 in the Byzantine Church. The Menologium of Basilius II mentions Claudianus of Perge together with Papias, Diodorus. (PG CXVII, 294)The Mart. Rom. has his feast on Feb 26. Deposit of the relics of Claudianus: in the Church of the Apostles on May 9.

Claudius of Campoloro, Servant of God. He was from Corsica, he joined the Custody of the Holy Land, he took care of those stricken by pestilence in Aleppo and died from the plague on June 23, 1669.

Claudius of Lodi, servant of God. He was born in Lodi, Italy, in 1616. In 1673 he came to the Orient, took possession of his office of Custos on Dec 14, 1673. In 1674 he began his journey to Constantinople in order to defend the rights of the Franciscans. He died in Saida, Lebanon, on June 14, 1674.

Clayton Gilbert. British, Brigade General C. A. 1917-1918.

Clematius. About 500 he travelled from Syria to Colonia. (AA.SS. Oct 21)

Clemens. One of the 70 disciples, bishop of Sardinia, according to the Greek list.

Clemens of Alexandria. He visited Palestine and received teaching from a Hebrew teacher. Died 216. (Stromata 1, 11, 2).

Clemens, St, monachus Ratisponensis. He came to Palestine round 1080. (Scotus Ratisp., Vita S. Clem., c. III, n. 15) (AA.SS. Feb 9)

Cleopas, St. (Feast Sept 25 in Mart. Rom.) He was one of the two disciples to whom Christ appeared on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection (Lk 24, 18). Sometimes Cleopas is identified with CLOPAS (Jn 19, 25), and 'Mary of Clopas' is then identified with his mother's sister'. Tradition has sometimes identified Clopas with Alphaeus, the father of James (Mt 10, 3; Mk 3, 18; Luke 6, 15; Acts 1, 13). A Christian tradition tells that Cleopas was stoned by the Jews, because he confessed the resurrection of Christ. In the church of Emmaus, Cleophas (left niche) bears on his right arm the palm of martyrdom and on his left arm the stones. Another tradition tells: Cleophas had 4 sons: St. James, the Less; Joseph, called Barsabbas; Judas Thaddeus, one of the 12 Apostles; Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem. This tradition gives to Cleophas two daughters: Salome and Mary. The Church of Emmaus has in its right niche the statue of Simeon, the youngest son of Cleophas. This Simeon became the 2nd bishop of Jerusalem, after the death of his brother, James the Less. -Cleopas, Cornelius, Pantelemon, Luke evangelist are venerated on Oct 29 in the Georgian liturgy; Cleopas is honoured by the Greek liturgy on Oct 29 or Oct 30.

Cleopatra and her son, Confessors, round 307. (AA.SS. Oct 19) Cleopatra brought the body of Saint Varus to Palestine. (Vita S. Vari, gr., c. II, n. 12)

Clergymen. Two Greek clergymen and one Armenian clergyman were killed in 1948 when the shell of a gun fell in the courtyard before the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Clermont-Ganneau Ch. (1846-1923) in 1868 he was Chancellor of the French Consulate at Jerusalem. From 1868 to 1870 he excavated the site of the Pater Noster sanctuary on Mount of Olives. He excavated in 1869 the so-called Tombs of the Kings. The site 'Pater noster' and the area 'Tombs of the Kings' are property of the French Government. He also discovered the Temple inscription (Greek text) forbidding entry of Gentiles. The inscription is now in the Museum at Istambul.

Closis. On the east side of Khirbet el Mekhayyat, amid modern houses used by the local Bedouin tribe of Arab el-Ghaneimat, are two churches: one of Amos and Closis, the other of the priest John. Khirbet el Mekhayyat is to the southeast of Gebal Neba (= Mount Nebo).

Coderc Joseph. This French priest founded the Latin parish of Birzeit, and he was parish priest at Gifneh from 1859 to 1868.

Codratus, St., martyr, together with Acacius, St. Feast on March 22; April 27; March 4. Codratus and Acacius were converted at the martyrdom of Paula and his sister Juliana in Ptolemais (Acre), Palestine, under Emperor Aurelian (271-275).

Codratus, Acacius at Stratonius. Martyrs in Ptolemais (Acre) in 273 They are venerated on May 4 (AA.SS.) see: Paul and Juliana of Ptolemais.

Colinus. He was from England, he belonged to the secular clergy of the church of Acre. He joined the Franciscan Order in Syria, round 1220.

Colmanus St. He visited Palestine in 1012. (De S. Colmani sequentia; Vita S. Colm. c. I, n. 2, Bernardus Dapif., Vita S. Gothalmi, n. 2) (AA.SS. Oct 13; July 26)

Colonna, Cardinal. He was in Jerusalem in 1223, he brought as relic a column of the 'Flagellation' to the Church Santa Prassede in Rome.

Colt. The British Colt archaeological expedition excavated the ruins of Shivta (Subeita) in the Negev in 1934. The COLT-house is near the entrance to the area.

Columba Reatina, St. She had the plan to come to Palestine, round 1590. (Sebast. Perusinus, Vita S. Col., c. V, n. 35) (AA.SS. May 20)

Comitas. A mosaic, at the Monastery (built round 567) of Lady Mary in Beisan shows a Greek inscription: 'The whole work of laying the mosaic was completed in the time of the priest and hegumenos George and of the deuterarius COMITAS'.

Conder. He began in 1872 the survey of Western Palestine.

Conon, saint, abbas Penthuclae. He died 555. AA.SS. Feb 19.

Conon, abbas Aroasiae. (Fundatio Aroasiae, c. VIII-IX, - AA.SS. Jan 13) He came to Palestine round 1125.

Conon, count of Montaigu (Auvergne). He returned in 1101 from the first crusade with Peter the Hermit and with some citizens of Huy (Belgium). During a tempest Conon vowed to erect a church. They returned safely and built a monastery at Huy. There Peter the Hermit (Pierre l’Ermite) was buried in 1115.

Conrad, Emperor of Germany. He participated at the Second Crusade, and returned in 1148. (Vita S. Bern., I, VI, e. lI, n. 290-305; AA.SS. Aug 20)

Conrad of Halle, Blessed, martyr in 1269. This Franciscan Father was beheaded together with six (?) companions, when Sultan Baybars I (1260-1277) conquered Syria. Place of martyrdom is not known. (Van der Vat 95)

Conrad of Montferrat, Italian. Began the siege of Acre in 1189.

Conradus from Germany. He came to Palestine in 1073-1075 for the expiation of his sins. (Vita S. Emerici, ducis) (AA.SS. Nov 4)

Conrad of Würzburg. The murderers of Conrad, bishop of Würzburg in Germany, were enjoined to bear arms for four years against the Saracens. They were to wear no garments of bright colours; never to assist at public sports; not to marry; to march barefooted, and dressed in woollen; to fast on bread and water two days a week, and whenever they came to a city to go to the church, with bare backs, a rope round the neck, and rods in the hand, there to receive flagellation (scourging).

Conradus, St., Constantienis episcopus. He came to Palestine, in the time between 933 to 976. (AA.SS. Nov 26)

Constance, mother of Bohemund III. In the period of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem she was buried on the east side of the staircase that descends to the Tomb of Mary at Gethsemane.

Constantine the deacon. This monk was buried in a catacomb near the well of David in Bethlehem. At the well was a Byzantine convent with a church between 4th and 6th century.

Constantine, martyr. He was a monk in the Plain of the Jordan, and joined the 300 Palestinian Christians on their journey to Cyprus. Because of his refusal to sacrifice to the idols, he suffered martyrdom in the district of Larnaca in Cyprus in 320. The Greek liturgy venerates him on July 1.

Constantine and Helena, Saints, May 21: Constantine, the Great, King, is remembered on May 22 in the 'Katholikon' that means the basilica that was built by Constantine to commemorate the Passion of the Lord. The 'Katholikon' is sometimes called 'The Martyrion' or 'The Constantineum'. It is now a part of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Constantine died in 337 on May 22. Helena died at the age of 80 years in 329. Helena was buried in Rome.

Constantine, priest and hegumenos. The tabula ansata-inscription of the church Nea at Jerusalem reads: 'And this work carried out our most pious Emperor Flavius Justinianus under the care and the devotion of Constantinus, the most holy Priest and Hegumen, in the thirteenth (year) of (the) indiction. ' (Israel Exploration Journal, vol 27, 1977 p. 145-151). The 13th year of the Indiction of Emperor Justinianus (527-565) is probably 5341535. The church NEA was consecrated in 543. Pratum Spirituale mentions this Constantine.

Constantine the Russian, martyr. He was born in Russia, and served as priest in the Russian Embassy of Constantinople. During a Russian-Turkish war, he went to Mount Athos and to Jerusalem. Later he returned to Constantinople, and because of a quarrel, he renounced his faith. He repented, returned to the Christian Faith and was brought before the sultan. He refused to embrace Islam and was killed in Constantinople in 1743. The Greek liturgy venerates him on Dec 26.

Constantinia = Constantinople

Constantinople: Big fire of 461 under Emperor Leon the Great (Leon I). During 4 days it devastated a great part of the city. The flames stopped only on the seventh day. The calamity is yearly remembered in Jerusalem by the Greek liturgy on Sept 1.

Constantinus, priest and hegumen of the monastery of Nea in Jerusalem. (John Moschus, Pratum Spirituale, 6) see Constantine

Copronius (Kefrenya). He lived in Egypt, went to Jerusalem, led b, an angel of God, and arrived there in one night... and he returned to his habitation and died in peace. - 'Salutation to Kefrenya, the son of a pagan, who bound in fetters a wild beast that slew the cattle' (Ethiopian Syn. Khedar 8.)

Coptic Archbishops of Jerusalem

Basilius I (Basil): 1236-12601
Butrus I (Peter): 1271-1306
Mikhail (Michael): 1310-1324
Iuannes (John): 1326-1340;
Butrus II (Peter): 1341-1362;
Zakhariah (Zachariah): 1575-1600;
Ya'coub (James): 1604-16281
Akhristudulus I (Christodoulos): 1630-1648
Ghabrial (Gabriel): 1680-1705;
Akhristudulus II: 1720-1724;
Athânâsius (Athanasius): 1725-1766;
Yusûb (Joseph): 1770-1796;
Akhristudulus III: 1797-1819
Abram (Ephraem): 1820-1854
Basilius II: 1856-1899
Timôthâûs (Timothy): 1899-1925;
Basilius III: 1925-1935;
Tawfilus (Theophilus): 1935-1945;
Yaqubus (James): 1946-1956;
Basilius IV (Basil): 1959

Coptic Khan. During the rule of Mehmet Ali, Abraham, bishop, 1820-1854) of the Copts, established the Coptic Khan near the Pool of Hezekiah in Jerusalem. Under Mehmet Ali, the Greeks, round 1819, were obliged to rebuild the Coptic Chapel to the west of the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre. This chapel is called 'the Head of the Holy Sepulchre'. The name can remind us that Jesus was laid in the tomb with the head to the west, and with the feet to the entrance at the east.

Coptic Patriarch in Jerusalem. In the 17th century (June: AA.SS.)

Copts in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Behind (to the west) the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre is the Chapel of the Copts. In 1112 the Latins had here a Latin altar. In 1573 the Copts obtained this altar. It was destroyed by the fire in 1808. The Greeks omitted in 1810 to rebuild it. Mehmet Ali of Egypt obliged the Greeks to rebuild it.

Cordeliers (Friars of the Cord). So the Franciscans were known from the 14th century in Palestine.

Cornelius St. (particular feast of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Feb 3) The Roman centurion Cornelius was baptized by St. Peter in Caesarea. (Acts 10, 11-11 and Acts 13, 16). St Peter indicated him bishop of Caesarea. For this Cornelius was imprisoned. - The Greek synaxaries have his feast on Sept 13; Sept 11; October 20; the Jacobite liturgy on Nov 19; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Nov 20. - According to legend, Cornelius preached in Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch, Ephesus and in Scepsis (Mysia) where he was a bishop.

Cosmas, Italus: see Cosmas, the teacher, round 675.

Cosmas of Constantinople. He was born in Syria, He entered the monastic life at Jerusalem and went from there to Constantinople where he stayed in the monastery of Chora. In 1075 he was called to the patriarchal throne to succeed John VII. In 1078 he crowned

Nikephorus III Botaniates. In 1081 he resigned from office and entered, a monastery where he died in peace. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Jan 2.

Cosmas of San Damiano, Martyr, Blessed. 1597. Granada and Malaga claim the honour of being his birthplace. He worked in the Holy Land. He returned for 4 years to Vallodolid. He came back to Palestine and lived in the Franciscan Convent of St. Saviour in Jerusalem. On August 15, 1597 - it was a Friday - he began to preach near the Dome of the Rock. Therefore he was beheaded. The Moslems threatened afterwards the Convent of St. Saviour. The Martyrologium Franciscanum has his feast on August 15.

Cosmas, the Melodist, St. He lived in the laura of St. Sabas, together with St. John Damascenus. Cosmas became bishop of Majuma near Gaza. Cosmas and John of Damascus composed liturgical songs. Cosmas was from Jerusalem; he became bishop in 743, he died about 760. His feast is celebrated by the Greeks on Oct 14. (The AA.SS. place his death in 781.) - The teacher of Cosmas the Melodist in St. Sabas had also the name Cosmas. - Cosmas, the condisciple of St. John Damascenus is to be discerned from Cosmas, the Teacher. (AA.SS. May 6)

Cosmas, the Teacher of John Damascenus and of Cosmas the Melodist, in the laura of St. Sabas. Cosmas, the Teacher, is called ITALUS (of Italy), he came to Palestine round 675. (AA.SS. May 6)

Cosmas of Jerusalem. He was the disciple of Saint Berthold. This Cosmas is mentioned in AA.SS. on Sept 2. He died in 1197.

Cosmas, the unmercenary physician. (July 1) Cosmas was the son of Theodote (her feast is on Jan 2) and of a pagan father who died early. Cosmas studied medicine and practised his profession without accepting money. He also had great compassion for animals. Once, Cosmas scolded his brother Damian for having received three eggs from a woman, but Damian accepted these not to insult the woman. Cosmas suffered martyrdom at Cyrrhus in Syria, in the later part of the 3th century. According to the Roman Martyrology, Cosmas and his brother Damian, together with Anthimus, Leontius, Euprepius were martyred under Diocletian (284-313). The Byzantine liturgy has the feast of Cosmas and Damian twice: on July 1 and on Nov 1. Probably at the site of the 6th Station of the Way of the Cross (= Veronica wipes the face of Jesus) there was a monastery of SS. Cosmas and Damian, built between 548 and 563. In the Crusaders' period, the street was known as St Cosmas Street.

Cosmas and Damianus, SS: Sept 26 in Mart. Rom. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has their feast 'in Bitaseuri pago' - in the village of Beit-Sahur - on October 17.

Cosmus = Cosmas, the unmercenary physician.

Costarica-pilgrims. Three Japanese terrorists, acting on behalf of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, attacked at the airfield of Lod a plane on April 30, 1971. Of the 25 casualties many were pilgrims from Costarica.

Costigan, Irish. This man explored the Dead Sea in an open boat in July 1835. He fell ill, and died in Jerusalem in the Latin convent.

Cotta Piere, from Nice in France. He was parish priest at Ramailah, he died at the end of 1862.

Coüasnon Charles, Dominican priest, architect. He was born in Rennes in 1904, he died at Jerusalem on Friday, Nov 12, 1976. He came to Jerusalem in 1951. His plans for the restoration of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre were agreed upon by the three communities: the Greek-Orthodox, the Armenian, the Latin. This mutual understanding was in 1959. - Coüasnon built the monastery 'Emmanuel’of the Benedictine Sisters in Bethlehem; he restored the Basilica of St. Anne, which was damaged by the war of 1967; he restored the Crusaders' Church at Abu-Gosh.

Council of the Holy Bishops, and priests, and deacons in the city of Rome. In the first year of the reign of Decius, the infidel... and Germanos was archbishop of Jerusalem. And this Council was assembled because of Benates (or BETNAS, or NOVATUS?). The bishops anathematized Benates. The assembling of the Council against Benates took place on the 12th of the month of T‚ksh‚sh (Ethiopian Synaxarium) - Emperor Decius ruled from 248 to 251.

Councils (Six): The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the commemoration of six councils, on April 22. On Sept 26 the same calendar has 'in the church of the Resurrection, the memory of four councils'. - A Syriac calendar has such a memory at the end of February, it means on Wednesday of the fourth week before the Fast of Lent.

Council I of Constantinia (= Constantinople). This Council is 'saluted'by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Yakatit 1. This Council was convoked by Emperor Theodosius I(379-395), against the heresy of Macedonius, bishop of Constantinople, who named the Holy Spirit a created thing. The meetings were in 381.

Coward Charles. This sergeant major in the Royal Artillery of Britain, was taken prisoner by the Germans in 1940 and sent to a work camp in the Auschwitz area (Poland). He organised the escape of some 400 Jews from Auschwitz. -Coward and his wife visited Israel on several occasions, and in 1962 he planted a sapling in the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. 'The Password is Courage' is the title of a book, written by John Castle about Coward Charles. Coward died at the end of 1977.

Crescentius, one of the 70 disciples. According to the Melkite liturgy his memory is on July 30, together with: Silas, Silvanus, Epainetes, Andronikus. - Crescentius followed the apostle St. Paul and came to Galatia.

Cresson Warder, consul of the United States at Jerusalem in the 19th century. Cresson was a Christian who converted to Judaism.

Crowfoot J. W., archaeologist. He ascribed in 1927-28 remains of a city wall and of a western gate in Jerusalem to no earlier than the Hellenistic period (= late 4th cent. - 37 BC).

Cuartus, one of the 70 (72) disciples, bishop of Berytus (Beirut), according to the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology does not mention Cuartus.

Curseto Bonaventura. This Franciscan bought from the Turks the stone, upon which Mary sat after her collapse at the meeting with Jesus (4th Station), and he placed this stone above the main entrance of the Franciscan Convent on Mount Sion. This information is related in 'Den Godvruchtigen Pelgrim ofte Jerusalemsche Reyse' (1649) of Surius Bernardin. The chapel had the name Koleta el Adra, the Collapse of the Virgin.

Cynegius. He was sent in 401 by Empress Eudoxia to Gaza. (Vita S. Porphyrii, auct. Marco diac., c. IX, n. 69) (AA.SS. Feb 26)

Cyprus, 25 Franciscan Martyrs near Cyprus in 1426. The Sultan Baursai-esh-sherif, Seyf-el-din, threatened Cyprus with 33 ships. He attacked a Venetian ship, that transported 25 Franciscans to the Holy Land. The Franciscan Martyrology remembers their death on August 22.

Cyra of Syria, hermit nun. Aug 3; Feb 28. Compare: Marana and Cyra (and also Kyra).

Cyria, the virgin, martyr. Together with Maria, Martha, Barberia and Marcia, the virgin Cyria was converted to Christianity and adopted the ascetic life. When the governor of Caesarea, Palestine, heard about them, the 5 were martyred in 304. - The Greek liturgy has the feast on June 6. The Roman Martyrology mentions on June 5: martyrdom of Zenais, CYRIA, Valeria and Marcia.

Cyriaca. She was the sister or the cousin of Photine, the Samaritan woman of Jn 4, 1-42.

Cyriac-Judah: see Cyriacus of Jerusalem.

Cyriacus of Jerusalem. He discovered the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and gave it to Constantine the Great. Later Cyriacus was consecrated bishop of Jerusalem. At the time of Julian the Apostate (361-363), he refused to renounce his faith. He suffered martyrdom in Jerusalem in 361. - The Martyrologium Romanum has his memory on May 4; the Greek liturgy on Oct 18; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar has this Cyriacus on March 31 and on Sept 16. He is also called Cyriac-Judah.

Cyriacus, bishop of Ancona (Italy), Saint. Little is known about him. When he was still a Jewish Rabbi, he revealed to Helen the place where the cross in Jerusalem was hidden. He was baptized and became bishop of Ancona. He returned to Palestine, and was martyred in Jerusalem in the time of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) in 361. The Martyrology Romanum has his Memory on May 4. (Compare: Cyriacus of Jerusalem)

Cyriacus, the Recluse. He was born in Corinth in 449. As a young man he went to Palestine and became a monk, joining St. Euthymius the Great. Afterwards he was a disciple of St. Gerasimus near the Dead Sea. Cyriakus inhabited several monasteries. His favourite home was St Chariton's Cave in the wilderness of Tekoa. There Cyriakus died in 557. - The Greek liturgy has his feast on Sept 29. The AA. SS, place his death in 556.

Cyriacus of Souka, Saint. He is also named Cyriacus the Recluse (Sept 29). The Palestinian-Georgian calendar venerates him on Sept 9. As Cyriacus lived for a long time in the Old Laura, he is also named Cyriakus of the Old Laura. The Old Laura is also named called Laura of St. Chariton near Tekoa.

Cyriakus, confessor: Not identified. The Typicon of Saint Sabas mentions Cyriakus, the ascetic of the [aura of Saint Sabas on Jan 24. (Dmitrievski, Typica, 11, p. 39)

Cyriakus, hegumenos. Died in 566. An epitaph in mosaic, which was discovered in 1911 at Jericho, mentions Cyriakus as 'benefactor of the Church Nea of Theotokos, which is in Jerusalem'. (Revue Biblique, 1911, p. 286)

Cyril of Alexandria, St. Bishop, theologian, Father and Doctor of the Church; born in Egypt, second half of the 4th century, died Alexandria, June 27, 444. His feast is on Feb 9 in the Western Church; on June 9 among the Greeks. Cyril was the nephew of Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria. Cyril was apparently convinced of the guilt of St. John Chrysostom, and he was present at his deposition by the Synod of Chalcedon. Cyril studied the Holy Scriptures in Jerusalem under the direction of Bishop John I (389-415). Cyril expropriated the Jews and expelled them from Alexandria. - Synaxaries of the Greek Church and the Palestinian-Georgian calendar have the feast on June 9. There was also a feast on June 20 in the Basilica of the Resurrection in Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. The Melkite liturgy venerates him on June 9.

Cyril of Jerusalem. He was born at Jerusalem in 315, he was consecrated bishop of Jerusalem in 349. He spent most of his episcopacy in fighting the Arians. Sixteen years he spent in exile, partly in Tarsus. The last time he was banished by the Emperor Valens. Cyril is remembered for his Catecheses, which are instructions for candidates to baptism. Cyril died at Jerusalem in 3861387. Greek and Roman liturgies have his feast on March 18. His memory on March 18 was in the 'Church of the Apostles' (Apostoleion), which was probably adjacent to the Church of the Eleona on the Mount of Olives. - Cyril was buried in the Church of the Eleona (Revue Eleona, Oct 1975 p. 6-8).

Cyril the Deacon. He served as a deacon in Heliopolis (Baalbek in Phoenicia), at the time of Julian the Apostate (361-363). He destroyed numerous idols. He was martyred in 362.

Cyril II. He was the first Greek Patriarch (1845-1872) to establish his residence in Jerusalem. In previous times, the Patriarch of Jerusalem lived in the 'Phanar' of Constantinople and visited Jerusalem only rarely. This transfer of residence to Jerusalem was perhaps due to the persuasion of the Russian Government. Russia needed the cooperation of the Greek Patriarchate for its religious penetration in the Holy Land. - In 1849 Cyril established in Jerusalem a printing press for his community's needs.

Cyrillus, St. Carmelite, March 6. He was the third Prior General of the Carmelite Order. He was born at Constantinople in 1190, he died on Mount Carmel in Palestine in 1224. He is venerated by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. His 'Vita' in Latin has been written by Joh. Palaeonydoro. (Anal. Boll., IX, 275)

Cyrillus of Scythopolis. He lived as a monk in the monastery of Khan-el-Ahmar, he died in 570. He wrote the life of St. Euthymius, who had built the monastery in 428.

Cyrus. This monk was buried in a catacomb near the Well of David in Bethlehem. At this well was a Byzantine convent with a church between the 4th and the 6th century.

Cyrus and Johannes, (Anarguroi, men who worked without payment). Sophronius, the patriarch of Jerusalem (634-638), erected a chapel in Jerusalem in honour of these martyrs. Sophronius composed an 'Enkomion' with 70 tales of miracles. (P.G. 87, 3379, 2676) The feast is on Jan 31. - Epiphanius Hagiopolita mentions another chapel for both martyrs, in the valley of the Jordan, 6 miles north of Jericho. The site received the name EDESSA, in memory of John, who originated from Edessa and who had associated himself with Cyrus. (P.G. 120, 261/262, 269/270)

Cyrus and Johannes. The 'Vita S. Helenae et Constantini' (10th century) mentions: Helena built near the Lithostrotos a church in honour of SS. Cyrus and Johannes. (Baldi, Enchiridion Locorum Sanctorum, 917) - This Cyrus is the ALEXANDRIAN Cyrus. - Is this church of Cyrus and Johannes related to the 6th Station, where the Anarguroi Cosmas and Damianus were venerated? Or related to a church in the Armenian property on Mount Sion?

Cyrus, the monk, and his son John, martyrs. Both martyrs in Alexandria under Diocletian (284-313) are mentioned with Theodote, Theoctiste, Eudoxia and Athanasia. The Palestian-Georgian calendar has the feast on Jan 31. - John is called a disciple of Cyrus. The four women, martyrs, are named together with Cyrus and John. Both are called wonderworkers. On June 28 there was of the six martyrs a memory in the Church of the Resurrection according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. - Cyrus, under the name of Abukir, is mentioned by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Yakatit 6.

Czar Alexander III (1884-1898). He built the Church St. Mary Magdalen in Gethsemane in memory of his mother, the Empress Maria Magdalen Alexandrovna, wife of the Czar Alexander II.

Czechoslovak Army Memorial in Jericho. The monument stands on the boundary of Jericho, on the way from Jerusalem to Jericho, at the entrance of the refugee-camp. The monument is a whitewashed stone pyramid. Near its top is ciselled a coat of arms of Czechoslovakia. The monument recalls the training camp of Czechoslovak soldiers in World War II (1939-1945).

Czech Brothers of Consolation of Gethsemane. Their convent is, left on the way that crosses the Kidron-valley and ascends to the top of the Mount of Olives. The property is since 1953 occupied by the Apostolic Delegation.

Czestochowa. Polish soldiers of the IIIrd Army, who were garrisoned at the Casa Nova in Tiberias, built in 1945 a monument that was dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa. The monument is in front of the Franciscan Church of St. Peter. On either side of the Virgin are St. Michael, St. Christopher, a medieval Knight and a Polish Soldier of the IIIrd Army.

Daimbertus, first patriarch (1099-1107) of the Latin Patriarchate during the Crusades.

Dakima: name of the bridegroom at the wedding at Cana of Galilee. He was the son of Yuhan and the cousin of Nathanael. (Arabic Apocryphal Gospel of John). (See: Simon the Canaenite).

Dalidus: see Davinus.

Damascus: The Druses killed eight Franciscans at Damascus in 1860. The martyrs received the title of 'Blessed'on October 10, 1926. -Three brothers of the Maronite rite (Massabki) were also martyred.

Damian, the unmercenary physician: Damian was the son of Theodote and of a pagan father and the brother of Cosmas. Damian and Cosmas studied medicine and practised their profession without accepting money. Damian suffered martyrdom in Cyrrhus in Syria in the second part of the 3rd century. The Greek liturgy has his feast on July 1.

Damian of Valenza, Spain, martyr, Franciscan. He joined the Mission of the Holy Land. A ship brought him from Naples to Egypt. There he preached, and he was beheaded in 1535. The Franciscan Martyrology has his memory on August 2.

Dancing daughter of Herodias: Her name is not mentioned in the Gospel. Historical sources identify her as Salome. - The Syriac 'Book of the Bee' reports two traditions: one says that the daughter of Herodias was called Bôziyâ the other tradition tells that the daughter was called by her mother's name, Herodias.

Daniel: On Nov 10 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. He is not identified.

Daniel, martyr from Alexandria. (Feb 16) He was martyred in 309 at Caesarea, Palestine, under Emperor Galerius (305-311). He was beheaded together with Elias, Jeremias, Isaias, Samuel.

Daniel, hegumenos. He gives an account of the ceremony of the Holy Fire in 1107. It is clear from his narrative that the Greeks -also during this period of the Crusades - had charge of the Sepulchre itself. Daniel mentions that the Tomb was covered by a marble slab, but the fidels could see and kiss (by the hand) the sacred rock through. three circular apertures on the side. - Daniel mentions the little tower above the Edicule. The tower is surmounted by a cupola, which is covered by scales in gilded silver, and above the cupola was the silvern image of the Risen Christ, which was the work of the Franks. (The scaled cupola is represented on an Armenian tile, which is in the Chapel of Echmiadzin in the Armenian Church of St. James in Jerusalem. Exact copies of this tile can be purchased as souvenir in the Armenian Pottery, which is opposite the 6th Station in the Via Dolorosa)

Daniel, Mar Daniel, the Syrian of the city of Amed. Abba Dionysius, bishop of the city of Amed, taught him the books of the Church, and arrayed him in the garb of the monastic life. Salutation to Daniel who vowed that he would never look upon a woman. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Ter 16)

Daniel, the Prophet: May 1; also Aug 25, Sept 4, Oct 15, July 22. In the Latin Martyrologies Daniel is on July 21. The Palestinian calendar has Daniel on Sept 4. The Melkite liturgy on Dec 17, together with the three companions: Ananias, Azarias and Misael. - The Ethiopian church has Daniel on March 19. - Khirbet Nebi Daniel lies 6 kms west of Salomon's Pools. It shows ruins of a mosque. East of Khirbet Nebi Daniel is Khirbet al Jamiah (ruin of the meeting) with a place nearby, that is called Keniseh (= meeting, church) (964 metres above the sea). Sixty metres lower is a hill, Alyah (the high). In this region David fled from the wrath of King Saul.

Daniel Stylita, St.: Round 450 he visited Palestine. (Vita S. Simeonis Stylitae, c. XI, n. 40-41) (AA.SS. Jan 5)

Danil: see Alphonsine, Sister.

Da Senorbi Antonio, Franciscan, died 1897. He built and repaired organs in the churches of the Holy Land.

Daude d'Aizon, vicar-general of the Diocèse of Nîmes, France. He founded in 1845 the Assumptionists or Augustinians of the Assumption (AA). In 1887 they came to Jerusalem. There they built the hostel Notre Dame, and the church St. Peter's in Gallicantu. -A live-size painting of the founder is in the Latin presbytery of Abud in Palestine.

David, saint, King of Jerusalem. His feast is on Dec 29 in Mart. Rom. David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, and the successor of Saul the king. The Gospels express the Jewish conviction that the Messiah must be the son of David. This honorific title was given by the people to Jesus during the reception with palms before His death. Neither the High-priest, nor Pilate accused Jesus of the title 'Son of David'. Jesus was a descendant of David by the legal marriage of his mother Mary with Joseph. The Bethlehem origin obliged Joseph to come from Nazareth to Bethlehem for an enrolment. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has David on Dec 26. The Armenian lectionary from 4641468 mentions on Dec 25: the feast of David and of Jacobus, with a synaxis on Mount Sion.

David's Cisterns (Arabic Biar Daoud): On the left of the highway that leads out of the centre of Bethlehem to Jerusalem, near St. Joseph's Church of the Syrian Catholics, there are three large cisterns in a park. The bible speaks of them (2 Sam. 23, 15-17): three warriors broke through the Philistine lines and drew water from the cistern that is by the gate of Bethlehem. But when they brought the water to David, he poured it out to the Lord, saying: 'The Lord forbid that 1 drink it. Can 1 drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?'

Tomb of David on Mount Sion: The Kalendarium Eccl. Hierosolymitanae (7th/8th century) relates on Mount Sion a memory of David and of James, the brother of the Lord, on Dec 26; and on Dec 27 in the diaconicon (= sacristy) the memorial of Stephen. The Vita S. Helenae et Constantini (10/11th century) mentions a tomb of David in the diaconicon. Raymond of Aguilers who took part in the occupation of Jerusalem by the Crusaders in 1099 mentions the tomb of David on Mount Sion, and the tomb of Salomon, and the tomb of Stephen the first martyr. The Jewish traveller, Benjamin of Tudela, visits Jerusalem in 1167. He tells that 15 years before his arrival the tomb of David and the tomb of Salomon has been discovered on Mount Sion. At the time of the conquest of Jerusalem by Saladin (1187) the convent and the church on Mount Sion were surrounded in 1192 by a wall. In 1219 this wall was partly destroyed on order of the sultan of Damascus. The Moslems in 1452 demolished a newly repaired chapel above the tomb of David; the Franciscans restored a chapel above the tomb, but in 1460 the Moslems destroyed this Chapel of the Holy Ghost above the venerated tomb. The Franciscans rebuilt again, but the Moslems again destroyed in 1468.

Tomb of David and its two niches: According to a procès verbal of 1490 (hegira 895) there are in the Tomb of David two niches. One is in the direction (qiblah) to the South, towards Mecca. This niche (mihrab) originated from the time of Sultan Malik as Zahir Gaqmaq (842-857 hegira = 1438-1453, probably from hegira 856 (1452 CE). The second niche is in the subterranean chamber, and is directed to the Dome of the Rock of Jerusalem.

Tower of David: Beside the Jaffa Gate at Jerusalem, is the structure, called the Citadel (El Qalaah). It is also named Tower of David. Here King Herod the Great resided when the Magi came to enquire about the newborn king of the Jews. The Magi went to Bethlehem, they did not return to Herod but departed by another way (Mt 2, 113). Herod then killed the boys under two years in Bethlehem and in all the region. -Sépéos, Armenian bishop, tells that the Persians in 614 occupied the 'tower of David'. A monk of St. Sabas was taken prisoner by the Persians. The monk mentioned an oratory (mihrab) of king David in the fortress. (Clermont-Ganneau, Rec. d'arch. or. 11, 160) - In St. George, outside the Tower of David, dedication: Nov 23 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. - Was this sanctuary perhaps a church outside the Jaffa Gate? or a gerocomion(= house for aged people), founded by the Empress Eudocia, outside Jerusalem, where there was a sanctuary of St. George?

Unction of David (and Salomon): Pilgrims of the 5th and 6th centuries mention as relics the horn of oil for the unction of David and of Salomon.

David, St., archiepiscopus Menevensis, Teliaei et Paterni. In 518 in Palestine. (Vita S. Davidis, c. IV, n. 13-15; Vita S. Teliaei, c. II, n. 6-9; Vita S. Paterni, auct. Joh. Timmonthensi) (AA.SS. March 1; Feb 9; April 15)

David Garedjiensis, St., round 494. 513 in Palestine. Martyrologium graeco-slav., sub die 31 Mart. - In AA.SS. he is mentioned in October.

David, an Armenian bishop. He has his burial-site (1321) at the right-hand pillar in the Saint James Cathedral of the Armenians in Jerusalem.

David, a king of Ethiopia. He is commemorated by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Tekemt 9.

David Novaretto of Vigone in Italy, Franciscan. He was born in 1826; he came to the Holy Land in 1857. He died at Nazareth, in 1894 on March 5.

Davinus (Dalidus) Peregrinus, the Armenian. He was a pilgrim (feast June 3), born in Armenia. He made a pilgrimage (to Jerusalem) and carried a cross on his shoulder. He died in 1050 in the convent S. Michele in Foro St. Lucca. (Vita S. Davini, c. I, n. 3) (AA.SS. June 3)

Davis Garry, self-styled citizen of the World. Davis, who gave up his U.S. citizenship in 1948, described himself as world coordinator of the World Service Authority, a group with headquarters in Basel. Davis had refused to claim citizenship of any country. On June 13, 1976 he was denied entry by Israel. He was permitted to enter Israel as a stateless person on Tuesday, Jan 11, 1977. (55 years)

Deborah, prophetess. She lived in the hill country of Ephraim between Ramah and Bethel. She summoned Barak and in the name of Jahweh ordered him to assemble 10, 000 men from Zebulon and Nephtali near Mount Tabor. This army destroyed the troops of king Sisera. Deborah is mentioned among the 'Just of the Old Testament' on the first Sunday of Advent in the Eastern Church.

De Cock Jan. (round 1520) The sculpture 'The Flight into Egypt' (a replica of De Cock) is along the entrance-staircase in the Grotto of Milk in Bethlehem. De Cock Jan was a sculptor from the Netherlands. - The Franciscans were at of the Grotto of Nativity in 1347, and a little later at the Grotto of Milk. The present building around the Grotto of Milk is from 1872.

De Contenson Pierre, Dominican Father. This nobleman was the son of a French general. He spent four years in a German prisoner of war camp before taking his ordination as a priest. In 1973 he joined the Vatican Secretariat for promoting Christian Unity. In 1975 he was appointed the head of the Secretariat of the Vatican Commission for religious relations with the Jews. He died in Rome in July, 1976. An eulogy and a funeral service in his memory were held in Jerusalem on Thursday, July 15, 1976.

Delmadius (or Yelmadiyos) of Gaza, martyr. The Ethiopian Synaxarium salutes him on Yakatit 25.

de Mello, Portuguese lady. She bought from the St. Joseph's Sisters the house of Miss Mellon, that was in front to the north of the Franciscan property 'Dominus Flevit' on the Mount of Olives.

Demetrius, St. Feb 13 according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. - The Convent of St. Demetrius is at the west end of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the Old City of Jerusalem, in Demetrius Street.

Deodat de Rodez (France), St. Franciscan, martyr in Jerusalem in 1391. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI on June 21, 1970. Feast on Dec 5.

De Rochechouart Louis (1461). He mentions at El Qubeibeh (Emmaus) the ruins of a church.

De Saint Criq Mlle. This lady of France bought in 1880 the ruins of a church at Amwas (the Biblical Emmaus?). The ruins are near the Convent of the Betharram Fathers. Mile de Saint Criq ordered Capitaine Guillemot to explore the ruins.

de Saulcy F. French archaeologist. He cleared in 1863 and in 1865 the Tombs of the Kings. The site is north of the walls of Jerusalem. The area belongs to the French Government.

Desitheus. He was a monk at the monastery of Gaza in the 6th century, under hegumenos Seridus.

De Thevenot. He visited Palestine in 1658 and he wrote: 'Relation d'un voyage fait au Levant'.

Deuterarius: see Comitas.

de Vaux Roland, Dominican Father. He was born at Paris, Dec 17, 1903. After his ordination as a priest, he joined the Dominican Order in 1930. In 1933 he came to the Ecole Biblique et Archéologique Française de Jérusalem. There he acted as a professor, till his death on Sept 10, 1971.

Dickie A. C. Together with Bliss F. J. he explored from 1894 to 1897 the remains of the Byzantine Siloam Church over the Siloam Pool in Jerusalem.

Didymus, surname of Thomas, the Apostle. His feast was on Dec 21 in the Latin church; (now it is on July 3). The Greek church has the feast on Oct 6.

Diederich of Alsatia, Count. Debarked in 1139 in the Middle East He brought in 1148 a linen with Blood of Christ to Brugge in Flanders. Therefore the Procession of the Holy Blood was instituted The procession is every year on Ascension-day, in Brugge.

Diego da Pomarico, lay brother, servant of God, martyr. After 12 years of life in the Franciscan Order, he received permission to join the Mission of the Holy Land. He was in a Franciscan hospice or Mount Lebanon. Being rebuked by his superior, he fled to Saida and apostatized to Islam. He repented and began to insult the Moslem religion. He was beheaded in Saida, Lebanon, July 16, 1693.

Diego Stoppolini, servant of God, franciscan. He was born in Montebaroccio, Italy; after three years of service in the Holy Land h(returned to Ancona. He died on Feb 20, 1753.

Dierick van Paesschen, Rutgeertssone. He was born in Kieve. From 1510 to 1520 he organized three sailings from Antwerp to Jaffa. 11 1517 he ordered a new ship. The new ship had the name 'Salvator which was also the name of his first ship. In April 1518 he set sail to Jaffa. At the arrival in Jaffa, he and his passengers were arrested. They had to ransom themselves. At their return at Antwerp, the 'Salvator' was confiscated. The ship was sold in 1521 by the municipality to a merchant of Genoa.

Dietmar: see Thiemo of Salzburg.

Dietrich the Second of Wied (Germany): He was archbishop of Trier. Probably he pilgrimated to the Holy Land. As tradition relates, he renamed the 'Castellum Humbacense' Montabaur, in souvenir to Mount Tabor. This renaming happened at the beginning of the 13th century. Castellum Humbacense is mentioned for the first time in 959. Montabaur is situated on the right of the Autobahn from Köln to Frankfurt. The church of Montabaur has two towers. Also the old church on Mount Tabor had two towers. The new church (built on Tabor in 1924) has also two towers.

Diodore of Perge, martyr. (Feb 26) He suffered martyrdom, together with Papias and Claudianos, in Pamphylia under Decius (248-251). The Byzantine church in Palestine venerates the three martyrs on Jan 31 and on Feb 4.

Diodorus, Sanctus, bishop of Caesarea, Palestine. Without year, 2nd/3rd century. His feast is on Dec 1 in AA.SS.

Dionysios (Dionysius), St., martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, 304 memory March 24.

Dionysius, Areopagite, hieromartyr. The Roman Martyrology has his feast on October 9; the Eastern churches on Oct 3. He was an Athenian, a member of the Areopagus, one of the few who accepted Christianity when Paul preached at Athens (Acts 17, 34). Tradition makes Dionysius the first bishop of Athens. A number of theological writings are attributed to him by the Fathers, none of which is earlier than the 4th or 5th century. In the writings the author calls himself 'Dionysius, the Elder' or 'Dionysius, the Presbyter'. He had witnessed the darkness of the sun at the death of Christ, and he witnessed the 'koimesis'(the sleeping = death) of Mary, the Mother of Christ. According to legends Dionysius was beheaded.

Dionysius of Ephesus, one of the seven sleepers. July 27 in the Roman liturgy; in the Byzantine church on Oct 22 and Aug 4.

Dionysius of Olympus in Greece. He was born in Platina, he joined the Meteora monastic community. He received the priesthood, then he went to Mount Athos and to Jerusalem. He returned to Mount Athos and was elected hegumen of Philotheou Monastery, but he fled when the Bulgar monks threatened to kill him. He went to Verria and from there to Olympus, where he built a monastery that bears his name. He died there, and he is buried in the Monastery of St. Dionysius of Olympus in the 15th century. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Jan 24.

Dionysius of Zalkyrithos, Dec 17 Greek liturgy. He was the son of a rich and noble father. As a youth he became a monk in the monastery of Strophaden. When he passed Athens on his way to Jerusalem, he was appointed bishop of Aegina. In 1589 he withdrew to the monastery of Anaphonitrias, on Zakynthos, where he ministered to the poor and healed the sick. He died in 1624.

Dios, St., confessor. He lived in Antioch, Syria, in the time of Emperor Theodosius the Great (379-395). He came to Constantinople, and founded there his famous monastery. Emperor Theodosius offered him finances for its construction. Against his will he was ordained a priest by the saintly bishop Atticus. Dios died in 431. The Melkite liturgy has his memory on July 19.

Dioscorus and Ammonius and companions. They visited Palestine round 400. (AA.SS. Sept 14)

Diotisalvi of Firenze. This Franciscan Father accompanied Teodorico, bishop of Ravenna, to Syria in 1234. (Salimbene 83)

Dismas, the penitent thief, memory March 25 in Mart. Rom. In the Byzantine church the memory is on March 23. - Dismas was venerated by the Franciscans (Torsy 111). - The Cistercian Abbey of Latrun stands on the ruins of a castle built by the Templars at the end of the 12th century. The castle was called 'Toron des Chevaliers' or Turro Militum, from which came el-Atrum, Latrun. Later on the site was interpreted as the home of the penitent thief (latro), and it was called Castrum Boni Latronis. Latrun is about 30 kms northwest of Jerusalem.

Dius 31st bishop of Jerusalem, at the end of 2nd century. (AA.SS.)

Dives: the Latin name given to the rich man in the parable of Lazarus (Lk 16, 19-31).

Doda. She was the first wife of Godfrey of Bouillon. (Vita S. Idae, auct. anonymo, c. I, n. 4; Vita ejusdem, auct. Joh. Gillemans, par. 2) (AA.SS. April 13)

Doepfner Julius, Cardinal and archbishop of Münich and Freising. He visited the Holy Land. He appreciated the Franciscan Custody. He died in July 1976.

Dolichianus 29th bishop of Jerusalem. He died 1195. (AA.SS.)

Dometius, St., Martyr (Melkite liturgy Aug 7). He lived in Persia, under Emperor Constantine the Great. He came to Nisibis on the frontier between Persia and the Roman empire; he entered a monastery, but he was expelled by the monks. Then he went to the monastery of Sergius and Bacchus in Theodosiopolis (Erzerouni) and became a disciple of the archimandrite Ourbel. He lived a certain period in an artificial grotto. As emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) passed there, he was arrested. Dometius and his two disciples were stoned to death in 302.

Dometius, St., monk, wonderworker, healer. His feast was in the Church of the Resurrection on July 4 and July 5.

Dometius, St., Martyrium Dometh at Aemiliani. Their memory is on Aug 9 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Dometius: memory in the Anastasis Church on Nov 6, in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. - Here is meant Dometius or Domninus or Domitius. Domitius was a disciple of St. Euthymius, and died on Jan 20, 473.

Dometius, martyr, and Paul, bishop and confessor: Nov 5 in the Georgian liturgy. Dometius died on Nov 8. Paul was bishop of Constantinople (340-350); Paul is remembered by the Greek synaxaries on Nov 6.

Dominic of St. Mark's in Florence. This Dominican Father executed in 1558 (not 1588) an altar which was intended for the Stone of Unction. Because the altar could not be placed there, it was placed on Calvary at the 12th Station (Latin part of Calvary). The six silverplated bronze panels represent scenes of the Passion.

Dominican Fathers: They were founded in the 13th century. The 'Vita B. Jordani, c. lX, n. 79 mentions the zeal of the Dominican Fathers (= FF. Praedicatorum) for the Holy Land, in the 13th century. (AA.SS. Feb 13) The ex-Dominican church St. Paul in Antwerpen has the Jerusalem Cross as emblem.

Dominican Guido: This archbishop of Nazareth (round 1270-1288) was indicated by Pope Nicholas IV.

Dominicus of Caleruega in Spain, founder of the Dominicans (Friars Preachers). He was born after 1170, he died at Bologna, Italy, on Aug 6, 1221. The liturgical reform moved his feast from Aug 4 to Aug 8. in Jerusalem on Aug 8 the Dominicans in their Convent of St. Stephen celebrate a solemn Mass. The celebration is presided by the Custos of the Franciscans. - The Dominican Order propagated the devotion to the Rosary with its 15 mysteries. The Dominicans run the Ecole Biblique et Archéologique FranÁaise.

Domitian, St. He lived in the laura of St. Euthymius (now Khan el Ahmar, the red caravanserail). He died in 473 on Jan 20, seven days after his master. (Vita Euthymii, ch. 41) - The Acta Sanctorum have Domitian, deacon, on Jan 27.

Domitius, Pelagia, Aquila, Eparch, Theodosius, Saints, martyrs. Their memory in Mart. Rom. is on March 23. They were martyred in Caesarea, Palestine.

Domitius: see Dometius.

Domnina of Syria, virgin. Her feast is on Feb 28 and on March 1. She was of noble birth, she lived in a hut inside the garden of her parents and was famous for her prayers and her fasting.

Domninus, martyr: Nov 5 in the Palestinian calendar. Domninus was burned alive on Nov 5, in the fifth year of the persecution by Maximianus (305-311) in Caesarea, Palestine. The Roman Martyrology mentions on November 5: Domninus, Theotimus, Philotheus, Silvanus and companions.

Donkey (Holy). According to legend, the donkey of Palmsunday was so disgusted at the Crucifixion on Good Friday that the beast shook the dust of Jerusalem off the hooves and walked away over the sea to Sicily. From Sicily the donkey reached Verona and ended the life. On Palm Sunday the deacon in Verona instead of ITE MISSA EST brayed three times on honour of the Holy Donkey.

Doria Andrea: Admiral and statesman, born at Oneglia, Italy, Nov 30, 1466; died at Genoa, Nov 25, 1560. He joined the Order of the Knights of St. John and made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. For many years he was a valuable naval adviser of Emperor Charles V. He achieved many successes against the Turks and pirates.

Dormitian: Cyril of Scythopolis (Beisan) tells that an Armenian party of pilgrims from Melitene, numbering 400, headed toward the River Jordan. On their way, they turned right to pay a visit to their compatriot, Euthymius. Dormitian, who was in charge of the proviand-cellar, was puzzled. Euthymius performed the miracle, known as 'multiplication of the bread'and fed the whole group.

Dorothea. Tombstone (found 1897) in Museum Flagellation.

Dorotheus of Emesa, martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, under Emperor Maximianus (305. 311). Feast on Nov 5; together with Domninus, Theotimus, Philotheus, Casterius and Silvanus of Emesa.

Dorotheus of Gaza. He was a monk of the convent of Seridon, near Gaza. He gave successful sermons to his monks on cenobitism and monastic virtues. His principal sources were Basil of Caesarea, and Evagrius Ponticus. Dorotheus died after 560.

Dorotheus of Tyrus, confessor. He lived during the reign of Diocletian (284-313), and served as bishop of Tyrus in Phoenicia. Because of the persecutions, he went to Dyssopolis in Thrace; later he returned to his diocese. In 361, at the time of Julian the Apostate (361-363), he left his diocese again and took refuge in Dyssopolis. Here he was imprisoned and tortured. He died in Dyssopolis in 362 at the age of hundred and seven years. - Falsely attributed to him are 'Synopsis of Dorotheus' (compilation on the prophets, the apostles, the 70 disciples) and 'Series of Byzantine bishops': the series should prove that the see of Byzantium is more than the see of Rome. The Greek liturgy has his feast on June 5; the Roman Martyrology also on June 5, but there Dorotheus is called 'presbyter' (priest). The AA.SS. call him episcopus Tyri (bishop of Tyre), and have his feast on June 5 and October 9.

Dorotheus, the presbyter, martyr. He refused to deny Christ and was arrested by Urbanus the Governor of Palestine. Finally he was thrown to the wild beasts and died during the reign of Emperor Maximianus (305-311). Dorotheus martyr is to be identified with Dorotheus of Emesa. The Greek liturgy has the feast of Dorotheus, the martyr, on November 5.

Dorymedon (in the Greek liturgy on Sept 19). Together with Savatius and Trophimus of Antioch, he suffered martyrdom in Antioch in 278 under Vicarius, the Governor of Antioch.

Dositheus, monk of the monastery of Seridon near Gaza. Feb 23. Died 530. (Acta Sanctorum). His 'Vita' in Greek, written by James the deacon, has a latin translation.

Dositheus, Greek patriarch (1669-1707) of Jerusalem. His 'Confession' was ratified in 1672 by the Council of Jerusalem (called also the council of Bethlehem). This 'Confession' refuted the Confession of Patriarch Cyril Lukaris (1572-1638) of Constantinople. Dositheus secured in 1675 a firman, giving to the Greeks exclusive rights on the Holy Sepulchre. This firman was withdrawn in 1690.

Doubdan. He writes in 1652: About 100 meters from the Franciscan convent at Nazareth, a little to the west, is Madraseh el Messiah, the school, the synagogue of the Messias. (3rd ed. in 1666)

Doublioul Joannes. He was born in Nivelles, Belgium, circa 1532. He died after 1602. In 1592 he sails from Venice to Tripoli (Lebanon). During 4 years he was chaplain of the French consul Jean Rheinerus (Regnier) at Tripoli. Doublioul is back in Europe in 1596. In 1599 at Cologne is printed his 'Hierosolymitanae peregrinationis Hodoeporicum'. After his return Doublioul left the Observants of his Order and he joined the Conventuals of his Order. (Benjamin De Troyer, 1974)

Doupuls: see Dupuls

Druses. The name Druse (al Daruz) is derived from a missionary of Persian origin, Muhammad lbn-Jsma'il al Darazi (tailor). He was a friend of the sixth Fatimid Caliph in Cairo, al Hakim (996-1021). The Druses name themselves al-Muwahhidun (unitarians), believers in one and only one God. Under their great emir Fakhr-ed-Din (1598-1634), the Druses settled in Palestine. Their largest village is Beit Jann (2800 inhabitants), 940 m. above sea-level, the highest village in Galilee. Beit Jann is on the slope of Mount Ha'ari. (1047 m.)

Dubois, Cardinal, French. He blessed on Jan 2, 1920 the first stone of a Basilica in honour of the Sacred Heart. This Basilica was promised by France for the victory in World War I (1914-18). Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922) asked that the Basilica should be built on the site of the rediscovered Eleona-Church (Pater Noster) on top of the Mount of Olives. This site belongs to the French Government. In 1923 Pope Pius XI (1922-1939) dedicated the construction to 'Peace among Nations and Peoples'. In 1940 Pope Pius XII (1939-1958) referred to the work as 'this sanctuary of Peace'. The construction is still unfinished.

Dunale (Greek liturgy: December 17). He was born of noble parents in the 10th century. As he wanted to become a monk, he went to Rome to visit the tombs of SS. Peter and Paul. There he was ordained by Pope Agapetus II. Later he proceeded to Constantinople, where he was received with honours by the Emperor Constantine VIl Porphyrogenitus, and then went to Jerusalem. He adopted the name Stephen and went to Egypt. There he was forced to speak against his faith. Moreover, he fell sick and he died without surrendering his faith.

Duncan I. G. Together with Macalister, he discovered in 1923/24 fragments of city-walls in the northern part of Jerusalem. These fragments, ascribed to Jebusite times, are apparently no earlier than Roman-Byzantine period (63 BC-638 CE).

Dupuis Jean, Crusader: A Crusader's Tombstone was discovered in Haifa in 1976. The inscription dates from the 13th century. It reads: ' Ci gist Johan dou Puis sergant dou puissant Roy de France. Proies por l'ame. ' (Here lies Jean Dupuis, sergeant of the mighty King of France. Pray for the soul.) The stone was probably brought from a Crusader cemetery in either Acre or Athlit, when the house in Haifa was built in the twenties of the twentieth century. The tombstone is now in the Haifa City Museum of Ancient Art. (Jerusalem Post, Feb 26, 1976) The name 'mighty king' indicates probably St. Louis, king of France, who was in the Holy Land from 1250 to 1254.

Durandus Bugerii, Templar. He was sent in 1288 by Pope Nicholas IV to bring the pallium to the Holy Land, in order to deliver it to William de Sancto Johanne at his consecration as archbishop of Nazareth. (Prawer J. Crusader Tomb from Acre, Israel Exploration Journal, vol. 24, 1974, p. 248)

Duravelenses, duo monachi: Two monks visited Palestine in the 8th century. (AA.SS. Oct 21)

Dutch Counts (1467). They legated by testament their hearts to be buried in Jerusalem.

Dux Elpidius. Prior to the 11th century the Mountain Quarantine was called Duk or Jebel ad Duk. The byzantine monks called this mountain Douka, because of their leader Dux Elpidius, the monk, who repelled in the 4th century the attacks of the neighbouring Jews of the nearby village Noeron (Noara, Noeros, Noros).

'Dwellers on the sand' is an Ethiopian name for monks. They are saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 16th day of the month Sane, which begins on June 5 and ends on July 4.

Earthquakes, commemorated in - the Greek liturgy: -On Sept 29 is commemorated the earthquake Which happened under Emperor Theodosius the Great (= Theodosius I, 379-395); -On Oct 26 is remembered the earthquake under Emperor Leo, the [saurian, the first of the iconoclasts emperors, (717-740); -On Nov 6 is the remembrance of the heavy fall (rain) of ashes, which threatened to burn the town of Constantinople (466) under Emperor Leo the Great (= Leo I, 457-474); -On Jan 26 remembrance of the earthquake about 450 under Emperor Theodosius Minor (= Theodosius II, 408450). This earthquake occurred during three months-The earthquakes are considered in the liturgy in connection with politics: the earthquake under Emperor Theodosius the Great was regarded as a threat against the Nestorian heresy; the quake about 740 against the iconoclasm which was propagated by Emperor Leo the Isaurian; the calamity of 466 against the Arians, who were protected by Emperor Leo I. 1 the earthquake round 450 was connected with a votum for the Council of Chalcedon (451) against the Monophysites.

Eastern pilgrims and Holy Fire: 198 pilgrims were killed in a panic, during the ceremony of the Holy Fire on Holy Saturday, May 3, 1834, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. lbrahim Pasha, the Egyptian conqueror of Palestine in 1831, assisted at the ceremony of the Holy Fire and narrowly escaped before the stampede. (Curzon Robert, Visits to Monasteries in the Levant. London, 1849, p. 208-235)

Eclipse of the sun in 1269: In the reign of Iyôb Kher, and in the days of Abba Cyril. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Tekemt 9).

Ecumenical Patriarch. He is considered as 'primus inter pares' i.e. he receives the first place in honorific precedence.

Eden Anthony. He died on Jan 13, 1977 in England. Eden was a major architect of the 1956 invasion of the Suez Canal Zone by Britain, France and Israel in a bid to wrest control of the canal zone from Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser. Eden then was Prime Minister, and the three had to withdraw from the Suez Canal Zone because of the opposition of the Eisenhower administration, which was spearheaded by then Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles.

Edessa Refugees: Queen Melisend, who was an Armenian, brought in 1144 to Jerusalem many Armenian and Syrian survivors of the town Edessa, which had fallen to Zenghi. A colophon in a lectionary in St. Mark's, which was written in the convent of St. Mary Magdalen in Jerusalem in 1149 by 'a sinful and humble monk from Edessa' praises King Baldwin and Queen Melisend for all they did for these unhappy survivors of Edessa. (Taylor W. R. Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research, XI, (1931), pp. 120-123)

Edessa, a site near Jericho: Six miles north of Jericho was a sanctuary in honour of John of Edessa, who was a soldier from Edessa and who had associated himself with Cyrus. Cyrus and John became martyrs during the persecution of Diocletian (284-315). (Patr. Gr. 120, 26112; 269170)

Edokis, priest (Eudoxius?) see lsaac the Samaritan. 

Edward of England (Later King Edward I). Prince Edward joined St. Louis of France, and they landed at Carthage in July 1270. There Louis died of a sickness on Aug 26, 1270. Prince Edward conducted a crusade of his own to Acre in 1270. There he met in 1271 his friend Visconti (the later Pope Gregory X).

Edward VII, (of England). As Prince of Wales, he visited Jerusalem in 1862 and was there tattooed. He encamped north of the city on a site, which was known as the Karem (Vineyard) of the sheikh el-Khalili. This sheikh planted a pine-tree. The tree is now almost 300 years old. In 1971 the Nelson Rockefeller Park was opened here. In Crusader days this area was occupied by the Farm of Belveer. Near the Nelson Rockefeller Park is Rockefeller Museum, formerly Palestine Archaeological Museum.

Eelko and Sikko. Famous leaders of the Crusaders of Friesland in the first crusade (1096-1099). (AA.SS. March 22)

Effernanus de Lunello, Saint. He planned, together with Saint Gerius, to visit Palestine in the 13th century. (AA.SS. May 25)

Egelwinus, monk. He visited Palestine round 1020. (Miracula S. Dunstani, n. 21) (AA.SS. May 19)

Egidius of Assisi, Blessed, disciple of St. Francis of Assisi. Egidius was the first Franciscan to come to the Holy Land as a pilgrim in 1215 (died 1261, at Perugia, on the eve of St. George, the martyr, i.e. on 22-23 April). His memory, kept by the Franciscans, is on April 23. See: Aegidius of Assisi.

Egidius of Perugia = Egidius of Assisi. 

Egion = Aegion. 

Egypt, Stay in Egypt. The place of the sole of the foot of the Child Jesus, is in the monastery of Gamnudi in Egypt. The place is called Dabra Metmak. Another place where a well was found, is Matareya near Heliopolis in Egypt. The stay of Jesus in Egypt after his flight from Bethlehem is remembered in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 24th of the month Genbot.

Egyptian merchants. They lived in the town of Majuma near Gaza in 401. (Vita S. Porphyrii, auct. Marco diac., c. VIll, n. 58) (AA.SS. Feb 26)

Eichmann Adolf. This Nazi organised the extermination of the Jews during the Second World War. He escaped from Germany in 1945, he was discovered at Buenos-Aires and captured in 1960. He was brought to Israel. There he was executed.

Eight Palestinian martyrs in Alexandria: Agapius, two Alexander, two Dionysius, Timolaos, Romylos, Plesius (Paesis). They were martyred on March 24, 297. (Eusebius, De Mart. Palest., 111, 3-4)

Eisenhower Dwight. He obliged in 1956 Britain, France, Israel to withdraw from the occupied Suez Canal Zone. He accepted in 1961 to visit Jordan and the Holy Places.

Eleazar, priest and the son of Aaron. He is commemorated on Sept 3 by the lectionary of Paris, together with the priest Aaron and with his son, Phinehas. The three are venerated in the village of Thamnachar. - Flavius Josephus (Ant. 5, 119) speaks of a mnemeion and a taphos of Eleazar in Gabatha (= hight). Petrus Diaconus (417) sees 'on another hight the church above the tomb of Eleazar and his son Phinehas'. This mount was near Thamnatsare, where the grave of Joshua was venerated. According to the Samaritan tradition the highpriest Eleazar and his son Phinehas are buried in the village of Awarta. In this village is the tomb EI Azeir (Eleazar) and the tomb el Azeirat. Nebi Saleh, a village with a Police Station on the way from Bir Zeit to Abud, claims that there Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was buried.

Eleazar, the scribe. This man of 90 years of age, refused to eat pork during the campaign of King Antiochus Epiphanes (=Antiochus W, 175-163 BC) who tried to Hellenize the Jews (2 Mac 6, 18-31). The Armenian lectionary remembers the martyrdom of Eleazar. The Georgian liturgy and the Greek liturgy commemorate the seven Maccabean brothers and their mother on Aug 1. The Melkite liturgy has the memory of the seven brothers and of the aged Eleazar, on August 1. The martyrs were not of the family of the Maccabeans, but their martyrdom occurred in the time of the Maccabeans. The Roman martyrology does not mention Eleazar, but mentions the mother of the seven brothers: the seven brothers and their mother are venerated in the Roman Martyrology on Aug 1.

Elenar: see Alenar. 

Elesba(a)n: see Elesba(a)s, king of Ethiopia. 

Elesba(a)s, (Elesboas, Kaleb), king of Ethiopia, Oct 27. In the Ethiopian Church his feast is on May 15. Elesbaas was king of Aksum in Ethiopia, he fought in 525 against the Jewish ruler Dhu-Nawas, who persecuted the Christians in Nedjran, a town in South-Arabia. Emperor Justinian asked Elesbaas for his help against the Persians. Elesbaas lost a battle against an opponent, and retired to a cell near Aksum. He died about 555. Elesbaas sent legates to Palestine round 550. (Passio S. Arethae, c. IX, n. 39) (AA.SS. Oct 24)

Eleutherius, St., and Grimoaldus, his brother. They came to Palestine in the 8th century. See also: Grimoaldus de Ponte curvo, Saint, and Eleutherius, who were brothers of Saint Fulcus (round 1137) (AA.SS. Sept 29; May 29; June 3).

Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin, Belt Gubrin). 'Sixty martyrs' were buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity at Eleutheropolis. They were from Gaza, they refused to accept the Islam-religion in 638, they passed two months in jail at Eleutheropolis, they were transferred to Jerusalem and there executed. The bodies were brought to Eleutheropolis, and there buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity. (Analecta Bollandiana 23 (1904), 290-303)

Eleutherus, bishop of Jericho. He accompanied John, bishop of Jerusalem, and Eusthonus, bishop of Sebaste, to identify the bones of St. Stephen in Kafargamala in 415.

Eli, priest at Shiloh, in the time of the Judges. Eli was the father of Hophni and Phinehas, two corrupt priests. The prophecy of Samuel (1 Sam 2, 27-36) predicted the fall of the House of Eli. His two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, fell in the battle against the Philistines on the same day. Eli died, when he heard of the tragedy at the battle, which was lost at Aphek. Eli is not listed as a saint. Petrus Diaconus (1137) mentions a tomb of Eli in Shiloh. Jakob of Paris (1258) and Isaak Helo (1334) mention the tomb of Eli and of his two sons in ShiJoh.

Elia, an Armenian monk. The pictorial tiles, numbering 45, arranged in vertical and horizontal rows in the Church St. James of the Armenian Compound in Jerusalem, have been plastered by Elia, who was a monk. The tiles date from 1719 to 1727. They depict stories of the Old and the New Testament.

Elianus, martyr. See: Aelian, Aelianus. Nov 26 and Nov 28 in the Georgian liturgy.

Elias, bishop of Aeropolis. He is mentioned in 536.

Elias, bishop of Madaba. He was bishop of Madaba, probably in 6021603.

Elias, hermit near the Jordan, 3th/4th century. He is mentioned in Acta Sanctorum on September 11.

Elias of Abud, priest. In a colophon (= final inscription) of an evangeliarium in the Syriac language (Vatican), priest Elias, a native of Abud, declared that he finished on Wednesday of the 9th week after Pentecost, this means, in the month of Ab, the writing of the Gospel in the convent of Abuna Moses, which is in the country of Antioch. It was in the year 1341 of Alexander the Greek (= 1030 CE). Elias of Abud returned from Antioch and rebuilt in Abud the convent of Elias, which was known as Deir el Kawkab. The evangeliarium was for this convent of Kawkab in Abud.

Elias of Ascalon, martyr. In the Roman Martyrology Elias is mentioned together with Ares, Probus. The three martyrs were killed on December 14, 308. - Elias, Ares, Promotus (or Probus) are named in June in Martyrologium Usuardi; they are in the Martyrology of Jerusalem on December 15.

Elias of Assisi. Franciscan lay brother. He was the first Minister Provincialis of the Holy Land. He came to Syria in 1217118, he returned to Italy with Francis of Assisi in 1219120. See also: Elias of Cortona.

Elias of Cortona. (= Elias of Assisi). Elias built in Assisi the basilica to house the relics of St. Francis of Assisi. In 1239, at the general chapter that was presided by Pope Gregory IX, Elias was deposed. Soon afterwards Elias joined the Emperor Frederick II; Elias was excommunicated, but he did penance, and he died absolved, at Cortona on April 22, 1253.

Elias of Palestine. He was a bishop of Egypt, he was martyred in Palestine, together with Peleus, Nilus, under Diocletian (284-313). The commemoration in the Roman Martyrology is on Sept 19; in the Coptic calendar on September 12.

Elias I, patriarch of Jerusalem. His memory in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is on July 21; the Greek Patriarchate has the memory on July 4. Elias was patriarch of Jerusalem from 498 to 518. He died in exile in 518. At the Synod of Sidon in 511, Elias was summoned to condemn the doctrine of Chalcedon. But Elias won the majority of the bishops to his side and sent a delegation under Sabas of Constantinople to defend his position in Jerusalem. Emperor Anastasius 1(491-518) exiled Elias to Aila (Eilath) in 516. - The Syriae Church has his feast on Feb 18; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Jan 26. The AA.SS. have the feast on July 4.

Elias II, patriarch of Jerusalem (787-797). Perhaps Elias II is meant by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Jan 27. Elias II was exiled to Persia during a period of a twenty years till about 787. The date of his death is round 800. (AA.SS. Feb 25)

Elias III, patriarch of Jerusalem (879-907). Elias III asked in 881 from King Charles le Gros (839-888) subsidies for the repair of the churches, that had been damaged by the Moslems. - According to a colophon originating from St. Sabas, Elias III died on Oct 4, 906. He was succeeded by Sergius II.

Elias, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre, 1279-1287. (AA.SS. Prop., May)

Elias, priest and recluse at Beit-Shean. In the monastery of Lady Mary is a church with the apse facing eastwards. Its mosaic pavement has 2 inscriptions. The inscription before the apse on the left side reads: 'Where the wreath-cross is, there lies the... of the mouth of the tomb, having rings. There have I laid my Christ-loving sister Georgia, I, Elias, by the mercy of God a most lowly recluse. ' The inscription before the apse on the right side reads: 'Where the wreath-cross is, there lies the... But if the Lady Mary, who founded this church, desires to be laid in this tomb, or anyone of her family at any time - I, Elias, by the mercy of God a recluse, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost curse and anathematize everyone after me that hinders her or any of hers, or that takes up this my inscription. '- 'Christ-loving Lady Mary and her son Maximus' were the founders of this monastery, about the year 567. So it is recorded twice in the mosaic floor.

Elias, the Soldier, martyr of Egypt in 3091310 in Caesarea, Pales. tine, under Emperor Galerius (305. 311). Elias, Jeremias, Isaias, Samuel and Daniel converted to Christianity and received the names of five prophets. They went from Alexandria to Cilicia, to support the persecuted Christians. On the return they visited Pamphilus and Porphyrus in the prison at Caesarea, Palestine. There the five were arrested and beheaded. The AA.SS. mention them on Feb 16. They are venerated also on Aug 21.

Elias Zelotes = Elijah, the Prophet. The Ethiopian Synaxarium on Tâkhshâsh 1 tells: On the day of his birth his father Iyasênyû saw two men shining with light bowing down before him, and they wrapped the boy in fire, instead of the rags in which they wrap children. And after his birth his father came to Jerusalem and told the priests this, and they said: 'It is that his abode shall be in light, and that he shall cut (i.e. decide) with his words, and shall judge Israel with the sword and with fire'.... Salutation to Elias, who shut up the heaven, that there should be no rain.

Elijah, the Prophet. Elijah, the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead (?) said to King Ahab: There shall be neither dew nor rain these years. Elijah predicted the destruction of the house of Ahab because of the judicial murder of Naboth by the queen Jezebel to obtain his vineyard for Ahab. (1 Kings 21, 1-29) Elijah held an ordeal on Mount Carmel. Elijah's appeal to Yahweh was answered when his sacrifice was consumed by a bolt of lightning, and rain then came from the sea. Elijah was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire. The belief that Elijah would return already existed when the book of the prophet Malachi was written (Malachi 3, 23). This Jewish belief is mentioned in the Gospels (Mt 11, 14; Mk 9, 11). Elijah, representing prophecy, with Moses, who represented the law, witnessed the glorification of Jesus (Transfiguration). At Nazareth Jesus alluded to the episode of Elijah and the widow of Zarephtah in Phoenicia (Luke 4, 25) to illustrate the rejection of a prophet in his own country. Elijah, 'a man like us', is proposed as a model of prayer. (Letter of St. James 5, 17). - Greek and Georgian liturgies and also the Martyrologium Romanum have his feast on July 20. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has a particular feast.

Ascension of Elijah: Greek Synaxaries have its commemoration on July 20 -, the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on September 3. An episode in the Georgian Life of SS. Jean and Euthymius tells that there was a feast of Elijah in the beginning of September in Iviron: after a drought of four months (from May till August included) rain began to fall on the feast of Elijah in the beginning of September. - The little hill, Jebel Mar Elias, at about one km. from Deir Mar Johannou, opposite Jericho to the east of the Jordan is identified with the place where Elijah went up to heaven. Jebel Mar Elias recalls the Armonia of the Byzantines.

Cave of Elijah: At the foot of Mount Carmel is Elijah's Cave, or the School of the Prophets. To the east is a smaller grotto. Officially it is the mosque of EI Khader (The green, the immortal), with a public garden round it. The Christians and the Moslems venerate here the School of the Prophet. The Jews hold that Elijah took refuge here from king Ahab (869-850 BC).

Flight of Elijah: The Greek Orthodox monastery Mar Elias is between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. According to legend, the monastery recalls the site where Elijah rested on his flight from the vengeance of queen Jezabel (1 Kings 19). Near this monastery the Magi saw again the star that guided them to Bethlehem.

Return of Elijah: And Elijah, the prophet, and Enoch shall come together in the last days, and they shall rebuke the false Christ. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Ter 6)

Elijah of Damascus, martyr. He was born at Heliopolis Baalbek in Lebanon), he was martyred in the Jewish year 6287 779 AD). The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the feast on Feb 4.

Elijah, patriarch of Jerusalem. He died in 513 or 518. He began (according to Eutychius) the church of Elina (= Nea), but did not finish this church. - To be identified with Elias I, patriarch of Jerusalem, who died in 518.

Elina: Eutychius (Arab historian, who died 939) mentions Elina. But Elina should be understood as Nea (Church Nea in Jerusalem) (Clermont-Ganneau, Recueil, 11 p. 137 ss).

Elisabeth of Hungary, St. (1207-1231). The Polish Hospice of St. Elisabeth (erected in 1911) is on the site of the Crusader Hungarian Hospice. It is near the 7th Station, in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem, on Aqabat el Battikh (= the slope of the water-melon). Elisabeth's husband, the Landgrat, died in 1227 as a crusader on his way to the Orient. The feast of Elisabeth of Hungary is on November 17. Formerly it was on November 19.

Elisabeth, queen of Belgium. She was born in 1876. She visited Jerusalem, together With her husband, King Albert 1, in April 1933. On Easter (April 16, 1933) they were in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Afterwards, as widow and ex-queen, Elisabeth visited Israel and the Old City of Jerusalem in 1959. On Good Friday, March 27, 1959, or (and) Good Friday, March 27, 1964 she assisted during twenty minutes to the Gregorian chant of the Officium Tenebrarum in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Elisabeth helped Jews to escape from the persecution during World War ll.

Elisha (= Eliseus), St., prophet. Elisha was called by prophet Elijah from behind the plow. Elisha accompanied Elijah at this 'translation into heaven', and received from him his mantle and a double portion of his prophetic spirit, the portion of the eldest son (2 Kings 2, 1-18). Elisha purified the water at Jericho; he cursed the mocking boys. Elisha is mentioned in Luke 4, 27: 'There were many lepers in Israel in the time of prophet Elisha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Na'aman, the Syrian. ' - The Mart. Rom. has Elisha on May 14. The Georgian liturgy mentions him on Aug 3, and on June 14115, on Sept 2 and Sept 29.

Fountain of Eliseus: To the east of Tell es-Sultan, where was the Jericho of the Old Testament, is Ain es-Sultan. This spring is called by the Christians 'Fountain of Eliseus'. Indeed, Eliseus cast a handful of salt in the fountain and made the water drinkable, as is related in 2 Kings 2, 19.

Mount Carmel and Eliseus: Eliseus often came to Mount Carmel, but he lived in Samaria (2 Kings 5, 9). The grotto of El-Khader was a place of cult already in the Byzantine era, as the Greek graffiti show, and without doubt, Elias - if not first Eliseus - took the place of some pagan Baal. An older monastery having been destroyed, a church was built or rebuilt there at the time of the Crusades and inhabited by Latin hermits.

Tomb of Eliseus in Samaria: In the crypt of a Byzantine church which is in the village of Sebaste, a former town in the district of Samaria, is the tomb of the prophet Eliseus and the tomb of the prophet Abdias. In 1165 the Crusaders renovated this Byzantine church.

Elizabeth, St., wife of Zachariah the priest and mother of John the Baptist. Elizabeth was a relative (degree unspecified, sometimes indicated as cousin) of Mary (Lk 1, 1-80). In the lower church of the Visitation shrine, which is on the hill at Ain Karem, in a niche there is a big stone with a cavity. According to tradition this cavity opened to receive the child John, when his mother fled into the mountains to escape the fury of Herod's soldiers, who killed the boys under two years in Bethlehem and in the neighbourhood (Mt 2, 16). A fresco of Elizabeth hiding John is in this lower church. In the wall of the courtyard that faces the entrance of this lower church, are fixed tiles with the text of the hymn Magnificat in 41 languages. The upper church has frescoes recalling 5 titles of Mary: Mother of God; Refuge of Sinners; Dispenser of Grace (Wedding at Cana); Help of Christians (Battle of Lepanto); Immaculate Conception (Dispute of Bi. Duns Scotus). The feast of Elizabeth is on Nov 5 in the Martyrologium Romanum. The Georgian-Palestinian lectionary of Paris has a memory of Elisabeth in Ain Karem on Aug 28. This memory is perhaps related to the beheading of John, which is in the lectionary remembered on Aug 29. The saving of John is mentioned in the Protoevangelium Jacobi, 22, 1- A feast of Elizabeth on Nov 6 is particular to the Franciscans in the Custody of the Holy Land.

Elizabeth and Jerusalem: The Ethiopian Synaxarium relates on Yakâtît 16: Elizabeth was from Jerusalem and the name of her mother was Sophia. The name of her father was Mâtât.

Visit of Mary to Elizabeth: Formerly the feast was on July 2; since 1970 the feast is on May 31.

Elliott Anthony, British Ambassador in Israel. He drowned off Caesarea beach on Saturday, Aug 28, 1976.

Elpidia-inscription: see Umm er-Ru'us.

Elpidius, St. He lived round 350 in the convent Douka (Jebel Qurantal, Jebel ed Duq) near Jericho.

Elpidius et Sisinnius, Saints, of Cappadocia. They lived as anchorets near Jericho, round 350. (Acta S. Elpidii, gr., cum lat. vers.; Vita S. Charitonis, c. II, n. 11; S. Basilii, Epistle) (AA.SS. Sept 2 and Sept 28)

Elpidius, Martyr. Elpidius was sent, after Ephrem and Basileus, together with Eugenius, Agathodorus, and Capiton, by the bishop of Jerusalem, Hermon (302-312) to Cherson. The four missionaries were killed by the pagans.

Elpidius, St. He came, together with St. Aristaenetas, to Gaza round 400. (Apopht. ad Vitam S. Antonii Magni, c. VI, n. 43) (AA.SS. Jan 17)

Elpis (Hope), daughter of Sophia (Wisdom). The memory of the person Elpis is on Oct 25 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Elyud, sister of Cain: see Cain.

Emerentiana, mother of Anna and grandmother of the Virgin Mary. No feast. Since the end of the 15th century, artists bring together a group of 4 persons: Emerentiana, Anna, Mary, Jesus.

Emilie de Vialar, St. She was born in 1797 at Gaillac in France. She died at Marseille on Aug 24, 1856. She founded in France in 1832 the Institut des Soeurs de St. Joseph de l'Apparition. These Sisters were called to Jerusalem by the Franciscan Custody. They erected a school at Jerusalem in 1848. Other foundations followed: Jaffa in 1849; Bethlehem in 1853; Ramallah in 1872; Ramla in 1873; Beit-Jala in 1875; Nazareth in 1887; Nablus in 1904; Abu-Ghosh in 1905. Soeur Emilie de Vialar lived in Jerusalem as local Superior and founded the school at Bethlehem in 1853. Her beatification was in 1939; her canonization in 1951. Her feast is on Aug 24.

Emirandus. He came to Palestine before 1000. (Vita S. Hugonis, c. IV, n. 24) (AA.SS. April 20)

Emir Azbach, Moudjir ed-Din. He wrote in a history of Jerusalem how the Christians built in 1489 on Mount Sion the oratory of the Virgin, with the help of money that was given by the Emirs and by others. On May 23, 1490 the Christians were forced to destroy their buildings.

Emireh. At the beginning of the 20th century a Lady Emireh (princess) began a building at the west end of the Mamillah-cemetery in Jerusalem to receive the 144000 marked on their forehead (Apc 7). It was only partly built. It has been removed by the Supermarket.

Emmanuel Ruiz and Companions, Blessed, Martyrs. The Druses made a revolt at Damascus in 1860. Among the victims 6 were Franciscan priests, 2 were lay brothers in the Franciscan Order. These 8 were killed, together with 3 Maronites, Jay men, on July 10, 1860. Pope Pius XI inscribed them on the list of the Blessed, in 1926.

Emmanuel Convent of the Benedictine Sisters at Bethlehem. They came from Loppem (Belgium), through their foundation in Algiers, to Bethlehem before 1967. They follow the Melkite liturgy.

Emmerich: see Catherine Emmerich

Empress of Abyssinia (= Ethiopia). She visited Jerusalem in 1933, with a daughter and a son, at the occasion of Easter. - The Emperor of Ethiopia, the Negus Salassie, with his eldest son and with his eldest daughter, had already visited the Holy Land some years before.

Emygdius, Sanctus. In 'Miracula S. Emygdii, n. 33' are mentioned Crusaders of the town of Asculum round 1096. (AA.SS. Aug 5)

Encaenia (= Dedication-festival) of Holy Churches. These 'Holy' Churches were the Martyrion (= Golgotha-Church) and the Anastasis (= Resurrection-Church). Martyrion and Anastasis are now included in the Basilica of the Resurrection (or Anastasis). Greek Synaxaries and Georgian liturgy have the dedication on Sept 13. - Aetheria, a nun who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land about 385-388, describes the feast of the Encaenia at Jerusalem. It lasted eight days.

Eneas of Gaza. He wrote the dialogue Theophraste, he wrote also Letters. He was a disciple of the neo-platonist Jerocle in Alexandria. Eneas was in Constantinople before 484. The dialogue Theophraste was written before 534. Eneas directed a famous school in Gaza.

Enee, priest. He built in Jerash (East Jordan) in 494-499 the martyrion of Saint Theodore.

Enese, St. In the laura of Duq (Douka) on the Mount of Quarantine, Jebel Quruntal, Jebel ed Douq, near Jericho.

Engelbertus: see Kolland, martyr at Damascus in 1860.

Engelmarus, Blessed: Vita B. Engelmari, Nr 1: An eclipse on Sept 23, 1093, presages the first Crusade (1096-1099). (AA.SS. Jan 14).

England: A bishop of England met in Egypt Gerardus, a hermit of Cologne, round 1400. (J. Brugman, Vita S. Lidivinae, lib. III, c. VII, n. 228-236) (AA.SS. April 14)

Englishmen: Two Englishmen came to Palestine in the llth century. (S. Ealredus, Vita S. Edwardi, c. IX, n. 31) (AA.SS. Jan 5)

Ennata, St., Virgin and Martyr. She was burned alive in Caesarea, Palestine, in the time of Emperor Galerius Maximianus (305-311). Ennata was arrested together with Antonius, Zebinus and Germanus. They are venerated on Nov 13 in Mart. Rom.

Ennathas. See Mantho, virgin and martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, in 308 (Mart. Rom. Nov 13). Probably to be identified with Ennata.

Enoch. In the Cainite genealogy (Gen 4, 17ff) Enoch was the son of Cain. In the Sethite genealogy (Gen 5, 18-24) Enoch was the son of Jared and the father of Mathusaleh.

Enoch and the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3, 37. The Greek liturgy mentions him among the forefathers of the Lord, on the Sunday between 11 and 17 December. The Copts venerate him on Jan 22 and July 19. The Syrians on July 7. Copts and Ethiopians consider Enoch as a Saint (Jan 22). Enoch and Elijah shall return in the last days, and they shall rebuke the false Christ. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Ter 6)

Enoch's Ascension into heaven: It took place on the 25th day of the month Hamle (July 5 till August 3), according to the Ethiopian Synaxarium. The ascension of Enoch is also venerated on Ter 27. (Jan 6 - Feb 5).

Enoch, Sanctus, falsus patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre, died 1227. His feast is on Aug 12. (AA.SS.)

Enos. Enos was a grandson of Adam and Eve. The Ethiopians have a cult of Enos. The Ethiopian Syn. has on the sixth day of the month Tekemt (=second month: Oct 8 - Nov 6) the commemoration of Enos, the son of Seth, who was the first to call upon God. Enos lived 190 years and procreated Cainan. All the days of Enos were 620 years, and he died at the beginning of the Sabbath. (This paragraph is wanting in the Bodleian manuscript)

Enosh, son of Seth. Enosh is mentioned, together with Adam and Eve, and with his father Seth, in the martyrology of Rabban Sliba, in the week after Easter.

Enrico. He was a cantor and belonged to the clergy of the Latin diocese of Acre, in 1220.

Epaenetus (Epainetus), one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Carthage. He is listed in the Greek list of 70 disciples. He is not mentioned in the Roman Martyrology. In the Letter to the Romans Paul writes: 'Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert for Christ in Asia' (Rom 16, 5) (Asia here means probably Ephesus). The Melkite liturgy has on July 30: Silas, Silvanus, Crescentius, Epaenetus, and Andronikus (all out of the 70 disciples).

Epaphroditus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Andriace, Myra, Lycia, in the Greek list. The Roman Martyrology has on March 22: Epaphroditus in Tarracina, in Campania (Italy), who was appointed by St. Peter as bishop of Tarracina. Epaphroditus is also called Epaphroditus of Philippi. Indeed a Greek tradition says that he was bishop of Philippi. He is venerated on Dec 9.

Epaphroditus of Cyprus. He belonged to the three hundred Christians who settled in Cyprus coming from Germany (sic) and who suffered martyrdom in Cyprus. His feast is in the Greek liturgy on October 12. (compare: Constantine, martyr; Epiphanius)

Eparchius. Martyr, Mart. Rom. March 23. He was martyred in Caesarea, Palestine, together with Domitius, Pelagia, Aquila, Theodosius.

Ephesius, bishop, 4th century. He was sent from Rome by bishop Heraclides, to the convent of nuns, who lived in Eleutheropolis (Beit Gubrin in Palestine) under the direction of Hermione. Ephesius was welcomed in Eleutheropolis by the nuns and by the notables. Severus, one of the notables, asked Ephesius to visit his house.

Ephesus, seven sleepers at Ephesus who slept 372 years. They are mentioned in Greek Synaxaries, in the Martyrologium Romanum. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has their feast on April 18, on Aug 2, on Oct 4, on Nov 29.

Ephraim the Galilean. see Mercurius.

Ephraim the mosaicist in the year 6677 (= 1169 CE). An inscription in five lines in Greek and in Latin (in the apse of the choir) tells that the decoration of the Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem was ended by Ephraim in the days of Emperor Manuel Porphyrogenete, of Amaury, king of Jerusalem, and under Raoul, bishop of Bethlehem.

Ephraim of Scythia. He lived in the 3rd century. He was commissioned by the Patriarch of Jerusalem to preach in Scythia, where he suffered martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution. He served as bishop of Cherson. The Greek liturgy venerates him on March 7.

Ephrem, archbishop of Jerusalem: in the church of the Disciples (=on Mount of Olives) on May 12 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. - Nothing is known about an Ephrem, archbishop of Jerusalem.

Ephrem, Saint, 13th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd century. He is mentioned on Feb 1 and April 4 in Acta Sanctorum.

Ephrem of Cherson. He accompanied Basil (of Cherson). Ephrem was sent to Scythia by the bishop of Jerusalem, Hermon (302-312). The memory of Ephrem is on March 7 in the Greek liturgy. He is venerated with 7 other martyrs of Cherson, in the Synaxarium of Constantinople. - To be identified with Ephraim of Scythia?

Epiphanes, hermit: By a revelation in 351, Epiphanes found the relics of James, the Apostle, and of Symeon the Elder, and of Zacharias, the father of the Baptist, in the grotto that he occupied between the Mount of Olives and the pinnacle of the Temple.

Epiphanius in Cyprus. He was one of the three hundred Christians who settled in Cyprus, coming from Germany and who suffered martyrdom in Cyprus. The Greek liturgy has the feast on Oct 5. See also Epaphroditus

Epiphanius, St. Epiphanius, at the end of the 4th century, said that the house of St. Mark in Jerusalem had escaped destruction, together with seven churches and synagogues. (To be identified with Epiphanius of Salamis)

Epiphanius Hagiopolita, 9th century. He mentions Mount Karmel (he means Karem), which was the property of the family of John the Baptist. The site is 6 miles to the west of Jerusalem and 18 miles from Emmaus-Nicopolis. (Enarr. Syriae, P.G. 120, 263)

Epiphanius of Salamis, St. He was born in Besandue near Eleutheropolis, about 315 of a Jewish family. He converted to Christianity, he founded a monastery at Eleutheropolis (= Beit Gebrin) which he. directed for 30 years. In 367 he was consecrated bishop of Salamis in Cyprus. He was a defender of orthodoxy and opposed the teachings of Origen. Epiphanius went to Constantinople to support Theophilus of Alexandria against St. John Chrysostomus. On his return to Cyprus, Epiphanius died in 403. The Greek liturgy has his feast on May 12. - In the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, Epiphanius preached a sermon against the heretics. He was a famous writer. After the Council of Constantinople 1(381) Epiphanius journeyed to Rome, with St. Jerome and Paulinus to protest against the decisions of that Council. Between 387 and 393 Epiphanius travelled through Palestine with John of Jerusalem, and destroyed the painting of a holy image in a church in Jerusalem. (Mart. Rom. May 12). In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar his memory was kept in the Church of the Anastasis on May 13. The most famous work of Epiphanius is 'Panarion' (box with medicaments).

Epiphanius, a wrestler in Byzance. Before 632 he came to Palestine. (Vita S. Georgii Chozib., c. IV, n. 15-19) (Analecta Bollandiana, VII, 114-118)

Epiphany, 'the appearance of the Godhead'on the day in which our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has the feast on Ter 11.

Erard of Brienne (in France). This count landed half September 1189 before Acre for the reconquest (1191) of Acre.

Erastus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Caesarea Philippi (Banyas). The Byzantine liturgy has his feast on Nov 10. The Roman Martyrology has on July 26: Erastus at Philippi in Macedonia, who was there appointed as bishop by St. Paul and who was martyred there.

Ercolan of Piegale, confessor, Franciscan. He was born in Piegale, Toscana. In 1429 he came to the Holy Land, where he lived some months. In 1430 he was a mediator for peace between Florence and the city of Lucca. He died in the convent of Pieve on May 28, 1451. Pope Pius IX admitted him in 1860 to the list of the Blessed.

Ericus Bonus (Henry the Good), Rex Daniae (king of Denmark) in the first Crusade. (AA.SS. Jan 7) He came to Palestine between 1095 and 1103. He is also called Ericus 11.

Ernoul, knight of Balian of Ibelin. Ernoul wrote 'L’estat de la Citez de lhdrusalem' (1228).

Erodion: see Herodion, one of the 70 disciples. 

Esau, brother of Jacob. Esau is not mentioned in the Ethiopian Synaxarium.

Esculo (Italy): see Belardo de Esculo. 

Esdras: see Ezra, the scribe. 

Esdras (Isidore), to whom John the Baptist appeared. He is commemorated on the 12th of Miyâzyâ (eighth month) in the Ethiopian Synaxarium.

Esparza: see Luigi Esparza (died 1825). 

Esquiu Mamerto. He was bishop of Cordoba in Argentina. He lived some months in the Convent of St. John the Baptist in Ain-Karem in 1877. He belonged to the Franciscan Order. A commemoration stone with his bust is at the entrance of this convent. The process for his beatification is opened.

Esther, the heroine of the Book of Esther. The Hebrew maiden Hadassah, niece of Mordecai, was chosen as queen for Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Esther saved the Jewish community from persecution. This victory of the Jews is celebrated by the feast of Purim. In the liturgy queen Esther is remembered on July 1. The Copts venerate her on Dec 20. In the Greek liturgy, Esther is mentioned by name among the 'just of the Old Testament'.

Etheria: see Aetheria

Ethiopian, who never ceased to weep. In the Byzantine period (4th - 7th century) a stranger, usually an Ethiopian, addresses himself to a worthy villager and says: 'I am the man who struck the Creator of the World in the time of His suffering. And, therefore, 1 must never cease to weep. ' Moschus related the story in his Lemonarium.

Euboulos of Caesarea, martyr. He was from Baniyas, like Adrianus. From Baniyas, he went to Caesarea, Palestine. There he was arrested by the Governor Firmilianus, and finally beheaded on March 7, 309, two days after Adrianus. Eubolus was the last of the martyrs of Caesarea in Palestine. In the Greek Church his feast is on Feb 3. In the Roman Church the feast is on March 7.

Eudes de Montbéliard. In 1239 he had the provisory possession of Tiberias, on account of a treaty concluded with Melek Saleh, who was sultan of Damascus, against the sultan of Egypt. But five years later in 1244 the sultan of Egypt with the help of the Kharismians conquered Tiberias and killed the Christians.

Eudes de Montfaucon. This Templar Knight was killed in 1138 in a battle against the Turcomans between Jebel el-Fureidis (Herodium) and Hebron.

Eudes de Trazignies. In the autumn of 1191 he fought near Betenoble (Beit Nuba) near Latrun. He was saved by the help of Richard I (Richard Lion-hearted). The army of Richard passed Christmas 1191 at Beit Nuba, without conquering Jerusalem.

Eudocia, the Younger. She was the grand-daughter of Eudocia Augusta, the Empress. She was born about 439 and married to Hunneric who was the son of Genseric, king of the Vandals. Eudocia fled from Carthage and came to Jerusalem. There she died and she was buried in the Basilica of St. Stephen which had been erected by her grandmother, Eudocia the Empress. The memory of Eudocia, the Younger, is on Sept 10 in the lectionary of Paris.

Eudocia Augusta (Athenais), Eudocia the Elder, Eudocia the Empress, Eudocia, widow of Emperor Theodosius II. She was born in Athens in 401 as the daughter of Leontius the Sophist. Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius, selected her as wife for her brother. Athenais was baptized and she changed her name to Eudocia, and she married Emperor Theodosius II (408-450) in 421. She fell from favour, largely because of Pulcheria. Eudocia withdrew to Jerusalem where she devoted herself to literature. She built in Jerusalem the church of St. Stephen, north of the walls, and she transferred in 439 the relics of St. Stephen from the Mount of Sion to this newly built church. She died at Jerusalem on Oct 20, 460. - It is related that she brought the chains of St. Peter from Jerusalem to Europe. A fifth-century testimony reports a pilgrimage of over 100, 000 (?) Jews, which was made possible as a result of the sympathetic attitude of Athenais Eudocia. She is not listed in the Roman Martyrology. Her memory in the Greek church is on June 15 and on October 19. Eudocia the Elder was twice in the Holy Land: first in 438-439 a second time in 444.

Eudocia seu Febronia, daughter of the Emperor Heraclius. She was betrothed to a Turkish prince, and therefore she was denied to the count Humarus, round 635.

Eudokia, the Penitent. She was born in Heliopolis (= Baalbek) in Lebanon, and lived during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117). She led a life of sin. She was converted by Germanos, a monk. She sold her properties and entered the monastic life. She became the head of the convent, performing many miracles. About 114 she was brought before Vicentius the Governor and she suffered martyrdom. The Greek Synaxaries have the feast on March 1. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar venerates her on March 1.

Eudokia Samaritana of Hieropolis, martyr. Her feast is on March 1. Probably to be identified with Eudokia the Penitent. -The Ethiopian Synaxarium has her feast on the fifth day of the month Magabit (seventh month: March 7 - April 5). Eudokia Samaritana was beheaded under the governor Bakinikos, who was the successor of governor Diogenes. The title 'Samaritana' recalls her former life in prostitution and lewdness. She lived probably in the reign of Trajanus (98-117). Her fathers name was Yonas.

Eudokius, St. Martyr. His feast was on April 28.

Eudoxia Empress, widow of Emperor Theodosius II. She constructed a tower on the summit of Mount Muntar in order to be able to confer with St. Euthymius who brought her back from Monophysitism to the Orthodox faith. Eudoxia Augusta (the Venerable) is mentioned in AA.SS. on Aug 13, in 438/439.

Eudoxia, martyr. Jan 31 and June 28.

Eudoxius, hegumenos of the monastery of Nea in Jerusalem. He is mentioned by John Moschus in Pratum Spirituale, Nr 187. Eudoxius was succeeded by hegumenos Abramios

Eugene. This monk was buried in a catacomb near the Well of David in Bethlehem. At this site was a Byzantine convent with a church between the fourth and the sixth century.

Eugène Roger de Paris. He was the counselor of Emir Fakreddin in 1620. He wrote ': 'in Nazareth there are 10 or 12 Franciscans, most of them Frenchmen'.

Eugenio de San Francisco, Spanish. He came two times to the Holy Land: first in 1683, the second time in 1703. He wrote 'Itinerario y segunda peregrinacion de Jerusalem' (Editio Sevilla, 1712). (Arce A. Un itinerario a Jerusalem de 1703/04. Jerusalem, 1940)

Eugenius. He was the very religious hegumenos of the monastery of S. Sergius. This site had the surname of Xerapotamos 'dry river' (John Moschus, Pratum Spirituale, PG 87, 3053). The monastery of S. Sergius was on the hill of Tantur north of Bethlehem.

Eugenius of Cherson, martyr. St. Greek Liturgy: March 7. Eugenius was sent by the bishop of Jerusalem, Hermon (302-312) to convert Scythia and Cherson. Eugenius was sent together with Agathodorus, Capiton, and Elpidius. The four were killed by the pagans. (Compare: Ephrem of Cherson)

Eulampios of Palestine. He was born in Palestine, and he suffered martyrdom, together with Eulogius of Palestine. The Greek liturgy has the feast of both martyrs on March 5.

Eulogia. She was the mother of St. Theodosius, the Coenobiarch, and lived in the middle of the 5th century in Palestine.

Eulogius, martyr. His feast is on April 28.

Eulogius of Palestine. His feast is on March 5. He was born in Palestine, and he suffered martyrdom in Palestine, together with Eulampios of Palestine.

Eunuphrius. see Onuphrius.

Euodus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Antioch, in the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology does not name Euodus.

Euphemia, St. She is venerated together with Thecla, in the Church of the Resurrection, on Oct 10, according to the lectionary of Paris. She was venerated also on Dec 12 in the foundation of St. John. - During the 4th Council (Council of Chalcedon in 451) which was held against the Monophysites Eutyches and Dioscorus, the fathers of the Council placed their scripts in the relic-shrine of St. Euphemia. After three days of fasting and prayer, the script of the Orthodox believers was found in the right hand of the corpse, the script of the heretics was lying at the feet of the saint. The memory of this intervention is remembered by the Greek-Melkite liturgy on July 11; in the Roman Martyrology on Sept 16.

Euphemianus, archbishop. His memory was kept in the Church of the Apostles on Nov 7, according to the Palestinian calendar.

Euphrosyne (Euphrosynia) of Polotsk. This Russian princess and pilgrim died in the convent Deir Dosi, east of Bethlehem, on May 23, 1173. When dying, she applied to the Abbot of Saint Sabas as the chief Orthodox ecclesiastic to find for her a suitable burial place. In 1187 her relics were brought to her country, Russia. (Khitrovo, Pèlerinage en Palestine de l'Abbesse Euphrosyne, Revue de l'Orient Latin, vol. VIll, p. 32-35) - AA.SS. May 23: Euphrosyne was the daughter of the count of Polotsk.

Euphrosyne of Alexandria, St., daughter of Paphnutius, Feb 15 and Feb 17. In the Byzantine Church her feast is on July 25. In the Martyrologium Romanum her deposit in Alexandria is remembered on Jan 1. Euphrosyne died round 470. According to tradition, she lived in the habit of a monk, for 38 years in a convent of monks in Alexandria under the name Smaragidus. Before her death she revealed her sex to Paphnutius (Paphnutis).

Euprepius, St., unmercenary saint of Arabia. He is mentioned, together with Anthimus and Leontius, on the same date (Oct 17) by the Greek Synaxaries. On this date are also SS. Cosmas and Damian.

Eusebius, bishop. Nov 24 in the Georgian calendar. A Syriac calendar has the martyrs Eusebius and Lucius on Nov 26. (Patr. 0r. X, 1, p. 48) This Eusebius is not identified.

Eusebius, builder of El-Khader. He built in 684 a chapel and a hermitage at EI-Khader, south of Bethlehem. Elias, patriarch (?) of Jerusalem, extended both buildings in 731. The church was restored in 1897. The icon of St. George on the south wall of the church dates from 1713. El Khader belongs to the Greek Orthodox community.

Eusebius, Carmelite. He is mentioned on June 10, 12th/13th century in Acta Sanctorum.

Eusebius, martyr. Together with Neon, Leontius, Longinus, he witnessed the martyrdom of St. George of Lydda and was converted. Subsequently, Eusebius was beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian (284-313). The Greek liturgy has his feast on April 24.

Eusebius and Zenon of Gaza, martyrs. Eusebius lived at Gaza and suffered there martyrdom at the hands of the crowd. Zenon, a relative of Eusebius, became bishop of Gaza during the reign of Theodosius the Great (379-395) and built a church in honour of Eusebius. The Greek liturgy has the memory on Sept 21. - The Roman Martyrology has the commemoration of Eusebius, Nestabus, Zenon on Sept 8. They were brothers and were killed by the crowd in Gaza during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate (355-363).

Eusebius, episcopus Caesareae Maritimae (fictitious). (Vita S. Emerici) 1031, Feast Nov 4. (AA.SS.)

Eusebius, Nestabas, Zeno at Nestor, martyrs at Gaza in 362. Sept 8. (AA.SS.)

Eusebius in Phoenicia. 1st-4th century, Sept 21 in Acta Sanctorum.

Eusebius of Caesarea, Palestine. He is not canonized. He was bishop, and the was the earliest Church historian. He was born round 260, he died round 339. It was at Caesarea, Palestine, that he was baptized as an adult, and entered the ranks of the clergy. His friend was Pamphilus, who also collected a library. Eusebius adopted the name EUSEBIUS PAMPHILI, i.e. the son or the servant of Pamphilus and it was by this name that he was commonly designated. Eusebius was himself at times away from Caesarea, for exemple at Tyre and in Egypt. At Caesarea itself, he witnessed martyrdoms. The imprisonment in 308 and the martyrdom in 310 of Pamphilus deeply affected him. At the Council of Antioch (round 324) Eusebius and two others were provisionally excommunicated for their adherence to Arian views. Their case was referred to a great council called to meet at Ancyra; but Emperor Constantine 1 changed the venue of the council to Nicaea in 325. After this council Eusebius explained in a letter to his own church what had happened. Eusebius was dead by the time of the Council of Antioch in 341. His life, written by Acacius, who was his pupil and successor at Caesarea, is not extant.

Eusebius of Cremona (Italy), St. He came to Palestine in 394, and was abbot of the monastery that was built by St. Paula in Bethlehem, near the Grotto of Nativity. Eusebius died in 422. The Franciscan Community of Bethlehem keeps his feast on March 6. The AA.SS. mention Eusebius on March 5 and on Sept 30. (Vita S. Eusebii, auctore Fr. Ferrario)

Tomb of Eusebius. Eusebius succeeded St. Jerome as superior of his monastery. The tomb of Eusebius is shown in the narrow passage that leads to a grotto where is the common tomb of SS. Paula and Eustochium and facing it the tomb of St. Jerome.

Eusebius of Emesa (= Horns). He was a bishop and a writer, he was born at Edessa, round 300. He died in Antioch, before 359. He was educated in Edessa, Scythopolis, Caesarea of Palestine, Alexandria, and Antioch. Eusebius was chosen by the Arians to rule the see of Alexandria in 340, but knowing the attachment of the people to the exiled Athanasius,, he declined. Shortly afterwards Eusebius became bishop of Emesa (= Homs)in Syria. There he was accused of astrology and later of Sabellianism. Resigning his see, he accompanied the Emperor Constantius on an expedition against the Persians round 348, some years before his death. In his writings Eusebius of Emesa depends on Eusebius of Caesarea.

Eusebius of Gaza, St., Martyr. Together with his brothers Nestabas (Nestabus) and Zeno(n) he was martyred under Julian the Apostate (355-363). The feast is on April 26 in the Palestinian calendar; Greek Synaxaries have the feast on Sept 21.

Eusebius, Sanctus, Samosatenus. The AA.SS. (June 22) tell that Eusebius of Samosate visited Palestine round 375. (Vita S. Eusebii, ex Theodoreto, lat. vers. IV, c. 12)

Eusebius, St., bishop of Vercelli, confessor. His memory is on Aug 1 in Mart. Rom. In 335 Eusebius was exiled by the Emperor Constantius to the East. He came to Scythopolis (Beth-Shean) in Palestine. After the death of Emperor Constantius, Eusebius was set at liberty under Emperor Julian (355-363) and in 362 attended the Council of Alexandria with Athanasius and approved its lenient decisions for the reconciliation of compromised bishops. Eusebius returned to Italy and cooperated with Hilary of Poitiers against the Arians. Eusebius died peacefully in his own diocese at Vercelli, on Aug 1, 371. Feast is on Dec 13. A memory is on Aug 1 in Mart. Rom.

Eusebius Vercellensis et Gaudentius Novariensis, are mentioned in AA.SS. on Jan 22 (round 355-368). (Vita S. Gaudentii, c. II, n. 7)

Eusebius, Theodosius, Basilius: Patriarchs of Jerusalem 760. 772. (AA.SS. Maii III, Prop., XXXVII-XXXIX) (AA.SS. June 26 and Oct 4).

Eusignios of Antioch, St., Martyr. He was born in Antioch, Syria, and was martyred in Antioch under Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) about 362. He served a long time in the imperial armies. He proclaimed before Julian the virtues of Constantine the Great, who for a long period (309-337) had ruled the empire. Emperor Julian the Apostate mocked the words of Eusignios and beheaded him. The Melkite liturgy has his memory on August 5. The Armenian church has Eusignios, martyr of Antioch, on Feb 5, on Aug 5 and on Aug 7. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has his feast on Ter 5: 'Salutation to Eusignios, who interpreted the mystery of the Cross to the Emperor Constantine'. Perhaps to be identified with Eusignius, St. Martyr at Gaza.

Eusignius, St., Martyr at Gaza. The martyrs at Gaza, Eulogius, Zeno(n), Nestabus and Eusignius and Neon and Eudocius were remembered at April 28.

Eustace, brother of Godfrey, returned after 1099 to Boulogne. 

Eustace, monk. He lived in the laura of Douk (Duq) near Jericho.

Eustachius, architect of Constantine for the Holy Sepulchre.

Eustachius, prior Hebron (falsus), 1221. AA.SS. Aug 14.

Eustathius of Antioch, patriarch. He was born at Side in Pamphylia. Round 325 he was patriarch of Antioch. He was deposed in 330 by the Synod of Antioch, and exiled. He died before 337 in Thracia. The Roman Martyrology has him on July 16; the Eastern churches on Feb 21, on June 5, on Aug 23.

Eustathius, a teacher of the faith. His father took him to the monastery of Abba Zacharias, who was his mother's brother. Eustathius was ordained a priest. He went to Jerusalem and kept the Sabbath during his travels. He came to the Archbishop Abba Benyami and was bathed in the Jordan. Thence he departed to Armenia. He was buried in the Church Mar Mehnem (this means Behnam) the Martyr. Eustathius crossed the sea on his head-band. He is saluted in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 18th day of the month Maskaram.

Eustathius and his wife, Theopista, and their two sons, Theopistus and Agapius: Their martyrdom happened in Rome under Emperor Hadrian (117-138). The memory of the four martyrs is in the Roman Martyrology on Sept 20. They have a memory on Nov 9 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar, in the Church of the Resurrection.

Eustathus. This heretic monk-priest was in possession of the head of John the Baptist. He had the relic hidden in his grotto. There the relic was discovered by the archimandrite Marcellus, under Emperor Marcianus (450-457). (Greek liturgy on Feb, 24; Ethiopian Synaxarium on Yakatit 30)

Eusthonus, bishop of Sebaste in Palestine. He identified the bones of St. Stephen in Kafargamala in 415. (Compare: Eleutherus)

Eustochium, St., virgin. The feast is on Sept 28 in Mart. Rom. In 383 Jerome (St.) travelled to Rome and there he became secretary to Pope Damasus I. Jerome directed a group of noble women on the Aventine. Among these women was Paula with her daughters Blesilla and Eustochium. The accusation that the harsh ascetical advice of Jerome had caused the death of Blesilla, destroyed his hope of succeeding Damasus (died 384) as pope. Jerome then departed for Palestine with his brother Paulinian and some monks in August 385. Jerome visited Crete and Antioch; then with Paula and a group of Roman women toured the deserts of Egypt and Palestine. He settled in Bethlehem in 386, where Paula built a double monastery. Jerome then entered cordial relations with Melania the Elder in Jerusalem and embarked upon his scriptural exegesis. There ensued a quarrel over Origen. In this quarrel bishop John of Jerusalem deprived Jerome and his monastery of spiritual assistance. Eustochium died in 419 as a nun in the monastery of Bethlehem, that had been founded by her mother Paula. Eustochium was buried near the tomb of her mother, who had died there on Jan 26, 404. The bronze doors of the Latin Parish Church of St. Catherine in Bethlehem have reliefs of St. Jerome, SS. Paula and Eustochium. The neuter name Eustochium indicates that she was not born in freedom, but in slavery.

Eustochius, archpriest. Eustochius became patriarch of Jerusalem in December 552 and was deposed in 5631564. Only the Georgian liturgy accepted Eustochius in the liturgical calendar, on Sept 14. He is mentioned in May in Acta Sanctorum.

Eustratius. He is commemorated by the Greek Synaxaries on Nov 2. He belongs to a group of Martyrs, together with Atticus, Eudoxius, and others.

Euthyme. There is a Georgian Life of SS. Jean and Euthyme (died 1128?) See Elijah, Ascension of Elijah.

Euthymius the Great, Euthymius Magnus, Saint. He was born in Melitene in Armenia in 377, and became a priest and supervisor of the monastic settlements there. At the age of thirty, he went to Palestine and lived in the wilderness of Judaea. First he was in the laura of Chariton in Wadi Farah, then in Wadi Mukelik, afterwards between Hebron and the Dead Sea. The Arabs respected him because he healed the paralytic son of a sheikh. He converted Aspebet-Petrus to christianity. Euthymius and Petrus had built a monastery in 428. It was consecrated in 429 by Juvenal, the bishop of Jerusalem. Eusebius was consulted by Eudocia, the widow of Emperor Theodosius II. Eusebius died in Palestine at the age of 97 years on Jan 20, 473. His corpse was brought, three months later, on May 7, 473 to a funeral chapel, which had been constructed by his disciple and successor Fidus, who changed the laura in a monastery. This monastery was consecrated by the bishop of Jerusalem, Martyrios, on May 7, 482. - Euthymius is called the Wonderworker, the Godbearer (Thaumaturgus, Theophorus). The Georgian calendar has his feast on Jan 20. The Roman Martyrology also on Jan 20. Cyril of Scythopolis wrote 'Vita Euthymii'.

Euthymius' Convent in Jerusalem: Princess Anna, daughter of Emperor Alexis Comnenos, rebuilt in Jerusalem in 11297(?) the convent of St. Euthymius. The convent was erected in the 6th century.

Euthymius' Convent in Khan-el-Ahmar: This monastery was built by Euthymius and by Aspebet-Petrus, in 428. The monastery was conquered by the Persians in 614. It was repaired, it was damaged by an earthquake in 659. The archaeologist Chitty identified the ruins in 1927-1930. The archaeologist Yannis Meimaris made excavations in 1975.

Euthymius, monk. He is mentioned in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Nov 23. Perhaps to be identified with Euthymius the Great, the Wonderworker.

Euthymius, presbyter. See Euthymius Magnus, the Great. 

Eutichius, Carmelite. The AA.SS. mention him on Oct 17, round the 12th/13th century.

Eutropia and Abraham's oak in Mamre. She was the mother-in-law of Constantine, she made a pilgrimage to Mamre (Mambre) which is about 6 kms. north of Hebron. Eutropia was shocked by the superstitious practices, which took place under Abraham's oak. She informed her son-in-law, the Emperor Constantine (306-337). He ordered a house of prayer in honour of the most Holy Trinity to be erected there. Remains of this Byzantine basilica are still visible in Mamre.

Eutropius. He founded in the 5th/6th century, the monastery of the eunuchs near Jericho. (Epistola Pauli Helladici, monachi Elusae) (Analecta Bollandiana, XI, 477)

Eutyches, abbot of Constantinople, heretic. He is considered the father of Monophysitism. He was born round 375, he was condemned by the Council of Chalcedon in 451, he died in 454. Eutyches refused to acknowledge that there are two natures in Christ.

Eutyches, St., bishop of Melitene in Armenia. According to the mendes (= book of months) St. Eutyches was a disciple of the Apostles. The Melkite liturgy has his memory on May 28.

Eutyches of Sebaste in Armenia, martyr. He belongs to the 40 martyrs of Sebaste in Armenia. His memory is on March 9.

Eutychis. See Aurelius (in the mines of Timna). 

Eutychius. He is mentioned among the 70 disciples, and he is called martyr. (PG CXVII, 602) He followed St. John the Apostle, and was baptized by him. He returned to Sebaste, his native town, and it was there he died. The Melkite liturgy has his feast on Aug 24. Eutychius, who was called the 'Companion of John the Evangelist': He is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the first day of the intercalary month, Paguemen (Sept 3 to Sept 7).

Eutychius, patriarch of Alexandria. His Arabic name is Sa'id ibn Batrik. Perhaps he is to be identified with Pseudo-Petrus of Sebaste. (Oriens Christianus, 1911, p. 227) Eutychius died in 939. He wrote about the churches of the Holy Land. His book 'Annals' written in Arabic, was translated by Pococke.

Eve, the mother of mankind. She is remembered on Dec 24, together with her man, Adam.

Evagre, Frère (1831-1914), provincial des Frères des Ecoles Chrétiennes de Palestine et Syria. In 1876, he began under Patriarch Bracco and with the cooperation of Custos Gaudenzio the education at Jerusalem. On Oct 15, 1878 he opened the new college on the ground which he had received from the Latin Patriarchate. Evagre died at Bethlehem in 1914. In 1977 the Frères des Ecoles Chrétiennes celebrated the centenary of their college at Jerusalem.

Evangelists, tour: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Their memory is in the Church of the Resurrection on June 12.

Evarist, St., pope from 99 to 107(?). His feast is on Oct 26 in Mart. Rom. - According to Irenaeus, Evarist succeeded Clement 1 as pope. The Liberian catalogue and other sources list Evarist after Anacletus. A 6th-century recension of the Liber Pontificalis describes him as a Greek of Antioch. His father, Juda, was a native of Bethlehem. The Liber Pontificalis ascribes to Evarist the appointment of clergy to the 25 parishes of Rome. His episcopacy of Rome lasted 7, 8, or 9 years according to Eusebius; 9 or 13 years according to different recensions of the Liber Pontificalis. The tradition that he was martyred under Emperor Trajan (98-117) is doubtful because of the silence of Irenaeus on this matter.

Evaristus, St., martyr in 303 at Caesarea, Palestine. Together with his sister Fortunata, and his brothers Carponius and Priscianus. Oct 14 in Martyrologium Romanum.

Evodius. He wrote 'Acta XLII (=42) martyrum sub Saracenis'. He mentions the war of the Greeks against the Saracens, round 840. The AA.SS. mention Evodius on March 6 and on Nov 4.

Evodius of Antioch, bishop, Apostle, one of the 70 disciples. Tradition says that he was ordained bishop by St. Peter. Evodius is mentioned in the liturgy on April 28 and 29, on Sept 7, on June 30.

Evurtius, Saint. He sent men of 0rléans (Aurelianenses) to Palestine, round 330. (Lucifer, Vita S. Evurth, c. II, n. 13) (AA.SS. Sept 7)

Excustodianus of Ephesus. He belonged to the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. They are venerated as martyrs on July 27.

Eysteinn, pilgrim. An inscription that was discovered in the 19th century in Sästad (Upland in Sweden) mentions Eysteinn. He died in Greece, on his return from the Holy Land. The funeral monument was erected by his wife Astridr. (Dybeck, Svenska Run-Urkunder, 11, p. 37-46)

Ezekiel, St., Prophet. To Ezekiel is attributed the third of the books of the four Major Prophets. According to his memory on April 10 in the Roman Martyrology, Ezekiel was martyred during the exile in Babylon by a judge of the people of Israel, because he was accused of idolatry. Ezekiel was a priest, the son of Buzi, and he lived by the river (canal) Chebar in Babylonia (Ezk 1, 3). He was married and the death of his wife is related in 24, 16. The earliest date mentioned in the book Ezekiel is 593 BC and the latest is 571 BC. Ezekiel was one of those deported by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon in 597 BC. - Greek Synaxaries have the feast on July 30, July 31, Oct 15. The Melkite liturgy has the feast on July 23. - 'Salutation to the vision of Ezekiel’ on the 27th of Hamle (= the eleventh month: July 5-Aug 3) in the Ethiopian Synaxarium.

Ezius. He was bishop of Eleutheropolis in Palestine. He assisted at the Council of Antioch in 341, and at the Council of Sardes in 347.

Ezra, Prophet. His memory, together with Joel, is on July 13 in the Mart. Rom. Ezra was a priest and scribe, a member of the Jewish community in Babylon. He went to Jerusalem in the 7th year of the Persian king Artaxerxes (Ezr 7, 7). In Jerusalem Ezra proclaimed the 'law' which was written in a book, while the scribes explained the law to the people (Neh 8, 1-9). The reading of the law was followed by the feast of Tabernacles. - Josephus tells us that Ezra is buried in Jerusalem. Petrus Diaconus (114, 13 f) indicates the hamlet Asoa (22 kms northeast from Beit-Gibrin) as the burial-place. The generally accepted version is that the tomb of Ezra is situated at Uzer, a village near Basra. - The Ethiopian Church venerates Ezra as a saint. The 'Ascension of the body of Ezra Behêr, (= the scribe) is mentioned on the 6th day of the month Hamle (=the eleventh month, July 5-Aug 3) in the Ethiopian Synaxarium. See: Sûtûël.

Fabiola, St. She belonged to the famous family of the Fabii Fabiola assisted in Rome on the Mount Avnet the conferences that were given by St. Jerome. He calls Fabiola 'the honour of the Christians' in Letter 77 that he has written from Bethlehem in 400 to his friend Oceanus. As a widow Fabiola came on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Fabiola returned to her country to live there in poverty. She died in Rome in 399. Her feast is on December 27.

Fabiola, Queen of Belgium. She visited Jerusalem in February 1964, together with her husband, King Baldwin I of Belgium.

Fabri Felix, Dominican Father, 1480. He tells that Christian pilgrims removed the wood of the Golden Gate and used it as a talisman against apoplexy, epilepsy, and the pest. - He mentions the 2 flagstones in the Arch Ecce Homo: on one flagstone Pilate stood, on the other Jesus stood. Pilate declared to the crowd: Ecce Homo, See the man. The 2 flagstones were placed there by the fidels. (Compare: Sanuto)

Fakreddin, Druse Emir. He ruled in Beirut from 1590 to 1635. He extended his reign over Southern Lebanon and Upper Galilee. In 1620 Fakreddin gave permission to the Franciscans to live in Nazareth. On Dec 19, 1620 he accorded the authorisation to rebuild the chapel above the House of the Annunciation. Fakreddin spent nine years at the court of the Medici at Florence, while his son Ali ruled at home. Fakreddin was defeated at the battle of Safed. He and his three sons were beheaded in Constantinople.

Falco (Falcone, Fulcone), Franciscan Father, minister provincialis of the Holy Land. He is named in a document of Sept 25, 1299. He lived at the convent of Nicosia on Cyprus.

Falkenhayn von, General of the German Army on the Egyptian front in 1917/1918. He was the commander of the joint Turkish and German forces on both the Palestinian and the Iraqi Fronts. von Falkenhayn obtained from Constantinople that the order for the expulsion of the Franciscans, should be annulled (Nov 14, 1917). He was succeeded by Field Marshall Liman von Sanders, who had his headquarters in Nazareth in 1918 after the fall of Jerusalem on Dec 8, 1917.

Fardé Pieter, lay brother. He was born at Gent (Ghent) Belgium in 1652, Sept 12. In 1682183 he was missionary in Jerusalem. He returned to his homeland and collected aims for Palestine. In his seven letters (are they history or fiction?) he relates that in 1686 on the return to Palestine, he was taken prisoner, and that he was sold as a slave. After a period of labour, he reached Angola and embarked. He was shipwrecked on a desolate island for 11 months. He is rescued by a Flemish boat and landed in the African harbour of Sale. From there he sailed with a Dutch ship to Hamburg. He returned to Gent in 1690, he died in Aachen at the age of 41 years in 1691. The Flemish author Filip De Pillecijn wrote about him in 1930 'De Roman van een Minderbroeder'.

Faustin of Ponte di Legno (Italy), martyr, servant of God. This Franciscan was killed by the Arabs in Ramleh after the retreat of Napoleon in 1799. Napoleon had used the Franciscan Convent of Ramleh for his army.

Febronia. See Eudocia (round 635)

Felicius, priest, St. He visited Palestine round 765. (AA.SS. June 24)

Felix of Valois, St. He was the co-founder of the Trinitarians for the redeeming of Christians from Moslem captivity. He was born in France in 1127, he died in 1212. His feast is on Nov 20. His cult was confirmed in 1666. The AA.SS. mention him on Nov 4.

Female pilgrim, who did not wash herself. A female pilgrim of the 4th century returned from Jerusalem and boasted that during 18 years she never had washed her face, in order not to remove the holy chrism (oil) of his baptism at Jerusalem. (Wright, L., Clean and Decent - the fascinating history of the bathroom and the water closet. London, (1960)

Fernandez. See: Joannes Jacobus Fernandez, martyr at Damascus in 1860. Feast July 10.

Ferrari, Cardinal. He built in 1927 Terra Santa College in West Jerusalem. The college was taken over in 1929 by the Franciscans. The building is surmounted by a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Fidenzio da Padova. He was Superior of the Franciscans in the Holy Land. He had known the fall of Safed in 1266. In 1274 he returned to Italy. In 1289 he was again in the Orient, and witnessed the fall of Tripoli (Lebanon) in 1289. About 1290 he came back to Italy. During the Second Council of Lyon (May 7-July 17, 1274) Fidenzio was asked to present to the Pope Gregory X and to the christian princes a strategic plan for the reconquest of Jerusalem. His plan is in his book 'Reconquest of the Holy Land'.

Fides = the Latin name of Pistis (Belief). Personal name. 

Fidus, bishop of Joppe (Jaffa). He assisted at the Synod of Lydda (Lod) in 415, and at the Council of Ephesus in 431.

Fidus, deacon. He built in 480 a monastery over the laura that was founded by St. Euthymius in 428 in the plain near Khan el Ahmar (more commonly called Khan Silwani), about ' 15 Kms east of Jerusalem, south of the highway from Jerusalem to Jericho. The deacon Fidus built for St. Euthymius a memorial-tomb in the place of the old cell of Euthymius.

Field of Blood, Hakeldama, Aceldama. The field purchased by the council with the thirty pieces of silver which Judas cast down in the Temple (Mt 27, 21-8; Acts 1, 19). Before being bought it was called the Potter's Field (Mt 27, 7). A 4th-century tradition places Hakeldama opposite the hill of the Upper City, at the south side of the valley of Hinnom. - On the Field of Blood stands a building. It has a vaulted roof with round apertures, through which the corpses were formerly let down by ropes. The west wall of the vault has Armenian inscriptions. The Greek-Orthodox community possesses a cavern which is called 'Ferdûs er Rum (the paradise of the Greeks', or the 'Cavern of Saint Onuphrius'. Near the cavern is a small chapel. - The Apostles' Cavern is on the southern bank of the Gehennah-valley, to the east, in the direction of the valley of Cedron. Tradition tells that the Apostles' Cavern (Apostles' Cave) was the hiding place of Apostles after the arrest of Jesus and during His trial.

Finn James, British Consul in Jerusalem (1846-1863). He succeeded Young. Finn built a summer residence in Talbieh. In 1852 he launched a development project, Kerem Avraham, (Karem el Khalil). The rabbis put the herem (= excommunication) on its Jewish workers. The site was sold as plots in 1933 and became the Kerem Avraham Quarter. Finn was accused of missionary intentions, and finally he was compelled to leave his post.

Firmilian, St., Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia. He came several times to Palestine (Euseb. Hist. VI, 27), he visited Origen in Caesarea Maritima (= Caesarea in Palestine). Firmilian lived round 250. The Acta Sanctorum mention him on Oct 28.

Firmin, St. The laura of Firmin was founded by disciples of St. Sabas, at the end of the 5th century. Isidore was hegumenos in this laura. in the 6th century. (Vita Sabae, ch. 89). - The ruin of the laura of Firmin is on a rocky spur that is called el Aleilyat. In the face of this spur are two groups of grottoes, which were originally used by hermits. The ruin can be reached by crossing Wadi Soueinit. This wadi is between Jaba and Mukhmas, about 20 Kms north of Jerusalem.

Fitzgerald G. M. He excavated, together with Crowfoot JW, at the western gate of Jerusalem, in 1927/28.

Five Egyptians, martyrs at Tyre in Phoenicia under Diocletian (284313). Their names are unknown. (Eusebius, Hist. Eccl., VIll, 7) Their feast is on Feb 20 in Mart. Rom. The bishops Tyrannio, Silvanus, Peleus, and Nilus, and the priest Zenobius supported them and were martyred also.

Flagellation, Column of Flagellation. A column of Flagellation is venerated in the Church Santa Prassede in Rome. Cardinal Colonna brought his column from jaspis from Jerusalem to Rome. He was in Jerusalem in 1223. According to legend, Cardinal Colonna should have been in the hands of the Saracens, but the relic saved him.

Flavia. Cyril of Scythopolis tells that St. Theognius, who went to Jerusalem in the fifth year (= 4541455) of emperor Macron (450-457) met a certain pious lady Flavia (Phalli?). This Flavia was then building a monastery near the Mount of Olives and a church of the holy martyr Julius.

Flavia Neapolis (Nablus). It was founded in 70 CE in honour of Emperor Flavius Vespasianus (69-79) of the Flavii-family. 

Flemish crusaders in 1102. They celebrated Easter 1102 in Jerusalem. They fought later (May 17, 1102) between Yazur (Gezer, Tell Gezer, Mount Guisard) and Ramleh, but were defeated.

Flemish gentleman. In 1612 he rode through Hebron on a horse. Out of bravery he galloped. In the midst of the city, he collided with a boy who died. The Flemish gentleman was condemned to death. But he was ransomed by the Franciscan Friars, who paid for him the price of blood, which was 1300 golden zecchini. The gentleman promised restitution for this sum in Flanders. But the man did not execute his promise. Therefore it was forbidden for the Friars and for the pilgrims to visit Hebron. (Gli Annali editi dal P. Saturnino Mencherini, Quaracchi, 1918).

Flight to Egypt. The start is commemorated in the Milk Grotto of Bethlehem; a rest during the flight is recalled by Ballut es Sebta (Oak of the Rest) (Oak of Abraham) in the Russian property northwest of Hebron. The Russian church there is dedicated to the Holy Trinity in honour of the three Angels who appeared to Abraham. The Roman Martyrology remembers the Fligth on Feb 17.

Flinders Petrie W. M. archaeologist. He, with his wife Lady Petrie, began to work in Palestine in 1890, at Tell el Hesy (probably the Biblical Egion (Jos. 10, 3), (Khirbet AjIan). Petrie excavated in 1930 the Biblical Sharulhen (Tell el-Farah) of Jos. 19, 13. He was buried on the Protestant-Anglican Cemetery on Mount Sion. He was reburied on the Military British Cemetery which is at Mount Scopus. But his burial place on the cemetery of Mount Sion is still marked by an upstanding stone with his name and by a flat slab which bears a cross. The key to this cemetery on Mount Sion is in the American School for Holy Land Studies (the formerly Bishop Gobat's School).

Flora, St., Virgin. She belonged to the Order of St. John. She died in 1347 (AA.SS. June 11).

Florian, St., surnamed Calanicus, and 58 companions. They were killed by the Saracens in Eleutheropolis (Beit-Guvrin) during the reign of Emperor Heraclius (609-641). The Martyrologium Romanum has their memory on Dec 17: Florianus, Calanicus et martyres quinquaginta (50) vel LVIII (= 58). - The Martyrologium Usuardi has the memory on June 6.

Foache, Madame. This French lady built the Basilica of Jesus Adolescent (Salesian Church) on the mountain in Nazareth, in 1906.

Forand, Sister of 'Filles de la Charité. She bought the ground for the Hôpital Français de la Sainte Famille at Nazareth. The hospital was inaugurated in 1910. (Compare: Sion Léonie, Sister).

Forefathers of the Lord. The Greek liturgy has on Sunday between 11 and 17 December: Adam, Henoch, Melchisedec, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the men who lived under the Law: Moses, Aaron, Josuah, Samuel, David the four major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezechiel, Daniel the 12 minor prophets; Elijah, Eliseus, Zachariah, the priest, John the Baptist.

Forner, Latin priest at Bethlehem. He explored in 1886 the village El Medieh, east of Lydda, and identified it as Modi'im (Modi'n).

Fortunata, St., and the brothers Carponius, Evaristus and Priscianus, martyrs in Caesarea, Palestine in 303. The body of the lady Fortunata is venerated in Naples (Italy). The Mart. Romanum has the memory on Oct 14.

Fortunatus, one of the 70 disciples, in the Greek list. Such a Fortunatus is not named in the Roman Martyrology. He is venerated on June 15 and July 5. He is also remembered, under the 70 disciples, on their common feast, on Jan 4.

Fortunatus, Eusebius, Titulus and Conditor, in Palestine (IIst -4th century). The AA.SS. mention them on Aug 14.

Fortunatus of Fano (Italy). This Franciscan priest travelled from Galilee to Jerusalem. In Samaria he was wounded by Moslems, he was transported to Jerusalem, where he died on August 20, 1862, at the age of 48 years. He had worked in Palestine for 6 years.

Fortunatus, (pseudo-patriarch of Jerusalem) 802-803. The AA.SS. mention him on Feb 26.

Forty Martyrs. The 'Commemoratorium de casis Dei (9th century) mentions a sanctuary of the Forty Martyrs in the valley of Josaphat. The sanctuary is localised at 'Bir el-Keniseh (well of the Church' in the village of Siloe (Siloam). Perhaps these 40 Martyrs are meant by the Georgian liturgy on Oct 13: forty saints. - On the west side of the atrium before the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre are three Greek chapels: St. James (the Greek parish church); St John (the Baptist) on the site of the baptistry; the Forty Martyrs, nearest to the Basilica. - Forty Martyrs are also venerated in Beit Sahur east of Bethlehem. The feast of the Forty Martyrs is on March 9.

Forty defenders of Gaza. The Roman Martyrology has on Dec 12: In Eleutheropolis Florianus, Calanicus and 38 (or 58) companions. They were killed at the time of the Emperor Heraclius (609-641) by the Saracens. See also Florian.

Forty saints. October 13, in the house of priest Peter, deposit of 40 saints, according to the lectionary of Latal, in the Georgian liturgy. Perhaps the 40 saints are 40 martyrs.

Foulque de Bouillon. At the approach of Frederick Barbarossa (in 1189), Saladin evacuated Baghras, north-east of Alexandretta. Baghras was always under dispute between Armenians and Templars Knights. Foulque of Bouillon, who was a cousin of Leon 11 of Armenia, occupied the empty fortress in the name of Leon 11, and guarded it for 20 years.

Four and twenty Priests of Heaven. The Ethiopian Synaxarium on Khedar 24 locates them round about the throne of God.

Four Beasts of Ezekiel (= four living creatures, Ezekiel 1, 6) The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on the 8th day of Khedar (= third month, Nov 7-Dec 6): 'a salute to the Four Beasts and to the horses of the Cherubim. 'On the east side of the courtyard before the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre is the Greek Orthodox Convent of St. Abraham and Melchizedek, and also in the midst the Armenian Chapel of St. John (this chapel is closed), and most close to the Basilica the Ethiopian Chapel of St. Michael and all Saints. Near this Ethiopian Chapel is the Chapel of the Four Beasts. Its property is in dispute between Copts and Ethiopians.

Four Councils. The memory is in the Church of the Anastasis on Sept 17, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. The four Councils are: Nicaea in 325, Constantinople in 381, Ephesus in 431, Chalcedon in 451.

Four Gregories. Gregory, the Illuminator of Armenia, Gregory of Nyssa in Cappadocia, Gregory of Neocaesarea or the Thaumaturgus of Pontus, Gregory of Agrigento in Sicily. - These four hierarchs with the same first name Gregory are sometimes represented as a group in icons. There is no common feast for the group in the liturgy.

Four Hierarchs. Michel Psellos speaks of the four hierarchs. Besides the three hierarchs, (Basileus of Caesarea, Gregorius of Nazianze, Johannes Chrysostomus) he adds Gregory of Nysse (born in Caesarea in Cappadocia round 355 and died at Constantinople in 394). Gregory of Nyssa (Nysse) came in 380 as pilgrim to Jerusalem (Epistola 11). He was the brother of Basil, the Great (= Basil of Caesarea) who was born round 329 and died in 379.

Francis of Assisi, St. The feast of Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) is on October 4. Under Pope Honorius III (1216-1227) during the 5th Crusade, Francis was at Damietta in 1219 and perhaps afterwards in Acre. Perhaps from Acre, he visited Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Acre has its St. Francis' Street. The name was given in 1969. Jerusalem has its St. Francis' Street. It climbs up through the Christian quarter and ends at the Franciscan Convent of St. Saviour which is inside the New Gate.

Francis of Assisi and his stay at Acre. Jacques de Vitry, bishop of Acre, took part at the campaign of Egypt from June 1218 to September 1219. He was with St. Francis at Damietta in Egypt in 1219. He mentions the visit of Francis to the Sultan at Damietta. Francis was with the Sultan 'aliquot dies' (some days). Jacques de Vitry does not mention a visit of Francis to Acre. Perhaps Francis returned directly from Damietta to Italy. (ita Arce A., Francisco de Asis y el sultan al-Kamil en Damieta, 1219.) - G. Basetti-Sani, a Franciscan author, published a bull (= papal edict) of Pope Honorius III (12161227) 'Cum carissimi in Christo filii of July 24, 1217. This bull is addressed to the ecclesiastical authorities of the main harbours, Genoa, Messina, Brindisi, and it forbids under excommunication for the crusaders the pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre.

Francis, Blessed, martyred in Armenia in 1314, together with Monald.

Francis of Larino, servant of God. During 18 years he acted as a chorister in the Holy Land. He died on July 26, 1655.

Francis of Pisciotta. This Franciscan was a missionary in the Holy Land. On his return he died near the coast of the Kingdom of Naples in 1520. The Martyrologium Franciscanum venerates him on December 7.

Francis of Spoleto (Italy), Blessed. He was beheaded in 1288 in Damietta (Egypt), where the Franciscans had a hospice at the end of the 13th century. He is venerated in the Martyrologium Franciscanum on Jan 1.

Francis of TrivuIzio (Italy). He was born in Milan round 1440. In 1494 he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On his return, he died, and was buried in the island of Rhodos. The Martyrologium Franciscanum mentions him on August 13.

Francis Peralto, servant of God, martyr. The Bey Mohammed, nicknamed Abu-Dahab, father of gold, took in 1775 possession of Ramleh and of Jaffa. Francis Peralta, a Franciscan priest of Spain, was beheaded at Jaffa on May 9, 1775, together with Father Martin Caballeros.

Francis Pinazzo, Blessed. He was born at Alpuente, Spain, in 1802. In 1843 he came to the Custody of the Holy Land and worked in Ain Karem, Jaffa, Nazareth, Nicosia (Cyprus) and Damascus. He suffered martyrdom by the Druses at Damascus on July 10, 1860.

Francis Trifon Lopez, Franciscan. He was born in 1775 in Castilla, Spain. In 1803 he came to Palestine, where he served during 53 years in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. He died at Jerusalem on July 26, 1857.

Francis of Verrazzano, consul of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany at Saida. He received in 1631 from Emir Fakreddin the permission for the Franciscans to settle on Mount Tabor.

Franciscan Martyrs at Tripoli in Lebanon. Seven or eight Franciscans were killed at Tripoli in 1289. (Van der Vat, 81)

Franciscan Messengers from Acre. On November 25, 1244 Robert, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who resided in Acre, sent two Franciscans, J. and R., from Acre to announce to the Pope and to the Court of England and to the Court of France that Jerusalem had fallen to the Khwarismian Turks in 1244. (Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores, XXXVI, 1, 262)

Franciscan Protomartyrs in Palestine in 1244. In 1239 Theobald of Champagne sailed for Acre. He was followed in 1240/41 by Richard of Cornwall. Both consented to ally themselves with the Emir of Emesa (Syria) against the Sultan of Egypt, but in a battle near Jaffa, they were defeated by Bybars, the Egyptian general. Christians in Jerusalem were slain, Franciscans fell as martyrs round 1244, after the defeat (Oct 17, 1244) at Forbie near Gaza.

François Clement, servant of God, martyr. He was born at Samur, Bourgogne in France. In 1702 he arrived in Alexandria with irregular papers and he acted as chaplain for the French consulate, and for the French merchants. He apostatized to Islam. After a few days he repented and insulted the Moslem religion. After his threefold assertion that he was a Christian, he was decapitated on May 5, 1703.

Franji. This Arabic word means Frank, Crusader. - The Chapel of the Franks is to the south of Calvary, but outside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. A staircase served once as an external (a Latin, a Frank) entrance to Calvary. The Chapel is the exclusive property of the Latin Community. its key is in St. Saviour's Convent. Underneath the Chapel of the Franks is the Greek oratory, which is dedicated to St. Mary of Egypt. She was converted in the atrium before the Basilica.

Frank Mountain (Herodium) (Arabic: Jebel Foureidis, Hill of the Paradise). Herod the Great was buried on the Fortress Herodium. -Turcomans of Transjordan had plundered Tekoa, and passed alongside Jebel Fureidis, and tried to pillage Jerusalem in 1138. The Templars, under the command of Robert of Bourguignon, drove away the pillagers, but were attacked. Eudes of Montfaucon was killed in action.

Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria. He came as a pilger to the Holy Land. He was killed in Serajevo on June 28, 1914. This murder led to World War I (1914-1918).

Franz Joseph 1, Emperor (1848-1916) of Austria-Hungary. He was the first Emperor who, after the Crusades, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Nov 12, 1869. He continued his way, from Jaffa to Port Said to assist at the inauguration of the Canal of Suez. (18 Nov, 1869). Emperor Franz Joseph entered Jerusalem through Damascus Gate (Bab el Nasr, Gate of the Victor). He found accomodation in the Austrian Hospice, opposite the 3th Station. This Hospice was inaugurated in 1856. He received in 1870 permission for the Franciscans to rebuild the small convent which is to the north side of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Franz Joseph Costa Major. He was Rector of the Austrian Hospice. He took care of the annual Bavarian pilgrimage. He translated in 1876 the 'Guide Indicateur' of Liévin de Hamme into the German language.

Frederick Janssoone, servant of God. He was born at Ghyvelde (North France) in 1838. In 1874 he joined the Custody of the Holy Land. In 1890 he went to Canada as Commissar for the Holy Land. He died at Montreal on August 4, 1916. The 'causa' for his beatification had been introduced to Rome.

Frederick Barbarossa. He took part in the 3rd crusade (1189-1192). On his way to the Holy Land he was drowned in Turkey.

Frederick of Swabia. This son of Frederick Barbarossa reached Acre in October 1190, only with 1, 000 men.

Frederick II, Emperor. He sailed from Brindisi in the autumn of 1227, but returned to Otranto. Pope Gregory W excommunicated him. Frederick sailed again in 1228. By the treaty of Feb 18, 1229, which was to last 10 years, Frederick became King of Jerusalem. As he was excommunicated, he had to crown himself. Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem were to remain in the possession of the Christians, with a strip connecting Jerusalem with the port of Acre.

Frederick William of Prussia, crown prince. He visited the Holy Land in 1869 and continued from Jaffa to Port Said for the inauguration of the Canal of Suez. This crown prince also entered through Damascus Gate. He received in 1869 from the Sultan of Constantinople the permission to buy the ruins of the Sainte Marie Latine church with its cloister. Now it is the Erlöserkirche (or Saviour Church) for the Lutherans. His father, Frederick William IV, king of Prussia, had worked for the founding of a joint Anglican-Lutheran bishopric in Jerusalem. (founded in 1841).

Frei Eduardo, former president (1964-1970) of Chile. Free and his wife visited Jerusalem on Sunday, May 9, 1976.

Frenchman. A noble Frenchman lived in 1103 at Tabaria (Tabor). (Miracula S. Jacobi, n. 212) (AA.SS. July 25)

French martyrs. Two French pilgrims were arrested at Gaza in 1555. They refused to renounce their christian religion, and they were executed. Their bodies were buried by the Christians of Gaza in the Greek-Orthodox church. (Quaresmius, 11, 697)

French Marins in 1875 and 1919. They planted an iron cross in 1875 on the pyramid-memorial for the French soldiers who were killed in 1799 on Mount Carmel. The memorial was damaged by the Turks in 1914-1918. French Marins renewed it in 1919.

French pilgrimage of Penance in 1883. The second pilgrimage of Penance donated a bronze statue of St. Peter to the Franciscan Church at Tiberias.

French pilgrims drowned. French pilgrims made an excursion from Jerusalem to Petra. On Monday of the Holy Week, April 8, 1963 more than 20 of their group under the guidance of Professor Steinmann, were drowned in the narrow Siq of Petra by a flood that from the wadi invaded the ruins of Petra. Since this disaster the dam has been repaired to prevent flooding in the area of Petra.

Fretellus (1145). He mentions the casal Saint Gillis (Sinjil). There are two ruins in Sinjil from the Crusader time: one is named Qasr (tower, fortress); the second is called Kenise (church).

Freytag-Lorringhoven, Baroness. She bought in 1912 a plot, east of the Church of Emmaus, and she built there a leprosarium. The German Sisters of Charles Borromaeus took care of the home and run there a dispensary.

Friars Minors, 36, martyred in 1541 by the Turks. They are mentioned on Jan 24 in AA.SS.

Frisian. A certain Frisian crusader of the first Crusade (1096-99) is mentioned in Acta Sanctorum Jan 7. (Miracula S. Jacobi c. 111 n. 1)

Frisian leaders in the first Crusade: see Eeiko and Sikko

Frotmundus Rothonensis. He visited Palestine after 855. (AA.SS. Oct 24)

Fructuosus, St., archiepiscopus Bracarensis. He was impeded to come to Palestine in 655. (Vita S. Fruct., c. IV, n. 17-18) (AA.SS. April 16)

Frumentius of Tyre, Lebanon. According to Rufinus, Frumentius and Aedesius were the travelling companions of Meropius. In Ethiopia, Meropius was assassinated, but the two young men attained a position at the court of the King of Aksum. Frumentius engaged in missionary work. And instead of returning to his home in Tyre, Lebanon, he went to Alexandria. There Athanasius, between the years 340 and 346, commissioned him to return to Ethiopia, after having consecrated him bishop. Frumentius established a Christian community in Ethiopia. He is called 'Apostle of Ethiopia'. - The Copts have his feast on July 20. The Roman Martyrology mentions him on Oct 27, the Byzantine Church on Nov 30. Frumentius preached peace, therefore he was called 'Abba Salama'. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on Hamle 26: 'Salutation, salutation, 1 say, with joyful voice to Abba Salama. '

Fulcher of Chartres. He was the chaplain of King Baldwin I (1100-1118). Fulcher reports that the Holy Fire did not appear on the Holy Saturday in 1101, because of the sins of the Franks.

Fulcherius, seventh patriarch (1145-1157) of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Fulcherus, socius Sancti Lietberti Camerac. Fulcherus came to Palestine in 1054-1056. (Radulphus monachus, Vita S. Lietberti, c. IV-V, n. 27-41) (AA.SS. June 23)

Fulcone: see Falco

Fulcus, St., Aquinat. He came to Palestine round 1137. (Acta S. Fulci, nr 1) (AA.SS. May 22 and Oct 25)

Fulgosius, archbishop of Antioch. After the death of his wife, he became a monk. He was appointed as archbishop of Antioch. He protected his flock against the Arian wolves, and against the followers of Macedonius and against the Sabellian heretics. St. John Chrysostom (5h century) praised him. Fulgosius is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Takhshash 24.

Fulk of Anjou. He married Melisend, who was the eldest daughter of Baldwin II and of Morphia. Fulk and Melisend were coronated in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre on July 2, 1129. Fulk died in 1144. Probably it was Fulk who built the Fortress Belvoir (Coquet, Coquetum) at the west side of the Jordan between Beth Shean and the southern shore of the Lake of Galilee.

Fulke de Neuilly. This French priest preached a crusade in the time of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216).

Gabra Manfas Kedus, see Abba Gabra.

Gabriel, the Archangel. March 25. Gabriel is not called an archangel in the Bible. He is one of the seven archangels in the Book of Enoch (= apocryphal book), probably one of the seven who stand before God (Tobit 12, 15; Luke 1, 19). Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zachary (Luke 1, 19) and the conception, birth and mission of Jesus to Mary in Nazareth. (Luke 1, 26-28) - Over the FOUNTAIN OF THE VIRGIN is built the Church of St. Gabriel. The apocryphal Gospel of James tells: 'When the Virgin took the pitcher and went to draw water, behold a voice said to her: Hail Mary, full of grace. Mary saw no one; but going into her house, while she was spinning purple wool, the angel appeared and said to her: Fear not, Mary, etc... '. In 1787 the Greek Orthodox built the present church. In the crypt under the altar there is a well with the words of the salutation of the angel Gabriel. This well (=shaft) is fed by a spring which is in the slope of the mountain above the Church of St. Gabriel. Greek and Georgian Synaxaries sometimes have the Archangel Gabriel on July 13.

Gabriel, hegumenos. His hermitage was in Wadi er Rababe, which is east of the Mount of Olives. The hermitage was separated by a valley from the Church of St. Peter.

Gabriel, Saint, abbas S. Stephani Hierosol. He died round 490. His feast is on Jan 26 (AA.SS.)

Gabriel, Saint. He lived in the monastery of St. Euthyme (= Khan el Ahmar). He died in 499.

Gabriel Cornelius, servant of God. He was born in the town of Le Mans, France. In 1625 this Franciscan went to the Holy Land. In Jerusalem he was the friend and the counsellor of the venerable Father Quaresmius. Gabriel was appointed to the Latin parish of Alexandretta, Syria. He died in Aleppo in 1627.

Gaetano Potesta, servant of God. Born in Palermo (Italy) in 1654. He was Custos of the Holy Land between 1706 and 1708. At the end of 1708 he was obliged to return to Italy. There he declined a bishopric. He died in 1738.

Gaianus, 21st bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd century. (AA.SS.)

Gainos. Gainos, Stephen and Andrew were three Armenian brothers from Melitene. They were received by St. Sabas in his laura. The three brothers attained the rank of bishop: Gainos was appointed as bishop of Madaba; Andrew as hegumen of the martyrium of Saint Menas, (a chapel within the Armenian Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem); and Stephen as bishop of Jamnia.

Gaitana. She came to Palestine in 1169, together with St. Bona and with Massaia (AA.SS. May 29).

Gajus, apostle, one of the 70 disciples. The Menologium of Basilius II (11th century) mentions on Nov 4, five of the 70 disciples: Hermas, Linus, Philologus, Patrobas, and Gajus. Gajus is named a disciple of St. Timotheus. - See also Cajus.

Gajus, 23rd bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd century (AA.SS.). 

Galila = Ethiopian name of Galilee. 

Galla Placidia. Round 423 she visited Palestine (falsum). (AA.SS. May 4).

Galaup Jean, (1909-1974) French Lazariste. The French Lazarists Fathers replaced in 1958 the French Benedictines in the Crusader Church at Abu Ghosh. Father Galaup was buried on Saturday, June 29, 1974, on the cemetery of the Soeurs de Saint Vincent (Filles de la Charité), Jaffa Street, Jerusalem.

Gamaliel Rabban Ha-Zaken, 'the Elder', St. The Mart. Rom. has his feast on Aug 3. He was a grandson of Hillel, he lived in the first half of the first century. He was a teacher of St. Paul (Acts 22, 3). Paul probably studied under Gamaliel for the usual three or four years. Gamaliel was a member of the council which passed judgment on St. Peter and the apostles for teaching the gospel, and he advised the council to take no positive action, on the ground that the movement would collapse of itself if it were from men, but if it were from God they would be wrong in opposing it. (Acts 5, 34-39) Tradition tells that the tomb of Gamaliel was discovered in 415 in the village of Kafargamala (village of Gamaliel?). The Martyrologium Romanum calls Gamaliel 'Saint'.

Garello Giuseppe, Don. He was born in 1869 in Italy. He came as a priest to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, he was the parish priest of AjIoun in East Jordan, and was killed in AjIoun in 1902.

Gariador. He was the Benedictin superior on Mount of Olives from Nov 24, 1907 to December 1914. Since 1903 there was on Mount of Scandal, which is a part of Mount of Olives, the Syrian Catholic Junior Seminary. It was directed by Benedictine Fathers.

Garin de Montaigu (France), Grand Master of the Hospitalers. Pope Honorius III and Emperor Frederick II invited John of Brienne to return to Italy for a consultation about the Holy Land. John of Brienne entrusted the 'Kingdom of Acre' to Eude de Montbéliard and embarked with legate Pelagius, with the patriarch Raoul, with Garin of Montaigu, grand master of the Hospitalers, and with Guillaume Cadel, the master of the Knights Templars. At the end of October 1222 the four landed at Brindisi.

Garrone, Gabriel, Cardinal. He consecrated the Basilica of the Annunciation at Nazareth, on Sunday, March 23, 1969.

Garstrang. He excavated in 1920 at Ascalon, and in 1928 at Tell Hazor. He was the Director of the British School of Archaeology at Jerusalem in 1929-1936.

Gaspar of Barge, Blessed. The Franciscan Martyrology (April 4) says that he was born in Barga (Toscana) and that he lived on Mount Sion. He died in Firenze, Italy, probably in the middle of the 15th century (round 1450).

Gate of the Field of the Fuller (Porta VIIIae Fullonis). Arculphus (round 670) mentions this gate to the north of Mount Sion. - Fabri (1483) visits this field, near the cemetery of the Saracens, where is the Pool Mamillah.

Gatt George, Don. This priest of Austria belonged to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He founded in 1879 the parish in Gaza.

Gatti Giuseppe, Don. (1839-1887) This priest came to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1862, and was missionar at Salt in East Jordan.

Gaudentius Brixiensis, St., (Gaudentius of Brescia). He visited the Holy Land round 386-390. (AA.SS. Oct 25, Sept 14, March 10). The dates of his birth, of his episcopal consecration, and of his death are unknown. The main source for his life is his own Sermo de ordinatione sua. He was, round 386-390, on a journey to the East when he received the news that he had been chosen bishop of Brixia (Brescia) to succeed Filastrius. (died 397) Despite his opposition to the nomination, he was finally persuaded by St. Ambrose and other northern Italian bishops to accept the see. Gaudentius was one of the Latin bishops who were requested by Emperor Honorius and by Pope Innocent 1 to go (404-405) to Constantinople to plead with the Emperor Arcadius (383-408) for the return of St. John Chrysostom from exile, but this mission failed.

Gaudentius Novariensis, Saint (Gaudentius, bishop of Novara). Eusebius, bishop of Vercelli, and Gaudentius, bishop of Novara, visited the Holy Land round 355-359 (?). (AA.SS. May 9) Gaudentius was in Scythopolis in 355(?) and met there the exiled Eusebius of Emesa. The Mart. Rom. remembers Gaudentius on Jan 22.

Gauer Bernard. He executed the mosaics in the Upper Church of the Dormition Abbey on Mount Sion.

Gauffier, a Frankish knight. When the Jacobite Syrian monks in Jerusalem had a law suit against Gauffier, who had been in captivity during 20 years and claimed his right on the property of EI Adesijeh (House of Herod), Queen Melisend (1131-1151) gave her personal support to the Jacobite Syrians.

Gaul, Matrons. The AA.SS. on June 24 mention matrons of Gaul, in the year 31, in Palestine.

Gauthier Paul. He founded in Nazareth the Fraternité des Compagnons de Jésus Charpentier, and Compagnes de Jésus Charpentier de Nazareth. He formed a cooperative and built houses at Nazareth. The Fraternité built workers' quarters at Belt Sahur and at Bethlehem. Gauthier left the Holy Land in 1967, after the Six Days War of June 1967.

Gautier d'Avesnes. This Flemish baron contributed in 1218 with 1000 besants towards the construction of Château Pèlerin (Athlit). This fortress fell to the Moslems in 1291, but after the fall of Acre.

Gautier III of Brienne sur Aube (France). He was king of Sicily, he was duke of Apulia by his wife. His wife was Mary, called Alberie, queen of Sicily and eldest daughter of Tancred the Bâtard, who was king of Sicily. Gautier III was famous at the battle (118811189) for the reconquest (1191) of Acre. In 1202 Gautier of Brienne, prince of Tarente, was asked by the Pope Innocent lit to battle for the papal power. He died from a wound that he received at the castle of Sarno, in Apulia, in 1205. It was Gautier III, in whose army Francis of Assisi (born 1182) planned to battle. Gautier III and his wife Mary had as son Gautier IV.

Gautier IV of Brienne. He was count from 1221 to 1241. Gautier IV was the husband of Mary of Cyprus, daughter of Hugues I, king of Cyprus. Gautier was taken prisoner at the battle near Gaza (Oct 17, 1244). He was also ' Count of Jaffa. He declined to incite the defenders of Jaffa to capitulate. He was abducted to Cairo. During his captivity in Cairo, he killed in a quarrel an Egyptian emir with a chessboard. Therefore Gautier was murdered in the prison, probably before 1252.

Gautier, surnamed Mahomet. He had received from King Baldwin I the lordship over Hebron, after the death of Roger of Caiffa.

Gaza. Martyrs in Gaza in 362 under Julian the Apostate are mentioned in the Melkite liturgy on March 29. - In 402 anonymous men were sent by Empress Eudoxia to bring columns for the church at Gaza. - Sixty defending soldiers of Gaza were beheaded by the Moslems at the beginning of the 7th century, after an imprisonment of 30 days. Their memory in Rom. Mart. on December 17. -The Khwaresmians plundered Gaza after the battle of 1244. - Napoleon took Gaza in 1799. - Gaza on the Mediterranean coast was the centre of the German-Turkish defensive against the British army in 1917.

Gedeon (Gideon). He was a 'major' judge from the western tribe Manasses. He saved Israel round 1070 BC. At the waters of Ein Harod, Gedeon collected his people to fight the Midianites. Ein Harod is in the valley of Jezreel, north of the way from Afula to Beit-Shean. The spring feeds the rivulet Nahr Harod, at the foot of the Mountains Gilboa of Lower Galilee. The story of Gedeon is told in Judges 6, 1-8, 28. - The Mart. Rom. commemorates Gedeon, together with Joshua, on Sept 1. The Eastern Church has the feast of Gedeon on Sept 26; the Ethiopians on Dec 12, and on Takhshash 15. (= the fourth month).

Geissler Egidius, of Salzburg (Austria). This Franciscan Father was parish priest at Cana, during 22 years. The Latin Church was rebuilt in 1879 in a great haste on account of the opposition of the Greek Orthodox community. The Latin Church is over a sanctuary of the 6th century.

Gelasius Mimus of Heliopolis in Egypt. He belonged to a group of mimics from Libya. Instead of a mimicked baptism on the theatre, he accepted a real baptism. Therefore he was stoned to death by the spectators in Heliopolis (Egypt). - Perhaps to be identified with Genesius of Rome. Gelasius is venerated on Feb 27.

Genoveva, St., (of Paris). Barn round 422, died round 502. Round 450, merchants made possible an exchange of letters between St. Genoveva of Paris and St. Simeon the Stylite of Syria. (Vita S. Genovevae, c. VI, n. 26) (AA.SS. Jan 3)

Gentil of Matelica, Blessed. On his journey from Egypt to Persia, he probably visited the Holy Land. He was martyred in Tauris, Persia, in 1340. The Franciscan Martyrology has his feast on September 5.

George of Albania, Blessed. As a young man he joined the army of Francis Sforza in Italy. After a sermon of St. James of the Marches, George entered the Franciscan Order. He lived 50 years in the convent. Then he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He returned to Italy and died in the convent of Muro, round 1500. The Mart. Franciscanum venerates him on June 13.

George of Choziba. He was born in the latter part of the 6th century in Cyprus. He intended to join the monastery of Calamon in the plain of Jericho, where Heraclius, his brother, lived. Since George was still without beard, it means too young for the strenuous desert life, he was rejected by the hegumenos and sent to the Wadi Qilt. During the Persian invasion of 614, many of the monks fled from Wadi Qilt. George was captured by the Persians, but he was left unharmed. He died in the monastery in 620. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Jan 8. His 'Life' (Greek, with Latin translation) is contained in Analecta Bollandiana.

George of Cyprus. He left Cyprus for Ptolemais (Acre), where he was compelled to embrace Islam. Upon his refusal, he was stoned and beheaded on April 23, 1752. On April 13, 1967 his relics were transferred from Acre to Nicosia, Cyprus, where they repose in the Cathedral of St. John. Greek liturgy venerates George on April 23.

George, St, monk Salos (=fool). Not identified. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his name on Aug 15.

George of Jerusalem, St., Patriarch. He was the successor of patriarch Elias II (787-797). Elias II occupied the see of Jerusalem when 20 monks of Mar Saba were killed on March 19, 797. George of Jerusalem died in 807. Only in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar he is listed as a Saint, on April 7.

George of Lydda (Lod). He was born in Cappadocia, he became a soldier of the Roman army. In Silene in Libya, he rescued a maiden from a dragon. This fact led to the baptism of thousands of pagans, including Alexandra, the wife of Diocletian. Eventually George fell victim of Diocletian's persecution, and he was beheaded at Nicomedia. According to other traditions, George suffered martyrdom in Lydda in 303. The Roman Martyrology and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have his feast on April 23. The Greek church on April 23. In Lydda a tomb of George is venerated. On Nov 3 the Greek liturgy has the Dedication of the Church of St. George in Lydda, under Constantine the Great, with the deposit of relics of St. George. The Copts venerate St. George on April 18. The Ethiopian Synaxarium reads on Nahasse 16: On this day took place the transfer of the body of St. George from the country of Persia to the church of Lydda. This transfer took place at the same time as the translation (= assumption) of Our Lady Mary, and therefore those who love Mary, paint his picture with Her picture, so that it may be a port of salvation for these who pray in his name.

St. George and Abu-Gosh. During the French-German war of 1870-71, the Greek Orthodox community claimed against the Franciscans that the Church of St George at Lydda belonged to the Greek, and not to the Latin community, because the church had belonged to the Greek community before the Crusades. By an arrangement between the French government and the Ottoman government in Constantinople, the Franciscans were obliged to drop their claims, and the French government received from the Ottoman rulers the Crusaders' Church of Abu Ghosh.

St. George and Bethlehem. St. George is painted on a column of the central nave in the Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem (painted round 1130). He is represented as a Roman soldier, without horse and without dragon. His head bears locks of wool, the short tunic is decorated with pearls. (Hamilton, The Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem, 1947, p. 77) - An icon of St. George on horseback killing the dragon, hangs on the inside face of the wooden door of the Basilica. Greek Orthodox women bow towards his icon, making the sign of the cross. -There is also a chapel in honour of George in the south-east angle of the Basilica.

St. George and El-Khader convent. On the highway Bethlehem-Hebron, 5 kms south of Bethlehem, there is on the right side a valley with the village EI Khader (= the evergreen). By this name the Arabs designate St. George. An arch on the right side of the road with a plaque of St. George, opens the street that leads to the Muslim village. This village has a Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, in which the insane used to be tied to pillars by the so-called chains of St. George. On the arch is a relief of St. George. The arch has the inscription in Arabic, Greek and Turkish: 'This road was built for the Convent of St. George in the year 1910. '-When children became sick, the parents pronounce the vow not to cut the hairlocks of the children for two or three years. Such 'vowed' children are named 'nidir'. At the expiration of the vow, on one of the two oriental feasts of St. George, April 23 or November 3, the parents bring the healed child to the Convent of St. George and they offer a wax-candle of the same length as the child. The hairlocks are cut, weighed, and a number of coins, corresponding with the hair weight, is offered. The parents offer also an animal in honour of St. Georges. They present it to the Greek monk. He gives it back in the name of the Saint. The father of the family cuts an ear of the animal 'he makes that the blood runs'. Then the animal, generally a sheep, is killed and consumed by the family.

St. George and Taybeh. St Georges is venerated in Taybeh, the Biblical Ephraim, the city near the desert, to which Jesus retired (John II, 54). To the east of the village, on a hill is El Khader, St. George, with the ruins of a Crusader Church, which stands on a Byzantine one of the 6th century. The apse of the Byzantine Church is still visible. In the ruins, people kill animals as a sacrifice and apply the blood to the walls and make crosses with blood. The name E Khader is applied equally to St. George and to the Prophet Elias.

St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem. About 700 m. north of Damascus Gate, on both sides of the Nablus Road is the St. George's Compound. it belongs to the Anglicans. Right of the Nablus Road is St. George's Boys' School. On the same side is the House of the Anglican Archbishop. In the courtyard is St. George's Cathedral. It was consecrated in 1898. Left of the Nablus Road, opposite the courtyard is St. George's College.

St. George's Knights. The AA.SS. on April 23 mention the order of St. George, which was founded by Pseudo-Comnenus in the 11th century.

George, hegumenos. The Greek inscription in the mosaic of the Monastery of Lady Mary in Beisan mentions: The whole work of laying the mosaic was completed in the time of the priest and hegumenos George and of the deuterarius Comitas. - (The monastery was built about 567).

George of Nicomedia, archmartyr. One tradition informs us that George, the archmartyr, who was born in Cappadocia, was martyred in Nicomedia under Diocletian (284-313). According to another tradition, the beheading was at Lydda in Palestine in 303.

George of Sinai. He was a monk at Sinai in the 6th century. He is said to have been miraculously transported to Jerusalem, and to have been returned on the same manner to Sinai. The Greek liturgy mentions him on March 11.

Giorgi, Cardinal, Pontifical Legate. He consecrated the Basilica at Mount Tabor in 1924.

Georgia, Christ-loving sister of Elias. She died at the monastery of Lady Mary in Beisan (Beth-Shean). (See: Elias, priest and recluse)

Georgian Church in Palestine: Georgia is a republic in the south of the Soviet Union. Georgia was called in early times IBERIA. The first Georgian convent in Palestine was founded at Jerusalem by King Tatian (466. 499) of Georgia. Destroyed by the Persians in 614, it was restored by Emperor Justinian II (686-711). This was the Convent of the Holy Cross (Deir-el-Musallabeh). The Georgians in debt sold this monastery to the Greek Orthodox Church. - The Georgians possessed other convents: St. Nicholas, St. Sabas, St. John, the Grotto at Bethlehem, St. Abraham, St. Basil, St. Samuel in the basin of the Jordan. All these Georgian monasteries were founded between the 5th and the 9th century. - The Franciscans bought from the Georgians in 1599 the Convent Deir-el-Amoud (Convent of the Pillar). At that time this convent was occupied only by three aged Georgian nuns. The Franciscan convent is now named St. Saviour. Surrounded by the Franciscan property is still the small Greek-Orthodox convent for nuns. This small convent has as patron St. George.

Georgius, monk, martyr in Bethlehem. No year is indicated. The AA.SS. mention this monk on April 20.

Georgius, Johannes, Julianus and 57 companions, martyrs in

Jerusalem in 723. The AA.SS. mention the feast on Oct 21. The 'Passio' of Georgius is translated from the Syriac.

Georgius, nephew (germanus) of St. Johannes Climacus. They were in Palestine after 562. (AA.SS. March 30)

Geraldus, St., abbas Silvae Majoris. He came to Palestine round 1070. (Vita S. Ger., c. III, n. 17-18; Vita altera, c. I, n. 10-11) (AA.SS. April 5)

Gerard III, bishop of Bethlehem. He took a soft white stone from the Grotto of Milk in Bethlehem as a relic to the camp of King Baldwin III (1143-1162) during the siege of Ascalon in 1153.

Gerard Boccabadatus of Modena, Blessed. He was in the Holy Land from 1249 till 1251. He died at Modena in 1256.

Gerard de Ridefort. This Grand Master of the Knights Templars saved his life at Sepphoris and at Tiberias in 1187. He was taken prisoner at Acre in 1189, and then he was beheaded.

Gerard of VIIIamagna. Still a lay man he joined a Crusader knight and started for Palestine. He was taken prisoner but ransomed. He joined another Crusader. In Jerusalem, he served among the helpers of the Knights. He returned to Italy and entered the Franciscan Order. He died in May, 1242. The Breviarium Ordinis Minorum venerates him as Blessed, on May 31.

Gerardeo Mecateo, Blessed. He belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis. At his arrival in the Holy Land, he was taken prisoner by the Turks. He returned to Italy and died on May 4, 1242. (To be identified with Gerard of VIIIamagna?)

Gerardesca Pisana, Blessed. She planned a pilgrimage to Palestine, round 1240. (Vita B. Gerardescae, c. IV, n. 34-41) (AA.SS. May 29)

Gerardus, St., episcopus Chanadensis. He came to Palestine before 1000. (Vita S. Ger., n. 2; - Elogium, auct. Petro de Natalibus, Lectiones, n. 1) (AA.SS. Sept 24)

Gerardus Fr. He announced in 1250 at Constantinople the captivity of St. Louis. The AA.SS. mention Gerardus on March 19.

Gerardus, hermit of Cologne. He was met in Egypt, round 1400, by an English bishop. (AA.SS. April 14)

Gerardus, Sanctus. Circa 1000. Falsa patris S. Gerardi expeditio in Terram Sanctam (AA.SS. Sept 24).

Gerardus, Sanctus. He is mentioned, circa 1099, together with Saint Bernardus and Saint Arcanus in AA.SS. Oct 14.

Gerardus, Sanctus, Arvernensis. (Acta S. Gerardi, n. 1-4) (AA.SS. Aug 11) He lived during the first Crusade (1096-1099). He came to Palestine round 1100 (AA.SS. Aug 11; Oct 25)

Gerasimos, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (1891-1897) He constructed schools and sought to neutralize the effects of the proliferation of Russian schools in the Holy Land.

Gerasimos of Kepphallinia. Born in Trikkala, Peloponnesos, of pious parents in 1509. He went to Jerusalem where he was ordained a priest. Finally he went to the island of Kephalonia. There he stayed until the end of his life in an old church, which he rebuilt. He became the patron saint of Kephallinia. Died in 1579. The Greek liturgy venerates him on Oct 20.

Gerasimus near the Jordan. This anchoret was abbot of a monastery near the River Jordan. He came from Lycia (Turkey), he died in 475, March 5. He is venerated in the Latin Patriarchate on March 5. The name of Gerasimus appears in Georgian lists on Feb 9, on March 3 and 5, on Aug 23.

Gerasimus of Leondarion. In the Greek liturgy on Sept 15. He was born in Leondarion, Taygetos, in the second part of the 17th century. He went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Upon his return he founded the Monastery of the Holy Trinity of Sourvia near Makrynitsa, Volos, in 1740. His relics repose in this monastery.

Gerhard d'Avennes, Crusader. In 1099 Hebron came into the hands of the Crusaders. Gerhard d'Avennes received the city of Hebron as a fief from Godfrey de Bouillon in 1100. Gerhard was killed near Ramleh, together with Raoul of Aa1st (Belgium) and Stabelon, the ex-chamberlain of Godfrey, in a clash with the Egyptians in May 1102. Gerhard was buried in the Church of the Assumption, which is near Gethsemane.

Gerius, saint, and Effernadus, saint, de Lunello. They planned to visit Palestine, in the 13th century. (Matheus Masius, Vita SS. Gerii et Effernandi, n. 3) (AA.SS. May 25)

Geriacus of Valkenburg (Netherlands), Saint, hermit. After the death of his wife, he went on pilgrimage to Rome and to Jerusalem. A long time he lived in a hollow oak near the village Houthem St. Gerlach. Daily he went to Maastricht to assist at Holy Mass. He died in 1166. - Gerlacus, round 1150, received hospitality in the House of the Hospitalers at Jerusalem. (Vita S. Gerlaci, n. 3-6; Wilh. Crisius, Vita S. Gerlaci., c. I, III, n.1, 10) (AA.SS. Jan 5).

Gerlandus, Alamannus. Blessed. He was a Knight of St. John, in the 13th century. His 'Vita et Miracuia' are in AA.SS. on June 18.

Germain. This citizen of Jerusalem made deeper in 1185 Bir Ayoub in the valley of Kidron, during a drought. He also repaired Lake Germain (= Birket el Sultan) in the valley of Gehennah, to the west of the city.

German Hospice of St. Mary. In the Crusader period it served as a palace for the Teutonic Knights. Here was the palace of the Hashmonaeans, where the members of Herod's family afterwards took up residence. Here Jesus was mocked by Herod Antipas during the trial (Luke 23, 7). Here lived King Herod Agrippa II. The Crusaders built the church Saint Mary. In the ruins of the Hospice which is near the Church is now an Archaeological Garden.

German Hospiz in West Jerusalem. It began in 1893 as a home for the aged. The garden was acquired in 1913. The Chapel 'Regina Angelorum' (it recalls St Mary of the Germans) was built in 1936. The Hospiz is run by the Sisters of Charles Borromaeus.

Germanion. He was the 32nd bishop of Jerusalem, end of the 2nd or beginning of the 3rd century (AA.SS.)

Germanos. He was archbishop of Jerusalem, when in 248 (the first year of Emperor Decius (248-251), the general council of bishops at Rome condemned Benates (Novates, Novatus). The Ethiopian Synaxarium mentions Germanos on Takhshash 12). See Council.

Germanos, Patriarch (1534-1579) of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. He was a Peloponnesian. He fostered the exclusively Greek character of the 'Greek Orthodox Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre'.

Germanus, bishop of Paris, Saint. Before 565 he came to Palestine. (AA.SS. May 28, April 23, Oct 21)

Germanus, Martyr, together with Antoninus and Zebinus, beheaded in Caesarea, Palestine, in 308 by governor Firmilianus. The Roman Martyrology mentions him on Nov 13, together with Antoninus, Zebinus, and with Ennatha the virgin.

Germanus, Sanctus. He came to Palestine at the beginning of the 10th cent. (Vita S. Germ., gr. et lat., c. I-II, n. 5-10) (AA.SS. May 12)

Germer-Durand J. This Frenchman discovered in 1889 remains of a

Byzantine church on the area of St Peter's in Gallicantu. He edited a photo-album on the Map of Madaba in 1897.

Germerius, St. The AA.SS. on May 16 mention: S. Germerii iter de Syria/Palestina in Galliam;(falsum) The so-called journey from Syria to France would have been at the beginning of the 6th century.

Gerontius, Blessed. This archimandrite of the monasteries of Palestine directed during 45 years the monastery of St. Melany. -Perhaps this Gerontius is meant by the Palestinian -Georgian calendar on Feb 27. This Gerontius was opposed to the Council of Chalcedon (451).

Gervasius, abbot of S. Serbian. He is mentioned in relation with the first Crusade, 1096-1099. (Gaufredus Grossus, Vita S. Bernardi Tironensis, c. II, n. 16) (AA.SS. April 14)

Gervinus, St., Centulensis abbas. He visited Palestine round 1023. (Compare Ricardus Virdunensis)

Gestas. The name of the robber on the left side of Christ, the nonpenitent robber. (Bruce M. Metzger, Names…)

Geubels Marin. (Pater Michael a Sancta Trinitate) He was born in Sinaai in East-Flanders (Belgium). He belonged to the Order of the Carmelites. He began his journey from the Convent of the Carmelites of Dendermonde on June 25, 1770. He went over Italy, Malta, Smyrna, Alexandria, Cairo to Jerusalem. There he arrived on May 12, 1772. On Nov 21, 1773 he was back in Dendermonde. His mother, Jeanne van den Eynde, published the travels of her son, in 1780 in Dendermonde, in 2 volumes under the title 'Jerusalemsche Reyze'. (St. Genois, Les Voyageurs Beiges, 11, 187-195)

Ghattas. See Alphonsine. 

Ghevond of Van (town in Turkey). An inscription in the Armenian cemetery outside Sion Gate in Jerusalem mentions Ghevond of Van, 'the lover of letters, the scribe who copied so many manuscripts, old and new, copied so many colophons and now, 1 left all these in the dark'.

Giacomo da Carini. Franciscan lay brother of Italy. He served 30 years in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, he died in 1876.

Giacomo di Antiochia. He was guardian (= superior) of the Franciscan convent in Tripoli (Lebanon) in 1282.

Giacomo del Panizzari. Franciscan scholar of the Arabic language, and superior in the Holy Land, round 1270 (Salimbene 55).

Gida. She was the mother of Haraldus Severus, king of Norway. She came to Palestine round 1035. (AA.SS. July 27)

Gideon = Gedeon.

Gierlich Jacobus. He is called Wendelinus of Walberberg (in Germany). He was the son of Heinrich Gierlich and of Regina Urfey. He was born in 1876. He was in the service of the Custody of the Holy Land from June 18, 1905. (Not to be confused with Wendelinus Hinterkeuser of Menden (Germany).

Gihon Superior. This 'Lake Superior' or Aqueduct Superior was perhaps near Birket Mamillah, near the Camp of the Assyrians (which is the site of the Russian Cathedral). Perhaps at the site to the north of the walls Salomon was crowned as a king by the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan (1 Kings 1). Perhaps at the same site was spoken the 'sign of Emmanuel’ by the Prophet Isaias (is. 7, 315) to king Achaz (735-715 BC).

Gilbert de Morielporte (or de Tournay), Belgian. This Franciscan Father was in 1248 in the Holy Land. He was in the company of Louis IX (?). (Van der Vat, 96-97)

Gilbertus. He was 'custos minorum' in Acre, in 1286.

Gilbertus de Alberia, crusader in 1147. He was Premonstratensian abbot. (Joh. Le Paige, Vita Gilb., c. ], n. 2-5) (AA.SS. June 6)

Gilermus of Holland and Vaals. This count died on the battlefield in Mesopotamia during a Crusade. His companion, Count Wolfram of Heppeneert, brought the message of his death to Europe.

Gilles see Egidius (or Aegidius). 

Giorgi Oreste, Cardinal. He consecrated in 1924 the Basilica of Mount Tabor and the Basilica at Gethsemane.

Giovanni da Parma, Blessed. In 1247 he became General of the Franciscan Order. in 1249 he was sent to the Orient to promote the Union of the Churches. He died on March 19, 1289.

Giovanni Romano, bishop of Bethlehem, round 1240. He placed the church of Bethlehem in financial difficulties.

Giovannino de Ollis di Parma. Before 1270. He was 'custos' of the Holy Land in Acre (Salimbene, 314, 551). Salimbene writes that his friend Giovannino on order of the General Superior of the Franciscan Order was asked to go to Egypt to take care of the christian captives of war (Chronica).

Giragos, Armenian anchorite. He lived at Ain-Karem (Montana). His name is found in the colophon of Codex Nr 1822 (St. James' Collection) (Bogharian, Archbp. Norair, Grand Catalogue of St. James Manuscripts, Vol. VI, 1972, pp. 190-195).

Giraldus, patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre, 1225-1240. (Mai, Prop. AA.SS.)

Girondus (seu Geroldus) Valentinus Episcopus. He was Latin bishop at Jerusalem in 1227, he died round 1240. He is mentioned in the Bulla of Pope Gregory IX (1227-1230) of Feb 1, 1230 'Si Ordinis Fratrum Minorum...'. (Compare Giraldus). The Pope asks Girondus and Rainerio (Raynerius) to allow the Franciscans to have oratories at Jerusalem and to preach.

Gasser Hallos, of Iceland. Perhaps he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Perhaps he accompanied Nickels of Thingeyrar in 1150-1152.

Giustini Philip, Cardinal and Papal Legate. He visited Nazareth, Oct 19-24, 1919. On October 23, 1919 he placed the foundation for the Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.

Gobat Samuel. He was from Switzerland. He was the Lutheran bishop of Jerusalem from 1846 to 1879. He founded Gobat's School for Boys on Mount Sion in 1853, Gobat was nominated by the King of Prussia.

Gobelinus, second patriarch (1107-1112) of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. (AA.SS. Oct 20)

Gobertus de Asperomonte, Blessed. He was a crusader in the years 1228 to 1229. (Anon. VIIIariensis, Vita B. Goberti, 1, 1, c. 1-2). The Acta Sanctorum mention Gobertus of Asperomonte on Aug 20

Godechaux de Turout. (perhaps Torhout, in Belgium?) The Knight Templar, Gautier du Mesnil, had murdered Arab ambassadors, who had received a free passage from King Amaury (1173). King Amaury sent Godechaux de Turout and Séhier de Maimendon to arrest the murderer. But the Grand Master of the Templars, Eude de St. Amand, refused to let the coupable appear before the court of King Amaury, claiming that only the Pope could judge the Knight Templar. King Amaury therefore planned to dissolve the Order of the Templars.

Godefridus, Lingon, episcopus. He took part at the crusade (11461148) of Louis VIl, King of France. (Translatio S. Mamantis, c. II, n. 12) (AA.SS. Aug 17)

Godfrey of Bouillon, duke, afterwards King of Jerusalem, Blessed. In Belgium his memory is on July 15, 16, and 17. Godfrey, together with his brothers Baldwin and Eustace, started in March 1096 for the first Crusade. He captured Jerusalem in 1099, July 15. He was elected on July 22 'Defender of the Holy Sepulchre'. He died at Jerusalem on July 18, 1100, and he was succeeded by his brother Baldwin (1). Godfrey was buried in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, north before the Chapel of Adam. His brother Baldwin I was buried opposite, south before this Chapel. Annales Altimontenses mention: Godfrey died from poisoning. (Anal. Boll. XV, 283)

Godfrey and his camp. Where the Rockefeller Museum (formerly Palestine Museum) is now, the Crusaders encamped under Godfrey. They conquered Jerusalem on July 15, 1099, through a breach in the section of the wall running east of Herod's Gate. The Crusaders built on the camping-hill their Farm of Belveer. On the same hill Edward VII encamped when he visited Palestine in 1862 as Prince of Wales.

Godfrey and his armour. In the sacristy of the Franciscan convent which communicates with the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, are to be seen a pair of gilt spurs and a blade. It is said to be the 'sword of Godfrey of Bouillon'. The sword, the spurs and a pectoral cross are used in creating Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

Godfrey de Prefetti, bishop of Bethlehem. He tried to repair the debts of his predecessor. He visited France and England to get funds. He was back in Palestine in 1253.

Godfroi d'Ach-en-Campine. The old crusader Gauffier (or Gonnefar, Godfroi d'Ach-en-Campine) was prisoner in Egypt for many years. Round 1136-1137 the Armenian bishop of Jerusalem, who was of the same religion as vizir Bahram, went to Cairo and obtained from Caliph Hafiz (1130-1149) the liberation of this prisoner.

Godfroi, Knight Templar. In 1167 Godfroi and Hugues of Caesarea were received by Shawar, the caliph of Cairo, to conclude the treaty between Amaury, king of Jerusalem, and Shawar against Shirkuh, whose troops invaded Egypt. At the sealing of the pact Hugues presented his 'nude' hand, but the caliph reached his 'gaunted' hand. The French étiquette obliged the caliph to present his nude hand.

Godricus, St. eremita Finchal., He came to Palestine, round 1120. (Galfridus, Vita S. Godr., c. I, n. 5, 8) (AA.SS. May 21)

Gogolj, Russian writer, 19th century. He visited Palestine. Gogol was the adversary of Bjelinskij.

Golinduch, St., martyr. July 13 in the Greek liturgy. Golinduch was born in Persia and lived in the second half of the 6th century. Her father was a magician. During an ecstasy, she was converted and baptized. She adopted the name of Mary. She was arrested and tortured, but freed by the grace of God. She left forJerusalem. Finally she suffered martyrdom near Nisibis, on July 13, 591. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has her feast on June 9.

Golubovich Hieronymus (1865-1941). This Franciscan wrote 'Bibliotheca bio-bibliographica della Terra Santa et dell’Oriente francescano'. Golubovich helped the Greek monk Kleopas Koykilides to publish the first drawings of the Madaba-Map on March 4, 1897.

Gomez Leander. This Franciscan lay brother was murdered by Greek pirates in 1833.

Gonsales Antonius, (Gonsalez or Gonzales) Franciscan (born Mechelen (Belgium) in 1604; died Venio, 1683). He was Superior in Bethlehem in 166511666. Then he was sent to Cairo, as chaplain of the French consul and of the French merchants at Cairo. After his stay in Cairo, he is appointed as second president at Tripoli (Lebanon). He declares himself as 'always beaten by his superiors as a handball'. He wrote (1673) 'Hierusalernse Reyse'. He mentions the mosque at Ain-ed-Dirweh (Fountain of St. Philip) at the place of an ancient church.

Gonsalvus Amaranthus, St. He came to Palestine round 1240. (Didactus de Rosario, Vita S. Gons., c. IV, n. 15-18) (AA.SS. Jan 10)

Contramnus, St., King. He is mentioned in AA.SS. on Sept 4 in relation with Palestine, round 579.

Gonzales Paul. This Franciscan lay brother was murdered by Greek pirates in 1833.

Gorbach, Mgr. This Austrian priest transformed at Bethany a cave into a chapel in 1944. It is now the property of the Salesian sisters. The site is to the north of Bethany, near the property of the Anglican Bishopric.

Gordius, 33th bishop of Jerusalem. He ruled at the end of the 2nd and at the beginning of the 3rd century (AA.SS.)

Gordon Charles George. As a British general he had served in Sebastopol, and in China. He resided in Gravesend near London from 1865 to 1871. He took a year's furlough in the Holy Land in 1882/1883, and he lived in a rented house in the village of Ain Karem. He believed he saw the shape of a skull in the hillside north of the city of Jerusalem. A Roman tomb was discovered there already in 1867. The site became venerated as the Garden Tomb. Gordon left Jerusalem in 1883. He was killed in Sudan in 1885, during the siege of Khartoum. Gordon had published in 1884 his book 'Reflections in Palestine'. The Committee of the Garden Tomb purchased the site with the tomb in 1892/93.

Gormundus, 4th patriarch (1118-1128) of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. (Vita S. Oidegarii, n. 27) (AA.SS. March 6)

Gothalmus, St. He came to Palestine after 1012. (Bernardus Dapif., Vita S. Goth., n. 2) (AA.SS. July 26)

Gottmann John. This Crusader sold in 1161 to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre his farmstead of Khirbet Tannur, which is near Ain Karem, close to the settlement of Mata. It is not far from the white cupolas of the now-deserted Deir es-Sheikh. (Jerusalem Post Magazine, Friday, Aug 1, 1975)

Goznata. see Hrosnata.

Graham Stephen. This author wrote in London in 1913 in his book' With the Russian Pilgrims to Jerusalem' how in March 1893, just before the Holy Week of the Easter-feast of the Eastern Churches, many exhausted Russian pilgrims on their return from Galilee to Jerusalem for Palmsunday, were killed by a snowstorm and heavy rains in the mountains round Sinjil and Khan-el-Lubban. The corpses were buried in the Greek Orthodox cemetery of Ramallah.

Grail. The Grail is the chalice which was used during the Last Supper. A grail is venerated in the Greek Orthodox convent of St. Theodorus, which is north of Casa Nova, inside the Old City of Jerusalem. In this convent the Greek Orthodox silversmits of Jerusalem have a liturgical service on July 3. (See: Romylus of Damascus) - When Baldwin I took Caesarea on May 17, 1101 the most precious relic was a sexagonal cup, considered as the Holy Grail. It is now in Genoa (ita Wilhelm of Tyre).

Graptos (plural = Grapti) means tattooed. See: Theodore, Theophanes)

Gratus, St., Augustae Praetoriae episcopus, at Jocundus, his successor in the bishopric. They made round 470 a journey to Palestine (fabulosum) (AA.SS. June 24; Sept 7).

Greek captive of the Saracens. He came to Palestine in 840. (Vita S. Joannicii, gr., cum lat. vers., c. 50, 62) (AA.SS. Nov 4).

Greek clerics. Two Greek Orthodox clerics and one Armenian monk were killed in the night 14115 July, 1948 by a shell before the entrance of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. This shell from a gun damaged also the Chapel of the Franks.

Greek monks. They wounded 18 Franciscan monks in the courtyard in front of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Nov 1901.

Greek pirates. They murdered on July 22, 1833 near Cyprus 6 Franciscans who were returning from the Holy Land. Two were priests: Father Isidor Baniuls, Father Zachariah Retamero. Four were lay brothers: Mattia Cebrian, Francis Antich, Paul Gonzales, Leander Gomez. The six Franciscans were from Spain.

Gregorius, Acritensis, St. He visited Palestine before 820. (AA.SS. Jan 5)

Gregorius, episcopus Azotensis, 1560. (AA.SS. Nov 3).

Gregorius, last bishop of Jericho. He partook to the synod of Jerusalem in 536. (Compare: Januarius, first bishop)

Gregorius Palamas. He wrote 'Vita S. Petri Athonitae'; Petrus was at war against the Saracens in the 8th cent. (AA.SS. June 12)

Gregory W, Pope (1227-1241). Frederick II and Melek el Kamel arranged on Feb 18, 1229 an armistice for 10 years (1228-1239). Gregory IX excommunicated Frederick because he had arranged the armistice on his own, and had crowned himself King of Jerusalem. Frederick returned in May 1229 to Italy. Gregory absolved him of the excommunication in August 1229. Gregory wrote from Perugia a bull 'Si Ordinis Fratrum Minorum... ' (Feb 1, 1230) to Raynerius and to Girondus, and asked both bishops to allow the Franciscans to have oratories in Jerusalem and to preach.

Gregory X, Pope. Blessed (born 1229- died 1279). After the death (Aug 26, 1270) of St. Louis in Tunis, Gregory promoted a new crusade (the ninth). During his stay in Acre with his friend Prince Edward of England (later Edward I), he was elected Pope by the council of Viterbo. He was archdeacon of Liège, not even a priest. He arrived in Rome, only six months later. Gregory X is commemorated on Jan 10.

Gregory of Akrita (= Gregorius Acritensis). In the Greek liturgy on Jan 5. He was born in Crete, he spent his youth as a shepherd, and later went to Seleucia. At the death of Emperor Leo IV, the Khazar (750-780) Gregory went to Jerusalem. There he suffered from the Jews. He went to Rome where he entered a monastery. During the reign of Michael Rhangabe the Isaurian, Gregory was taken by a representative of Nikephorus I to a monastery in Akrita, Chalcedon, where he spent the rest of his life. (AA.SS. Jan 5)

Gregory XIII (1502-1585), Pope. The Gregorian calendar was promulgated in 1582, when the day after October 4 became October 15. The Gregorian calendar is followed in the liturgy of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The Gregorian calendar is also followed in the civilian life in the Holy Land.

Gregory of Neocaesarea. He was born in Neocaesarea, Pontus, of pagan parents. He received an education in letters and law. In 233 he went with his brother Athenadorus to Caesarea in Palestine where he came under the influence of Origen. Then he returned to Neocaesarea. There he was consecrated bishop of Neocaesarea. In spite of the Decian persecutions, he is said to have converted practically the whole population of Neocaesarea. He opposed the heresies of Paul of Samosate. Because of his miracles, Gregory of Neocaesarea was known as 'the Wonderworker'. He died in 270. The Greek liturgy venerates him on Nov 17.

Gregory of Nyssa, St. One of the three Cappadocians. He is known as a philosopher and mystic. Born at Caesarea (Cappadocia) round 335, died at Constantinople 394. In 381 he came as a pilgrim to Palestine. He warns against the abuses that are connected with a pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Epistola 11). At the insistence of Basil, his brother, Gregory was consecrated in 371 bishop of Nyssa, a suffragan of Caesarea (Cappadocia). Gregory lacked Basil's administrative talents, and so was accused of negligence in financial matters and he was deposed by an Arian-dominated synod in 376. However, after the death in 378 of the Arian Emperor Valens, he returned to Nyssa. In his last years Gregory was involved in a bitter controversy over Apollinarism. Gregory died shortly after attending a council in Constantinople, in 394. - The Roman Martyrology has his feast on March 9. Georgian liturgy venerates him on Oct 16, the Copts on Oct 14, Greek Synaxaries on Jan 10.

Gregory I, (the Great) Pope, Saint. He was born in Rome round 540. His pontificate was from 3th of September 590 to 12th of March 604. The Latin church has his feast on March 12. Gregory sent Probus, a religious abbot, with money to Jerusalem to erect, on the instance of Probus, a hospice. The AA.SS. mention: 'two monks of the monastery of St. Gregori l Romanorum (?) who came to Palestine in 565'. (Vita S. Gregorii, auct. Joh. diacono, 1, 1, c. II, n. 14) Pope Gregory wrote a-letter to priest Anastasius, exhorting him to make reconciliation with patriarch Amos (594-601). Gregory wrote a letter to Patriarch Isaac (601-609) and asked him to finish the quarrel between the Church Nea and the ecclesiastical authorities at Jerusalem.

Gregory of Sinai. In Greek liturgy on April 6. He was born in Kokoulo near Smyrna (=Izmir in Turkey) of a wealthy family, in 1255. He was captured by the Seljuk Turks and was ransomed. He went to Cyprus to become a monk. From there he travelled to the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai. Because of disagreements, he left for Jerusalem. And he continued to Crete, where he learned the hesychasts' life, which he taught to the monks of Mount Athos. In 1325 he founded a monastery on Mount Paroria on the west coast of the Black Sea, where he lived for the rest of his life. He emphasized the importance of rythmical breathing in mental prayer. He died in 1347.

Gregory the Chainbearer, Armenian patriarch of Jerusalem (17171749). When heavy taxes were exacted by the Turks, Gregory decided to wear an iron chain around his neck, and he travelled through Armenia, seeking contributions for Jerusalem. He restored at Jerusalem the church of the Archangels (= the House of the Highpriest Annas) in the Armenian Quarter.

Gregory the Decapolite, Saint. He was the spiritual director of two compositors of hymns, John and Joseph. Gregory sent Joseph to Rome as a messenger to bring to Pope Gregory IV (827-844) details of the persecution, waged by Emperor Theophilos against those who venerated the icons. Gregory the Decapolite died at Constantinople on Nov 20, 842. The Melkite liturgy has his feast on Nov 20.

Gregory the Illuminator. 'Chapel of St. Gregory the Illuminator' is the Armenian name for the Chapel of St. Helen in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. Gregory the Illuminator is an Armenian saint.

Gregory, the Thaumaturg (Wonderworker) = Gregory of Neocaesarea, (born in or round 213 - died under Emperor Aurelian, (270-275)

Griffoen. This Franciscan was born at Korthilk in Belgium, at the beginning of the 15th century. He came to Palestine in 1442, he went to Beyrouth in 1444, worked 25 years among the Maronites, died in Famagusta (Cyprus) 1475, July 18. He was archimandrite of the Maronite Church. Round 1470 he wrote 'Topographia Terrae Sanctae'.

Grifoen of Slavonia, Blessed. In 1480 there arrived in Jerusalem two Catholic Abyssinians as messengers from the King of Abyssinia. They had already visited Pope Sixtus IV in Rome and they were on their way back. One of the messengers apostatized to Islam in Jerusalem. Grifoen was appointed to accompany the other to Abyssinia. During this journey, Grifoen was murdered.

Grimoaldus de Pontecurvo, Saint. He came, together with his brother Eleutherius, to Palestine (8th century (?) to or round 1137) (AA.SS. Sept 27, May 29, June 3) - Grimoaldus and Eleutherius were brothers of Saint Fulcus. The three came to Palestine round 1137 (AA.SS. Sept 29, May 29, June 3).

Gros. He painted 'Les pestiférés de Jaffa' (campaign of Napoléon in 1799). The scene is in the Nicolas' monastery of the Armenians in Jaffa.

Grueber Heinrich. He was born in Stolberg (Germany) in 1891. He was a pastor in the Ruhr until 1933 when the Nazis forced him out of office. He helped Jews to escape to the Netherlands. From 1940 he, was in the concentration camps of Sachsenhausen and Dachau. In 1943 he was set free. He became dean of the Protestant Church after World War IL- In 1972 Mayor Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem honoured him with the Jerusalem Medal; and Yad Vashem honoured him a Righteous One of the Nations. The Jewish National Fund planted a 15, 000 trees forest in his name. Grueber died at the age of 84, in 1975.

Grusinian = another name for Georgian.

Gualterus, St., abbas Stirpensis. He came to Palestine before 1134. (Marbodus Andegav., Vita S. Gualt., c. II, n. 7-9) (AA.SS. May 11)

Guarinus, abbas Cuxanensis, at Johannes Gradonicus. They came to Palestine round 995. (P. Damianus, Vita S. Romualdi, c. II, IV, n. 10, 24) (AA.SS. Feb 7)

Gucci George. This Florentine pilgrims mentions the 'House of St. Joseph' in Bethlehem in the second half of the 14th century.

Guérin. This French geographer and writer visited Palestine in 1863. He published 'Description de la Palestine' en 7 volumes, 1868.

Guido de Turribus. He was killed in the 2nd crusade in 1147. (AA.SS. Oct 13)

Guido of Anderlecht (Belgium), Blessed, confessor. Feast Sept 12. Sacristan and merchant. He visited as a pilgrim Rome and Jerusalem, he was in Palestine round 1004. He is mentioned together with Wonedalphus. (Vita S. Guid., c. I, n. 8-9) (AA.SS. Sept 12)

Guillaume de Cordelle, Franciscan, about 1241. He collected money in France for the Crusade. He was in the papal penitentiary, he was pontifical legate in the Crusaders' army of Theobald of Navarre in Palestine. (La France Franciscaine 4 (1921) 52-71).

Guillaume de Malines (Belgium) (Guillaume de Messines). He was patriarch of Jerusalem from 1130 to 1145. He favorised in 1132-33 the construction of a fortress (Chaste] Arnaud at Beit Noba, halfway Lydda and Jerusalem) to protect the pilgrims. Pope Innocent 11 (1130-1145) wrote in a letter of Jan 17, 1139 to Guillaume to keep peace with the archbishop of Tyre. Guillaume died on Sept 27, 1145.

Guillaume IV of Poitiers: see Simeon of Trier.

Guillaume Roi This Franciscan Frenchman obtained on Nov 25, 1247 the papal permission to join, with a companion, the Crusader Raymond of Bourgogne.

Guillelmus Antiochenus, Saint. He and his sons came to Palestine in the 12th century. (AA.SS. April 26)

Guillelmus at Junianus. They came to Palestine in the 12th century (AA.SS. April 20)

Guillermus Firmatus, St. He came to Palestine round 1080. (AA.SS. April 24)

Guillermus, hermit, Saint. He came to Palestine in 1147. (Vita S. Guill., n. 3 - Theobaldus, Vita S. Guill., c. VI-IX) (AA.SS. Feb 10)

Guillermus, archbishop of Tyre, 1174-1190. (AA.SS. Feb 10)

Guillermus, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre, 1263-1270. (May, Prop., AA.SS.)

Guillelmus de Monte Virginis, St. He came to Palestine round 1108. (Joh. de Nusco, Vita S. Guill., c. II, n. 7, 11) (AA.SS. June 25)

Guillelmus de Sancto Johanne. see William de Sancto Johanne.

Guillelmus VIll, dux Aquitaniae. He is mentioned in AA.SS. on Feb 10, in connection with the first Crusade, 1096-1099.

Guillermus, the son of the count of Vienna. He came to Palestine before 1150. (Hist. Translat. S. Agnetis a Constantinopoli in Galliam, auct. Anton Domenecco) (AA.SS. Jan 21)

Guillius, priest of Milan. He came to Palestine in the 12th century. (AA.SS. June 11)

Guibenklan Calouste, Armenian philantropist. He established in 1929 the public library in the Armenian Compound of Jerusalem.

Gundisalvus, Blessed, martyr. This Franciscan was born in Spain. He came to Palestine, together with John Eteo. Both were imprisoned in Jerusalem. Gundisalvus died in the prison, probably in 1639. His memory is on May 16.

Giunipero, (Junipero). On account of his preaching near the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, he was imprisoned, and beheaded in 1547 (or 1557?) His corpse was burned in the courtyard that is in front of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The Martyrologium Franciscanum remembers this Franciscan lay brother on Feb 23.

Guntram, Franconian (=of Swabia). This knight, together with the Franconian Wigger and Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, conquered Jerusalem on July 15, 1099. (Compare: Philip of Aubigny)

Guthe H. He investigated in 1881 the Siloam Tunnel and Siloam Pool.

Gutman of Bruxelles. This knight had escaped from the defeat at Ramleh in May 1102. The Egyptians had killed Gerbod de Winthinc. Gerbod had the likeness of King Baldwin I. The Egyptians carried the head of Gerbod before the walls of Jaffa, claiming that King Baldwin had been killed. Gutman persuaded the Flemish pilgrims at Jerusalem not to leave Jerusalem, before the rumours about the death of King Baldwin I were confirmed. Afterwards Baldwin I came with a ship from Arsuf to Jaffa, proving that he was alive. And on May 27, 1102 Baldwin was victorious at Jaffa.

Guy de Dampierre. He participated at the battle of Acre, on Oct 4, 1189, for the reconquest of this city.

Guy de Lusignan, King of Jerusalem 1186-1192. On July 15, 1187 Saladin won the battle at the Horns of Hattin in Galilee, and conquered Acre without resistance, and afterwards Jerusalem in October 1187. King Guy de Lusignan was captured at Hattin, but ransomed, and he continued his kingdom at Acre, which was reconquered by the Crusaders on July 12, 1191.

Haas Franciscus, Assumptionist lay brother. He was born in Holland. In 1977 he received the award 'Knight (Chevalier) of the Order of Orange-Nassau'. He was then in the Holy Land since 48 years.

Habacuc: see Habakkuk, prophet of the Old Testament. 

Habacuc: abbey of the Premonstratensian Order. see Helinus

Habakkuk, prophet. In the Greek synaxaries his feast is on Dec 2. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar mentions Habakkuk on June 19, June 28, July 1, Dec 2. In the Roman Martyrology he is named on Jan 15, together with the Prophet Micah. The Ethiopian synaxarium salutes Habakkuk on Genbot 23 (ninth month, May 6 to June 4), and commemorates him on the 6th of the month Tekemt (=second month, Oct 8- Nov 6).

Finding of his bones. It happened during the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great (= Theodosius I) (379-395). It is commemorated in the Western Church on Jan 1.

House of Habakkuk. The house of Habakkuk, out of which the prophet was transported by the angel to the city of Babylon to bring food to the prophet Daniel in the den of the lions, was shown on the hight of Tantur near Bethlehem.

Habakkuk and Micah, minor prophets. Jan 15. Their relics were found during the reign of Emperor Theodosius I (379-395). -Another tradition has that the relics of Habakkuk were discovered under Bishop Zebennos of Eleutheropolis in the village of Keile, near Eleutheropolis, about fifty years after the reign of Emperor Theodosius I.

Habakkuk (Anbakom). 'God called the holy man, Abba Anbakom (= Habakkuk) to the convent of our Father Abba Takla Haymanot, in the days of our Father Peter and it was Peter who baptized him, with Christian baptism, with his own hand, and gave him in charge of a teacher, and after this he arrayed him in the garb of a monk. ' Habakkuk was one of the company of the Eleven Learned Fathers. (in the Ethiopian Synaxarium, 21th of Miyazya).

Habib (physician): native name of Christodoulos. 

Habsburger Family. Twenty-one members of this family are portraited in the Chapel of the Austrian Hospice in Jerusalem.

Haddad Falk. This first Arab Anglican bishop in Jerusalem was ordained on Feb 2, 1976.

Haddad Daoud Yunan. On Reformation-Day (Oct 31, 1979) he was introduced as the first Arab Lutheran bishop in Jerusalem.

Hademunda, widow. Round 1000 (Acta Sanctorum Nov 11).

Hagar, the slave-wife of Abraham. She is not venerated in the Christian liturgy. Hagar was the mother of Ismael.

Haggai, minor prophet, 6th century BC. He played a part in the life of Jerusalem after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity in the time of Cyrus. In the summer of 520 BC. Haggai and his fellow-prophet Zechariah succeeded in getting work resumed on the destroyed temple. He told the Jews: 'Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house' (Hag 1, 8). He predicted a day of divine judgment: ' _and the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his fellow'(Hag 2, 22). - A tomb of Haggai seems to have been venerated in the valley of Cedron. (J. Jeremias, Heiligengraber in Jesu Umwelt, 1958, S. 72). Actually the Jews venerate a tomb of Haggai on the Mount of Olives. In the so-called Tomb of the Prophets (Qoubour el Anbia) the Jews venerate the burial of the prophets Haggai, Zachariah and Malachi. - The Roman Martyrology has the feast of Haggai and Hosea on July 4; the Melkite liturgy has Haggai on Dec 16; the Armenian liturgy on Dec 16 (and on Dec 4 at the memory of the 12 minor prophets). The Ethiopian Synaxarium salutes Haggai, who was buried in Jerusalem in the tomb of the priests. (Takhshash 20)

Haggeus (Haggai) and Malachy, Prophets. In the tomb of the Prophets on the slope of the Mount of Olives.

Hagiotaphite. Member of the (Hellenic) Confraternity of the Holy Taphos (Sepulchre) in the Greek Orthodox Church. Patriarch Cyril II (1845-1872) was elected in Jerusalem by the Hagiotaphites.

Hagop Pascal. This Armenian in the 19th century served as consul in Jerusalem for the kingdom of Prussia. (Hintlian K. History of the Armenians, p. 62163, note)

Haile Selassie I, emperor of Ethiopia. (1892-1975) He became Emperor in 1930, after 14 years as regent. He visited the Holy Land before 1933. In 1935 he Italians invaded Ethiopia. On May 8, 1936 Haile Salassie arrived with his family in Jerusalem. The Ethiopian national hymn had greeted him upon his arrival in Haifa. After the Second World War he returned to Ethiopia. In 1966, on Oct 12 he came from Beirut via Amman to Jerusalem. He returned via Amman, and via Cairo where he met President Nasser. In 1974 Haile Selassie was deposed from his throne, and he died after an arrest of one year, in 1975. The Jewish people had always special ties with Ethiopia. The connections are from the time of King Salomon and the queen of Saba.

Haimanot (Haymanot) see Takle Haimanot. 

Hamilton. He examined EI Aqsa, Basilica of Nativity (1933)

Hanna Carlo. This dragoman (= interpreter) of the French Consulate in Jerusalem helped in 1857 Father Theodore Ratisbonne in buying the arch Ecce Homo in the Via Dolorosa for the construction of a chapel, and of a convent for the Sisters of Sion.

Hannan. In the history of Abgar, which is contained in 'Doctrine of Addai, apostle', Hannan, archivist and scharrir (= secretary) of King Abgar, took the place of Ananias as royal messenger. Hannan found Jesus in the house of Gamaliel. Hannan decided to paint the portrait of Jesus.

Haralamble. see Charalampius, Charalampos. 

Haraldus Severus, King of Norway. see Gida. 

Harding G. Lankaster. He lived in Jordan from 1932 to 1936. In 1936 he was Chief Curator of Antiquities. He left Jordan in 1956, and published in 1959 'The Antiquities of Jordan'. He excavated in 1949, together with Père de Vaux Cave I and Cave III at Qumran. In Cave III the found two rolls of copper with texts. These copper scrolls are actually in the Museum of Amman.

Harlots, who were converted by St. Marcian. In 472 they came to Palestine. (Vita S. Marciani, auct. Sim. Metaphr., lat. vers., C. VI, n. 24) (AA.SS. Jan 10).

Harmel, Mother, (born 1862 in Val-des-Bois en France). This daughter of the great industrialist founded in 1884 the Jerusalem Convent of the Poor Clares. It is on the left side of the way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.

Harmel Pierre, minister of Belgium. In an effort to bring peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict, he visited Jerusalem, July 25-29, 1971.

Harmon A. L. He was the architect of Empire State Building. He designed the Y.M.C.A. (Young Men Christian Association) building in West Jerusalem. The Y.M.C.A. building was begun in 1928, and opened in 1933. Its tower has a carillon of bells. - After 1948, when the Arab-Israeli conflict divided Jerusalem in two parts, the Y.M.C.A. built a centre in East Jerusalem on Nablus Road.

Harmon Larry. On Wednesday, Feb 24, 1971 this American student of Spokane (Washington) jumped and danced on the marble slab that covers the tomb of Christ in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The youth of 21 years was under influence of drugs. His father, who was a lawyer, received permission from the State of Israel to take him back to Spokane, on March 7, 1971. On Thursday, Nov 11, 1971, again under drugs, Larry desecrated the Church of St. Aloysius on the campus of the University of Spokane. He gunned down the sacristan, and wounded a policeman. In the struggle with the police, Larry was killed.

Haroutioun, see Anastase, the Armenian. 

Harte Dr. He founded for the Y.M.C.A. the Dr. Harte Hospice at Tiberias.

Hartvik of Bremen, archbishop. He came back from Palestine (1197-1198) over Venice in his archiepiscopal city, with the relics of St. Anne, with the sword that had cut off the ear of Malchus.

Harvey W. By order of the British Mandate, he examined in 1933134 the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, because it had been damaged by an earthquake on July 11, 1927. In 1935 he placed iron scaffoldings. The scaffolding at the southern facade was removed in 1970.

Hathourn I (1224-1269), King of Cilician Armenia. The wooden door in the entrance of the colonnaded nave of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem was made in 1227 by order of King Hathourn 1. The inscriptions, which are carved on the upper part in Armenian and in Arabic, mention: the door of the Blessed Mother of God was made in the year 676 by the hands of Father Abraham and Father Arakel in the time of Hathum, son of Constantine, King of Armenia.

Healers. Iconography often represents a group of three healers: Cosmas, and his brother Damian, and Luke. Luke is sometimes replaced by Panteleimon or by Christophorus.

Hearts, buried in Jerusalem. Bossi Aurelia, Princess de la Tour d'Auvergne placed the heart of her father in an urn which she placed in the Cloister Pater Noster on Mount of Olives. - The Stuart family buried the heart of Marquis de Bute in 1901 at Dominus Flevit in the ground. The place is marked by an iron cross. - In the Scottish St. Andrew's Church at Jerusalem is buried the heart of a member of the royal family of Scotland.

Heimeradus, priest, St. He visited Palestine before 1016. (Egbertus Hersfeld., Vita S. Heim. c. I, n. 5) (AA.SS. June 28)

Heldradus, Saint. By the help of Heldradus, Italian ships on their return from the first crusade were saved in 1100. (Jacob. Turinettus, Vita S. Heldradi, c. III, n. 25-26) (AA.SS. March 13)

Helen, martyr. She was the daughter of Alpheus the Apostle. (Greek liturgy, May 26)

Helen(a), Saint, Roman Empress, mother of Constantine the Great. She was born 255, she died 330. According to St. Ambrose, she was a servant girl who became the concubine of Constantius Chlorus, was abandoned for political reasons, but was named Augusta (= majestic) by her son Constantine 1 at the beginning of his reign in 306. According to Eusebius, she became a Christian under Constantine's influence and in 324 made one of the first pilgrimages to the Holy Land. She built the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Eleona Church on the top of the Mount of Olives. The story of the finding of the Cross, first mentioned by St. Ambrose, depends on Eusebius. Helena is frequently portrayed with a crown, the model of a church, and the cross and nails; she is honoured as a patron in Trier, Bamberg and Base]. Feast on Aug 18 in Rom. Mart. - Legends ascribe to Helena the foundation of the Thebäer Church in Cologne and others in Xanten and Bonn, and the transfer of relics of St. Matthias and the Holy Garment (= Heiliger Rock) to Trier.

Helena Skedewensis, Saint. She came to Palestine round 1150. (Vita, c. 5-6) (AA.SS. July 31)

Helerius, Blessed. Memory on April 3. Nothing is known about Helerius. Perhaps Helerius is meant in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on April 3.

Helia, junior, St. She visited Palestine in 875. (Vita S. Heliae, c. 11) (AA.SS. Aug 17)

Helinandus, episcopus Laudunensis,. Was in Palestine in 1054. (AA.SS. June 23)

Helinus, seventh abbot of Floreffe (Belgium). He became abbot of the Premonstratensian Abbey of S. Habacuc near Lydda in 1221 (AA.SS. Aug 21)

Heliodorus, St., episcopus Altinensis. He visited Palestine round 381. (Vita, c. I, n. 9; c. II, n. 10) (AA.SS. July 3)

Heliophotus. He belonged to the 300 Palestinians who settled in Cyprus. He lived near the village of Achera, not far from Lefkosia, on the northwest coast of Cyprus. He is commemorated with Anxouthenius, Pamphoditus and Pammegistus in the village of St. Heliophoti, where is a church of the same name. Heliophotus is in the Greek liturgy on July 13.

Hella, bishop of Jerusalem. He travelled to Nicaea in 786. (Ignatius, Vita S. Tarasii, c. V, n. 19) (AA.SS. Feb 25)

Hennesy J. In 1964-1966 he revealed remains of an early gate beneath the actual building of Damascus Gate.

Henoch. See: Enoch. 

Henri de Bar (Bar-le-Duc), count. He was killed in the dunes near Gaza on Nov 13, 1239, together with Anseaux de Lille (France).

Henri I, duc de Brabant. After the reconquest (July 2, 1191) of Acre and the reconquest (Oct 1197) of Beyrouth, Henri wrote a letter to the archbishop of Cologne, wherein he expected the reconquest of Jerusalem. (Jerusalem was lost since October 1187).

Henri de Nazareth. Pope Gregory IX (1227-1241) tried in 1234 to find an agreement between Frederick II and the French barons in Syria. Henri de Nazareth and Philippe de Troyes went to Rome as delegates. They should ask the Pope to annul the interdict which the papal legate Theodoric had laid over Acre.

Henricus Bormensis. He was killed in the crusade in 1147. (AA. SS, Oct 18)

Henricus Cremonensis. He came to Palestine before 1095, together with Albertus, abbas Pontidensis. (AA.SS. Sept 5)

Henricus Zdiko, St., episcopus Olomucensis. He came to Palestine in 113711138. (AA.SS. June 25)

Henry II, King of England (1154-89). He made peace with King Philip of France, and took the Cross in 1188.

Henry of Champagne (Henry II, Henry the Younger, king till 1197). Nephew of Richard I (Richard Coeur de Lion). Henry succeeded (1192-97) Conrad as King of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem at Acre. Conrad was assassinated on April 27, 1192 by the 'Old Man in the Mountains', the leader of the Assassins. The Assassins (or IsmaiIians) lived in the Syrian mountains.

Hoppeneert (in Belgium). See: Wolfram of Heppeneert. 

Heptastomus: (May 24 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.) A laura that was founded by St. Sabas, was called Heptastomos, (Seven founts) in relation to a nearby pit. Is Heptastomus the name of a man, or the name of a laura? (of which the foundation was remembered?)

Heraclides, bishop, 4th century. The nuns in a convent of Eleutheropolis asked for his visit. Heraclides sent from Rome his representative, 'the saint bishop Ephesius'.

Heraclius, brother of George of Choziba. Heraclius lived in the monastery of Kalamon (= reed) on the westside of the Jordan, round 565. (Vita S. Georgii Chozeb., c. I, n. 1, 3; c. II, n. 6-9) Analecta Bollandiana VIl.

Heraclius 1, Byzantine Emperor (610-641). In 614 Chosroes II of Persia conquered Palestine from the Byzantines. Emperor Heraclius reconquered Palestine in 629 and brought back the shrine with the relic of the Cross to Jerusalem, through the Golden Gate in a triumphal procession. - A tradition tells: Prophet Mohammed wrote a letter to Heraclius, asking him to embrace Islam. The letter, written on gazelle hide, is in the Hashemiya Palace, near Amman. King Hussein of Jordan is a descendant from the prophet Mohammed. A special mosque will be built where the letter of Mohammed to Emperor Heraclius will be on exhibition. (Jerusalem Post, April 13, 1977)

Heraclius, 9th patriarch (1180-1191) of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. Saladin conquered Jerusalem on Oct 2, 1187.

Herichon, abbas S. Maximini. He visited Palestine in 1024 (AA.SS. Oct XI bis, 137)

Heriembaldus de Cottis. He came to Palestine round 1070. (Andreas Vallumbr., Vita S. Arialdi, c. IV, n. 33, 38) (AA.SS. June 27)

Hermann von Baden, Markgrat. He assisted at the 'assises' of Acre on June 24, 1148. There were also Louis VII, king of France, and Conrad III, emperor of Germany, and Baldwin III, king of Jerusalem.

Hermas. One of the 70 disciples, bishop of Philippopolis, according to the Greek list. Hermas is in the Roman Mart. on May 9. He is greeted by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans (Rom 16, 14) together with Hermes.

Hermes. One of the 70 disciples in the Greek list, bishop of Dalmatia. A Hermes is greeted by St. Paul in Rom. 16, 14. This Hermes is not mentioned in the Roman martyrology.

Hermins is a term used for Armenians. 

Hermione. She was the daughter of St. Philip, the Apostle (?) or the Deacon (?). She participated in the preaching of the Gospel. She suffered martyrdom in Ephesus in 117. Greek liturgy on Sept 4.

Hermione, Virgin. She directed a convent of nuns in Eleutheropolis (= Beth Gebrin). Hermione had as opponent the deacon Turbo. The convent of Hermione welcomed the 'saint bishop Ephesius' who was the delegate of Rome. The nuns favoured the friends of Ursinus, who was an opponent of Pope Damasus I (368-384).

Hermits. All hermits are commemorated in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Jan 28.

Hermon, Saint, 38th bishop of Jerusalem (302-312). Hermon sent preachers to Tauro-Scythia: first Ephrem to Scythia, and Basil to Cherson; and later Eugenius, Agathodorus, Capiton and Elpidius; and still later Aitherus. The memory of these missionaries is in the Greek liturgy on March 7; in the Roman Martyrology on March 4.

Heroda, martyr. Mentioned in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Genbot 20. (= ninth month, May 6-June 4)

Heroda: Abba Heroda was from the city of Sebastia. He lived while Diocletian was emperor (284-313). Heroda was interrogated and he confessed: 'I am a man of the city of Sebastia and from the province of Benhesa'. He was asked by the governor Lucianus to sacrifice. Heroda refused and was beheaded on the 25th day of the month of Genbot. (Eth. Syn.)

Herodias. Name of the dancing daughter of Herodias. Her dance pleased tetrarch Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist.

Herodias, wife of Herod Antipas. John the Baptist rebuked Herod Antipas because of Herodias, the wife of Herod Philip, who was a half-brother of Antipas. This Herod Philip was the son of Herod the Great and of the Jewess Mariamne II. This Herod Philip is to be distinguished from the tetrarch Herod Philip. Tetrarch Herod Philip was the son of Herod the Great and of his wife, the Jewess Cleopatra. Tetrarch Philip married afterwards Salome, who was, according to some traditions, the dancing daughter of Herodias. Tetrarch Herod Philip died in AD 33-34, after 27 years of rule. - It was probably after the death of Emperor Augustus (14 AD) that Herodias divorced in Rome from Herod Philip, who was without function, and married his half-brother, the tetrarch of Galilee, Herod Antipas. Why did John the Baptist rebuke round 29 for a divorce that had happened about 14 years before? - The text in Mark 10, 12: 'if a woman divorces her husband' refers perhaps to the conduct of Herodias in Rome.

Herodion. One of the 70 disciples, bishop of Tarsus, in the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology has on April 8: Herodion, Asyncrites, Phlegon. These three names are mentioned in Rom 16, 11-14. The Greek liturgy has on April 8: Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncrites, Phlegon and Hermes.

Herodion. Name of a martyr at the time of the Apostles. (Greek Synaxaries have his feast on April 8)

Herodion. One of the 70 disciples, bishop of Tarsus, in the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology has on April 8: Herodion, Asyncrites, Phlegon. These three names are mentioned in Rom 16, 11-14. The Greek liturgy has on April 8: Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncrites, Phlegon and Hermes.

Herodion. Name of a martyr at the time of the Apostles. (Greek Synaxaries have his feast on April 8)

Herodion. Another of the 70 disciples, according to the Greek list. An Herodion of Patras in Greece (one of the 70 disciples) is venerated on March 28 and March 30; and on Nov 10;-, and on April 8.

Herodion, fortress. East of Bethlehem Herod the Great gained a victory over Antigonus in 42 BC. In memory of this victory Herod built at the foot of the hill the settlement Herodia, and on the summit of the hill the fortress Herodium. Herod died in Jericho, but he had asked to be buried on the Herodium. (Compare Frank Mountain)

Hess Rudolf. His father was a diplomat in Egypt. He came, before 1914, with his son Rudolf, who was then about 12 years, to Jerusalem and he visited the family Vester in the American Colony. Generally the boy Rudolf was very nervous, he very often escaped from dinner and went to the stables to observe the cattle. (Vester, Our Jerusalem) In 1941 Rudolf Hess, as Stellvertreter of Adolf Hitler, flew to England to propose peace-conditions. Rudolf was considered as a prisoner of war. After the war, he was condemned to life imprisonment by the Nürnberg-trial. In March 1980 he was still in the prison of Spandau in West-Berlin.

Hester Stanhope. This Lady excavated in 1815 at Ashkelon, in the hope to find statues.

Hesychius, priest of Jerusalem. Sept 22, 23; Nov 23. He lived in the 5th century. He declared: 'the country is the soul, the 50th year (jobelyear) is the general resurrection'. (Revue d'Histoire Ecclésiastique, 1972, p. 970-971). - The AA.SS. mention his feast on March 28; and have his death in 454.

Foundation of priest Hesychius. Palestinian-Georgian cal. Sept 22: In the building of Hesychius, the priest, was his commemoration and the 'depositio' of Peter, Paul, Isaiah, George, Thyrsus.

Hesychius Majumenus. Died 373. (AA.SS. Oct 3)

Heterius. See: Rufus patronus

Hetum II, King of Armenia (1289-1305). He entered the Franciscan Order under the name of John. He was killed during a banquet on Nov 18, 1308. King Hetum II sent the Franciscan monk, John of Montecorvino to Pope Nicholas W with his testimony of submission (1289). Despite the Pope's attempt to send aid, the Mameluks captured Hromcla in 1292. A synod in Sis in 1307 undertook dogmatic and disciplinary reforms in accord with Roman prescriptions. The Franciscan monk John (the former Hetum II) and his nephew, King Leo IV, were killed, together with fourty noble men, during a banquet at Anazarbe on Nov 18, 1308. The Blessed John is remembered in the Martyrologium Franciscanum on Oct 1. - Hetum II conquered Jerusalem in 1300 for a short period. Hetum II was king of the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia and was an ally of the Mongol Ghazan. - Hetum built an altar at the tomb of the Virgin Mary in Jerusalem, and he financed repairs of Armenian churches.

Hewan = the Ethiopian name for Eve. 

Hezekiah Abba. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on the 27th day of the month Magabit: 'On this day died the strenuous ascetic and fighter Abba Hezekiah, the father of the monks of Dabra Libanos. He was the fourth abbot from our father Talkla Haymanot.

Hezekiah. The father of the three companions (Azarias, Ananias, Misael) in the fiery furnace.

Hezekiah, King of Judah 715-687 BC. He instituted a religious reform, destroying the places of Baal-worship. Hezekiah first paid tribute to King Sennacharib of Assyria. Hezekiah was cured of a boil by the prayer of prophet Isaiah and the applicationn of a fig poultice (2 Kings 20, 1-11; Isaiah 38, 1-8). About 700 BC King Hezekiah brought water from an upper outlet of the spring of Gihon to the west of the city of David. (2 Chr. 32, 30) - An inscription in the socalled Canal of Hezekiah, inside the Pool of Siloe was discovered in 1880. The inscription was cut from the rock and taken to Istambul. - There is no cult of Hezekiahin the Western Church. In the Eastern Churches he is remembered on Aug 28 in the Synaxarium of Constantinople. Hezekiah is venerated in the Ethiopian Church, on the 4th day of the month Nahasse (= the twelfth month, Aug 4Sept 2). - The tunnel of Hezekiah(550 metres) can be traversed by tourists. In the inscription Hezekiahis not mentioned. Some scholars mean that the inscription precedes the days of Hezekiah.

Hezychius, St., confessor. (Memory Oct 3 in Mart. Rom.) He was a disciple of St. Hilarion of Gaza and his companion on journeys. Hezychius died in 373 in Majuma near Gaza.

Hezychius, priest, Martyr in Antioch under Emperor Maximian (286. 305). He was not a priest, but an officer in the imperial palace. The title 'priest' causes confusion sometimes with Hesychius, priest of Jerusalem. Hezychius, martyr, is commemorated on March 4, and on March 5.

Hierarchs. Three Hierarchs: Basilius of Caesarea (Cappadocia); Gregory of Nazianze, the Theologian; John Chrysostom. These 'three defenders of the Holy Trinity' were venerated on Jan 30.

Hieremias, prior Carmeli, 1218. (AA.SS. Aug 16)

Hieremias seu Orestes, patriarch of Jerusalem. He died about 1012. Mentioned in AA.SS. on May 17 and May 18.

Hierges. This Crusader family possessed the Castle of Mirabel (Migdal Aphek; Mejdal Yaba). There an inscription mentions 'Martyrion of Saint Kerykos'.

Hieronymus, St. (of Bethlehem). see: Jerome. 

Hieronymus of Padula, servant of God. This Franciscan died in Jerusalem from the plague on Sept 12, 1670.

Hieronymus Sapsanus, prior Carmeli. Died 1223. AA.SS. July 19.

Hieronymus of Weert (Netherlands). This Franciscan has served in the Holy Land. He was martyred in Gorcum, together with 18 companions, on July 9, 1572. Canonization 1867. Rom. Mart. July 9.

Hierotheus of Athens. (Greek liturgy, Oct 4) He converted to Christianity by St. Paul's sermon in Athens. He was consecrated as first bishop of Athens to be succeeded by Dionysius Areopagites. Hierotheus is said to have been present at the failing asleep (= koimesis) of the Blessed Virgin.

Hilaire, of France. This Franciscan was Superior at Nazareth. He was imprisoned in 1632 during two months by Terabith, who was an emir of the Bedouins and the rival of Fakr-el-Din.

Hilarion of Gaza. He was born in 293 in Tabatha of Gaza, studied in Alexandria where he accepted the Christian faith. After living with St. Anthony for a while, he distributed his property and entered the anchorite life. Because of the many people who visited him, he left Gaza and visited Egypt, Sicily and Dalmatia. Finally he went to Cyprus where he died at Paphos in 373. His biography was written by St. Jerome. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Dec 21. The Roman Martyrology mentions him on October 21: In Cyprus, the death of St. Hilarion Abbas.

Hilarion of Maiuma = Hilarion of Gaza. 

Hilarion, St. Martyr. The Melkite liturgy mentions on July 12: Proclus and Hilarion, martyred under Emperor Trajan (98-117).

Hilarius, episcopus Pictavenis (Poitiers in Aquitaine), saint. The AA.SS. on Jan 13 mention that Hilarius visited the Holy Land, round 356-359. Hilarius (born round 315 - died 367) was exiled to Asia Minor by Emperor Constantius II. There Hilarius lived from 356 to 359. After the Synod of Seleucia (359) he went to Constantinople.

Hildebertus, Meldensis episcopus, St. He visited the Holy Land, 672-680. (fabulosum) (AA.SS. May 27)

Hildegarde, St. Abbess of Rupertsberg, mystic and writer. Born 1098, died at Rupertsberg (Germany) on Sept 17, 1179. Feast Sept 17. She made a prophecy about the Emperor of Germany Conrad who participated at the second crusade (1146-1147) (Anal. Boll. 11, 125)

Hildegundis, St. She came, together with her father, to Palestine round 1180. Hildegundis was from Schönau (Germany). She travelled in the clothings of a man. She received hospitality in the house of the Templars (Vita S., Hildegundis, auctore Connovitio, n. 49). She died in the convent of Schönau, in 1188. (AA.SS. April 20)

Hilduinus, comes Arcelacensis. He came to Palestine in 992, together with Adso. (AA.SS. Oct 16).

Hinterkeuser August (Brother Wendelinus of Menden (Germany). August was the son of Matthia Hinterkeuser and Christina Frey. Born in 1851, died at Tiberias on Sept 20, 1921. He rebuilt the Chapel of the 2nd Station in 1904, and the nearby Convent of the Flagellation in 1910. He helped for the restoration of the Synagogue at Capharnaum during the last 15 years of his life.

Hippicus. The tower Hippicus in the Citadel of David at the Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem, is smaller than the tower Phasael, but bigger than the tower Mariamne. Tower Hippicus honours Hippicus, who was the friend of Herod the Great.

Hoade Eugene, Franciscan from Ireland. He, together with his friends, donated the altar on the right side (south side) in the Grotto of Arrest at Gethsemane. Above this altar is a painting that represents the kiss of Judas. - Hoade was 29 years in the Holy Land. His 'Guide to the Holy Land' had its 9th edition in 1978. Hoade died at Rome on March 17, 1972.

Hodgkin Thomas, English physician. He discovered the Hodgkin's disease. He is buried in the old christian cemetery of Jaffa.

Hoffmann Christopher (1815-1885). He founded in Wurtemberg the 'Tempelgemeinde' (community of the Temple). Its members came to Palestine in 1868. Their ideal was the erect the ideal Christian community in the 'Land of Promise'. The first settlement was outside Jaffa.

Hobert Krisirachs, servant of God. He belonged to the Franciscan province of Cologne; on his journey to the Holy Land he died at Saida, Lebanon, on Jan 15, 1670.

Honorius III (Pope 1216-1227) forbids pilgrimage to Holy Sepulchre. In his bull 'Cum carissimi in Christo filii' of July 24, 1217, which was sent to the main harbours of embarkment for the Holy Land, (Genoa, Messina, Brindisi) Honorius forbids 'under excommunication' the pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Honoratus, St. bishop of Aries. see Caprasius. Honoratus visited Palestine round 380. (AA.SS. June 1)

Hortulana. St. Clara of Assisi (born 1194) was her first child. Hortulana came to Palestine at the end of the 12th century. (AA.SS. Aug 12)

Hosea. Hosea prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel for a period starting towards the end of the reign of Jeroboam II (783-743 BC). Hosea denounced the prevailing idol worship, which crept into 'the high places', the local shrines on hilltops and under sacred trees. He was caustic too about the golden calves introduced into the sanctuaries of Bethel and Dan by the northern kingdom of Israel. Hosea was married to Gomer, who turned out to be a loose woman, 'a wife of harlotry'. He probably divorced Gomer by the formal declaration that 'she is not my wife, and 1 am not her husband'(Hosea 2, 2) but he continued to love his erring wife. - The book Hosea is the first of the 12 minor prophets. The Roman Martyrology has his memory on July 4; the Greek synaxaries commemorate Hosea on Oct 17; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Oct 16. The Ethiopian Synaxarium salutes Hosea on Yakatit 26.

Hosea and Haggal, SS. prophets: Mart. Rom. July 4. 

Hospitalers of St. John in Jerusalem. They built round 1130 the Church St. Marie Majeure (Sainte Marie Latine) and the cloister which is now Erlöserkirche (Church of the Redeemer) and the Muristan. Saladin in 1187 made the cloister to his residence.

Hospitalers of St. John at Tabor. Pope Clement W (?) (1265-68) accorded on April 1, 1255 (?) Mount Tabor to the Hospitalers of St. John. In 1263 Bybars el Bandoukdar started from Egypt and conquered the Holy Land. Bybars encamped between Mount Tabor and the mountain Little Hermon.

Houtermans W. l. In the Milk Grotto in Bethlehem is a wooden sculpture 'Madonna with Bambino' (heighth about 70 cm) by W. I. Houtermans, Roermond (Netherlands). This sculpture (behind glass) is on the main altar. In the Milk Grotto are other sculptures of Dutch artists.

Hovag, Armenian Monsignor. He began to build in 1880 the Church above the 4th Station, which belongs to the Armenian Catholics. He rediscovered the mosaic with the floor of the Byzantine church, and the mosaiced representation of two sandals. Hovag died in Jerusalem in 1929, he is buried in the crypt of the 4th Station.

Hovagin, Armenian Patriarch. In the Armenian cemetery which is outside the Zion Gate in Jerusalem is his inscription: This is the resting place of Patriarch Hovagin, called Zovadzin - born of the sea - the only survivor of a shipwreck.

Hovhan, Armenian. A marble urn which was discovered at Jerusalem, had the Armenian inscription: 'Petros who made this cross, and Hovhan who caused it to be made. '

Hripsime, St. In the southeast of the church of the Holy Archangels in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem is the vestry, known as the Chapel of St. Hripsime. There is a carved wooden door dating from 1649.

Hrosnata (Goznata) Ord. Praemonst. Martyr, Blessed. He was a knight. After the death of his wife and of his child, he transformed in 1193 his castle at Tepi (Bohemia) into a convent for Premonstratensian Canons. He came to Palestine round 1197. In 1217 he was taken prisoner by the knights of Kinsber. He refused to pay a ransom and he died as a prisoner on July 14, 1217. (AA.SS. July 14)

Hugh of Payens. In 1118, Baldwin I (he ruled 1100 till April 2, 1118) gave the hospitality of EI Aqsa mosque to Hugh of Payens and his 8 companions, who founded the Order of the Knights Templars.

Hugh of Vermandois. He was the brother of Philip I, king of France (1052-1108). Hugh partook to the first crusade (1096-1099).

Hugo, episcopus Tiberiadis seu Tabariae, 1308. (AA.SS. Nov 1)

Hugo de Tociaco. Came to Palestine round 1100. (AA.SS. Oct 20)

Hugo of Genua, St., Knight of St. John. Died 1230 (AA.SS. Oct 8).

Hugo, prior of the Templars. Executed round July 25, 1266 at Safed by Sultan Baybars. (Compare: Three Martyrs)

Hugo Panciera, Blessed. Born in Prato (Italy). In 1312 he was in Constantinople and belonged to the Mission of the Holy Land. The Martyrologium Franciscanum remembers him on March 5.

Hugue de Saint Omer (or Hugue de Fauquenberge près de Thérouanne). He saved King Baldwin I at Jaffa by the help of his Galilaean cavalry on May 21, 1102.

Hugues, Seigneur de Puiset. He was count of Jaffa, after Roger de Rozoy. Hugues was succeeded by Amaury who was the brother of Baldwin III (1143-1162).

Hulda the Prophetess. She was consulted by the officers of King Josiah (640-609 BC). She responded with a prediction of disaster for the kingdom of Judah because of its failure to observe the law. Hulda is mentioned among the Just of the Old Testament, on the first Sunday of Advent in the Eastern Church.

Gate(s) of Hulda(h): The Double Gate or the Hulda(h) Gate south of the Esplanade of the Temple goes back to the time of Herod the Great. Does this name refer to a tomb of Hulda inside the city of David? Did the low vaulted passage under the present EI Aqsa mosque contribute to the name Huldah, which can signify a mole? Is the name 'Gate (singular) of Hulda(h)' restricted only to the eastern aisle of the Double Gate? To the west side of the western aisle of the Double Gate is, inside the EI Aqsa mosque, a so-called footprint of Christ. To the west side of the minbar (pulpit) are two mihrabs (niches of prayer). The bigger niche is dedicated to Moses; the smaller niche is dedicated to Issa (Jesus). This prayer-niche can remind us to the text of John I0, 39: 'Jesus escaped from their hands'. Indeed the entrance to the Temple went upstairs the eastern aisle of the Double Gate; the western aisle was for leaving the area of the temple.

Tomb of Hulda: The Grotto of Pelagia on top of the Mount of Olives is considered by Jews as the tomb of the prophetess Hulda who lived in the time of King Josias (2 Chr. 24, 22). - The book Tosefta Baba Bathra places the tomb of Hulda, with that of David, within the city of Jerusalem.

Humbaldus, St., episcopus Autissiodorensis. He came to Palestine in 1115. (Vita S. Humb., n. 13) (AA.SS. Oct 20)

Hungary: a certain king of Hungary came to Palestine round 1080 (fabulosum) (Miracula S. Annae, c. I, n. 5) (AA.SS. July 8 and 26)

Hunt Holman William (1827-1910) This English painter spent from 1854 many years in Palestine. Near the convent of Mar Elias on the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, he painted his great religious pictures: 'The Light of the World' and 'The Scapegoat'. His widow, Edith, erected on the westside of the road, opposite the convent Mar Elias, a stone seat. Inscribed on the seat are verses from the Bible in Hebrew, Greek, English and Arabic.

Hunter. According to Hunter's 'History of the-War in Syria' the sultan of Constantinople offered the Church St. Anne in Jerusalem to England. England as an ally of Turkey had bombarded in 1840 the harbour of Acre. The bombardment obliged Pasha Ibrahim to retire from Acre. Lord Palmer declined to accept the Church of St. Anne. - Later, after the Crimean War (1854-1856), the Church was given to France, by Sultan Abdul Mejid. France accepted the Church.

Hur, brother of Aaron the priest. See: Aaron. 

Hymenaeus, 36th bishop of Jerusalem. Died round 268 (AA.SS.).

Hypatus and Theodoulos of Phoenicia (Lebanon). Both were commissioned by Adrianus the Governor, to arrest Leontius. This Leontius was an officer of the Roman army that was stationed in Tripoli of Phoenicia. Hypatus and Theodoulos were converted during the process against Leontius. When the governor heard about the conversion, he beheaded the two converts. It happened during the reign of Emperor Vespasian (69-79). The feast of Hypatus and Theodoulos is on June 18 in the Greek liturgy, and in the Roman Martyrology.

Hyperectius, martyr in Palestine, 3rd/4th cent. (AA.SS. Jan 29)

Ibelins. Family of Crusaders. The 'Castle of Mirabel’ (Migdal Aphek) belonged first to the Hierges family and later to the lbelins.

Iberian = Georgian. 

Icelia, pious woman who built a church at Bir el Qadismu. In the church, built by Icelia, St. Theodosius administered, before he left for the grotto east of Bethlehem, about 460. - Is lcelia the same woman as Flavia?

Ida of Boulogne, Blessed, saintly noblewoman. Born at Bouillon (Belgium), round 1040, died April 13, 1113. Her feast is on April 13. Ida, daughter of Duke Godfrey II of Lower Lorraine, and niece of Pope Stephen IX, married Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, round 1057. Ida was the mother of Godfrey of Bouillon and of King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. The AA.SS. mention that Ida had a vision about the conquest of Jerusalem in 1099. (AA.SS. April 13)

Ignatius is the name of the Child placed by Jesus in the midst of the apostles. (Mark 9, 36)

Ignatius of Antioch. (Greek liturgy Dec 20) He is known as Theophorus 'the God-bearer', he is celebrated for seven letters. Probably of Syrian origin, legend identified him with the child (Ignatius) whom Christ set down among His disciples (Mt 18, 1-6). - Ignatius became the second or third bishop of Antioch. He was sentenced to death and sent to Rome to be thrown to wild beasts at the public games. He died in 107.

Ignatius of Loyola, St. founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Born Casa Torre of Loyola (Spain), died Rome July 31, 1566. Feast July 31 in Mart. Rom. - Ignatius left Manresa (Spain) toward the end of February 1523, and after many delays landed at Jaffa on Sept 1, 1523, with a party of pilgrims. The hostility of the Turks prevented fulfillment of his original plan to remain in the Holy Land and so he returned to Europe and began a program of study. Ignatius obtained his Master of Arts degree at Paris in 1534, and on August 15 of that year, he vowed to live in poverty and chastity and to go to the Holy Land. It was determined that, if this journey became impossible, his group would offer itself to the apostolic service of the Pope. When the war between Venice and the Turkish Empire prevented their pilgrimage, they placed themselves in the hands of Pope Paul III in 1538. - Ignatius was imprisoned by the Franciscans in 1523, because he had come to the Holy Land without 'the permission of the Pope'. The so-called 'Prison of St. Ignatius' in St. Saviour (a cave in the rock) never saw Ignatius, as he visited the Holy Land in 1523, before the Franciscans were in St. Saviour. - Ignatius was able to see twice the imprint of the foot of Jesus in the shrine of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives. Ignatius gave the first time the pocket-knife of his writing case, and the second time the pair of scissors to the Muslim guard of the shrine. - The Jesuits direct 'Pontifical Biblical Institute' Rehov P. Emile Botta, West Jerusalem. It was built in 1924-27.

Ignatius of Malo, servant of God. He was president in the Franciscan Convent near the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre; he died in Larnaca (Cyprus) on June 24, 1686.

Ignatius of Smolensk. He mentions (1390) a part of the column of the Flagellation in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Ikelia = Icelia.

Ilgyrus. He was magister militum (training master of the soldiers) of Bohemund I round 1106. (Eadmerus, Hist. novorum, 1, IV, c. II, n. 28) He is mentioned in AA.SS. on April 21.

Illidius: see Allyre of Clermont. 

Illuminatus of Rieti, Blessed. (May 5) He was the companion of St. Francis on his journey (round 1218-1220) to Damietta and to Acre. Illuminatus died in 1266. He is buried in Assisi.

Indiction. Indiction is a cycle of 15 years. The beginning of the indiction, or crown of the year, or crown of the turning of the year was remembered by the Georgian liturgy on Sept 1. The first indiction began in 312 under Constantine the Great, on Sept 1. - The Roman church followed other dates, according to the countries Jan 1, Dec 25, March 25.

Innocent, anchoret. He founded around 385 on the Mount of Olives a martyrion, which was destined to receive the relics of John the Baptist. On Sept 29 was there the feast of John the Baptist and of Elijah and Eliseus, two prophets. - The Russian Church with its seven-storied bell tower is dedicated to John the Baptist. It was built between 1870 and 1887. East of the church is a chapel with a mosaic. It has an Armenian inscription: 'This is the tomb of Blessed Susanna, the mother of Artavan, September 18'. In the mosaic is a hollow, where according to a document on the wall, the head of John the Baptist was discovered. Beneath the mosaic there is a sepulchral chamber. - The feast of John the Baptist in 'the monastery of the priest Innocent' is mentioned in the Kalendarium Hierosolymitanum (7th/8th century) on Sept 29.

Innocent Bizzari. He was born in Rome in 1633; he entered the Franciscan Order in 1652, and went to Palestine in 1658. He travelled to Cairo and apostatized to Islam. After six days he repented. The Belgian consul and the Franciscan Superior counselled him to flee. But he presented himself to the cadi (= judge) and was imprisoned. He was beheaded at Cairo on March 19, 1662.

Innocents Holy (Dec 28 in Mart. Rom.) In the church of St. Catherine alongside the wall on the right side, a staircase descends to grottoes which are under the northern aisle of the Basilica of the Nativity. The altar of St. Joseph stands on a platform. Under this platform were Christian tombs. On the left side is another grotto. It is dedicated to the Holy Innocents. The boys under two years were murdered by King Herod the Great to eliminate the 'new born king of the Jews' - The daily procession of the Franciscans starts from their church of St. Catherine. It visits in the Basilica the place of the birth, the site of the Manger, the altar of the Magi, and proceeds through a door (of which only the Franciscan sacristan has the key) at the back of the corridor to the grottoes. The hymns praise Joseph as a descendant of David. The hymn 'Salvete, flores Martyrum (Hail, o flowers, martyrs) honours the Innocents. The procession goes in adjacent grottoes to the cell of St. Jerome, to his tomb, to the opposite tombs of SS. Paula and Eustochium, to the tomb of S. Eusebius, abbot of Bethlehem. The procession mounts the staircase to the Church of St. Catherine, where it ends. Duration of the daily procession is 30 minutes.

Innocents: on the 3rd Thursday after Easter. In the lectionary of Latal and in the lectionary of Paris.

I.N.R.I.: These tour initials stand for the four Latin words Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews) (Compare: Titulus Crucis).

Irena, St. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar mentions her in the Anastasis-Church on Oct 21. On the same Oct 21, the same calendar mentions Pax, St. Irene is the Greek translation of the Latin Pax (peace). There is a virgin, Salaphta, which means in Greek lrene (Peace). Her baptism and her life in the monastery were described in the life of Porphyrius of Gaza.

Irenaeus, episcopus Gazae, 393. Feast Dec 16. (AA.SS.)

Irenion, St., bishop of Gaza. (Memory Dec 13 in Mart. Rom.)

Isaac de Valenciennes, Jonckheer. He was seigneur (seignior) of the villages Ittre and Braine le Château in Braband (Belgium). He partake in the first Crusade (1096-1099). After his return he erected a chapel in honour of the Virgin Mary, who had protected him against the Saracens. This chapel becomes Notre Dame d'ittre in 1326. There exists in Belgium a castle, château Bois-Seigneur-lsaac, and also an abbey.

Isaac, patriarch of Jerusalem (601-609) compare Gregory the Great. 

Isaac, patriarch. He is commemorated on March 27, his feast is on August 22. The mention on March 27 is in relation with the Passion of Christ, which, according to an old tradition, was remembered on March 25. Since the 4th century, a tradition localized the sacrifice of Isaac on Golgotha. The martyrologium of Rabban Sliba recalled on the Tuesday after Easter the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. On the southern (= the latin) part of Calvary, in a vaulted apse is represented Abraham with Isaac and with the Angel who forbids the sacrifice the ram in the bush is on the left side.

Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs they are venerated on Golgotha on March 27, Aug 21 and Aug 22.

Isaac the Samaritan. In the Ethiopian Synaxarium, he is venerated on Maskaram 17. (first month, Sept 8-Oct 7). lsaac the Samaritan found that the water in his own waterskin was stinking. He came to Saint Odokis (= Eudoxius) the priest, who made the water of a well sweet. There appeared over that well a cross of light and they built there a church. When Isaac came to the city of Jerusalem, he was baptized. The Holy Cross appeared to him and to the men of his house on the tenth day of Megabit, but as they were unable to celebrate a festival in its honour during a fast, they celebrated its festival on the day of the consecration of the church, which was the seventeenth day of Maskaram, the day of its appearance in the Holy Tomb.

Isaac who lived in the city of Gaza, and the righteous men who were in Dabra' Ash are saluted in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on 5th Hamle (=the eleventh month, July 5-Aug 3).

Isaakius, servant of Alexandra, the wife of Emperor Diocletian. Isaakius suffered martyrdom, together with Alexandra. (G reeks: April 21).

Isaiah, St., major prophet to whom the book of Isaiah is attributed. Feast July 6 in Mart. Rom. Particular feast of the Latin Patriarchate. - Isaiah lived in Jerusalem, his prophetic activity extended at least from 742 to 701 BC. Two sons, Shear-Jashub and Maher-Shalal-Hashbaz, are mentioned in his book. The 'Martyrdom of Isaiah' is an apocryphal book; it says that Isaiah was sawn asunder in the reign of king Manasseh (687-642 BC). A tomb of Isaiah was venerated near the Pool of Siloam in the valley of Kidron (J. Jeremias, Heiligengraber in Jesu Umwelt, 1958, S. 77-80) - The book of Isaiah contains 'the book of Emmanuel’(is 6, 1 till 9, 6) with the sign of Emmanuel (is 7, 18-25) against the policy of King Ahaz, who seeks the help of Assyria. - The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has on May 5: memory, in the building of Blessed Bassa, of Isaiah the prophet, of Menas and Phocas. The Melkite liturgy has the memory of Isaiah on May 9, together with the martyr St. Christophorus.

Isaiah in 'the Foundation of Melania' commemorated on July 6, according to the lectionary of Paris.

Tomb of Prophet Isaiah. In the centre of the village of Silwan (Siloe) on its west slope is a little oratory. It belongs to the Franciscans. The property contains 3 tombs. The largest one (the oratory) is dedicated to the prophet Isaiah. A modern Greek inscription, cut in the rock before 1889, mentions: 'This is the place of the prophet Isaiah'. The Franciscans acquired the property in 1889. The key is in the Convent of St. Saviour. - An ancient tradition places the grave of Prophet Isaiah in the valley of Josaphat.

Place of Martyrdom of Prophet Isaiah: South of the pool of Siloe at the foot of the Ophel-hill is a place that is called Birket al Hamra (the Red Bassin). At the southeast angle of the Birket al Hamra (which is now a garden) is a hillock with an old mulberry tree at the top. This hillock, named Tell el Minshar (hill of the saw) marks the traditional place of the martyrdom. An ancient legend has that the prophet Isaiah was sawn asunder with a wooden saw, on order of king Manasseh (687-642 BC).

Isaias, martyr, born in Alexandria. He was beheaded in Caesarea, Palestine, in 309, under Emperor Galerius (305-311), together with Elias, Jeremias, Samuel, and Daniel. (Feast Feb 16).

Isaias, monk of Palestine (died 491). He has given one half of his mantle to a poor monk. (P. Devos, Le manteau partagé, un thème hagiographique en trois de ses variantes, dans 'Analecta Bollandiana, 1975, T. XCIII, p. 157-165)

Isidore, hegumen of the laura of St. Firmin (6th century). 

Isidore, martyr. In the village of Gebali, is the commemoration of Isidore, Nov 4 in the Georgian calendar. To be identified with Isidore, hegumen?

Isidore of Alexandria. (Feb 4) Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria sent his priest, Isidore of Alexandria, to John, bishop of Jerusalem with two letters: one for John, the bishop, and the second for Jerome in Bethlehem. Isidore handed the first letter over to John, but John forbade him to give the second letter to Jerome. Then Jerome omitted to answer to Theophilus. (Revue d'Histoire Ecclésiastique, vol. LXIX, 1974, p. 365-395) It was round 396.

Isidoro d'Oggione. (1606-1677) This Franciscan Father was missionar in the Holy Land.

Isitius. The pilgrim Antoninus Martyr mentions the tomb of St. Isitius, whose body lies there. Here also loaves are given to the poor and to pilgrims, according to the directions of the Blessed Helena. (PPTS 11 p. 22)

Iskander (=Alexander) bishop of Jerusalem. see: Praxius. 

Ismido (Ismidus, episcopus Diensis). Round 1106 he came to Pales tine, according to AA.SS. Sept 28.

Issa. This Christian Arab received the keys of the Grotto of Annunciation in Nazareth from the Franciscans, when they left in 1548.

Italian Hospital in Jerusalem. It is situated to the north of the walled city. The Hospital was run by the Sisters of Cottolengo till 1948. After the War of Independence it was rented to the State of Israel.

Italian Memorial on Mount Scopus for the Italians who fell in Palestine in World War I (1914-1918): Santilli Giuseppe, Zerbini Giuseppe, etc... Their graves are close to the Memorial Chapel.

Italian Pilgrims. They came through Thessalonica to Palestine round 904. (AA.SS. Oct 8)

Ivo of Nazareth, Dominican, Blessed. Ivo of England was prior of the Province Terra Sancta, he was bishop of Nazareth in 1306(?). (Walz A., Compendium historiae Ordinis Praedicatorum) He died on Jan 31, 1250/1260. (Feast on Jan 31)

lyasenyu. In the Ethiopian Synaxarium, he is the father of Elias Zelotes (= Elijah the Prophet).

Jacob, Armenian bishop. A pavement in the chapel north of the Russian Convent on Mount of Olives has an Armenian inscription: 'This is the monument of the lord (= bishop) Jacob, made on (his) request'. The pavement of the 5th/6th century was discovered in 1893.

Jacob of Porta, Blessed, Franciscan. He was born in Base] (Switzerland) in 1282. Johannes of Ravensburg (1337-1346) mentions him (1344) in the Holy Land. Jacob died in his country in 1356. The Franciscans remember him on June 21.

Jacob, the patriarch. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his memory on Oct 8 in Bethlehem (or in Bethel?). North of Bethlehem is the tomb of Rachel, the wife of Jacob; in Bethel (now Beitin) Jacob saw in a dream, a ladder which reached from earth to heaven. (Gen 28, 12)

House of Jacob. On the height of Tantur, north of Bethlehem, a house was indicated as 'the place where Rachel died'. Rachel was buried along the way, nearer to Bethlehem.

Tent of Jacob (Ader): East of Bethlehem (a thousand paces from Bethlehem, says Eusebius (265-340), is the Migdal Ader (Eder) of Genesis 35, 21. To this place Jacob retired, after the death of Rachel, which happened in the 'house of Jacob'. Migdal Eder means Tower of the Flock. - The calendar of Jerusalem mentions a pilgrimage to this place. Epiphanius (9th cent.) says that to the east of Bethlehem was a monastery called Poemnium (=of the flock), where the angel appeared to the shepherds. (Shepherds' Field)

Death of Jacob. It is remembered by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 28th day of the month Nahasse (= twelfth month, Aug 4-Sept 2): Joseph (of Egypt) mourned for him, and the Egyptians with him. And then Joseph put him on the chariot of Pharaoh, and brought him to the land of Canaan and buried him with his fathers.

Jacobite Syrians in Jerusalem. see: Gauffier, Frankish knight. 

Jacobus Alphaei (James, the son of Alphaeus) (Mt 10, 3) He is commemorated by the Greeks on Oct 8; by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Oct 8. By Greeks and Georgians the apostle James, the son of Alpheus, is distinguished from James, the Less, and from James the Great. The Catholic Greeks have the feast of Jacobus Alphaei on October 9. St. Epiphanius of Cyprus and St. Gregory of Nyssa distinguish between the apostle James, the son of Alphaeus, and James, the brother (?) of the Lord.

Jacobus de Puy. He was Superior of the Franciscans and Custos of Syria. He was martyred at Safed in 1266.

Jacobus et Jeremias, martyrs, Minoritae. Jacobus da Puy (de Podio) (de Puy) and brother Jeremias of Genoa were Franciscans. Together with the Prior of the Templars, Hugo, they were condemned at Safed in June 1266 by Baybars. The bodies of the three, together with the corpses of other Christians, were thrown in a grotto. This grotto has been discovered in the 19th century. (Geissler Aegidius, Das Martyrergrab in Safed, in 'Das Heilige Land' 25 (1881) S. 121-126)

Jacobus, deacon. He wrote, round 451, the Life of St. Pelagia, the Penitent. (AA.SS. Oct 8)

Jacobus. See: Johannes Jacobus Fernandez, Martyr 1860. 

Jacobus de Vitriaco, bishop of Acre, Saint, 1216. He is mentioned in Acta Sanctorum on May 1. Analecta Bollandiana mention Epistola Jacobi ad beatam Lutgardem.

Jacobus Pantaleone, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre 1255-61. (May, Prop. AA.SS.) He is mentioned on Aug 30 in Vita S. Petri confessoris de Trebis.

Jacques d'Avesnes (Jacobus de Avesnis). This Flemish knight was indicated at Calabria (Italy) by the Flemish crusaders as their commander. On five ships the group arrived in the Holy Land in 1189. He partook at the battle of Acre (Oct 4, 1189). He died in 1191. The AA.SS. mention him on Sept 7.

Jacques de Puy (France). Franciscan martyr at Safed in 1266, together with the Franciscan Jeremiah of Lecce (?). The Martyrologium Franciscanum had the feast on July 25. Both have the rank of 'Blessed'. - Saladin took Safed in December 1188. In 1240 it was recaptured by the Crusaders, and it was rebuilt by the Knights Templars. In 1266 Safed was conquered by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars.

Jacques de Vendôme, Frenchman. Father Eugene Roger of Paris (round 1620) wrote: Jacques de Vendôme was charged by the Pope to be the Superior of the Franciscans at Nazareth. Jacques was during 8 years in function. Fakher ed-Din has given permission in 1620 to the Franciscans to reside in Nazareth.

Jacques de Wrone, Augustinian monk. He mentions (1336) on Mount of Olives the Grotto of the Credo.

Jacques de Vitry. Born 1160-1170. He visited Jerusalem in 1180. (?) In his 'Historia Orientalis' the chapter 79 is on the Armenians in Jerusalem. See: Jacobus de Vitriaco, bishop of Acre. Jacques de Vitry was born in France. He was canon at Oignies (Belgium) Ste Marie d'Oignies; died in 1213. Jacques de Vitry wrote her biography. In 1216, Jacques was ordained a bishop for Acre by Pope Honorius on July 31. In 1228 he became cardinal-bishop of Frascati; he died in 1240, he was buried at Oignies.

Jaffa, Count of Jaffa. The count of Jaffa was under excommunication. Before the battle against the Kharezmians in 1240, he asked the Patriarch, who was there with a relic of the Cross, for absolution. The patriarch refused. Again the Count of Jaffa asked, to be refused again. But then the bishop of Rama (Ramleh?), impatient of the obstinacy of the Patriarch, cried out: 'Never mind. The patriarch is wrong and 1 absolve you myself. ' Of course one priest's absolution is as good as another's, and the Count of Jaffa went into battle, to be killed with a light heart.

Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem and Cross in 1848. When Mgr. Valerga, the newly (in 1847) appointed Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, made his solemn entry in Jerusalem on Jan 17, 1848, the banner with the patriarchal cross decorated the Jaffa Gate. Since the Crusades, it was the first time that a cross was used in such a procession.

Jaffa Gate and Citadel. Jaffa Gate was connected with the Citadel by a low crenellated wall crossing a moat. This wall was removed (and never rebuilt). So Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany could in 1898 enter the city on horseback without passing through the Jaffa Gate itself.

Jair, grandfather of Esther: Amin-Adab, the son of Iya'eru (= Jair), of the tribe of Benjamin, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King carried off into captivity, had a beautiful daughter, whose name was Esther. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Talkhshash 24)

Jairus, president of the synagogue in Capharnaum, whose daughter Jesus raised from death. Jairus is not venerated in the liturgy. Mk 5, 21-43 and Lk 8, 40-45 mention the name. In Mt 9, 18-26 no name is given, the man is called 'a ruler'.

James, Abba. He was the fiftieth Archbishop of Alexandria. This saint was appointed archbishop in the sixteenth (or seventeenth) year of the reign of the King of Egypt, whose name was AI-Muizz in God, which is, being interpreted, 'he who is obedient to God', the brother of the governor, the son of Haron Rashid (Harun ar Rashid) (Harun Rashid ruled 786-800). James Abba had a church built in the city of Jerusalem, so that it might be an asylum for these of the True Faith who arrived there. Jamas Abba sat upon his archiepiscopal throne of Alexandria for ten years, eight months and four days, and he died in peace. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Yakatit 14)

James Adelphoteus. (Greek liturgy Oct 23) He was the son of Joseph and the brother or cousin of Jesus Christ, and one of the main supporters of the Early Church. In 59 he was elected as first bishop of Jerusalem. Because of his significant work, he was arrested by the Pharisees, thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple and stoned and beaten to death round 62. The Epistle of St. James is attributed to him. (Compare: James the Less (the Minor) in the Greek liturgy on Oct 9) James Adelphoteus is the patron of the Arabic speaking Greek Orthodox community, which has its parish Church south of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

James, brother of the Lord: In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Oct 22; in the Greek Synaxaries on Oct 23.

Martyrdom of James, brother of the Lord, finding of James, the Apostle, of Simeon, and of Zachariah, the priest. Dec 1 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar: the monk Epiphane, after a revelation, found the relics of these three saints in 351; the bishop Cyril (of Jerusalem, 349-386) took the relics away on Dec 1. (Analecta Bollandiana, 8, 1889, p. 124)

James, son of Alphaeus, martyr. The Ethiopian Synaxarium relates on Yakatit 10: This blessed Apostle after having preached the Gospel in all the cities, returned to Jerusalem, and went into the synagogue of the Jews. The Jews brought him to the Emperor Kalwadewos (Claudius? 41-54), the deputy of the Emperor of Rome. The Jews calumniated this disciple, saying: 'This man hath preached to us of another king besides Caesar. ' The Emperor commanded the soldiers to stone the Apostle James, and they make haste and stoned him. Certain believing men buried his body near the sanctuary.

James, Apostle. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, he was called with his brother John by Jesus while they were in the fishing boat with their father (Mt 4, 21 - Mk 1, 19; Lk 5, 10). The mother of James and John asked that they might sit next to Jesus in His kingdom. John and James also asked Jesus whether they should ask that fire from heaven should strike the inhospitable Samaritans (Lk 9, 54). Jesus nicknamed them Boanerges, 'sons of thunder' (Mk 3, 17). James was admitted with Peter and John to some episodes from which the rest of the Twelve were excluded: the raising of the daughter of Jairus, (Mk 5, 37; Lk 8, 51), the transfiguration (Mount Tabor), the agony at Gethsemane. - James, the Apostle, was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I round 42 (Acts 12, 2). The Martyrologium Romanum has his feast on July 25. (in Greece the feast is on April 30) - This James is called the Great, the Greater (Jacobus Major). The Armenians venerate the spot of his beheading in the Church St. James, Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem. The Franciscans of Nazareth pilgrimage on July 25 to the village Yafa, southwest of Nazareth. A local tradition places there the house of Zebedee and his sons James and John. This James the Greater (Jacobus Major) is venerated in Compostella, Spain.

James the Major and the Armenians: According to Armenian tradition, the head of James the Major was brought to the Virgin Mary, sitting in the house of James (= James the Less(er), the later bishop of Jerusalem, who ordered it to be buried close at hand. The burial-place of the head of James the Major is venerated under an altar, which is on the left side (north side) of the church St. James. - In the same church is venerated the throne of St. James the Less(er). This James was thrown from the temple precint into the valley of Cedron, about 62 AD.

James the Major beheaded in Joppe? Odoric de Fr. wrote: 'postea in via ad montem (= Sion) invenitur ecclesia Sancti Jacobi Zebedei, quae est Armeniorum. Ubi olim repositum fuit ejus corpus per manus angelorum de Joppe, ubi fuit decollatus. ' Philippe Brosserrius (Revue de l’Orient Latin, IX, p. 351 n. b.): «Postea debet homo ire ad montem Syon et in itinere invenitur ecclesia B. Jacobi majoris filii Zebedei, quae est Hermeneorum. Ibi est locus, ubi quondam repositum fuit caput ipsius Jacobi, allatum de Yoppen per manus angelorum et ibi fuit decollatus, ut quidam dicunt; alii vero quod in Jerusalem, ubi est ecclesia ipsius, decollatus fuerit, quod magis credo.»

James the Less(er), the Minor (Greek liturgy on Oct 9). He was the son of Alphaeus, and one of the 12 apostles. If he was the Lord's 'brother', it was he who presided over the Christian community in Jerusalem and there suffered martyrdom round 62 by being thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple. This view, however, is not generally accepted. The Roman Catholic Church had his feast on May 1. His feast was together with the feast of the Apostle Philip. Since the reform of the liturgy, the feast of both apostles is on May 3. -James the Less is also called Apostle, although he did not belong to the twelve apostles, chosen by Jesus. James the Less is the patron of the Latin diocese of Jerusalem. On the east slope of the valley of Cedron, opposite the temple, is the so-called Tomb of St. James. Two columns support a Doric architrave with an inscription that it is the tomb of the family of Beni Hezir. The monument can be entered on the right side. The Chair of St. James, which is venerated in the Armenian Church of St. James (Major) refers to St. James the Less.

James who was torn to pieces (Jacobus intercisus). A Crusader chapel of St James is situated behind Christ Church. The chapel is now a mosque. (Hanauer, Walks in and around Jerusalem, 1926) The mosque is called Yakoubiyeh el Adjemi by the Muslim writer Moudjir ed Din al Ulaimi (1494). It means St. James, torn to pieces. This James, (Jacobus Intercisus) was a Persian, martyred in 421 (349?) and his remains were brought to Jerusalem by Peter Iberian. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on Nov 12. The Mart. Rom. has his veneration (and of other martyrs) on Nov 27.

James the Ascetic. He lived in Nitria, Palestine ([Egypt]?), for fifteen years. Evil men sent a harlot to his cave, but he converted her. He is mentioned in the 'Apophthegmata'. (Jan 28)

James of Alexandria in Lombardy. From 1475 to 1478 he was Superior of the Franciscan Convent of Mount Sion. He died in Egypt on Good Friday, March 20, 1478.

James of Berne (Switzerland). He visited the Holy Land in 1346.

James, deacon. He wrote the Life of monk Dositheus, in Greek language. He died in 530.

James Delphin. He was the first Guardian (= Franciscan superior) (1434-1438) on Mount Sion. He repaired the Chapel of the Holy Ghost. Sultan Jaqmaq (1438-1453) ordered the removal of the Friars of Sion to Cairo. The Negus of Abyssinia protested, and the sultan did not execute the removal.

James, penitent at the Carmel, 5th/6th century. His feast is in May. (Acta Sanctorum, Prop. XXX)

Januarius. First bishop of Jericho. He assisted at the Council of Nicaea in 325.

Jarvis Major C. S. He was British governor of Sinai in the 1930s; he encouraged the Beduins to set up permanent dwellings in Kuseima (a Beduin hamlet); the project met with limited success.

Jason, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Tarsus, according to the Greek list. The Martyrologium Romanum has the feast of Jason in Cyprus on July 12. Jason and Sosipater are named by St Paul in his letter to the Romans 'my kinsmen' (Rom 16, 21). Jason and Sosipater, both of the 70 disciples, are venerated in the Greek liturgy on April 28.

Jawan (plural Jawani): Arabic for Greek. Jawan indicates the Greek nationality, the Greek people, but not the Greek-Orthodox religion.

Jean. - Georgian Life of Jean. see Elijah, Ascension of Elijah. 

Jean de Socolova (Socolovia), Captain, Chevalier du St. Sépulchre. His name is mentioned on the cover (inside) in a copy of Belon du Mans, Paris 1588. It is not sure that Jean has been in Palestine.

Jean Guthman. He was taken prisoner by Nur-al-Din on June 19, 1157 near the Bridge of the Daughters of Jacob. Jean was conducted to Damascus.

Jean de Maundeville. (1332 or later). He visited the 'Tomb of Lot' at 3 miles east of Hebron.

Jebel Osha in East Jordan. It is the supposed burial-place of the prophet Osha (=Arabic for Hosea). According to a Jewish tradition, Hosea was from Galaad. He is said to have been buried near the city Es-Salt. On top of Jebel Osha is the weli of nebi Osha. It is built near a big oak. The weli is venerated by the Muslims.

Jenin (town in Samaria) see: Bavarian Airmen Memorial. 

Jeremiah, Prophet. Jeremiah's vocation came to him in the 13th year of King Josiah (626 BC). Jeremiah was a na'ar, a boy, at the time of his vocation. He was born at Anatoth, 5 Km. north of Jerusalem and was possibly a descendant of Abiathar. In 621 BC, a book of the Law was discovered in the temple and this text became the basis of a religious reform under King Josiah. The anti-Babylonian party forced King Zedekiah (597-587)to revolt. King Nabuchadnezzar took Jerusalem in 597. Jeremiah was well treated as a Babylonian sympathizer. He was offered the choice of residence in Babylonia or in Judah. Jeremiah chose Judah. When the Babylonian governor Gedaliah was murdered, the Jewish community forced Jeremiah and his helper, Baruch, to accompany the Jews on their flight to Egypt. When these Israelites in Egypt took up the worship of the 'queen of heaven' Jeremiah rebuked them. A later Jewish tradition relates that he was stoned to death by the rebuked men in Egypt. His memory is on May 1 in Mart. Rom. - A legend tells: Jeremiah in Jerusalem retired to the 'Caves of Jeremiah' (north of the city-walls) and composed there his 'Lamentations'- The Latin Patriarchate venerates Jeremiah on May 11. The Greek Church on May 1.

VIIIage of Jeremiah. Archdeacon Theodosius (round 530) mentions relics of Jeremiah in Anatoth, the native village of the prophet. From the highway Jerusalem to Nablus, a road leads to the right to Anata (4 Kms) Right of this road is a hill, Ras Kharrubeh (Hill of the Carob Tree). The hill is the site of the Biblical Anata (Anatoth), the home of prophet Jeremiah. (Jer 1, 1) To Anatoth King Solomon relegated the highpriest Abiathar (1 Kings 2, 26). In the actual village of Anata (this stands on the site of the Anatoth of Roman and Byzantine eras) is a Russian property. It has remains of what might have been the Byzantine church (perhaps in honour of prophet Jeremiah). From the actual Anata, the road continues to wadi Farah. Jeremiah and Egypt. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on Ter 21 'Salutation to Jeremiah... He destroyed wild beasts and fierce lions by the power of his prayer, and therefore his festival is celebrated in Egypt'. - The book 'Vitae Prophetarum' relates that Jeremiah was buried in Taphnai (Egypt). His tomb protected against serpents. King Alexander the Great transferred the relics to the new-built Alexandria, divided them in 'a circle', as protection against serpents. (M. Simon, Les Saints d'Israël dans la dévotion de l'Eglise Ancienne, in Revue d'Histoire et de Philosophie Religieuses, 34, 1954, 98-117)

Jeremiah, prophet, and Isaiah, prophet. Both prophets were commemorated together in the church of the Resurrection on July 21, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Jeremiah, an Armenian monk. Cyril of Scythopolis, in his 'Life of Sabas' writes: 'During the year that followed, there came three Armenians, an older man, who was called Jeremiah, and two disciples, Paul and Peter. Sabas gave them a cell and a cave north of his original cave, and the use of the first little oratory in Armenian on Saturdays and Sundays'. - The grotto of Jeremiah is visible until today in the Laura of Mar Sabas.

Jeremias, martyr of Alexandria. He was beheaded in Caesarea, Palestine, in 309, together with Elias, Isaias, Samuel, Daniel. Feast Feb 16.

Jeremias (of Genoa) martyred in 1266 at Safed. See Jacobus de Puy. (Compare Jacques de Puy; Three Martyrs at Safed)

Jerome of Bethlehem, St. Greek liturgy, June 15. He was born in Strido, Dalmatia, in 342. Brought up as a Christian, he studied in Rome. About 374 he went to Syria and spent some years with the hermits in the desert east of Antioch. He was ordained a priest in Antioch and served in Rome as papal secretary from 382 to 385. Pope Damasus directed him to revise the Latin version of the New Testament. In 386 Jerome settled in Bethlehem and taught Greek and Latin to local children. His Latin translation of the complete Bible from Hebrew and Greek became known as the Vulgate. Jerome engaged in controversial writings about the teachings of Origen. Jerome died in Bethlehem in 420. The liturgical veneration of St. Jerome was never important in the East. The Latin Church honours him as Doctor Ecclesiae and has his feast on Sept 30.

Jerome, martyr of Egypt. He was martyred in Caesarea, Palestine, under Emperor Galerius (305-311). Feast on Feb 16.

Jerusalem. The name of a martyr during the pre-Nicene persecutions in the 3th century. (Greek liturgy, July 26)

Jerusalem of Lycaonia. Together with Septeminus of Lycaonia and Fortunatus, Jerusalem suffered martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution (284-313). Septeminus is venerated by the Greek liturgy on April 16.

Jerusalem Cross. This symbol is formed by a big cross with in its four fields a small cross. Von Schick Conrad writes in Palestine Exploration Fund, 1894, pp. 188-189: 'Given the fact that these types of crosses were in use in Armenia as early as the 9th century, the Armenians appear to be the first designers and the first users of the Christian Jerusalem Cross'. After the Crusades the five crosses were interpreted as the five countries which partake to the Crusades: France (for the big cross), Germany, England, Spain, Italy (without indication of the field of each country) - Devotion can interpret the five crosses as the five wounds of Jesus Crucified. This interpretation is sometimes given when the Jerusalem Cross is represented together with the Franciscan emblem of the naked arm of the Crucified Jesus and the arm in cloth of the stigmatized Francis of Assisi. This Franciscan emblem indicates the property of the Custody of the Holy Land. At the 5th Station (Simon helps Jesus) the naked arm of Jesus is pointing to the left, the clothed arm of Francis is directed to the right.

Jerusalem, burning and destruction, in 614 by the Persians. Strategius wrote that the burning happened on May 17, and the destruction on May 20, 614. - On May 17 the Greek liturgy remembers in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre the burning (Jerusalem on Fire). The Palestinian-Georgian calendar remembers the burning on May 17, the destruction on May 20.

Jerusalem Patriarchs from James (= James the Less) to Modestus (631-634) They are remembered on May 17 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. (Till 451 Jerusalem was a bishopric; in 451 at the Council of Chalcedon Jerusalem became a Patriarchate).


Bishops of Jerusalem

The year indicates death or end of office

round 62 - James, the Less, brother of the Lord, was stoned
round 107 - Simeon's death - Feb 18. Nov 1, May 20
2nd cent. - Justus - Nov 24
 - Zacchaeus-Zacharias - Aug 23
 - Tobias - Dec 17
 - Benjamin - Dec 11
 - Johannes I - June7
round 120 - Matthias - Jan 30
round 124 - Philippus - Aug 4
2nd cent. - Seneca
 - Justus
 - Levi - March 1
 - Ephrem - Feb 1, April 4
 - Joseph
round 134-148 - Judas-Quiriacus - May 4
156 - Marcus - Oct 22
2nd Cent. - Cassianus (17th bishop)
 - Publius - Jan 21
 - Maximus, Julianus, Gajanus, Symmachus, Cajus, Julianus, Capiton (he died 185), Maximus, Antoninus, Valens, Dolichianus (he died 195)
round 212 - Narcissus, the 30th bishop - Oct 29
212-250 - Alexander, martyr - March 18
 - Dius, Germanion, Gordius (31st-33rd)
266-268 - Mazabanes and Hymenaeus.
304 - Zabdas (or Zamdas) - Sept22
311 - Hermon, 38th bishop - March 7
333 - Macarius I - March 10
349 - Maximus 111 - May 5
386 - Cyrillus of Jerusalem - March 18
415 - Serenus, pseudo-episcopus - June7
417 - Johannes Il - March 5
418 - Praylius.
451 - Theodosius, haereticus, intrusus - Jan 20

At the Council of Chalcedon in 451 Jerusalem was made a Patriarchate. 

Jerusalem-monks. They travelled to Egypt in 391. (AA.SS. Jan 15, May 2, June 24)

Jerusalem: persecution in 1524. Sultan Suleyman I, surnamed 'The Magnificent' ruled from 1520 to 1566. He conquered Belgrade in 1521. In Jerusalem the Moslems asked the Mufti whether Christian ceremonies were not a profanation of the nearby Tomb of David on Mount Sion. The Mufti had recourse to Suleyman, in Constantinople. An order was issued from the Sublime Porte on March 1523 to the Governor of Damascus to expel the Christians from the convent of Mount Sion and to hand over the place to the bearer of the order, Mohammed el Adjami. Khurrem Pascha expelled the Franciscans from Mount Sion in January 1524.

Jerusalem: persecutions from 1537 to 1540. Admiral Doria Andrea, in the service of Emperor Charles V, achieved successes against the Turks. In 1533 Doria occupied Tunis, and he won a battle in July 1537. The Franciscans in Jerusalem were accused of harbouring important Europeans of warlike intent. On September 16, 1537 the Franciscans of Mount Sion were imprisoned in the Tower of the Pisans (=Citadel of David), and from there transferred to Damascus. There the Superior, Thomas of Nursia, died in the third year of his imprisonment (= 1539).

Jerusalem: Patriarchs from 451, Council of Chalcedon to 1099, conquest by the crusaders. 

The year indicates death or end of office. 

458 - Juvenalis, the first patriarch, - July 2
478 - Anastasius
486 - Martyrius, - Jan 20
494 - Sallustius
518 - Elias I, - July 4
518-574 - Johannes III (died 524), Petrus (died 544), Eustochius, Macarius II (died 574)
594 - Johannes IV - Jan23
601-609 - Amos, Isaac
631 - Zacharias, - Feb 21
634 - Modestus, - Dec 16
638 - Sophronius I, - March 11

The Arabs conquered Jerusalem in 637.

638-680 - Locum tenentes: Sergius, bishop of Joppe; Stephanus, bishop of Dora; Theodorus, priest
7th cent. - Anonymus - June24
round 760 - Johannes V - April 2
760-772 - Eusebius, Theodorus, Basilius
round 800 - Elias II (death), - Feb 25
round 807 - Georgius (death)
802-823 - Fortunatus (pseudo-patriarcha), - Feb 26
round 821 - Thomas 1, - Feb 11
821-907 - Basilius, Sergius, Salomon, Theodosius, Elias III
907-981 - Sergius II, Leontius, Anastasius, Christodorus I
Agathonus, Johannes VI, Christodorus II,
Thomas II, Joseph
round 1012 - Hieremias, Theophilus, Nicephorus
1016-1024 - Arsenius, - July 26
round 1045 - Jordanus
round 1050-1099 - Sophronius II, Euthymius, Simeon
without year St. Paphnutius, martyr, - April 19

in 1099 on July 15 the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem and erected a Latin patriarchate.

Jesse, father of David. Jesse was from Bethlehem. David's family descended from Ruth the Moabite, who was married to Booz in Bethlehem. Booz and Ruth had as son Obed, who was the father of Jesse. Jesse is not venerated by an own feast in the liturgy.

Jesus: Feasts of the Lord Jesus with the corresponding Gospel in the Holy mass, in the Holy Land. Flight to Egypt, Feb 17, Mt 2, 1315; The Prayer of the Lord, Tuesday after Sunday Septuagesima (9th Sunday before Easter) Luke 22, 39-44; Memory of the Passion, Tuesday after Sunday Sexagesima (8th Sunday before Easter); Thorns of the Crown, Friday after Ash Wednesday, Jn 19, 11-5; Holy Spear and Nails, Friday after first Sunday of Lent, Jn 19, 28-35, Holy Shroud, Friday after second Sunday of Lent, Mc 15, 42-46; Five Wounds of the Lord, Friday after third Sunday of Lent Precious Blood of the Lord, Friday after fourth Sunday of Lent Corpus Christi, Thursday after Sunday of Holy Trinity Jn 6, 56-59; Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, Thursday after the Octave of Corpus Christi, Lk 22, 15-20; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday after the second Sunday after Pentecost, Jn 15, 9-16; Holy Redeemer, October 23, In 3, 13-18.

Jesus mocked near Golgotha. Daniel Abbas (1106-1107) mentions the fact that Jesus has been mocked near Golgotha, before the Crucifixion. The Greek 'Chapel of the Mocking' which is to the east side of Golgotha reminds us of such insulting. Here is preserved a fragment of the column on which Jesus sat while the soldiers mocked him. Such a mocking is represented by the sculptors, especially in the Netherlands. An exposition 'Het Laatgotisch Beelcisnijcentrum Leuven' (6 Oct -- 2 Dec 1979) in Stedelijk Museum, Leuven, showed 21 sculptures 'Christus op de Koude Steen' (Christ seated on the Cold Stone). The sculptures were from round 1500 and belonged to churches and chapels, in and round Leuven (Belgium).

Jesus as prisoner near Golgotha. Epiphanius monachus (round 940) mentions 'The Prison of Christ' in the northern part of the Garden of Joseph of Arimathea. The sanctuary recalls us that Jesus was a prisoner just before his crucifixion. The sanctuary is in an ancient Jewish tomb which was to the north side of Calvary. The sanctuary which is now a Chapel inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre belongs to the Greeks. But the sanctuary is incensed by Greeks, Armenians, Copts and Latins during their respective processions.

Jesuits in Jerusalem. They direct the Pontifical Biblical Institute, built in 1924-27, Rehov P. Emile Botta, West Jerusalem.

Jethro. He was the father-in-law of Moses. The Druse sanctuary Shu'eib (Arabic name for Jethro) near Kefar Hattin, west of the Lake of Galilee, gathers at the yearly feast on Jethro's birthday in April the Druse pilgrims. Palestine has some 35000 Druse.

Jews returning to Jerusalem after the conquest of 70. (Vita tertia S. Austremonii, c. III, n. 16) (AA.SS. Nov 1)

Joab. This general of David conquered the city of Jerusalem through the 'shaft' of Gihon (1 Ch. 11, 6). Joab killed in Hebron Abner in revenge for Abner's killing of his brother Asahel in combat. Joab murdered Amasa. David left a charge with Solomon to execute vengeance upon Joab for both murders (2 Sam 2, 5) - Joab is not venerated in the liturgies. Wadi el Askar (Valley of the Soldiers) near Gibeon reminds us of the battle wherein Abner killed Asahel (2 Sam 20, 8), who was the brother of Joab.

Joachim, St., husband of St. Anne, and father of the Holy Virgin. His feast was formerly on August 16 in Mart. Rom. - Going down the staircase inside the Church of the Assumption of Mary in the valley of Cedron, you have to the right the chapel, which is dedicated to SS. Joachim and Anne. - Joachim was called by three names: Joachim, Yonakir, Zaclok. He was of the seed of David, and of the tribe of Judah, for he was the son of Joachim, the son of Lazarus, the son of Eldad, whose tribe goes back to Solomon the king, the son of David. Salutation to Joachim, in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 7th day of the month Miyazya. - The Roman liturgy had formerly the feast of Joachim on Aug 16, but has actually the commemoration of Joachim and of Anne on July 26. The Martyrologium Romanum mentions on March 20 the birth of Joachim. The Georgian calendar has the feast of both parents on Sept 9.

Joachim, husband of Susannah in Babylon. He is mentioned in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Maskaram 28.

Joachim, St., abbos Florensis. He came to Palestine round 1170. (Jacobus Graecus, Vita S. Joh., c. 1-11, n. 11-6) (AA.SS. May 29) A prophecy of St. Joachim on the third crusade (1189-1192) is related in AA.SS. on May 29.

Joachim of Fiore, abbas, SOCist, venerable. Born round 1130. Died March 30, 1202. He wrote ascetical and historico-philosophical books. -To be identified with Joachim St, abbas Florensis.

Joad, prophet in the Old Testament. In the Roman Catholic Church his memory is on March 30. A man of God came out of Judah to Bethel and prophesied against king Jeroboam I (922-901 BC) of Israel, who burned incense. After having threatened the king, the man of Judah began to return by another way. An old prophet of Bethel induced the man of Judah to come back to Bethel and to 'eat and drink in his house'. The Judah-man did so. The Bethel-prophet now foretold the death of the Judah-man. And indeed, as the Judah-man returned, he was killed by a lion. The Bethel-prophet buried the Judah-prophet in his own tomb and said to his sons: 'When I die, bury me in the grave in which the man of God is buried, lay my bones beside his bones' (1 Kings 13, 1-33) - In the 'Vitae Prophetarum' the unnamed man of Judah is called Joad (Joas, Joam, Joiada). And in Bethel is the tomb of this prophet who spoke against the king Jeroboam I of Israel.

Joannes Jacobus Fernandez, Blessed. This Franciscan lay brother was martyred at Damascus in 1860. Feast on July 10.

Joasaph. see: Josaphat in: BARLAAM and Josaphat. 

Job, the Just. In the Greek Synaxaries, and in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar, Job is mentioned on May 6. The Roman Martyrology has Job on May 10. - Job in the land of Hus (perhaps the Hauran, east of the Upper Jordan) was stripped of all his goods and afflicted with a disease, in order that a dispute between Yahweh and Satan about the disinterestedness of Job's virtues might be settled. Job refused to blame God for his misfortunes. The Ethiopian Synaxarium salutes the death of Job on the 2nd of Genbot (ninth month, May 6-June 4).

Jocundus, bishop of Augusta Praetoria. He made, together with Gratus, St., his predecessor, a journey to Palestine round 470. (AA.SS. June 24; Sept 7)

Joel, St., Prophet. The Mart. Rom. has on July 13 the memory of Joel and Esdras. Joel is one of the twelve minor prophets. No dates are given regarding his life. The book 'Joel’ stands second in the twelve minor prophets. Joel 3, 1-5 is quoted in Acts 2, 16-17 with reference to the charisma of Pentecost, and Joel 3, 5 is quoted in Rm 10, 13. Joel is on Oct 18 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar; on Oct 19 in the Greek Synaxaries.

Johanna, sister of Richard I. In 1191 Richard I proposed that Saladin's brother, EI Adel, should marry his own sister Johanna, and both should rule Jerusalem. Johanna refused, but Richard made a three years peace. Now the Crusaders had the right to visit the Holy Sepulchre in small groups. Richard I (Coeur de Lion) left the Holy Land in Oct 1192. On his return he was captured and later ransomed.

Johannes, St., abbas Parmensis. He came to Palestine round 980. (Vita S. Joh., c. I, n. 2) (AA.SS. May 22)

Johannes ad Mare Rubrum, St. Together with Simon the Fool, John Fekru came to Palestine round 552. (Vita S. Sim., auct. Leontio, c. 1) (AA.SS. July 2; July 21: they name John with the addition 'ad Mare Rubrum' near the Dead Sea.)

Johannes Cantius, St. He came to Palestine round 1450. (AA.SS. Oct 20)

Johannes, episcopus Gothiae, St., and Longinus, deacon. They visited Palestine before 780. (Vita S. Joh., gr. et lat., c. I, n. 2) (AA.SS. June 26)

Johannes, Sanctus, Sancti Angeli frater. (falsus). He died in 1222. Patriarcha (falsus) of Jerusalem in Acre. Feast July 13 (Analecta Bollandiana IX, 275).

Johannes, St. Eremita Urtica, dioc. Burgensis. He came to Palestine before 1135. (Vita S. Joh., nA-5) (AA.SS. June 2)

Johannes, bishop of Caesarea Maritima in Palestine, 404. His feast is on Feb 26 in AA.SS.

Johannes, first bishop of Tiberias. He signed the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon (451).

Johannes Cassianus, St., abbot of Marseilles. He visited Palestine round 390-397. (AA.SS. July 23)

Johannes Climacus, St., monk on Mount Sinai, and his nephew George. They were in Palestine after 562. (AA.SS. March 30)

Johannes Eleemosynarius, St. He went to Cyprus in 616. (AA.SS. Jan 23)

Johannes Gradonicus, round 995 in Palestine. He is mentioned, together with Guarinus, abbas Cuxanenis. (AA.SS. Feb 7)

Johannes Hoyensis, Norvegiae cancellarius. He came to Palestine in 1417. (AA.SS. July 26)

Johannes de Monte Mirabili, Blessed. An expedition of him in 1188 is mentioned in AA.SS. May 29.

Johannes, martyr, at the site Edessa near Jericho. see: Cyrus. 

Johannes Phocas. He was a soldier of Creta, and afterwards a monk. In 1177 he wrote 'De Locis Sanctis'. He mentions the glorious deeds of Emperor Manuel Comnenus (1143-1180).

Johannes, Sergius, Patricius and companions, martyrs in St. Sabas in 797. Their feast is on March 20 (AA.SS.).

Johannes Tomeus. In 'Vita S. Sabae, arch. Serviae, c. I, n. 2, 4' he gives a summary on the fourth crusade (1202-1204). The AA.SS. mention this summary on Jan 14.

Johannes Tribunus. Died 613. Stone (11) Museum Flagellation.

Johannicius, ex Bithynia. St. In Palestine, 800-806. (AA.SS. Nov 4)

Johanniter Hospiz at the 8th Station in Jerusalem. It belongs to the Prussian branch (Lutheran) of the Knights of St. John. Above the entrance is the armour. The rooms are now rented to families.

John the Baptist. 

Conception: Sept 23 in the Greek liturgy; Sept 24 in ancient Latin Martyrologies. In the 15th century the Latin church dropped this feast. The conception was announced by the Archangel Gabriel to priest Zechariah in the temple of Jerusalem (Luke 1, 14).

Eve (vigil) of his birth. The Franciscan community of Ain Karem goes to the Franciscan chapel of St. John in the Desert. This shrine brings to mind the words of Luke 'And the child grew and was strengthened in spirit; and was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel’ (Luke 1, 80). A grotto has been transformed into a chapel. There is a small spring, Ain el Habis (spring of the Hermit), its water collects in a basin.

Nativity. The Roman Church has the nativity on June 24. (Although John was 6 months older than Jesus, who birthday is celebrated on December 25) The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the Nativity of John on June 25. The Melkite and the Greek-Orthodox liturgy have the Nativity on June 24.

His baptism of Jesus: On Jan 7 in the Greek liturgy. The Roman liturgy has the baptism on the Sunday after Jan 6.

Place where the Baptism is commemorated. On the west bank of the Jordan River, an altar was built in 1933. It was embellished in 1957 with a stairway in the form of an amphitheatre. More to the west, the Franciscans have another edicule: a cube of four walls, that is crowned with a dome. Beside the Franciscan enclosure is that of the Greek Orthodox, separated by a road. On the last Thursday of October, the Franciscan community of Jerusalem celebrates Holy Mass at the altar near the Jordan, and visits the Latin Church of Jericho, remembering the scene of Zacchaeus (Luke 18, 35 - 19, 10), and then climbs up to the Greek convent of Qarantal (Mount of Temptation) for a visit and for the reading of Matthew 4, 1-11.

His imprisonment and beheading. The imprisonment is commemorated by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the first day of the intercalary month, Paguemen (Sept 3-Sept 7). His beheading is recalled on Aug 29 by the Georgian liturgy and in the Greek Synaxarium, and in the Roman liturgy. According to the historian Josephus, the beheading took place in the fortress of Machoerus, east of the Dead Sea. The lectionary of Paris mentions for the beheading 'the building of John the patriarch' in civitatis margine. This lectionary associates with John's beheading also the prophet Eliseus.

Burial and Tomb of John. In the village of Sebaste (in Samaria) there is under the Crusaders' Church a crypt where the tomb for the corpse of John is venerated. On the slope of Sebaste, ruins of a Byzantine Church recall the beheading of St. John. - Marinus, bishop of Samaria, attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 and claimed that Samaria possessed the tombs of St. John the Baptist and of the prophets Abdias and Eliseus. Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) scattered the relics, but the Christians continued to venerate the tombs. The tombs are enclosed by a basilica in the village. The basilica was destroyed by the Persians in 614, but rebuilt by the Crusaders. After the victory of Hattin in 1187, the Muslims transformed the Latin Church into a mosque. A tradition added tho the tombs that of the Prophet Zacharias.

Fast at the beheading of John. Although the feast (of June 24) has a big solemnity, the fast is obligatory to mark our repulsion of the voluptuous banquet, during which Herod Antipas beheaded the Baptist. (So in the Melkite liturgy on Aug 29).

First finding of the head: It is remembered by Greek Synaxaries and by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Feb 24. The invention is remembered by the Jacobite Syrians on Oct 26; according to Bibliotheca Hagiagraphica Graeca (BHG 840) the head was discovered in Emesa on Feb 24, but the head was placed on Oct 26 in a newly built church of the Precursor in Emesa.

Second finding of the head: After an apparition of the Precursor, two monks, pilgrims in Jerusalem, discovered the head in the house of Herod. A potter received the relic from the monks and venerated it. He left the relic to his sister. After her death the relic passed to the possession of several persons. The last one was a heretic monk-priest, Eustathus. By the Orthodox monks he was expelled from his grotto, where he had hidden the relic. It was discovered in the time of the archimandrite Marcellus, under the Emperor Valentinian and Marcian (450-457) and Uranius, bishop of Emesa. Bishop Uranius brought the head in the newly built church of Emesa. - The Ethiopian Synaxarium relates on Yakatit 30 another version that was given by St. John Chrysostom: the head uttered the words 'It is not right for thee to take thy brother's wife' for a period of fifteen years. Then it ceased and was buried in the Sea of Arabia. Two believing pilgrims who were brothers, dwelt in that place. St. John the Baptist appeared them and they took up his holy head, and carried it to their house and paid honour to it.

Third finding: It happened in 823. The head was found in the ground (not in an earthern pot as before). After a revelation the Emperor of Constantinople transferred the relic from Comanes to one of the sanctuaries in Constantinople. The Melkite liturgy remembers this third finding on May 25.

Translation of his right hand to Constantinople: is remembered on Jan 7.

Church of St. John the Baptist in Jerusalem: It dates from the 5th century. Its crypt was discovered in 1847, and restored for worship in 1926. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch allowed the Order of St John to held in this crypt occasional services. The baptistry of the church received in ancient days water from the nearby Pool of the Patriarch's Bath (Birket Hammann el Batrak) (Pool of Hezekiah), which is in the Christian Street.

Church of St. John the Baptist in Bethlehem. In 1954 the small mosque in the centre of Bethlehem was extended into a bigger one. The Greek Orthodox community provided the area for this extension to the west. Under the western part of the extended mosque were discovered an apse of a church and an octagonal baptistry font. The font was in reddish stone. The old stone was in honour of St. John the Baptist. More to the west, under the now parking ground, were discovered later remains of columns of a chapel in honour of St. Michael.

John, Apostle and Evangelist. Dec 27 in Mart. Rom. The son of Zebedee and the brother of James, one of the twelve Apostles.

John is not named in the 4th Gospel. Those who maintain that he is the author of the 4th Gospel identify him with the beloved disciple (Jn 13, 23) and with the unnamed disciple of Jin 1, 40. Three epistles bear the name of John. - In medieval times a structure with four arches (actually it is called Kahwat el Umdan (Cafe of the Columns) was held to be a church that was built on the site of the house of Zebedee, who had a fishshop in Jerusalem. This fishshop should explain why the unnamed disciple was known to the highpriest. (Jn 18, 15) - A local tradition indicates in Yafa, about 4 Kms southwest of Nazareth, a house of Zebedee and his sons James and John. - A biblical reference to John is in the Apocalypse 1, 9. If, as is customary (Justin, Dial., 81), the visionary John is identified with the son of Zebedee, then this John was at Patmos, off the coast of Asia Minor. An ancient cult of John at Ephesus is attested by the ruins of a basilica at Ephesus.

Assumption of John near Ephesus: The Assumption of John the Evangelist refers to the Gospel of John 21, 23 'The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say, to him that he was not to die, but 'if it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you?' The Melkite liturgy has the Assumption of John the Evangelist on Sept 26. The Martyrologium of Jerusalem has it on Dec 27.

John into boiling oil. Tertullian (Praescript. Haer. 36) says that John was brought from Ephesus to Rome and was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil before the Latin Gate, but was miraculously preserved. This tradition is seemingly not historical, and the feast (May 6) has been Qmitted from the general calendar. - Other stories told of John's unwillingness to associate with the heretic Cerinthus in the public baths (lrenaeus, Adv. Haer. 3, 3, 4), his raising of a dead man to life. (Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 5, 18, 14), his reclaiming a robber for Christ (Clement of Alexandria, What Rich Man 42), and his repeating of the instruction 'Little children, love one another' (Jerome, On Gal. 6, 10). The Georgian liturgy has the feast of John martyr on Sept 26 the Greeks on May 8: here he is called John the theologian.

Chapel (Armenian) of St. John the Apostle: It is situated in the building that is east of the atrium which is before the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The low door in the middle of the east wall bears copperplates with Armenian texts.

St. John of Acre. From the Order of St. John, Acre took the title or the name St. John of Acre. The later patron of the Order of St. John is John the Baptist. (Compare: John the Almoner)

John I, 7th bishop of Jerusalem, Saint, 2nd century. He is mentioned on Jan 12; May 10; June 7; Aug 23.

John II, archbishop of Jerusalem (386-417). This John built for the first time the Church Saint Sion in Jerusalem. John is mentioned with Modestus. St. Paula visited the Church Saint Sion in 386. John II was the 42th bishop of Jerusalem. (AA.SS. March 5, March 26, March 30, June 22) The Armenian lectionary mentions his feast on March 29. In 417-428 John II sent legates to Nola (Italy) . In 415 John transferred, together with Eusthonus, bishop of Sebaste, and with Eleutherus, bishop of Jericho, the relics of St. Stephen from the village of Kafargamala to Jerusalem. This transfer is remembered by the Melkite liturgy on Aug 2.

John III, bishop of Jerusalem (516-524) He died on April 20, 524, according to Cyril of Scythopolis. John III anathematized all the opponents of the Council of Chalcedon. John of Jerusalem was the son of a certain Marcian, who was bishop of Sebaste in Samaria. The feast of John III, together with that of the Emperor Marcian (450-457) was in the Church of the Apostles on July 9, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Foundation of John, the patriarch. In his foundation (building) was the dedication of John the Baptist, on Dec 15, according to the Georgian liturgy.

Foundation of John: Place and founder are unknown. The foundation is mentioned in the Georgian calendar on July 3, Aug 8, Dec 12.

Foundation of John, the patriarch, in civitatis margine. This foundation is named on Aug 29 (Beheading of John the Baptist), Was the foundation (building) perhaps related to the deepening of the well, Bir Ayoub, near Siloe (also in the suburb), after a drought of five years?

John IV, patriarch of Jerusalem. He died in 594. His feast is on Jan 23. (Leontius, Vita S. Joh. Eleemos., c. VI, nr 35)

John V, patriarch of Jerusalem. Died circa 760. (AA.SS. April 2)

John VI, patriarch of Jerusalem. See: Sergius II. 

John VII, patriarch of Jerusalem. He was murdered in 966 in Jerusalem by Moslem assassins and the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre was profaned. The murder of John VII was a reprisal of the Moslems for the victories of the Byzantine Emperor Nikephorus Foca after 960 over the Moslems.

John of Alexandria. He was an Arab and a soldier who became a Christian and worked together with Cyrus. He served as a physician and became one of the unmercenary saints as he refused to accept money. He suffered martyrdom in Alexandria in 292. The Greek liturgy has his feast on June 28. The Ethiopian Synaxarium tells: John, a soldier in the Imperial Army, in Alexandria, together with Abukir, under Emperor Diocletian (284-313). (Yakatit 6)

John of Aquitaine, Franciscan at Mount Sion. He witnessed on Nov 14, 1391 the decapitation of 4 Franciscans at Jerusalem.

John of Areopolis, bishop. An inscription (now in the Citadel of Kerak) mentions: 'In the time of the holy bishop John, this building has been restored in 492 after the earthquake' (This means 597-598 AD) (Zayadine F. Un séisme a Rabbat Moab (Jordanie) d'après une inscription grècque du Vime siècle. dans 'Berytus, Archaeological Studies, Vol XX, 1971, p. 139-141).

John of Brienne-sur-Aube (near Troyes in France). He was crowned as King of Jerusalem at Tyre in 1209. In 1216 Pope Honorius III (1216-1227) on the day of his coronation as Pope wrote a letter to John (July 25, 1216) to assure him about the crusade. John was the leader of the 5th Crusade (1218-1221). He arrived at Damietta in May 1218. Probably with his group was St. Francis of Assisi. As the Crusaders fell to quarrelling, Cardinal Pelagius, the Papal legate, took the command and marched on Caire. - In 1210 John married Marie de Montferrat, who was the widow of Amaury, king of Jerusalem. - John was the Latin Emperor of Constantinople from 1229 to 1237. He died on March 21, 1237. The AA.SS. mention him on August 31. John was the brother of Gauthier III.

John of Chariton. He lived in the 8th century. He entered monastic life as a disciple of Gregory of Decapolis. Following his death, John went to Jerusalem and finally settled in the Laura of St. Chariton in the wilderness of Judaea, where he died in peace. The Greek liturgy venerates him on April 18.

John of Choziba, bishop, St. (Greek liturgy on Oct 3). He was born between 440 and 450 in Upper Egypt. After having abandoned his monophysitic tenets, he entered as anchorite the wadi Qilt around 480. In 516 he was consecrated bishop of Caesarea, Palestine. After a while, he resigned from this office and returned to the monastery of Choziba in Wadi Qilt where he died between 520 and 530. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on June 3.

John of Choziba, monk. In the Greek Synaxaries on October 28. The AA.SS. mention on Oct 28 Johannes Aegyptius, Sanctus, Chozibae monasteri instaurator. (Vita, ex Menaeis, lat. vers) Round 505.

John of Colonia in Armenia. See: John of Kolonia, the Hesychast. 

John of Constantinople. Ch. Clermont-Ganneau copied in 1868 a Greek inscription, which was upside down in the northern wall of Jerusalem, near Bab ez Zalhireh (Flowers Gate, Herod's Gate). The inscription contained the dedication of a gerokomeion (house of aged people). This house for old women was founded, under the invocation of the Virgin Mary, by John and Verina of Constantinople.

John of Damascus. He was born at Damascus in 675, and was the son of a Christian official at the court of Abdul Melek in Damascus. John was educated by a Greek monk. When the Emperor Leo III ordered the destruction of icons, John wrote a defence of the icons. He entered the monastery of St. Sabas, east of Jerusalem. There he died in 754. His most important writing is: 'The Fount of Knowledge'. The Greek liturgy venerates him on Dec 4; the Latin Church had his feast on March 27; the Roman Martyrology has his commemoration on May 6. The body of John of Damascus is still in the monastery of St. Sabas in the Chapel of St. John Damascene. - The Ethiopian Synaxarium remembers the death of John on Takhshash 8. It mentions: 'And the archbishop of Jerusalem made John a priest against his will'.

John de Douai (France). This pilgrim in Jerusalem witnessed on Nov 14, 1391 the decapitation of four Franciscan martyrs. The execution happened outside Jaffa Gate. The corpses were burned.

John of Edessa, martyr. See: Cyrus and Johannes. 

John of Egypt. Sept. 20, 310. (AA.SS.)

John of Emesa, companion of Symeon Salos. Symeon and John were from Syria. They came to Jerusalem and lived in the monastery of St. Gerasimus west of the Jordan. Symeon and John passed 40 years in the desert. Symeon travelled to Emesa. There he feigned stupidity, and earned the nickname of 'the fool'. He was born round 522 and died at the end of the 6th century. John died in the desert. The Greek-Melkite liturgy venerates John on July 21.

John of Frascati. This Carmelite Father laid in 1827 the first stone for the rebuilding of the Convent Stella Maris on Mount Carmel. The Convent was finished in 1836.

John of Kolonia. (in the Greek liturgy on Dec 3). He was born in Nicopolis, Armenia, in 454. He distributed his wealth and built a church. After some years he was consecrated bishop of Kolonia (Akseray, Cappadocia). After nine years he left the diocese and went to the monastery of St. Sabas in the Holy Land, where St. Sabas tested him without knowing who he was. When he was to be ordained to the priesthood, it was revealed that he was a bishop. After the death of St. Sabas, he inhabited a cell in which he stayed for the rest of his life. He died at the age of one hundred and six years.

John of Lamballe, vice-count. This pilgrim witnessed on Nov 14, 1391 the decapitation of the four Franciscans in Jerusalem.

John of Lydda, a priest of Lydda. 

John of Mantova (Italy), Blessed. On the feast of the Assumption of Mary, on Aug 15, 1557, this Franciscan preached near the Dome of the Rock. He was arrested and after tortures he apostatized to Islam. He was set free. But twenty days later, he preached again near the Dome of the Rock. Then he was burned alive (1557). The Martyrologium Franciscanum venerates him on Dec 6. (Compare: Junipero).

John of Matha, St., founder of the Trinitarians. He was born at Faucon (Provence), on June 23, 1160; he died at Rome on Dee 17, 1213. His feast is on Feb 8. His alleged connection with Felix de Valois is unhistorical. The Trinitarians ransomed Christians who were carried into slavery in Africa by the Moslems. The AA.SS. mention John of Matha on Nov 4.

John of Naples. The Franciscan Chronicles of the 16th century tell that this Franciscan monk went from Jerusalem to Gaza, in 1370 in order to preach the Gospel, and that he was martyred. (Barthé1emy de Pise,, Conf., I)

John Sunason of Knardorp (Denmark). He was of the house of Fionie, and a cousin of Aki Hvitastikson, who led the Danish crusaders in 1191. Johan was one of the seven sons of Suni of Knardorp. In 1197 John started for the Holy Land. He died there in 1202, and was buried at Jerusalem. The guardian of the Holy Sepulchre wrote in 1203 about him to King Vaidemar. An inscription in the church of Sord recalls the memory of John Sunason.

St. John de Tire. The actual El Tira (Tirat Carmel) was in Crusader days the Greek abbey of St. John de Tire. It is near the shore at the foot of Mount Carmel.

John of Thebes (Egypt) = John of Choziba, bishop. 

John of Würzburg (Germany). He visited Jerusalem in 1161. He wrote in 1165 'Descriptio Terrae Sanctae'.

John Abba, Abbot of Dabra Libanos, and a very large number of believing monks became martyrs through the soldiers of the Muslims. (Ethiopian Syn. Magabit 27 (March 7 - April 5).

John the Almoner. In the Greek liturgy his feast is on Nov 12. John was born in Amathus, Cyprus, in 560. He was married and while still a lay man, he was chosen to be patriarch (610-619) of Alexandria. He founded hospitals and helped the poor. At the time of the Persian invasion in Egypt, he retired to Cyprus where he died in 619. He was the original patron-saint of the Order of St. John at Jerusalem, later the Knights of Malta. John died on the feast of Menas, the 11th of November 619. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on Nov 11. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on Takhshash 1: Abba John built the Church of Sergius and Bacchus, the holy martyrs, and also the church of Abukir and the church of John in the inner wall of Mesr (Cairo). John built also the church of St. Mark the evangelist, in the city of Alexandria. During the days of John a great famine, which lasted for three years, occurred. John was careful for the poor, and he used to give them silver and bread twice a week. He sat upon the throne of Mark the evangelist for nine years, and he died in peace. Salutation to Archbishop John with whom, on the day of his death, is associated the Patriarch Athanasius. - John the Almoner has an altar in the Armenian Gallery that faces Calvary.

John bishop (?) of Gaza. St. He is commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Miyazya 11 (Eight month, April 6-May 5).

John, bishop of Madaba. In the church of Lot and Procopius at Khirbet el-Mekhayyat (town of Nebo), a Greek inscription of 6 lines in the floor reads: 'At the time of the most Holy and most Saintly bishop John, your holy place was built and finished by its priest and sacristan Barichas in the month of November in the sixth indiction... ' John was the successor of Sergios. John was bishop of Madaba in November 602.

John Bosco, Italian, St. (1815-1888). He came twice to the Holy Land, the second time at the end of his life. He founded the Salesian Fathers and the Salesian Sisters. Both groups have houses in the Holy Land. John Bosco cooperated in Palestine with Belloni Antonio. The feast of John Bosco is on Jan 31.

John Calabrese, Blessed, martyr. Peter Sagara of Spain, and John Calabrese of Calabria (Italy) and Baptist of Imola (Italy) accompanied an Abyssinian prince on his return from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. Peter Sagara fell sick in Cairo. The two other Franciscans continued the journey. After 11 months they arrived at Bazar, the residence of the Ethiopian king. But the king had died and was succeeded by his son Alexander, who was against the Latins. Therefore the two Franciscans were obliged to return. On the return, or in Jerusalem, John Calabrese was murdered between 1483 and 1485. The Franciscan Martyrology commemorates him on January 13.

John Cantius, St., theologian. He was born in 1390, he died at Cracow (Poland) on Dec 24, 1473. Feast on Oct 20 in Mart. Rom. He made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and he journeyed several times to Rome. He was buried in the Church of St. Anne in Cracow.

John Capistran, St. His feast is on Oct 23. He visited Palestine about 1439-1440. - A picture on a copperplate (25 x 20 cm) in the Museum at the Convent of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem, represents St. John Capistran. - John Capistran contributed to the victory of the Christian armies over the Turks in the battle of Belgrad (1456). In 1457 Pope Callixt III, in order to remember this victory, proclaimed the Feast of the Transfiguration as universal for the Church and fixed its date on Aug 6.

John Chrysostom, St. He sent legates to Palestine in or round 405. (AA.SS. Sept 14; Feb 3)

John the Deacon. Simon the Fool (died after 552) was buried in a foreign grave. John the Deacon and his companions planned to bury Simon the Fool into a honourable tomb, in the 6th century. As John the Deacon opened the grave, he found it empty. The Lord had exalted Simon the Fool! (Patr. Graeca 93, 1741-1747)

John the Deacon, martyr. He accompanied the Empress Eudocia to Jerusalem. He was beheaded by Theodosius II (408-450).

John, Duke of Lancaster. Came to Holy Land in 1392. His Antiphonaries (45) in Museum Flagellation.

John Eteo, martyr. This Franciscan was from Spain. Together with Gundisalvus, he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. And there he was martyred in 1366. In Martyrologium Franciscanum: April 11.

John the Eunuch. He fled in 429-430 from Constantinople to Jerusalem, together with Peter the Iberian.

John, ex-prefect. Two Greek inscriptions in the monastery of the Lady Mary remember him: the entrance to the large hall has the text:... and the preservation and succour of John, the most glorious ex-prefect... In the large hall is the second inscription: 'O Christ our God, be thou the protection and succour of Lord John, most glorious ex-prefect, and of his blessed house, through the prayers of the Saints. Amen. '

John Fekru. He lived in a cave near the river Arnon on the east shore of the Dead Sea, together with this friend, Simon the Fool. It was round 552. (AA.SS. Johannis ad Mare Rubrum, St. July 2, July 21) John and Simon were from Syria.

John Francis of Arzignano (Italy). He was born in 1518. In 1568 he was in Aleppo; then he was named Custos of the Holy Land. In Sept 1570 he was at Nicosia, Cyprus. This town was conquered by the Turks and John was sold as a slave. He was freed and returned to Jerusalem. In 1571 he was in Rome, he died in Vicenza in 1589. The book 'Il libro d'oro' mentions 1598 as the year of his death.

John Gongora, Blessed. He was born in Carmona, Andalusia (Spain). King Philip II (1556-1598) planned to nominate him a governor in America. But John joined the clergy. He travelled to the Holy Land, and after his return he entered the Franciscan Order. He died 1578, July 2, on the feast of the Visitation of Mary. The Mart. Franciscanum remembers him on July 2.

John, the Hermit. He lived in the monastery of St. Chariton, where he died in the beginning of the ninth cent. (Melkite liturgy, April 19)

John James Fernandez, martyr. Born in Moire, Galicia in Spain, in 1808. He came in 1859 to the Custody of the Holy Land. He was martyred by the Druses at Damascus on July 10, 1860.

John Martinozzi, Blessed. Born in Toscana (Italy). He was a missionary of the Holy Land, and he worked in Cairo. In the month of April 1345 he was martyred. Mart. Franc. venerates him on April 15.

John, Martyr, disciple of Cyrus the monk, martyred in Alexandria. He is remembered on Jan 30.

John, Metropolitan of Caesarea, Palestine. He ordained in 395 Porphyrius as bishop of Gaza.

John of the Monastery of Seridon. He was a contemporary of Barsanuphius, and he had the power of prophecy. John participated in the literary efforts of Barsanuphius in the monastery of Seridon near Gaza. Barsanuphius died in 540. The Greek liturgy venerates John on Feb 6.

John, a monk. In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar, May 27.

John, a monk of Jerusalem. He travelled round 960 to Calabria. (Vita S. Eliae Spelaeotae, c. 1X, n. 62) (AA.SS. Sept 11).

John of the 'Gospel of Gold'. He was from Rome. He asked his father Trabius to make him a gospel of gold. John read in it always. A certain monk on his way to Jerusalem, came to John. When this monk returned from Jerusalem, he took up his abode in the house of Trabius, according to custom. John and the monk travelled to the monastery wherein the monk lived. After a certain time John, now wearing ragged garments, returned to his parents' house, and lived in his father's courtyard. John gave to his mother the Gospel of gold, the mother showed it to her husband. John confessed: 'I am your son John'. He asked to be buried in his rags. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, 16th day of the month Hamle)

John, brother of Porphyrius. Tombstone (6) Museum Flagellation.

John, the Hegumen, St. On Jan 29 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. He is not identified. - Perhaps he is John, hegumen of St. Sabas, who signed a petition against the Monothelites. The petition was addressed to Pope Martin and was presented at the Council of the Lateran in 649.

John, the Hesychast. St., bishop (48112 to 49011) of Colonia in Armenia. Afterwards he became a monk and recluse in St. Sabas Monastery, he died on Jan 8, 559. The Georgian calendar has his feast on Jan 8; Synaxaries of the Greek Church have it on Dec 7, and sometimes on Dec 3, 8, 9. John the Hesychast is also called John of Colonia in Armenia. John helped St. Sabas in founding the monastery Castellion. (Hyrcania, Khirbet el Mird).

John Paleolaurites. This hermit went to Palestine and finally settled in the monastery of St. Chariton in the wilderness of Judaea. The monastery (laura) of St. Chariton was named the Old Laura (palaios). Therefore for John the surname Paleolaurites, he who lived in the old laura (of St. Chariton). John died in the beginning of the 9th century. The Melkite liturgy has his feast on April 19.

John, the Physician. Jerusalemite Armenian monk, who in 879 is known to have translated from Greek into Armenian, Oribasius and other medical works. (Hovespian, Archbishop Karekin: Colophons of Manuscripts, Vol 1, 1951, p. 82)

John, the Presbyter. In the Church of the Apostles in Madaba, a Greek inscription of 6 lines in the floor reads: 'Lord, accept the offerings of those who have brought and who bring gifts to the Church of the Apostles, in memory of the presbyter John by the zeal of the deacon Anastasios'. (Martin Noth, Die Mosaikinschriften der Apostel-kirche in Madaba, Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palest i na-Verei n s, 84, 1968, p. 136)

John Ristori, confessor. According to tradition, this Franciscan visited Palestine, he returned to Siena (Italy), and died there in 1402. His memory is on Feb 15.

John Scolarios. John Scolarios has his feast on Jan 4 in the Georgian calendar. Cyril of Scythopolis mentions two Johns, who were hegumenoi and scholars of St. Sabas. The first was appointed by St. Sabas as hegumenos of the monastery Scolarios (at Muntar). John Scolarios died in January 542 or 543. - The second John was hegumenos of the New Laura in 554. The New Laura was begun by rebel monks in, 508.

John, the Silent (Johannes Silentiarius), St. He lived in St Sabas, round 490. He is identified with St. John Hesychast. He declined to reveal to his companions that the was a bishop (at the age of 38, in 481, he was ordained as bishop of Colonia in Armenia). Later he settled in Wadi En Nar (en-Nur), opposite to the laura of St. Sabas. John died in 558, at the age of 104 years.

John, the son of Xenophon. In the Greek liturgy his feast is on Jan 26. John was the younger son of Xenophon. John studied in Beirut. The illness of his father compelled him to return to Constantinople. Xenophon recovered, and John together with Arcadius, who was his elder brother, sailed to Beirut. They were shipwrecked and after a miraculous escape they went to Palestine, where they lived in a cave near the monastery of St. Sabas. Both brothers lived in the 6th century.

John, the Theologian. In the Greek liturgy on May 8. He was a Galilean fisherman and the brother of James the Greater. John was called by Jesus Christ and became known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. In later years he was exiled to Patmos. His last years he spent in Ephesus where he died at an advanced age.

Assumption of John. The Melkite liturgy has his Assumption on Sept 26. John, the Theologian, is identified with the author of the fourth Gospel (Gospel of John) and bears as emblem the eagle.

John Vercelli. Dominican Father, Latin Patriarch in Acre, 1278-1279.

John XXIII, Pope (1958-1963). As a seminarist, he came on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, round 1909. He reformed the liturgical calendar in 1960.

John Zuaze, Blessed. He was born in Medina del Campo, Spain. He entered the Franciscan Order in Vallodolid. In 1539 he came to Italy, and in 1550 he joined the Mission of the Holy Land. John Zuaze was accompanied by an Italian lay brother, Alexander John. From Alexandria, they came to Cairo where they preached. Both were arrested. A delegate of the king of France obtained their liberation, but in the meantime John Zuaze had died in the prison in 1551. The Franciscan Martyrology venerates him on Jan 4.

Johns C. N. He examined in 1934-1940 the Herodian repairs and construction of Phasael Tower (David's Tower) in the Citadel of David at Jerusalem.

Johnson, Lady. Widow of Johnson, who was the 36th President of the U.S. (Johnson died in 1973). Lady Johnson visited the Holy Land in July 1976.

Jojik Shushan Marin. In the Russian Convent grounds on the Mount of Olives is a tomb cave over three tomb-niches. The mosaic inscriptions which are over the niches, are in Armenian. They mention: Jojik, Shushan, Marin. It is generally assumed that the three tombs belong to Armenian princesses, who had patronized church construction on the Mount of Olives in the 5th/6th century.

Joly Etienne. This Frenchman came to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1856. He was ordained as a priest on Dec 17, 1859.

Jonah, St. Prophet. He was from Geth-Hepher in Galilee. He worked during the reign of king Jeroboam II (786-746) in Israel. He received a commission from Yahweh to preach in Ninive. To evade this task, he sailed to Tarshish, but the ship was threatened by a great storm. By lot the blame fell upon Jonah and he was thrown overboard. After three days Jonah was washed ashore. He then preached in Ninive and the city repented. - 'The sign of Jonah' (Mt 12, 39-41) is slightly modified in Lk 11, 29-32. The 'Book of Jonah' is named after the hero who bears the name Jonah. It is a narrative. Jonah is the fifth in the collection of the 12 short prophetic books (Minor Prophets). The commemoration of Jonah is on Sept 21 in Mart. Rom.

Tomb of Jonah: Martyrologium Romanum mentions: in terra Saar. In Halhul, 6 Kms north of Hebron, the Moslems venerate the tomb of Nebi Yunis. The Jews ascribe the tomb to the prophet Gad and to the prophet Nathan. - Another tomb of Jonah is venerated in el Meschhed, which is about 7 Kms north of Nazareth. Meschhad, the ancient Gath-Hepher, is the birthplace of Jonah. Jews identify Geth-Hepher with the place Geth near Lydda (Jeremias, Heiligengrctiber)

The whale of Jonah. The Ethiopian Synaxarium mentions: On this day, the seventeenth day of the month of Hamle, Jonah came forth from the belly of the whale.

The death of Jonah. The Ethiopian Synaxarium reads: On the 25th day of the month Maskaram died prophet Jonah. This holy man was the son of the widow of Beth-Sarapta of Sidon, whom Elijah the prophet raised from the dead. And he followed Elijah and ministered unto him. -The Rev. W. M. Thomson mentions is his work 'The Land and the Bible' (1905) on the coast of South Lebanon the shrine of Neby Yunas. North of the shrine is a khan; to the south is a mausoleum. It is venerated by Moslems and Druses.

Fasting of Jonah. A commemoration of the repentance of the habitants of Ninive is on the 28th of Feb. The 'fasting of the Ninivites' in the Oriental Churches was on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday after the Sunday of the Pharisee and the publican, in the third week before the beginning of the Fast of Lent. - In an appendix the Palestinian-Georgian calendar records another fast on July 13, 14, 15. It was a complete fast of three days and three nights.

Jonas of Mar Sabas. He was the father of Theodorus Graptus and of Theophanes Graptus of Mar Sabas. He served as a priest in the 9th century, and joined the monastery of St. Sabas where he died after many years of service. In the Greek liturgy on Sept 21.

Jonas of Sorö. An inscription on a tombstone that was found in the 19th century in the church of Sorö (Denmark), revealed that a certain monk Jonas pilgrimated two times to Jerusalem, three times to Rome and once to Santiago de Compostella.

Jordanes. Archimandrite who wrote to St. John Damascenus.

Jordanus: In the house of Jordanus, the priest, in Lachernan, at St. Michael, in the church of the Mother of God, dedication on Oct 5. (Georgian liturgy). - Jordanus (Jordanes?) non-identified.

Jordanus, Blessed. He came to the Holy Land in 1237. He was magister generalis FF. Praedicatorum. (Thomas Cantipr., Vita S. Lutgardis i, III, cA, n. 2; AA.SS. June 16) - In the 'Vita B. Jordani, c. 1X, n. 79' is mentioned the zeal of the Dominican Fathers (FF Praedicatorum) for the Holy Land in the 13th century. (AA.SS. Feb 13)

Jordanus, patriarch of Jerusalem, round 1045 (Acta Sanctorum)

Jorius, St. Travelled before 1033 from Sinai to Béthune (France). (AA.SS. July 26)

Josaphat: see Barlaam and Josaphat. 

Joscelinus, comes Viennensis. Came to Palestine round 960. (AA.SS. Jan 17)

Joseph, St., husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and father of Jesus Christ by legal ties. The Franciscan community of Nazareth celebrates on March 19 Holy Mass in the Church of St. Joseph. Tradition claims that this church is built over the house of Joseph. Other places in the Holy Land recall the presence of Joseph. In Bethlehem, he has two chapels: one near the grotto of the Nativity; a second, 200 m. east of the church is the so-called 'house of Joseph'. El-Bireh, 15 Kms north of Jerusalem, is believed to have been the first stopping place for caravans going from Jerusalem to Galilee, and therefore the place where Mary and Joseph missed the 12-year old Jesus and therefore returned to Jerusalem. (Luke 2, 41). They found Jesus in the Temple. In the same Temple of Jerusalem, Jesus was presented 40 days after his birth, and now the boy of 12 years was found 'listening to the teachers'.

Joseph, patron of the Universal Church. This feast is celebrated on Wednesday after the second Sunday after Easter.

Joseph in the Holy Mass. By decree of Pope John XXIII, dated Nov 13, 1962, the name of Joseph was inserted in the prayer Communicantes of the Roman Canon in the Holy Mass.

Joseph, the carpenter, and his children. The Ethiopian Synaxarium on Hamle 26 reads: When the time came for Joseph to depart from this transient world, he called to him his other sons, that is to say, Justus and Judah, and Josa, and Jacob and his three daughters.... and they laid him in the grave of Jacob, his father, in the tenth (?) -(perhaps twentieth?) year of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joseph, Abba. A certain Abba Joseph was buried in the church of Samaya (i.e. heaven) which is called Dabra Tabor. This Abba Joseph is saluted in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Genbot 19.

Joseph of Arimathea. He was the disciple who after the crucifixion begged from Pontius Pilate the body of Christ and laid it in his own tomb. He is said to have been sent by Philip to Britain where he founded the first church of Glastonbury. The 'history of the Grail’ is connected with Joseph of Arimathea. The Latin Patriarchate and the Franciscans 'in the Holy Land commemorate his feast on March 17. The feast is celebrated in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre on Calvary, and also in the Franciscan convent of Ram]eh. The city of Ramleh is identified by a christian tradition with Arimathea. Some Byzantine writers identify Arimathea with the village of Rentis. In the Crusader period Rentis had the Abbey of St. Joseph of Arimathea. - Greek liturgy venerates Joseph on July 31. Georgian liturgy mentions him on Aug 30, and on Aug 31: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. The Martyrologium Romanum venerates Joseph on March 17.

Tomb of Joseph in the Holy Sepulchre. In the Syrian chapel which is behind the Rotunda of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, a low door on the left leads to a Jewish sepulchral chamber. It is commonly called the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Joseph, 14th bishop of Jerusalem, Saint, 2nd century. (AA.SS.)

Joseph, one of the 70 disciples (Luke 10, 1). Joseph, the Just, a candidate with Matthias for the place of Judas Iscarioth (Acts 1, 23). In the Martyrologium Romanum he is listed as Blessed on July 20. This Joseph was surnamed Barsabbas or Justus.

Joseph, a son of Photine, the Samaritan woman (Jn 4, 11-42). 

Joseph of Tiberias, count, confessor. According to his biographer, Saint Epiphany of Salamis, Joseph was born in Tiberias near the lake of Galilee, at the end of the third century. He died between 355 and 380. Joseph was nominated a count by the Emperor Constantine the Great. With the permission of the Emperor, Joseph wished to build a church in Tiberias, in Scythopolis and on other places. The Martyrologium Romanurn mentions his death in 356, at the age of 70 years. Greek synaxaries have his name. He has his feast on July 22. - Joseph of Tiberias told Saint Epiphany that the Jews did not permit Samaritans or Christians (Gentile christians) in four places: Sepphoris, Nazareth, Tiberias, Capharnaum. Joseph wished to erect churches in these localities, but there is no evidence that he ever succeeded in doing so.

Joseph, priest of the sanctuary on Mount of Olives. There an Angel appeared to the Virgin Mary and gave her a palm to announce her death. - A marble slab (95 cm high, 51 cm broad, 12 cm thick) of the grave of Joseph priest is in the Museum at the Convent of the Flagellation, Jerusalem. (Clermont-Ganneau, Recueil d'Arch. Or. V, pp. 164-165) (See: Josepios).

Joseph, the patriarch (Joseph of Egypt of the Old Testament). Joseph and Moses, the great prophet were commemorated in the Foundation of Flavia on Sept 4, according to the Palestinian calendar. - The tomb of Joseph the patriarch is venerated in Sichem. (Josue 24, 32) The bones of Joseph which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem, in the portion of ground that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor, who was the father of Shechem, for a hundred pieces of money. This ground became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph. Some 200 m. north of the Well of Jacob (Bir Yacoub), a white dome marks the tomb of Joseph. The Arabs call it Qabr Yousef. Yousef is venerated by Jews, Samaritans, Moslems and Christians. Incense-sticks are burned in his well.

Joseph, son of the Jew Mahawe. One day Joseph saw Christian children learning from a book, and he asked his mother to let him join them. She permitted him to do so, and Joseph learned all the Christian books. When the father of Joseph heard of this, he cast Joseph into the oven and shut the door upon him. But the angel of God extinguished the fire and cooled the oven. Thereup his father Mahawe believed on Christ, together with the men of his house. Joseph died at the age of 28 years. According to a picture which is in the Church of St. George, the Virgin Mary predicted that Joseph should die on the third day, at the third hour. The Ethiopian Synaxarium salutes Joseph on Ter 28.

Joseph II, Patriarch of Jerusalem (980-983). 

Josephine de Jérusalem. see: Rumène Joséphine de Jérusalem. 

Josepios, priest. In 1902 a Greek inscription (8th/9th century) was discovered on Mount of Olives: 'On the day of Pentecost was buried the just Josepios, priest in the newly built sanctuary of the appearing Angel'. Is here meant Josepios (Joseph priest) in the sanctuary on the west slope of Mount of Olives, where an Angel announced to Mary her coming death and reached her a palmbranch (el Thamir)? (Clermont-Ganneau, Rec. d'arch. or., V, 164169 and 182) (Thomsen, Zeitschrift des Palastina Vereins, 1921, Nr 158). The stone with the epitaph (Nr 12) is in the Museum of the Convent of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem. (Il Museo della Flageilazione in Gerusalemme, note illustrative di Bagatti. 1939, p. 19) - The palm-branch is the sign of the approaching death. Two palmbranches, bent towards each other, forming like a triumphal arch, are carried before the funeral procession of a Muslim. They are planted on the grave.

Joses. In Mark 6, 3 we read: 'is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?' In Mt 13, 42 the name is Joseph; in some manuscripts of Mark the name is Joset.

Joset. See: Joses (Mark 6, 3). 

Joshua, successor of Moses and hero of the book of Joshua (Jos). Joshua guarded the tabernacle (Ex 33, 11). He was one of the men sent to explore Canaan before the entrance of the Israelites, and with Caleb, he resisted the timidity of the other scouts (Num 13, 1114, 38). Joshua conquered Jericho, and made a tribal covenant assembly at Shechem. A Jewish legend (it is adopted by Professor Sigmund Freud) means that Joshua has eliminated (killed) Moses, because Moses did not have the strength to cross the Jordan. The fact that the tomb of Moses is unknown, suggests an elimination by his rival Joshua. (so the explanation by Freud). - The commemoration of Joshua was at the Pool Probatica on Sept 2. The Martyrologium Romanum has the feast of Joshua and Gedeon on Sept 1. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has the birth of Joshua on the 29th of the month Takhshash.

Tomb of Joshua. The Old Testament (Judges 2, 9) tells: 'And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of one hundred and ten years. And they buried him within the bounds of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Ga'ash'. - Khirbet Tibne correspondens to the ancient Timnat-Sera (Thimnath-Sare). A tomb, called Qubbet el Hindi, used to be pointed out by Moslems as the tomb of Joshua. Another tomb is indicated as the tomb of Nun; another as that of nebi Kefil (Caleb). (J. Jeremias, Heiligengräber, S. 40) But Samaritans claim that Joshua is buried in Kefr Haris. His tomb is supposedly in the mosque.

Joshua and Gedeon. Saints. Their memory is on Sept 1 in Mart. Rom. Joshua appears as a commander and as Moses' attendant, he led Israel in the battle against Amalek (Ex 17, 9-14). He accompanied Moses during his ascent and descent of Mt. Sinai (Ex 24, 13; 32, 17-18), and was placed in charge of security at the tent of meeting (Ex 33, 11). Moses appointed Joshua as his successor with the duty to conquer and apportion the land among the Israelites. Joshua himself received Timnath-Serah in the hills of Ephraim as his lot (Jos 19, 50). After his death at the age of 110, he was buried there (Jos 24, 30; Judges 2, 9). (Another tomb, close to the right wayside from Bir Zeit to Abud, is indicated as 'Tomb of Joshua')

Jourdain, Maitre. He built between 1160 and 1180 the belfry south of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The belfry lost its topmost storey in 1549. Since 1719 the belfry is capped with red tiles.

Juda, father of Pope Evarist. Juda was a native of Bethlehem. He emigrated to Antioch. There he had a son, who became later pope, from 100 to 109. This son, pope Evarist, became a martyr under Trajan the Emperor (97-117).

Judas, the traitor. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on the 26th day of the month Magabit, the seventh month (March 7-April 5): On this day Judas betrayed the Lord, and he received the price, thirty pieces of silver, as the prophets foretold. - Some hold that Judas Iscarioth came from Khirbet Qouretein (or Queriyot), commonly identified with Carioth Hesbon, about 15 Kms south of Hebron. Another locality, Carioth (Qaryut) about 4 Kms north of Shiloh, alongside the frontier with Samaria, is indicated as the village of Judas Iscarioth. -A third opinion places the native village of Judas in Galilee, southwest of the Lake of Galilee.

Jude. Matthew 13, 55 mentions Jude among the brethren of the Lord.

Jude, the Apostle. Luke 6, 16 calls Jude (Judas) the son of James. Matthew 10, 3 replaces the name Jude by Thaddeus (or Lebbaeus, in some manuscripts).

Jude, the author of the Epistle of Jude. The author calls himself the brother of James. Perhaps Jude the author is to be identified with Jude the Apostle. Jude the Apostle preached in Armenia and suffered martyrdom in the town of Ararat in Armenia. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on Jan 23, May 14, May 22 and Aug 30. Greek Synaxaries add generally on May 22: Judas the Apostle, the Zealot.

Jude (Judas), one of the 70 disciples. (Luke 10, 1). 

Jude, a Christian of Damascus, to whose house Paul was taken after the vision and where Paul was baptized by Ananias (Acts 9, 11). Generally the name is Judas.

Jude (Judas). He was sent with Paul, Barnabas, and Silas to Antioch with the letter of the council of Jerusalem. (Acts 15, 22).

Jude-Quiriacus (Judas Quiriacus), 15th bishop of Jerusalem, round 134-148, Saint. In 'Acta Apocrypha', he is mentioned on May 4.

Judith, the heroine of the Book Judith. Holofernes, an Assyrian general, besieged Bethulia. Judith entered the camp of Holofernes, and flattered him by promising him victory. Holofernes invited Judith to a banquet with him alone in his tent. Judith cut off the head of the drunken Holofernes, and took it to Bethulia. The Israelites routed the leaderless Assyrians. - Judith is named among the Just of the Old Testament, on the first Sunday of Advent in the Eastern Churches. Her death is commemorated by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Maskaram 10. - Bethulia is not identified.

Judith, countess of Bavaria, and Saint Razzo, comes Andechsensis. They visited Palestine round 940. (AA.SS. Oct 8) (Paulus, Vita S. Erardi Ratispon., lib. 11, c. II, n. 6; Innoc. Keferloherus, Vita S. Razzonis, n. 4; Acta Sanctorum June 19)

Judith, St. She came to Palestine, either in the 9th century, or in the 11th century, together with St. Salomes. (AA.SS. June 29)

Jules of Malta. This Carmelite Father reoccupied in 1803 the small house of the Carmelite Fathers in Haifa, and began there the Latin Parish.

Julian Calendar. It was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BC. This calendar is still in use in the liturgy of the Greek-Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. The Gregorian calendar was promulgated in 1582, when the day after Oct 4 became October 15. - For the civilian life, the Greek-Orthodox christians follow the Gregorian calendar.

Julian Sabas, St. monk. He was born at Heliopolis (Baalbek) in Lebanon round 300; he died 377 or 380, in Osrhoene. Theodoret says that Julian lived in a hermit's cell on the banks of the Euphrates, and later in a cave in the desert of Osrhoene, between Antioch and the Euphrates, where he gathered a group of disciples. He went to Sinai. Probably he passed through the Holy Land. He built a church on the rock where God was said to have appeared to Moses. In the reign of Emperor Valens (364-378) he was in Antioch and refuted the Arians, and then returned to Osrhoene. Sometimes he is identified with Julian the Monk, and with Julian the Hermit. ln the Greek synaxaries he is commemorated on Jan 17. The Roman Martyrology has his feast on Jan 17. The AA.SS. (Oct 18) mention that Julianus Sabas went to Antioch in 379.

Julian, the Apostate. (361-363) He permitted in 363 the Jews to rebuild their temple at Jerusalem.

Julian, the Hermit: See Julian Sabas. 

Juliane of Ptolemais, Palestine. Together with her brother Paul, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Emperor Aurelianus (270-275). Feast Aug 17 in Mart. Rom., in Greece on March 4.

Julianus St., confessor. Memory on March 23 in Mart. Rom. He is commemorated in Caesarea.

Julianus, 20th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. (AA.SS.)

Julianus, 24th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. (AA.SS.)

Julianus, Martyr in Palestine, 1st-4th cent. AA.SS. Feb 17.

Church of St. Julianus, martyr. Theognius came to Jerusalem in 454-455. He accompanied a lady who was named Flavia. This lady was building at that time on the Mount of Olives a monastery and a church of the holy Julianus, martyr. - Julianus martyr is mentioned on June 3 by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Julianus, martyr in Palestine, 3rd/4th cent. AA.SS. Jan 29.

Julianus Adamus of Salerno (Italy). He was martyred by the Turks in the 16th cent. His feast is on May 26. (AA.SS.)

Julianus, Alexius, Jacobus et socii Carmelitae. Martyrs in Jerusalem in 740 (AA.SS. Aug g).

Junianus. He came, together with Guillelmus, to Palestine in the 12th century. (AA.SS. April 20)

Junias. According to the Arabo-Jacobite Synaxarium (P. O. 16, 405407) Junias was from Eleutheropolis (Beth-Guvrin). It should be this Junias, who is remembered by St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans (16, 7). Junias should have joined Andronikus. Junias should have been buried at Eleutheropolis in a cave. His feast is on May 18. (See also: Junius)

Junipero (Giunipero). This Franciscan monk suffered martyrdom in the court which is before the entrance of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in 1547 or 1557.

Juniperus, from Sicily, Franciscan. Without year (Feb 23) (AA.SS.)

Junius. The Melkite liturgy has Junius, together with Andronicus, on May 17.

Junot. General Junot and General Kleber and their commander Napoleon were at the Latin Convent of Nazareth in 1799. On April 8, 1799 Junot stopped at Loubieh, with 300 men the march of the vanguard of the Turkish army. This fact is known as 'the battle of Nazareth'. Loubieh is northeast of Kfar Kana (Cana) on the left side of the way Cana-Tiberias.

Justa. Name of the Canaanite (or Syrophoenician) woman who came to Jesus on behalf of her daughter. (Mt 15, 22; Mk 7, 25). The name of the daughter was Bernice.

Justin, martyr. In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on May 16. (Probably to be identified with Justin, the Philosopher and martyr)

Justin, the Philosopher and martyr. In the Greek liturgy on June 1. He was born in Flavia Neapolis (Nablus) in Samaria, in 100. He belonged to a pagan Greek family. He became a Christian when he was about 33. His writings include 'The Apology' and 'The Dialogue'. Justin stayed in Rome on two occasions. He was martyred in Rome with five men and a woman. The contemporary account of his examination by the prefect of Rome, Rusticus, is a genuine historical document. His martyrdom was in 165. Rom. Mart. June 1. The Melkite liturgy mentions on June 1: Justin, the Philosopher and his companions Chariton, Charitas, Eupistes, Hierax, Paion and Liberian.

Justinian Emperor (Justinian the Great, Justinian I, ruled 523. 565) He was born in Tauresium, Illyricum, in 483. On the death of Justin I, he ascended the imperial throne, after having married Theodora in 523. The 'Corpus Juris' of Justinian remained the chief law-book of the Roman world until the days of Leo the Isaurian (717-740). As a defender of the Chalcedonian creed, Justinian was always concerned to unify his empire theologically. He built Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai, and many churches in the Holy Land. The throne passed to his nephew, Justin I, in 565. Justinian I died on Nov 14, 565. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Nov 15. Georgian Synaxaries commemorate him on Aug 3. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar mentions him on Nov 15 and 16.

Justus, Joseph Justus, Barnabas (Barsabas). According to Acts 14, 14 Barnabas and Paulus preached in Lystra. The people of Lystra called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes. - Joseph Justus, who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), a levite of Cyprus, sold a field and brought the money to the apostles (Acts 4, 36). - Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias were put forward, but the lot fell on Matthias (Acts 1, 21-26)

Justus, one of the 70 (72) disciples. He is named in the Greek together between Joseph and Barnabas (70 or 72 disciples). Joseph and Justus and Barnabas are considered as three persons, to form the number of 72 disciples (Luke 10, 1). Justus was bishop of Eleutheropolis, according to the Greek list.

Justus, 10th or 11th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd century. He is mentioned, together with Seneca, who was the 10th or l lth bishop.

Justus and Abundus, martyrs in Jerusalem, 283-284, Dec 14. (AA.SS. Mart. Bedae: Mart.,)

Justus, St., bishop of Lyon, Viator St., and Antiochus, priest. These three men visited Palestine round 385. (Vitae duae S. Justi; Vita S. Viatoris, n. 71-72) (AA.SS. Sept 2; Oct 21)

Jutta, St. The husband of St. Jutta visited Palestine in the 13th century. (AA.SS. May 5)

Juvenal of Jerusalem, bishop or patriarch from 418 or 422 to 458. He participated at the Councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451). His see included Palestina prima, Palestina secunda and Palestina tertia. Juvenal was forced to fight against Nestorianism and Monophysitism in Palestine. Once he had to flee to Constantinople, but with the help of Emperor Marcian (450-457), he was able to pacify the contending parties. He returned to Jerusalem in 453, and died there in 458. - Juvenal and his successor, Anastasius, are remembered in the Church of the Apostles on July 1, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Greek Synaxaries mention Juvenal on July 2 and July 3. - The lectionary of Latal has on Aug 25 in the Foundation of Juvenal, the deposit of prophet Zachariah and of the three companions in the fiery furnace, Ananias, Azarias, Misael.

Kabatnik Martin of Bohemia (1493). He writes: 'The Franciscans went with me near Bethlehem to a grotto, which was without being cut in the rock. It could be seen that on the rock was in former times a tower. ' (Z. D. P. V. T. XXI, 1898, S. 50-51) - The text refers to the actual Shepherds' Field of the Latins.

Kaleb, king of Ethiopia. He lived at the time that the Jews killed round 523 the Christians in the city of Najran in South Arabia. He wrote a letter to Abba John, archbishop of Jerusalem, asking him to hang the crown above the doors of the Tomb of our Lord. And after this, he went into a monastery and died in peace. He is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 20th day of the mont Genbot (May 6-June 4) - (Compare: Arethas in Nairan).

Kallis. An inscription found at the so-called Bath of Jesus in Bethlehem (a grotto east of the grotto of Nativity, outside the Basilica) mentions: 'O Lord, remember your servants Zosimo, Theodosia and Kallis'. (This grotto is not open to visitors).

Kalmon (Kalamon, Calamon = reed): monastery on the westside of the river Jordan.

Kalmon, place with a monastery in Egypt.. The Ethiopian Synaxarium mentions on Khedar 14, the consecration of the church in the monastery of Kalmon. (Which Kalmon?)

Karolus Bonus, afterwards Count of Flanders. (AA.SS. March 2) see Charles the Pious (1119-1127).

Karpus, one of the 70 disciples. He was bishop of Verria in Macedonia, according to the Greek list. The Roman Martyrology has on Oct 13: Karpus (Carpus), near Troas in Asia Minor, who was a disciple of St. Paul. - Paul writes to Timotheus (2 Tim 4, 13): 'When you come, bring the cloak that 1 left with Karpus at Troas'. The Melkite liturgy venerates Karpus on May 26.

Kaspar (Caspar), one of the three Kings (Magi). Kaspar represents actually the black king of the Moors.

Kathleen: See Kathleen Kenyon. 

Kaufmann Maur, (1871-1949). This Benedictine Father was from the Abbey of Maria-Laach in Germany. He became in 1926 the first abbas of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem. - Kaufmann died at Jerusalem on Feb 28, 1949.

Kayl, see Cain. 

Kedus, see Abba Gabra. 

Keffenbrink-Ascheranden. This German Baroness donated money to the Leper Hospital in Jerusalem. This Leper Hospital is now on the road Ramallah to Bir Zeit on the Mount of Star (Sternberg).

Kelso. He excavated Bethel (Beitin) in 1950 and 1954-1960.

Kennedy John. Born in 1917. On Jan 20, 1961 he was sworn in as the first Catholic to be elected president of the U.S. On November 22, 1963 President John Kennedy was shot by a sniper in the streets of Dallas. - The Kennedy Memorial on top of a hill in Jerusalem is designed in the symbolic shape of a tree stump. The monument recalls the death of President John Kennedy and of his younger brother Senator Robert Kennedy.

Kennedy Robert, Senator. He visited the Holy Land, together with his wife, in 1968. Some weeks later he was killed on June 5, 1968 in Los Angeles. The murderer, Sirhan Sirhan, was an Arab who had lived in Taybeh, the Biblical Ephraim.

Kenyon Kathleen, Miss. English. She excavated in Samaria from 1931 to 1935. She excavated at Jericho from 1952-58. She explored the Ophel-hill in Jerusalem between 1961 and 1967. She was for 15 years director of the British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem.

Kerkhofs Louis Joseph, 88th bishop of Liège (Belgium). Born at Valmeer in 1878 - died Dec 31, 1962. He visited the Holy Land, together with Naveau L. He wrote on July 27, 1948 an episcopal letter on the situation in the Holy Land, he organised an 'oecuménisme de charité (ecumenism of charity)'. He became honour-citizen of Nazareth.

Kerykos. A Greek inscription on the lintel above the entrance of a Byzantine edifice survives at Migdal-Tsedek. 'Martyrion of Saint Kerykos'. According to Christian tradition, Kerykos is a boy martyr, who together with his mother was put to death by the Romans in the 4th century. Migdal-Tsedek (Migdal Aphek, Mejdal Yaba) is on the railway Lod-Haifa.

Khadoori Eli, Sir, of Hongkong. He donated during the British Mandate (1917-1948) funds to the Agricultural College of Anabta near Tulkarm.

Khoury Joseph. This Arab gentleman received the Croix de Commandeur 'Pro Merito Melitensi' (Order of Malta) in 1977 for his help to the proposed Bethlehem University Boys' Residence. The ground-breaking ceremony for this residence took place on May 5, 1977 on the site of Tantur.

Kibûs, dêr mâr kibûs, convent of the Holy Kibus (Procopius?). Such was the name of a convent on the Mount of Evil Counsel, at the time of the Crusaders. (Williarn of Tyre, VIII, 4. 1 Röhricht, Regesta S. 143, 147).

King Martin Luther. He was murdered in the United States of America. A J(ewish) N(ational) F(und)-forest is named after him near Kafr Cana in Galilee. - He was eager to come on pilgrimage to the Holy Land with 5000 pilgrims. But he was killed in 1968.

King Alphonsus X, the Wise, of Spain (1221-1284). He legated by testament that his heart should be buried at Jerusalem.

Kirubel, archangel. See Afnin. 

Kish, the father of King Saul. The tomb of Kish is at Zela (Khirbet Salah) a city of Benjamin, 2,5 Kms northwest of Jerusalem. (2 Sam 21) In the tomb of Kish, David afterwards buried Saul, and his son Jonathan, and the two sons of Rizpah, and the five sons of Merab.

Kitchener, Lord. He was born in 1850. He was sent by England to Palestine to make a geographical survey of that country. He tried in 1885 to save General Gordon from the beleaguered Khartoum in Sudan. Kitchener died in 1916, when the cruiser 'Hampshire' was touched by a mine.

Kjaer W, Danish. He was the director of the excavations at Shiloh in 1926-1929.

KIéber. This French general of Napoléon began the battle against the Mameluks on April 2, 1799 at Cana, and gained the victory on April 8. (Compare: Junot) KIéber was rescued by Napoléon in the battle of Afuleh, southwest to Mount Tabor on April 16, 1799. (Battle of Mount Tabor).

Knight of Heppeneert with the playcards. He was the son of Count Wolfram of Heppeneert and of his Bessarabian, wife Odilia. She had converted from the Midas-religion to the Christian faith. Count Wolfram of Heppeneert had found this bride during the crusade.

Kodratus, servant of Alexandra, the wife of Emperor Diocletian. Kodratus was killed with Alexandra. (Greek liturgy, April 21) - Diocletian was emperor from 284 till 305. He died in 313.

Kohl. He, together with the German archaeologist Watzinger, investigated the site of Capharnaum in 1905.

Kol, bishop of Linköping, chancellor of Sweden. As a penitent he arrived in Palestine in 1196. (Chronique épiscopale rimée). He obtained from the Holy See privileges for the church of Linkoping. This church considers him as a saint.

Kolland Engelbert. The apse in the chapel of the Austrian Hospice, opposite the 3th Station on the Via Dolorosa, has a mosaic. It represents the martyr St. Nicholas Tavelic kneeling, and the martyr Kolland Engelbert standing. Both bear the palmbranch in the right hand. The apse on the right side has a cartouche. It mentions Engelbert Kolland, born in 1827 at Ramsau in Tyrol, martyred in Damascus 1860. On the cartouche he is called Venerabilis Servus Dei. His beatification was in 1926, and from then he has the title Blessed.

Konon. He is mentioned by St. Neophytus. Konon was a contemporary of the Holy Apostles. He was a bishop in Cyprus and performed miracles. During the persecution of the first century, he was martyred. The Greek liturgy has his feast on March 5 and March 6.

Konon of Penthukla. (Greek liturgy on Feb 9). He was born in Cilicia and went to Palestine, where he became a monk in the Penthukla Monastery near the River Jordan. He baptized people in the Jordan. He died at Jerusalem in 555. (AA.SS. Feb 19)

Konon the Gardener. (Greek liturgy, March 5). He lived during the Decian persecutions (249-251). He was from Nazareth in Palestine. He was a gardener, he confessed his christian faith before Puplius the Governor. Konon was arrested in Pamphylia, Asia Minor, in 249. He claimed to be a member of the family of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on March 6. In the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, an inscription refers to a 'Konon'.

Konon, the Isaurian. He was a native of Nazareth in Galilee. Under Emperor Decius (249-251) on order of president Publius he was obliged to run before a car. His strength was soon exhausted and the old man died. He was a gardener. (The Greek liturgy has his feast on March 5) To be identified with Konon, the Gardener.

Konon, the lconian, martyr. Georgian calendars have the feast on June 4 or June 5. Greek Synaxaries mention on June 5: Konon and Christopher. - This Konon, the lconian, is to be identified with Konon the Gardener, who was martyred in Magydos, Pamphylia, under Decius (248-251).

Konon's deposit. The lectionary of Latal has: Deposit of Konon and Thecla, on Sept 24; the lectionary of Paris venerates both on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

Konon-inscription at Nazareth. A mosaic covers the western part of the Chapel of the Angel in the Basilica of the Annunciation at Nazareth. There is a Greek inscription in the mosaic. It reads:

PR - KONO
NOS - DIAK
IEROSOL
YMON.

The meaning is perhaps 'prosfora (gift) of Konon, deacon of Jerusalem.' (Bagatti B. Excavations in Nazareth. Vol 1, 1969, p. 100.) Is there relation with Konon, the Gardener?

Kopp Clemens. This priest had fled out of Germany from the Nazis to Jerusalem. He lived at the Schmidt Girls' College. He wrote 'Die Heiligen Statten der Evangelien' 1959. He died at Jerusalem.

Kopris. (Greek liturgy, Sept 24). He was born outside the monastery of St. Theodosius Coenobiarchos near Bethlehem and the monks of this monastery reared him. He finally became a monk and practised the ascetic life.

Kouyoumdjian François Louis (surnamed Brother Francis). He was born in 1904 at Sevas in Armenia. (Sevas is Sebaste, the town of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste). His mother was killed by the Turks in World War I (1914-1918), when the Armenian christians were persecuted. François Louis was director of the College des Frères des Ecoles Chrétiennes. He died at Paris after a chirurgical intervention, in 1963.

Koykilides Kleopas. This Greek monk issued on March 4, 1897 (= February 20, 1897) the first publication on the Map of Madaba. The map was discovered in 1884.

Krafft Adam. This artist made round 1500 in Nürnberg (Germany) a Way of the Cross with 8 Stations: 1) Meeting of Jesus with His mother; 2) Simon helps; 3) Daughters of Jerusalem lament Jesus 4) Veronica wipes the face of Jesus; 5) Jesus falls under the Cross 6) Jesus laying under the Cross; 7) Crucifixion; 8) Jesus is laid in the arms of His mother.

Krikor (Gregory), Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem in 1345. 

Krikor (Gregory) Baronder, Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem (1613-1645). Almost half of the present residential quarters of the Armenian monastery St. James in Jerusalem were built during his rule. A dispute between the Armenians and the Greek Orthodox over this monastery was settled in 1813 in favour of the Armenians by an edict of Sultan Mahmoud II.

Krikor, the Armenian sacristan. 'He sang prayers and lit lamps for forty years on the tomb of Christ'. This inscription is on a tombstone in the Armenian cemetery outside Sion Gate in Jerusalem.

Kriskes. One of the 70 disciples, bishop of Chalcedon (Greek list).

Krisirachs, servant of God. See: Hobert Krisirachs, died 1670. 

Kyra of Veria, Syria. (Greek liturgy, Feb 28). She was born in Veria. She lived during the first half of the 5th century. Though of noble birth, she left the life of luxury and embraced the anchoretic life. She visited Jerusalem and also the church of St. Thecla in Isauria.

Laban. He was the brother of Rebekah, and the father of Leah and Rachel. Laban, who had no male heirs, adopted Jacob as his son. To the nun Aetheria who came on pilgrimage to Palestine (about 385-388) a tomb (memoria) of Laban, the Syrian, the father-in-law of Jacob, was shown, 500 steps from the well of Jacob at [Harran].

Ladlimadyos (or Demadius?), the Syrian, martyr. This saint was brought up with the Persians, and learned from them the knowledge of the stars. He became a monk. He was ordained a priest against his will. He was stoned in the time of the Emperor Valens (364-378), who visited the city of Antioch. - On the fifteenth day of the month of Hamle, on the day whereon he died, the Christians built a church for Saint Ladimadyos. (Ethiopian Synaxarium)

Ladislaus, Sanctus, King of Hungary. He is mentioned, round 1106, in AA.SS. June 27.

Lagerlöf Selma, an authoress of Sweden. She visited Jerusalem and the American Colony at Jerusalem in 1900. Her novel 'Jerusalem' received the Nobel prize. Mrs Spafford of the American Colony is the heroine of this novel under the name Mrs Gordon.

Lagrange, Marie Joseph. He was born at Bourg-en-Bresse (France) in 1855. He joined the Dominican Order in 1879 and was ordained a priest in 1883. He was sent to Jerusalem in 1890 to found a Biblical School. He founded the 'Revue Biblique' in 1892. He died in 1938 at Saint-Maximin (France). His remains were transferred to Jerusalem and reburied in the Church of St. Stephen, which is near the Ecole Biblique, at Nablus Road.

Laird Patterson James. This Professor of Oxford tells us in his journal of 1850 how he and his companion were converted in Jerusalem to the Roman Catholic Church.

Lamech, the son of Methuselah. He is commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on 21st Magabit (the seventh month, March 7 April 5). Lamech was 138 years when he begot Noah; and all the days of Lamech were 753 years.

Lance (Holy). The holy lance (a false one) is discovered at Antioch in 1098. (AA.SS. March 15)

Feast of the Holy Lance. In Germany in 1355, (AA.SS. March 27). Feast of the Crown, the Lance and Nails (AA.SS. May 4).

Landas (de). This Crusader brought a Holy Thorn of the Crown to Europe.

Langénieux Ben., archbishop of Reims, cardinal. He visited Jerusalem from May 13, 1893 to May 31, 1893 as papal legate and president of the 8th International Eucharistic Congress.

Lappan Daniel. He was born in Mechelen (Belgium) in 1863. Since 1895 he was Commissar for the Holy Land. He died on the steamer 'Théophile Gautier' in the harbour of Beyrouth on April 4, 1939. He was buried on April 8, 1939, at Jerusalem on the Mount Sion.

Lateur Frank. See: Streuvels Stijn. 

Latinie: Latin quarter in Jerusalem, in which the first church of St. Mary Latin and a hospice 'for all who speak the Latin tongue' were built under Emperor Charlemagne. Bernard of Mont St. Michel stayed in the Latin quarter in 870.

Latin Kingdom of Constantinople (1204-1261): 

- Baldwin I, first emperor of Constantinople (1204-1205) (= Baldwin of Flanders, Baldwin IX)
- Baldwin II, born at Constantinople in 1217. He was emperor of Constantinople from 1240 till 1261. Then he was obliged to flee from Constantinople which fell under the rule of the Greek Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologus. Baldwin II died in 1273.

Latin Kings of Jerusalem. They lived in the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate, which is west of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It was reconstituted in 1847. The actual residence was inaugurated in 1868. The con-cathedral was consecrated in 1872.

Latin Patriarchs during the Latin Kingdom (1099-1187) at Jerusalem. They lived in the buildings to the north of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, where is now the Mosque el Khanqeh.

Latin Quarter in Jerusalem. see: Latinie. 

Lauentius. The Ethiopian name for Leontius, who was a martyr in the city of Terablos (Tripoli?). A church in honour of Lauentius was consecrated on the first day of the month Sane. (Eth. Synax.)

Laurent le Dominicain. He was sent by Pope Innocent IV (1243-1254). This Pope wrote in August 1247 to him a letter about the peace between the Latin and the Greek Orthodox clergy of Syria.

Laurentius, who was on the Mount of Olives. Not identified. He is mentioned in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Oct 18. Perhaps the expression 'in Sancto Laurentio' means the hospice on Mount of Olives, that was built by Pope Gregory I (the Great, 590-614) at the instigation of the priest Probus. (John Deacon, Vita S. Gregorii, 11, 52; PIL 75, col 110 A)

Laurentius. He was sent in 1259 (?) by Pope Innocent IV (1243-1254) to Cyprus and to the Holy Land. (AA.SS. March 19)

Lavigerie Charles Martial, Cardinal, archbishop of Algiers and of Carthage, founder oft he White Fathers (of Africa) and of the White Sisters (of Africa). He was born in Bayonne (France) Oct 31, 1825; he died in Algiers, Nov 26, 1892. In 1860, at the time of the massacres by the Druses in Syria, he made a trip to the East. The French government granted the sanctuary of St. Anne in Jerusalem to the White Fathers in 1877. Rome confirmed this responsibility in February 1878. - A bust of Cardinal Lavigerie is in the courtyard, south of the Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem.

Lavinius, Blessed. He was of French origin. He was accepted into the Franciscan Order by the (Blessed) Adam at the convent on Mount Sion. In 1345 Lavinius was in Cairo. On account of his preaching he was beheaded in 1345. The Franciscan Martyrology has his memory on August 1.

Lawrence, Thomas Edward (1888-1935) This English archaeologist visited the Near East in 1909 to prepare his study on Crusader architecture. He mapped the Negev and the Sinai Desert. In 1916 he was charged with exploiting Arab national ambitions for British war aims against the Turks. Lawrence directed the military operations of the Arab rebels who destroyed Turkish military installations, captured Aqaba (1917), and ultimately entered Damascus (1918). He became the adviser of Emir Feisal, who represented Arab interests. - The American psychologist John Mack published on Lawrence the book 'A prince of our disorder'. Mack suggests: Lawrence at the age of 21 years was declined by a girl, whom he asked for marriage. Then he choose for the Arab world in which the women are separated. He never married. Lawrence died in 1935 by a motorcycle ancident.

Lazarus of Bethany. (Greek liturgy on March 17). He lived in Bethany, 6 Kms east of Jerusalem. He was raised by Christ from the dead. Later he became the first bishop of Citium, the present Larnaca in Cyprus. There his tomb was discovered in 890. His relics were removed by the Emperor to Constantinople. From there the relics were transferred by the French to Marseille. The Martyrologium Romanum has his feast in Marseille on Dec 17. - The raising of Lazarus (Jn 11, 1-57; 12, 1-11) from the dead is the seventh and last of the Johannine 'signs'. The three Synoptic Gospels make no mention of Lazarus. - Modern Bethany is called El-Azaryeh. It is the Arabic form of the Latin word Lazarium, which was the 4th-century Christian name for the village that gradually surrounded the church above the tomb of Lazarus.

Lazarus in the Ethiopian Synaxarium. Salutation to our Lord's journey from Jerusalem to Bethany, when he raised Lazarus. (20th of Magabit, the seventh month, March 7-April 5). (According to the Gospel of John II, 1-57, Jesus said to his disciples: 'Let us go into Judaea again' (v. 7) - The Synaxarium has on 21st Magabit: on this day the Lord came with his disciples to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he raised from the dead; he was one of those who sat at table with Him. Martha, his sister, ministered, and Mary, the other sister, began to anoint our Lord's feet. - On 21st Magabit is recalled the plot of the highpriests (John II, 45-54).

Lazarus, the beggar. He is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke 16, 20; he is commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 27th of the month Sane. - In the parable Jesus gave the name Lazarus to the man who lay sick and miserable at the rich man's gate, longing in vain for 'the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table'. This is the only New Testament parable in which a character is given a name. The rich man is popularly called Dives, which is merely the Latin word for 'rich man'. - In the Middle ages, the poor man of the parable became a Saint, Saint Lazarus, the patron of beggars and lepers (known also as lazars). Medieval devotion indicated a poor house, opposite the fourth station of the Via Dolorosa, as the house of Lazarus. Further on to the south, the house that overspans a road was named the house of Dives, the rich man. The humorist Mark Twain remarks in his book 'Innocents Abroad'that both houses were close to each other in the same quarter.

St. Lazarus' Church. This church (1187) was outside the walls, between Damascus Gate and the now New Gate. The church belonged to the French Branch of St. Lazarus' Order. The site was before 1948 occupied by the Church of the Syrian-Catholics. After 1967 the site was transformed into a garden along the city-wall.

St. Lazarus' Church. This church was in 1187 outside the walls between Damascus Gate and the actual New Gate. The church belonged to the French Order of St. Lazarus. Before 1848 the site was occupied by the Church of the Syrian-Catholics. After 1967 the site was transformed in a park along the wall.

St. Lazarus' Order. The semi-military order of St. Lazarus possessed in Jerusalem the St. Stephen's Armenian monastery (on the slope of Mount Sion) as a hospital for lepers. In the past centuries the area of the lepers was called Dar-el-Masakin (House of the Poors). The hovels were dismantled and by 1850 were moved outside the walls. During the Crusades an Armenian Archbishop was in charge of the St. Lazarus' Order. The Order bears a green cross as its emblem.

Lazarus, the martyr, and his wife Salome and their seven children. They are venerated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 8th day of Nahasse. Lazarus was one of the teachers of the Law of Moses, and his father was one of the 70 or 72 who translated the Book of the Law and the Prophets for Ptolemy 11 Philadelphus (283-246 BC), king of Egypt. The seven sons of Lazarus and of Salome were martyred by Antioch, king of Syria (= Antioch IV, Epiphanes, 175164 BC). Then Lazarus and his wife Salome were also martyred. (Compare Maccabeans)

Lazarus of Mount Galesion. (Greek liturgy, Nov 7) He was born in Magnesia in 967. He went to Jerusalem, became a monk and joined the monastery of St. Sabas. He was ordained a priest and he returned to the monastery of Orovai, from which he had started in 1005. He travelled from there to Mount Galesion near Colophon. He lived in a cave near the summit, where he built a church and later a monastery. He received support from the Emperor Constantine X, Monomachus. Lazarus died in 1053 in Galesion.

Lazes. These Georgians from Lazistan in South Russia founded at the end of the 5th century, the Convent of the Cross in Jerusalem. (Compare: Tatian, king of Georgia)

Leah, first wife of patriarch Jacob. She is named among the 'Just of the Old Testament' on the first Sunday of Advent in the Eastern Churches. Her cenotaph is venerated opposite that of her husband Jacob in the Haram el Khalil (the sanctuary at Hebron).

Lebbaeus. (John I4, 2; Matt. 10, 3) see: Thaddeus. 

Lecomte Matthieu. This French Dominican Father was a friend of Alphonse Ratisbonne. Lecomte founded St. Stephen's Convent. He bought the site in 1882.

Lefèvre, Theo. He was born at Gent in 1914; he died in 1973. When he was Prime Minister of Belgium (1961-1965), the 'Fondation belge en Terre Sainte - Belgische Stichting in het Heilig Land' rented for 25 years the crypt under the church of the 4th Station, from the Armenian-Catholic Community. Lefèvre as Minister of Culture visited Jerusalem after the Six Days War.

Legates of Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria. They came to the bishops of Palestine in 317. (Epistola Alexandri) (AA.SS. Feb 26)

Legates of Emperor Theodosius. Were sent to Jerusalem, round 381. (Vita S. Heliodori, c. II, n. 10) (AA.SS. July 3)

Legates of St. Epiphanius, bishop of Salamis. Were sent circa 394 to John II, the bishop of Jerusalem. (Epistolae S. Epiphanii fragm., [at. vers.) (AA.SS. May 12) (Ferrarius, Vita S. Eusebii, c. IV, n. 20: March 5)

Legates of Emperor Theodosius the Younger. Were sent in 428 to Palestine. (AA.SS. Sept 10)

Legates of St. Gregory the Pope. They were sent to Mount Sinai in 591. (Vita S. Gregorii, auct. anonymo, c. III, n. 15) (AA.SS. March 12)

Legates of Carolus Magnus. Came to the Holy Land in the 8th century. (Eginh. Vita Karoli, c. VIII, n. 32) (AA.SS. Jan 28; Oct 8)

Lekotes, one of the shepherds (Luke 2, 8). Legend gives the names of Arnias and Lekotes. - Compare: Three shepherds.

Lemaire Paulin, Franciscan Father. He was born at Bieret-Tavigny (Belgium) on Sept 23, 1896. He was Director at Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Jerusalem from 1932 to 1939. He died at Jerusalem on April 19, 1962. He was buried at Gethsemane.

Lemoine, Dominican Father (1918-1975). He conducted the excursions of Ecole Biblique, he died at Jerusalem.

Leo III. King of Armenia. He carried out repairs in 1286. (inscription on one of the pillars of the Church St. James in Jerusalem.)

Leo IV, King of Armenia. He presented in 1329 a Bible to the Armenian Church of St. George in Kerak (East Jordan). (Bogharian, Arch. Norair, Grand Catalogue of St. James' Manuscripts, vol VI, 1972, p. 190-195)

Leonardo. This Franciscan returned, together with St. Francis of Assisi, from Syria to Italy in 1220 (II Celano, Nr 31).

Leonori Aristides, architect. He visited the Holy Land and took measurements and photographs of the Holy Places. He erected a huge wooden Cross on the hilltop in Brookland near Washington, where today is situated the Franciscan Cemetery, directly behind the Monastery of the Holy Sepulchre. The wooden Cross has since been replaced by a massive Crucifixion group in granite. The Roman architect Leonori was engaged by Father Schilling Godfrey. The Mc Ceeney estate, on which the Monastery of the Holy Sepulchre stands; was acquired by the Franciscans in 1897.

Leontatian, king of the Georgians. He restored in 1644 the Monastery of the Cross (Deir-el-Musallabeh) in Jerusalem. The Georgians had recovered this monastery in 1305. (Compare: Lazes)

Leontius Cyprius. He wrote: Vita S. Johannis Eleemos., and mentions in the Chapters II and VI that the Persians overran Syria in 606, 608, and 614.

Leontius, bishop of Madaba, about 603. 

Leontius, hegumen of the monastery of Nea in Jerusalem. (Pratum Spirituale, nr. 61) He was 45 years in the church of Nea. He is called 'Leontius of Cilicia'.

Leontius, martyr at Tripoli (Phoenicia). His feast is on June 18. Leontius was a disciple of the monk and martyr Publius. (Feast of Publius is on June 18). Leontius was martyred under Emperor Vespasian (69-79). Two servants, with the name Hypatus and Theodoulos, were ordered to arrest Leontius. But they converted during the process and were beheaded by the governor Adrianus. The commemoration of Hypatus and Theodoulos is on June 18.

Leontius, St. He is mentioned by the Greek Synaxaries, together with Anthimus and Euprepius, and on the same date (Oct 17) as Cosmas and Damian. Leontius (Leon) was, with Anthimus and Euprepius, one of the unmercenary saints of Arabia. Anthimus suffered martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution (285-313).

Leontius of Cilicia, priest and hegumen at the Church Nea in Jerusalem. 

Leontius' Church. The 'Commemoratorium de casis Dei' of 808 mentions: in the valley of Josaphat in St. Leontius. - Bernard the Monk in his Itinerarium (of 870) mentions: in the valley of Josaphat is a church of St. Leontius, where the Lord is expected to return for the judgment.

Leontius of Neapolis. He has written the life of Symeon Salus (the Fool) (BHG, 1677), The feast of Symeon Salus in on July 21.

Leontius II, Greek-Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem from 1170 to 1190. He was born in Tiberioupolis. He joined the monastic life in Constantinople; later he went to Patmos, to Cyprus and to Crete. He was consecrated Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1170. Later he became the hegumen (hegumenos, superior, leader) of the monastery of St. John the Theologian in Patmos. He died in 1190.

Leopard Belluci. He was born in 1881 at Osimo (Italy); in 1918 he became a missionary in the Custody. He worked in the Franciscan College of Aleppo. On a journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, he was murdered by Arabs in the railway-station of Kherbet Ghazale, Syria, on Aug 20, 1920.

Leopold of Austria. As a crusader he came to Acre in 1217, together with Andrew, king of Hungary.

Leopold, Duke of Brabant (the later King Leopold II of Belgium, 1865-1909). He was born at Brussel in 1835. He married in 1853 the archduchess Marie Henriette of Austria. He visited in 1854 Italy, Austria, Egypt, the Near East. In 1855 he was in the Holy Land. He returned via Greece, Sicily and the Pontifical States. Leopold, together with his wife, was in 1855 the first European traveller to visit publicly the Dome of the Rock and El Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. It was on Holy Saturday, April 7. In 1869 the Duke of Brabant went to Constantinople to meet the Sultan. He returned over Greece. He went again to Egypt, where the digging of the Canal of Suez made on him a deep impression. (Compare Mislin)

Lepers, healed by Jesus. Ten lepers were healed by Jesus (Luke 17, 11-19) 'as He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee'. One was a Samaritan. Only he returned and gave glory to God. According to a tradition, it was at Engannin (now Jenin) that Jesus healed the ten lepers. Near Jenin is the village of Burkin, which claims the honour of the miracle. Burkin is on the left side of the way Jenin to Haifa.

Lequeux M. of the~French Consulate. He opened on Nov 1, 1851 the French Hospital (of St. Louis), north of the walls. Patriarch Valerga took it over in 1852 with the help of the French Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. - Hôpital St. Louis in Jaffa was opened in 1877; the Hôpital Français in Nazareth in 1887.

Lercaro, Cardinal, archbishop of Bologna. Visited Jerusalem July 4, 1964.

Lesseps (de) Ferdinand. (1805-1894). This French engineer visited Jerusalem in 1861. He came from his work at the digging of the Suez-canal, he had passed the desert of E[ Arish in a four-wheeled carriage drawn by camels. Then they had continued by dromedary and afterwards by horses to Jerusalem. This visit was between January and March 1861 (Mrs Finn, Reminiscences p. 227). Lesseps passed again in Jerusalem in 1866. He arrived there on March 25, 1866; he was at the Casa Nova of the Franciscans in Jerusalem. On April 1, 1886 he departed for Nazareth. He had as guide the Belgian lay brother, Liévin of Hamme, for his trip to Nazareth.

Leucius: Tradition believes that Leucius lived in the days of the Apostles, and that he wrote the apocryphal work 'Gesta Apostolorum' wherein he mentioned the death of the Holy Virgin (Moraldi, Apocryphes du Nouveau Testament, p. 870).

Levi. Levi in Mk 2, 14 and Lk 5, 27 is another name of Matthew.

Levi. He appears in the Lucan genealogy of Jesus (Lk 3, 24, 29)

Levi, Saint, 12th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. (AA.SS. March 1)

Lewenstein: see Loewenstein. 

Lewis, Francis Clerk. Among the 25000 pilgrims who came to Bethlehem at Christmas 1976 was the Londoner, Francis Clark Lewis. In 16 months he walked from London to Bethlehem, through Turkey, Syria and Jordan.

Lewis. He interpreted the papyri that were found by Colt H. D. at Nitzana in 1935.

Libanius, teacher of rhetoric. He was born in Elusa. He went to Antioch and mentions Elusa in his letters between 356 and 359 CE. - Elusa (Khirbet Halutza) is about 20 Kms southwest of Beersheva. Efusa was in 358 the capital of Palestina Tertia (= the Negev), and it had a bishop, and a proper calendar.

Liberatus of Tiser (Italy), lay brother. He was born in 1858. In 1892 he entered the Franciscan Order at Jerusalem. He acted as sacristan in the basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. There on October 26, 1893, around 4,30 p. m. a watchman of Montenegro, who was in the service of the Turkish authorities, accompanied two Russian pilgrims to the Grotto of Nativity. The sacristan Liberatus asked the watchman to leave the place, because he needed to fill the oil-lamps for the daily procession of the Franciscans. The watchman hesitated, and stood. Oil of a lamp now spoiled his uniform. The watchman killed the sacristan with a pistol.

Lietbertus, St. Carneracensis. (Cambrai in France) He was in Palestine, 1054-1056. (Radulphus, mon. S. Sepulchri Cam., Vita S. Lietb., c. IV-V, n. 27-41) (AA.SS. June 23)

Liévin de Hamme, Colleman. He was born at Hamme (Flanders) in 1822. His brother served (round 1860-1870) as papal zouave-soldier. Liévin died at Jerusalem on Sept 23, 1898. He guided Lesseps in 1866. He helped in the discovery of the cubical stone of Bethphage in 1876 and in acquiring the site in 1880. In 1869 appeared at Jerusalem his 'Guide Indicateur des Lieux saints'. It was in one volume of 698 pages. In 1876 was published at Leuven (Belgium) the 2nd edition in 3 volumes. (Terre Sainte, 1969, p. 322-328)

Linköping (Sweden). Pilgrims of Linköping came to Palestine in 1372. (Bertholdus, Vita S. Brigittae, 1, 111, c. 3) (AA.SS. Oct 8)

Linus. One of the 70 disciples, according to the Greek list. Bishop of Rome, pope after Peter. In the Roman Martyrology his feast is on Sept 23.

Lion's Cave. Near Birket Mamillah, the traveller Bernard (870) mentions a church Saint Mamilia. The church was built over a grotto. In this grotto bodies of the victims of the Persian invasion of 614 were buried. According to a legend a lion has brought the bodies of the slain in this grotto. The grotto is on the west side of Birket Mamillah.

Lions' Gate. The Stephen's Gate to the east of the city is called in the Hebrew language Lions' Gate. Indeed on both sides above the doors is sculpted a pair of lions. Perhaps the lions are related to Baybars, who conquered Jerusalem and inaugurated the Mamluk dominion (1260-1517) over Palestine. Baybars had in his armour a lion. - According to legend Sultan Suleiman II - he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 1539-1542 - dreamt that lions would attack the city from the desert, i.e. from the eastside. Therefore he ornamented the east Gate (Stephen's Gate) with four sculpted lions in high relief. The four lions should appease the attacking lions.

Lions as Guards. Emperor Decius (249-251) brought lions to Palestine, to defend the eastern frontier against Arab invaders from the desert.

Lisbon. A small fleet, consisting of Germans, Flemings and English, setting sail from Dartmouth on May 25, 1147 took Lisbon from the Moors in their passage to the Holy Land, in the 2nd Crusade. (Analecta Bollandiana, 1, 273)

Lithgow William. He visited Jerusalem in 1612. He always travelled on foot. He published in 1632 'The totall discourse of the rare adventures and paineful peregrinations of William Lithgow'. Paineful refers to the tattooing of pilgrims in Jerusalem.

Lochner (1435). This traveller mentions the Veronica-episode.

Loebe Paul, president of the German Reichstag. He was a passenger in the first passage of the Graf Zeppelin dirigible over Jerusalem at the end of March 1929. The dirigible arrived on Tuesday, March 26, and departed on Holy Saturday, March 30, 1929.

Löwenstein Albertus, Count. His name is inscribed in 'Navis Peregrinorum: ein Pilgerverzeichnis aus Jerusalem von 1561 bis 1695' on Aug 23, 1561. He is mentioned together as Baro (baron) in Scharffenneck. Rohrscheidt relates: Graf Albrecht zu Löwenstein started on March 30, 1561. He was back on Aug 16, 1562. The journey of Löwenstein appeared in Reissbuch 1584, 188a-212a.

Longinus, monk, 5th century. He was a compatriot of Theodosius Coenobiarchos of Cappadocia. Longinus spent some time with Theodosius in the monastery of the Tower of David at the Jaffa Gate.

Longinus, the soldier or the centurion. He pierced the Lord Jesus with a spear. He was standing with the guards when the tomb was sealed, he was filled with surprise when the Lord rose. Longinus was converted by the Apostle Peter; he departed to the country of Cappadocia and he preached the Lord, like the Apostles did. When Pilate heard about this, he was exceedingly wroth, and reported him to Tiberius, and this emperor cut off his head, and sent it to Pilate in Jerusalem as a proof that he had been beheaded. Salutation to Longinus. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, 23th of the month Hamle). - The Greek liturgy venerates Longinus on Oct 16. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has his feast on March 15. The Georgian calendar mentions him on Feb 11, April 24, July 17, Sept 10, Oct 15.

Chapel of Longinus. In the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, in its northern ambulatory, the Greek Orthodox have a chapel of St. Longinus. Right of it is the Armenian chapel of the Division of the Raiment. And to the right of this Armenian chapel a staircase descends to the Armenian Church of St. Helen and to the Latin Chapel of the Finding of the Cross.

L(ondon) J(ews) S(ociety). It began in 1820 or 1823. It built in Jerusalem the Christ's Church inside Jaffa Gate in 1849. This was the first totally new church to be built in the Holy Land. The church of the Latin Patriarchate (the patriarchate was reconstituted in 1847) was consecrated in 1872. The London Jews Society built houses in the Old City in the Street of the Jews.

Lopez: see Francis Trifon Lopez (died 1857). 

Lopez Diego. After the death of his father, Lopez was obliged to leave his homeland Portugal. He sought shelter in the Holy Land. He died in Jerusalem from the plague on Aug 15, 1670, after a life of penitence.

Lot, the Just. He was the nephew of Abraham. Because of his hospitality toward the two heavenly messengers, Lot was spared with his family from the destruction of Sodom (Gen 19, 1-26). Georgian and Greek liturgies have the feast of Abraham and Lot on Oct 9. -At the east end of the village of Caphar Barucha (now Beni Naim, about 6 kms east of Hebron) is a mosque built over the ruins over the Byzantine church. In the centre courtyard of the mosque stands the supposed Tomb of Lot, Cabr L0t. Yet the common opinion is that the tomb of Lot in Beni Naim is the tomb of just another Moslem saint. According to tradition, Lot was buried in Segor (in Hebrew Soar), which lies on the southwestern point of the Dead Sea. John of Würzburg (1165) visited the tomb of Lot at Caphar Barucha.

Lot, church of SS. Lot and Procopius. This church is in El-Mukkayyet, near Mount Nebo, in the lower part of Khirbet Al Mukhayyet (the little needle). On the higher part of the site are the remains of a church which was dedicated to St. George.

Lotharingia (partly Lorraine, France). A noble lady of Lotharingia came to Palestine round 1225. (Nicoiaus Cantipr., Supplementum ad Vitam B. Mariae Oigniac., c. III, n. 18) (AA.SS. June 23)

Lotharius, patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre, 1216-1225. (AA.SS.)

Loti Pierre, French writer (1850-1923). His description of Jerusalem is made from the terrace of the Convent Sisters of Sion near the Arch Ecce Home in Via Dolorosa.

Louis of Ospedaletto. He was born in the Kingdom of Naples in 1226. In the Holy Land he was Superior of the Franciscan Hospice of Ramleh (1666) and of the Convent of Nazareth (1669). He died in Jerusalem from the plague on Aug 18, 1670.

Louis IXth, King of France, St. He reigned from 1226 to 1270. His feast is on Aug 25. Louis took the cross during an illness in 1244. He tried to reconcile Pope Innocent IV and the Emperor Frederick II, who was excommunicated in 1245, but Pope Innocent refused. Louis started for the Crusade in August 1248. The crusaders surprised the city of Damietta in June 1249. Louis advanced on Cairo, but the army was cut off from Damietta. Louis negotiated the release of his whole army for the surrender of Damietta and the payment of a ransom. He went to Acre to await the completion of the treaty and he remained in Syria for 4 years. Louis himself recognized that he, unaided, could achieve nothing more, and he returned to France in 1254. During the 1260's, Louis became disturbed by Moslem advances in Syria, and announced his intention to lead another crusade in 1267. Louis' brother, Charles of Anjou, diverted Louis' crusade to Tunis. The French army was depleted by disease within a month of landing, and Louis himself died on Aug 26, 1270. The crusaders returned promptly to France, carrying Louis' bones. - Louis built the Sainte Chapelle at Paris as a shrine for the Crown of Thorns. An the courtyard of the Franciscan monastery of St. Peter at Jaffa is a statue of St. Louis. Louis stayed in Jaffa in 1252.

Louis (Frère) of Marseilles and Frère Antoine, servants of God. Louis was a gardener, he arrived in the Holy Land in 1617. After two years he died in Jerusalem in 1619. Antoine lived in the same convent of St. Saviour as a door-keeper, during more than 20 years.

Louis IV. He was a son of Herman I, landgrave of Thuringia. Louis married Elizabeth of Hungary (Saint), who was at the moment of her marriage 14 years. Louis IV died as a crusader at Brindisi in 1227 on Emperor Frederick Ws crusade.

Louis Canali of Parma. After the 8th Eucharistic Congress which lasted from May 13 to May 22, 1893, he came to Jerusalem on June 1, 1893. He was the first General Superior of the Franciscans to visit the Holy Land. A statue in stone in the pare which is inside St. Saviour's Convent remembers his visit.

Louis Philippe (Phélippiaux). This French royalist was at Brienne a classmate of Napoléon. He was familiar with the siege-technique which was used by Napoléon against Acre. Louis Philippe helped the defenders of Acre in 1799, against Napoléon.

Loupias Marle Odile. She was of French origin. She, together with Jeanne Bidaud, decorated in 1953 the Chapel of the 6th Station (Veronica wipes the face of Christ). The Little Sisters of Jesus (Foucauld Sisters) take care of this sanctuary.

Lowie José. Died at Brugge 1979. He was archimandrite of Galilee.

Lucas, abbas Carbonensis in Calabria. He came to Palestine in 1059. (AA.SS. April 2)

Lucia, virgin, Poor Clare. Together with sisters of the same Order, martyred by the Mamluks in 1289 in Tripoli, Lebanon.

Lucian (Lucius) of Tripoli. Not identified, perhaps Lucianus (Lucius) of Baalbek (Lebanon).

Luciani, Pope John Paul I. This Patriarch of Venice became the successor of Pope Paul VI on Aug 26, 1978. He adopted the double name of Pope John Paul I. He died after 6 weeks of rule, on Thursday evening, Sept 28, 1978. - On Tuesday, Oct 3, 1978 the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Beltritti, held a Latin funeral service before the Edicule in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. On Wednesday Oct 4, 1978 (feast of St. Francis) there was at Rome the burial service. - Luciani had visited the Holy Land.

Lucianus, St. (Lucius). He suffered martyrdom in Baalbek (Heliopolis) in Lebanon. Bishop Codratus of Heliopolis built a church in honour of St. Lucianus on the site of the martyrdom. The date of the martyrdom was August 22. On this date the Georgian Liturgy has the commemoration.

Lucianus, priest. This priest in Antioch suffered martyrdom under Diocletian (285-313). Lucianus mentioned before his judge the cleft in Golgotha. The Greek Synaxaries have his feast on Oct 15; the Georgian calendar on Oct 14; the Syriac calendar on Jan 7. The date of January 7 is confirmed by the panegyric that was spoken by St. John Chrysostom (BHG 998). The Roman Martyrology has his feast on Jan 7. It mentions that the priest Lucianus of Antioch was martyred in Nicomedia, under the persecution of Galerius Maximian (305-311), and buried in Helenopolis in Bithynia.

Lucianus, Metrobius, Paulus, Zenobius, Theotimus, Drusus and companions. Without year, Dec 24, martyrs in Tripoli (Phoenicia). (AA.SS.) In many martyrologies in June, or in Nov. (Analecta Boll. 1, 48; 11, 34)

Lucifer of Cagliari. Bishop at Eleutheropolis, 4th century.

Lucios (Lucius) (Loukios). One of the 70 disciples, bishop of Laodicea in the Greek list. - The Roman Martyrology has the feast on April 22: Apelles and Lucius, of the first disciples of Christ, in Smyrna.

Lucius, St., of Cyrene in Libya, Martyr. He is sometimes identified with Lucianus, the martyr of Baalbek in Phoenicia. - Lucius of Cyrene is remembered in Greek Synaxaries on Aug 22, the same date as is accorded by Georgian liturgy for Lucianus of Baalbek.

Ludanus of Scotland, St. He came to Palestine in the 12th century. (AA.SS. Feb 12)

Ludolphe of Sudheim. He found in 1336 the Chapel Dominus Flevit at Jerusalem in ruin,

Ludolphe the Carthusian (died 1370). He places the Meeting of the Lamenting Daughters of Jerusalem (presently the 8th Station) at the site where Jesus received the help of Simon (presently the 5th Station). - Probably to be identified with Ludolphe of Sudheim.

Ludolphus of Westiphalla. He was the leader of the crusaders of Loon and Limburg. (Compare: Gerbert of Wintershoven)

Ludovicus, landgrave of Thuringia. In 1191 the started for the third crusade (1189-1192). He is mentioned in AA.SS. on Sept 11 and Nov 19. (Compare: Louis IV)

Luigi Esparza, Franciscan. He came from Spain. During 25 years he worked in the Custody of the Holy Land. He witnessed the fire that in 1808 destroyed the big cupola and the rotunda above the Holy Sepulchre. He died at Nazareth on Aug 31, 1825.

Luke, St., evangelist. St. Luke is called by St. Paul, 'our most dear physician' (Col 4, 14). In 2 Tim 4, 11 Luke is Paul's only companion shortly before the Apostle's death. - Early Christian tradition identifies Luke as the author of the third Gospel and the Acts. Luke was a Greek-speaking convert of pagan origin. He was not himself an eyewitness of what he writes (Lk 1, 2) and, therefore, not one of the 72 disciples (Lk 10, 1), nor Cleophas' unnamed companion on the way to Emmaus (Lk 24, 8). Luke first met St. Paul at Troas (Acts 16, 10), rejoined him at Philippi some years later, accompanied him to Jerusalem (Acts 21, 1-8) and remained with Paul during his imprisonment in Caesarea in Palestine and Rome (Acts 27, 1; 28, 16). According to tradition, Luke never married, and he lived to the age of 84. He died in Achaia (or Bithynia, or Egypt). His feast is on Oct 18 in Mart. Romanum. - An ancient painting of the Blessed Virgin hangs against the southern wall of the church in the Syrian-Orthodox Convent of St. Mark in Jerusalem. Theodore of Constantinople (6th century) is the first to attribute this painting to St. Luke. In Christian iconography St. Luke is portrayed either as a man, or a writer, or a bull. The bull is the third symbolic animal that was seen in the vision of Prophet Ezechiel (1, 10). The Gospel of Luke is the third of the four Gospels. The Gospel of Luke begins with the Old Testament, in which the bull was the main sacrificial animal.

Luke, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Laodicea (Asia), in the Greek list. He is not mentioned in the Roman martyrology.

Luke, brother of Marinus and disciple of St. Euthymius. Luke built after 411, a monastery in Metopa, south of Jerusalem. There was on June 14 the commemoration of three Egyptian martyrs: Aretis, Poromotus, Elijah, who were martyred in Ascalon.

Lull Raymond, Blessed. He was born in Majorca round 1235. He died, probably in Tunis, in 1316. The Franciscan Order has his feast on July 3. His cult was confirmed by Plus ]X in 1858. He never took Holy Orders. According to tradition he joined the Third Order of St. Francis. - Lull wrote several books on philosophy and mysticism. He persuaded King James 11 of Majorca to establish a school for Oriental languages. Lull's journeys included visits to Tunis in 1282, 1292 and 1316. According to pious legend, he suffered martyrdom by stoning in 1316. Perhaps he visited the Holy Land in 1302.

Lulu el-Hajeb. This Armenian chief of the naval forces of Saladin defeated in 118211183 the ships of Renald de Châtillon in the Red Sea before the battle of Hattin (1197).

Lunghi. see: Charles Lunghi (died 1849). 

Lupus, St., Martyr. Together with Saturninus, in 303, at Caesarea, Palestine. (Memory Oct 14 in Mart. Roman.)

Macalister R. A. S., Irish. He excavated, together with Bliss F. J., in 1898-99 the ruins of Azekah. Perhaps Tell Azekah is to be identified with Tell Zakaryeh. Azekah is in the north-west of Judah. Azekah withstood, together with the town of Lachish, the attacks of King Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 34, 7). - Macalister excavated Gezer in 19021908. - He discovered, together with Duncan, the so-called Jebusite wall of Jerusalem, in 1923-25. Macalister published in 1925 his book 'A century of Excavations in Palestine'.

Macarius Antiochenus, St. Round 1010 he came to Palestine. (AA.SS. April 10) He travelled to Gent (Belgium) in 1012. (AA.SS. May 9)

Macarius I, bishop of Jerusalem, St. 39th bishop of Jerusalem from circa 312; he died at Jerusalem round 334. His feast is on March 10 in the Rom. Mart. In Greece his feast is on Aug 16. Both Eusebius of Caesarea and Macarius attended the Council of Nicaea (325) which condemned Arius. When Arius was banished from Alexandria, he found hospitality with Eusebius and he stigmatized Macarius 'heretical and an ignoramus' (Epiphanius, Panar. 69, 6, 4). Macarius partly directed the erection of the complex over the recently rediscovered sacred sites at Jerusalem. Later tradition ascribed to him a part in the finding of the true cross (Rufinus, Hist. Eccl. 10, 7, 8)- Macarius consecrated Maximus, an upholder of Nicaea 1, to the see of Diospolis (Lydda) but he subsequently kept Maximus as his coadjutor and successor in acquiescence to the desire of the Jerusalem flock (Sozomenos, Hist. Eccl. 2, 20) -AA.SS. June 6 mention: Iter legatorum Macarii, patr. Hieros. Vesontionem, (round 350).

Macarius II, bishop of Jerusalem. He was elected bishop by the 'isochrits', he was deposed by Emperor Justinian (552) for his adherence to the doctrines of Origen. (Vita Sabae, ch. 90). Macarius died in 574. (AA.SS.) Is perhaps Macarius II commemorated on Aug 16 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar? Or refers the commemoration to Macarius I?

Macarius, Sanctus, bishop of Petra. The Martyrologium Romanum has his feast on June 20: At Petra, in Palestine, commemoration of Macarius, bishop. He suffered from the Arians, and was exiled to Africa, he died in peace. (See Arius, Macarius, Asterius, bishops of Petra, round 350. (AA.SS. June 20)

Maccabeans, seven Maccabean brothers and their mother. They were arrested and were being compelled by the king, Antiochus IV, Epiphanes (175-164 BC) to partake to unlawful swine's flesh. (2 Mac 7, 1-42) The seven sons and after them, the mother were put to death. The Martyrologium Romanum (Aug 1) tells us that the martyrdom happened in Antioch and that their relics were brought to Rome and transferred to the Church of St. Peter in Chains. Georgian and Greek liturgy have the feast on Aug 1; Their commemoration was in the Church of the Resurrection. - The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on the 8th day of the month Nahasse: Lazarus and his wife Salome and seven sons. - The martyrdom of the Maccabeans induced the family of the Hasmonaeans of Modein to revolt against the Syrians. The Hasmonaeans were buried in their hometown Modein (Modi'im), it is about 12 Kms east of Lydda (Lod).

Maccabees, five Maccabees. The Ethiopian Synxarium has on Takhshash 25: A man of the tribe of Benjamin, whose name was Maccabeus, had three sons, Abya, Sila, and Pantos. They were martyred under Sirusadin, the king of the Midianites (?) and Moabites. The Synaxarium salutes the five Maccabees.

Maccagno, Alessandro. This Italian priest came to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem under the first patriarch Mgr. Valerga who ruled from 1847 to 1872.

Mac Donald. He was the first U.S. A. ambassador to Israel in 1948. A street in Netanya is named after him.

Mac Inis, Anglican bishop in Jerusalem (1914-1931). He succeeded Blyth (1887-1914), Inis was succeeded by Brown (1932-1943).

Mac Mahon, president of France. He sent in 1874 an amianthus tapestry to the Grotto of Nativity as protection against fire. On April 25, 1873 the Greek community had tried to evict the Latins from the Grotto. In the night of May 7, 1869 a fire burned a Latin picture. The Greeks were obliged to allow the Latins to hang a tapistry. The French tapistry depicts facts of the Childhood of Jesus. For the cleaning of the tapistry the Latins are controlled by the Greek community.

Macrinus, bishop of Beth-Gibrin. He was at the Council of Nicaea.

Macrinus. He was the first bishop of Jamnia. The second bishop, Peter, was at the Council of Nicaea in 325. (Onomasticum Sacrum, 106; Le Quien III, 588)

Macrobius. The son of Herod was among the killed boys. (Saturnalia II, 4, 11)

Madaba. Through the intervention of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the French Consul, the governor of Syria, Midhat Pacha, allowed in 1880 christians of Kerak to settle in the ruin-fields of Madaba (East Jordan). In 1896 the Greek Orthodox Community built a new church over the ruins of a Byzantine church. The pavement of the church showed in mosaic a map of Palestine with Greek inscriptions. It is called the Map of Madaba (Medaba).

Mader A. E. Fr. He excavated Mamre in 1926-28, on behalf of the German Society, Görresgesellschaft. He interpreted the site as the market where Emperor Hadrian sold the Jewish prisoners of war of the Second Jewish Revolt (132-135 CE). - Mader thought Jeta (Yutta) near Hebron to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. Mader discovered, together with Father Schneider, in 1932 at Tabgha the mosaic of the Multiplication of Loaves. Mader was Salvatorian Father (SDS); Schneider was Lazarist Father.

Mafrij, monk. He was the son of Abou-el-Kheir el Aboudi (of Abud), he travelled to the Convent of St. Catherine in Sinai. There he copied in 1104 a palestinian evangeliarium.

Magarites et socii ejus christiani. They visited Palestine in 780. (Leontius, Vita S. Stephani Sabaitae, c. IX, n. 99-102) (AA.SS. July 13)

Magdalena of the Third Order, Virgin. Verniero in his 'Chroniche di Terra Santa' libro V, cap X, tells that when Father Bonifacius of Ragusa was for the second time Custos of the Holy Land (15631565) there died in Jerusalem a virtuous lady, Magdalena. She had lived in Jerusalem for 48 years. She was buried in the cemetery of Hakeldama. She is venerated as 'a servant of God'.

Magdalene. She was born in Kalymnos in 1847, joined the monastic life in 1867. Her father who was wealthy built a monastery in which she stayed. This monastery is in Argos, Kalymnos, and was consecrated in 1867. Magdalene travelled to Jerusalem. She died at the age of 105 in 1952 in the monastery of Argos. Magdalene has not been canonized as yet.

Magdaletes, martyr in Tripoli (Lebanon) without date. (AA.SS. June 12)

Magdalvaeus, episcopus Virdunensis, St. He visited Palestine in 757. (AA.SS. Oct 4) (Hugo Flavin., Vita S. Magdalv.)

Magi: see Three Kings (Balthasar, Kaspar, Melchior). 

Magundot: see Anastasius, the Persian. 

Mahalaleel, son of Cainan. He lived 165 years and begat Jared. Mahalaleel was buried in the 'Cave of Treasures'. He died, according to the Ethiopjan Synaxarium, on the first day of the week, on the second day of the month of Miyazya (the eighth month).

Maitre Jourdain. He built, between 1160 and 1180, the belfry which is to the south of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Major. He was from Marocco, he served in the Roman army during the rule of Emperor Diocletian (284-313). When he was in Gaza, he confessed his faith in Christ. He suffered seven days of continuous torture before he died round 303. (Greek liturgy, Feb 15) (AA.SS. Appendixi

Makhlouf Sharbel, Maronite monk of Lebanon. The first saint from a Maronite country canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI on Sunday, Oct 9, 1977. Makhlouf was 70, when he died in 1898, Dec 24. He was born of peasant parents on May 8, 1828; he left for a life of prayer at the age of 23. He spent most of his life as a monk, and later as a hermit, in Anaya (north of Lebanon). The body of this Maronite saint was exhumed and transferred to a cedar-wood shrine in 1962.

Malachi, the last of the Minor Prophets. His memory is on Jan 14 in the Roman Martyrology; the Greek liturgy has it on Jan 3. According to the Ethiopian Synaxarium (Ter 8.) Malachi was born in a place which is called Sufas... And being still a young man, he died and he was buried with his fathers in his own field. Salutation to Melkeyas (Malachi). - The burial place of Malachi is venerated by Jews in the Tombs of the Prophets (Qoubour el Anbia) on the west slope of Mount of Olives, together with the burial places of the prophet Haggai and the prophet Zachariah.

Malchus, John I8, 10: Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. - John I8, 26: One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, 'Did I not see you in the garden with him? Peter again denied it. -Malchus is a Nabataean name. It is not unlikely that Malchus was a Nabataean. (Compare: Hartvik of Bremen)

Malchus, monk and prisoner. March 20. Some Synaxaries have his feast on March 26.

Malchus, Saint, monachus Maroniae prope Antiocham. Round 360, he visited Palestine. (Vita S. Malchi, auct. S. Hieronymo) (AA.SS. Oct 21)

Malchus, St., martyr Caesarea, Palestine, 259. The Mart. Rom. has his memory on March 28, together with Priscus and Alexander.

Mallon, Jesuit Father. He excavated from 1929 to 1934 Teleilat Ghassul, which is to the east of the Dead Sea.

Mamas, nephew of the Armenian Sophronius. Mamas who was in the Byzantine court donated money to hegumen Sophronius (died 542) for the church of Theotocos (= Mary, mother of God). This church was destroyed by the Persians in 614.

Mamerto Esquiu, bishop of Cordova, Argentina. He was born in 1826 at Petra Blanca. At the age of 15, he took the Franciscan habit. He was ordained a bishop at the age of 54, in 1880. In 1876 he visited the Holy Land and was there for 18 months. He died as bishop of Cordova, Argentina, on Jan 10, 1883.

Mamillah-Church. Bernard the Monk (870) visits the Church St. Mamillah. There were buried the bodies of those who were slain by the Persians in 614. The church is named after the nearby Birket Mamillah, not after a saint person.

Manasserio. This Franciscan Father was in 1238 appointed to the spiritual help of the Templars who were prisoners of the Muslims in Aleppo.

Manatha (Manetha, Mantha), woman who was martyred. Her memory in the Church of the Resurrection was on July 16, and on Nov 13, according to the Georgian liturgy. The Mart. Rom. has the memory on Nov 13. (See also: Ennatha, virgin).

Mandelbaum Gate. It was from 1948 till the Six Days War of June 1967 the only frontier-crosspoint from West Jerusalem (Israel) to East Jerusalem (Hashemite Jordanian Kingdom). This check-point, north of the Old City, was named Mandelbaum Gate after the owner of a house, which was used as office for the crossing formalities.

Manfredi Giuseppe (1845-1904). This Italian priest arrived in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1887, he was missionar in Madaba.

Manoogian, Alex and Mary. These Armenians financed the seminary of the Armenians in Jerusalem. It is built after 1967 on the grounds of the Armenian garden that faces the main gate of the Armenian monastery of St. James.

Mansour, chancellor of Abdel Melek (in 692). Mansour and his brother Celsius obtained from Caliph Abdel Melek that the columns of the Church of Agony in Gethsemane, should not be confiscated. The two brothers promised to the Caliph to give him more beautiful columns. (P.G. CVIII, 721)

Mantho, virgin, martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, in 308. She was first violated and then burned to death. (Nov 13 in Mart. Rom.) See Manatha.

Mar Abadiah (Abdias). In the village of Abud, are the ruins of a late Byzantine church. The site is called Mar Abadiah, the holy Abdias.

Marana. She came to Palestine before 440. (Compare: Cyra of Syria) (Vita, auct. Theodoreto, lat. vers., c. 4) (AA.SS. Aug 3)

Marana of Veria, Syria. (Greek liturgy, Feb 28). She was born in Veria, Syria, and lived in the first half of the 5th century. Though of noble birth, she left the life of luxury and embraced the anchoritic life. Her servants also adopted the monastic life. Marana visited Jerusalem, and fasted on her travels. (See also Kyria of Veria, Feb 28)

Marangoni. This Italian architect, on order of the three religious communities, placed in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in 1933, 400 glass-strips as spies to control the fissures caused by earthquakes.

Marcellinus, bishop of Zipporl (Sepphoris). Emperor Valens (364378) sent bishops in exile to Zippori for accepting the Council of Nicaea (325). These exiled bishops were served by Melania the Elder (342-409). Marcellinus attended as the bishop of Zippori, in 518 the Council of Jerusalem.

Marcellus, archimandr. Spelaei Inventio capitis S. Joh. Bapt., Emesae, 452. (AA.SS. June 24)

Marchioness of Milfordhaven. She attended the consecration of the Russian Church of St. Mary Magdalen in Gethsemane on Sept 29, 1888. (See: Czar Alexander 111)

Marcia, Virgin, Saint. Marcia, together with Maria, Martha, Cyria, Bareria, was converted and adopted the ascetic life. When the Governor of Palestine in Caesarea heard about them, the five women were martyred in 304. The Greek liturgy venerates Marcia on June 6; the Roman Martyrology on June 5.

Marcian, bishop of Sebaste in Samaria. Marcian was the father of John (III), bishop of Jerusalem. This John III ruled in Jerusalem from 516 to 524. (Vita Sabae, ch. 56)

Marcian, Emperor (450-457). He is listed in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on April 19 and on July 9, both times together with John III, bishop of Jerusalem.

Marcian, monk. This Monophysite monk fled out of the convent of S. Passarion in Jerusalem and founded a monastery near Bethlehem. His friend, Romanus, who had also escaped out of the convent of S. Passarion, founded a ]aura at Tekoa. Marcian converted, but he could not convert his friend Romanus. Therefore Marcian with his monks destroyed in 484 the laura of Romanus at Tekoa. Marcian died in 492. The monastery of Marcian was probably at Kenisat el Raouat,, the Shepherds' Fields of the Greek Orthodox.

Marco Polo, merchant of Venice. (1254-1324) In 1281 he travelled, together with his father and uncle, who had already visited China, to the Far East. From 1282 to 1285 he was governor of Sangui, the actual Nanking. He visited Acre in 1295. After 24 years Marco Polo returned to Venice with his father and his uncle. A street in Acre is named after Marco Polo.

Marcus, St. episcopus Atinensis. He went, in the first century, from Galilee to Atinum. (Arnulphus Capuanus, Vita S. Marci, c. ], n. 9) (AA.SS. April 28)

Margaret, an actress of Antioch. She converted by St. Nonnus of Edessa, she came to Jerusalem under the name of Pelagia, she lived on the top of the Mount of Olives and died there in 457. The Moslems venerate on this site the tomb of the mystic Rabi'a el Adawiyya. The feast of Pelagia, surnamed the Penitent, is on Oct 8 in the Mart. Rom.

Margaret, Monastery on the top of Carmel. It belonged to the Greek monks. Beside this monastery the Templars built the castle of St. Margaret (if not at Khirbet Rushmiya).

Margaret of Sicily. This lady lived in 1333 in the Hospital of St. John (near 8th Station); She bought on May 15, 1335, from the Public Treasury for 1000 silver dirham an estate on Mount Sion; on Sept 19, 1335 Fr. Roger bought from her a part of this estate for 400 dirham.

Maria, abbess on Mount of Olives, without year. (AA.SS. July 30)

Maria Ernestina de la Cruz Larrainez (Spain). She founded in 1885 'Las Hijas del Calvario' (Daughters of Calvary). The foundress wished a convent in Jerusalem. The 'Daughters of Calvary' began in 1921 a school in the Old City. They depend from the Procurator of the Custody. The Procurator is always from Spain [not in 2006].

Maria de Montfort. She was the Superior of the Franciscan Sisters Missionaries of Mary (White Sisters) at Jerusalem after World War I which was from 1914 to 1918.

Maria John of the Franciscan Sisters Missionaries of Mary. She entered this Congregation in 1897 at Rovereto. She conducted the Atelier des Arts in the Convent at Jerusalem. She painted pictures for the Franciscan Convent near the Cenacle on Mount Sion. She painted also for the Franciscan Church of St. Saviour the 'Indulgence of Portiuncula', and for the Franciscan Convent of St. Saviour (1926) the'Martyrs at Damascus'. She died in Jerusalem on July 2, 1960.

Maria I, Queen of Portugal. She donated in 1778 the Statue of the Mater Dolorosa, which is at the 13th Latin Station on Calvary. The Statue represents the prophecy of Simeon: 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2, 34).

Mariamne. According to the Greek liturgy (Feb 17), she was the sister of St. Philip the Apostle. After Christ's ascension, Philip, Bartholomew and Mariamne went to Hierapolis in Phrygia. Philip suffered martyrdom, but Bartholomew and Mariamne continued to preach in Hierapolis. Mariamne went to Lycaonia, where she died. She is known as 'the Apostolic Virgin'.

Mariamne Tower at the Citadel of David. It is the smallest of the three towers: Phasael, Hippicus, Mariamne. The three towers were added to the city wall in 27 BC to protect the palace of Herod the Great. Herod named the smallest tower in honour of Mariamne, who was one of his wives. Mariamne I was the grandaughter of Hyrcanus II and the mother of Aristobulus. This Mariamne was executed by her husband Herod in 29 BC. Mariamne II was married to Herod in 23 BC.

Marie de Jésus Crucifié (Mariam Baouardi). Carmelite Sister. This Arab sister died in the Carmel of Bethlehem on Aug 25, 1878. She was buried in Bethlehem. Her remains were exhumed there on Oct 28, 1928.

Marie Josée of Savoie, ex-queen of Italy, wife of ex-king Umberto. She visited the Holy Land in 1965. She came with her daughter on pilgrimage to Jerusalem in Sept 1976.

Marien de Maleo, Custos (1652-1658). He restored in 1665 (?) the porch (entrance) of the Grotto of Arrest in Gethsemane.

Marien Morone. (1668) He tells us that Elisabeth died in the desert, after having rescued her child John (the Baptist) from the searching by the soldiers of Herod the Great. [See Marien de Maleo]

Marin Sanuto (1322). He mentions: The Jews and the Samaritans show the tomb of Phinehas in Awerta (Awarta).

Marienschwestern of Darmstadt. They were founded in 1947 by Mother Basilea Schlink of Darmstadt (Germany). The Sisters came to Jerusalem in 1957. They have a convent in West Jerusalem, and a second house on the slope of the Mount of Olives. The Sisters of the second house help the pilgrims by leaflets with explanations of the shrines.

Marin, Armenian princess. See: Jojik.

Marina, Scanienis, in Sicilia. St. She came to Palestine in the 11th century. (AA.SS. July 17)

Marinus, St. The Martyrologium Romanum has the feast on March 3. Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. 7, 15) mentions St. Marinus of Caesarea, Palestine. He was an officer in the Roman legion that was stationed there and he suffered martyrdom in the Valerian (253-260) persecutions. -- This Marinus does not seem to be identified with the St. Marinus cited by the Martyrology of Jerome for March 3. Marinus, the soldier, and Asterius, the senator, are on March 3, in the year 260 in Acta Sanctorum.

Marinus, disciple of St. Euthymius. Marinus built, after 411, a monastery in Photino, which is near Metopa, where his brother Luke has founded a monastery. Photino is to the south of Jerusalem.

Mari(n)us, first bishop of Sebaste. This Marinus or Marius boasted at the Council of Nicaea (325) that his town Sebaste in Samaria had the tomb of St. John the Baptist and the tomb of the prophets Abdias and Eliseus.

Maris. He was the brother-in-law of Aspebet-Peter, who was the sheikh and the phylarch of the Christian Bedouins in the desert of Judaea. Round 420 Maris succeeded to St. Theoctist.

Mark, Armenian Anchorite. Mark, with a certain Thaddeus, copied a Gospel in the Convent of St. Sabas (colophon dated 1455).

Mark, emperor (sic) of Rome. This saint ruled in his virginity for five years. When the people forced him to take a wife, he went up by night into the church and stood before the picture of the Virgin Mary. And then, without a ship, he passed over the sea of Jericho (?)and came to Dabra Tormak in a desert region, and he lived there for sixty years. Mark is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 19th day of the month Sane.

Mark, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Apollonia, Palestine, according to the Greek list. (Compare Mark John).

Mark, the deacon (Marcus diaconus). He wrote the life of his bishop, Porphyrius of Gaza, who died at Gaza in 420.

Mark the Evangelist. Greek and Latin liturgy have his feast on April 25. Mark was the author of the Second Gospel. He was the son of Mary of Jerusalem, and he went with Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey, but turned back at Perge. Later he continued missionary work in Cyprus. After reconciliation with Paul, he was with him in Rome from where he wrote the Gospel. Later Mark went to Egypt and to the Pentapolis and suffered martyrdom in Alexandria in 68. His relics were brought to Venice. Afterwards the Roman Church returned the relics to the Coptic Church of Alexandria.

The emblem of Mark. The lion is the second symbolic animal in the book of the Prophet Ezechiel (1, 10). Perhaps for this reason, the Gospel of Mark, which is the second in the list of the four Gospels, has as emblem the lion.

Mark and the young man, who left his linen cloth and ran away naked. It is not certain that Mark is the young man who attempted to follow the arrest of Jesus (Mk 14, 51).

Mark, John Mark, St. He was the son of Mary, who resided in Jerusalem (Acts 12, 12) and a cousin of Barnabas (Col 4, 10). Tradition identifies John Mark with the Evangelist Mark. - Tradition makes him the bishop of Apollonias, a city on the coast between Jaffa and Caesarea. This Mark figures in the synaxary of Sirmond, Oct 20. - According to the ancient Syrian Orthodox tradition, the church and the monastery of St. Mark in Jerusalem are built over the ruins of the site of the Last Supper. The Syrian Orthodox likewise place there also the descent of the Holy Ghost on Pentecost. in the house of Mary of Jerusalem, who was the mother of Mark, the Last Supper was held.

Mark, called John, Bishop of Biblos, one of the 70 disciples, according to the Greek list of disciples.

Mark, 16th bishop of Jerusalem (135-156). His feast is on Oct 22 in the Mart. Rom. He was the first non-Jewish bishop to rule the Church of Jerusalem. He was martyred in 156 under Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161).

Mark, first bishop of the Syrian. Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. Mark was originally from Caesarea, Palestine. His episcopate might have begun during the first half of the second century, after the foundation of Aelia Capitolina. To be identified with Mark, bishop of Jerusalem (135-156).

Marmier. This Sister belonged to the 'Filles de la Charité'. She was the first Superior of Hôpital de la Sainte Famille of Bethlehem, which was founded in 1887.

Maro of Cyr. Syrian monk and spiritual father of the Maronites. He was born near Apamea on the river Orontes, Syria. Date is unknown. He died there, before 423. His feast is in the Maronite Church and in the Melkite liturgy on Feb 14. Maro attracted many disciples, who became holy hermits, such as SS. James of Cyr, Limnaeus, and Zebinas. Maro was a friend of St. John Chrysostom, and supported orthodoxy. A church was built on his tomb, and the monastery of St. Maro was later founded there. Maro's cult was approved by Benedict XV in 1573.

Maron, hermit. The hermit Maron (Maroon) lived on a mountain in the region of Apamea (Aphamiah), the actual Qal'at al-Modiq. His biographer Theodoret, bishop of Cyr (died 458), says that Maron had consecrated a pagan temple as a church. Later historians place the death of hermit Maron in 410. The group of disciples formed the nucleus of the Maronite Church. To be identified with Maro of Cyr.

Maron John, St. first Maronite Patriarch. In the 6th century there was between Apamea and Emesa a monastery that was named after St. Maro(n). The Maronite church tells that Maron John was the hegumen of this monastery. He was elected patriarch by the community of Antioch at a time when the see of Antioch had been vacant between 636 and 742, in the year 685. The Maronites defended the Council of Chalcedon. The Maronite patriarchs from the beginning held the title of Antioch.

Maronite Church in Jerusalem. The Maronite Church in Jerusalem, Old City, has a patriarchal vicar. The site was bought by the Maronites in 1895. The street is named Deir Maroun (Maronite Convent). There is a Maronite Church in Nazareth (north of the Melkite Church); also a Maronite Church in Jaffa. A few villages near the Lebanon border in Israel have a Maronite community. The Maronite Church numbers about 3000 members in Israel.

Marquis of Bute, John Patrick Crichton Stuart. He visited the mosque of Hebron in 1866. He died in Oct 1900. In Nov 1900 his wife and her 4 sons buried his heart near the Chapel 'Dominus Flevit' (built in 1891). This chapel is now transformed in a Franciscan Convent. The Stuart plaque is at the entrance to the Convent. Since the family Stuart are of royal descent, the burying of the heart was considered as fulfilling by proxy the wish of Robert Bruce, whose heart never reached Jerusalem. An iron cross marks the site of the burial. The new Chapel was built in 1955, architect Barluzzi.

Marta J. Priest of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He discovered in 1902 a text of Peter of Sebaste (died 392) about the Upper Room on Mount Sion. (AI Machriq, Review, Beyrouth, 1902, Juin).

Martha, St. Virgin. Her feast is on July 29 in Mart. Rom. She is the sister of Mary and of Lazarus (Lk 10, 38-42; Jin 11) and she lived in Bethany. The Martha who received Jesus into her house (Luke 10, 38-42) is generally, but not necessarily, identified with the Martha, who was the sister of Lazarus (Jn 11).

Martha, the mother of St. Symeon, the Stylite, the Younger. She died on July 5, 551. Her feast is on July 11.

Martha, the virgin. The Greek liturgy has her feast on June 6. Together with Maria, Cyria, Marcia, this Martha was converted to Christianity and adopted the ascetic life. When the governor of Caesarea, Palestine, heard about them, the four were martyred in 304.

Martha, the widow. She turned her house into a habitation for pilgrims. She loved the Virgin Mary and asked the monk Theodore to buy a portrait of the Lady Mary in the city of Jerusalem. The monk returned with the portrait that produced drops of sweat. Martha and Theodore venerated this portrait in the city of Sedenya. After their death the oil in the bowl before the ikon, was augmented and the picture could not be removed to another spot. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, 10th of Maskaram, first month, Sept 8-Oct 7) - In Jerusalem, on el Kanayes Street, is the Greek Orthodox convent of Saidnaya, for there was once kept the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin of Saidnaya, 35 kms. north of Damascus.

Martianus, Abba. (Compare Martinianus). Martianus Abba, of the convent Dabra Tabot Noha in the city of Caesarea of Palestine, is to be identified with Martinianus. The Ethiopian Synaxarion venerates Martianus on the 21st day of Gennot, the ninth month.

Martin I, Pope of Rome (649-655). Martin, a priest representing the See of Rome in Constantinople, was elected to the papacy in 649. In the same year, he assembled a council in Rome to condemn the Monophysite heresy. He appointed John, bishop of Philadelphia (Amman), as Administrator of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, after the death of its Patriarch Sophronius, who had died in 638. Martin, the Pope, made this appointment ' by the apostolic power which came to him from Jesus Christ through St. Peter. '

St. Martin's Church in Jerusalem. The Church was built by the Crusaders. Its site was nicknamed EI Maraghah (where donkeys roll). In 1227 the Jew Nachmanides reorganised the Jewish community, and acquired the ruins of St. Martin's Church. It became the Hurva (ruin) synagogue. A huge arch recalls us that this synagogue was never finished and thence received the name of Hurva(h), ruin. This synagogue is in the newly rebuilt Jewish quarter, which is to the west of the area of the Wailing Wall.

Martin of Urretta. He was born in Spain. During 20 years he worked as a Franciscan in the Holy Land. At the age of 55 years, he died in Jerusalem, on Sept 3, 1683.

Martinianus, St. He was born in Caesarea, Palestine. At the age of 18, he adopted the ascetic life. He was tempted by an evil woman, but by his witness he converted her so that she became a nun. He spent ten years on a rock in the sea. Again tempted by a woman, he left his abode and visited many holy places. Finally he went to Athens, where he died at the beginning of the 5th century. Greek calendars have his feast on Feb 13, and some on May 16. Copts and Ethiopians venerate him on May 16.

Martinus Dumiensis, St., archiepiscopus Bracarencis. He visited Palestine round 560. (AA.SS. March 20)

Martinus Legionensis (Leon in Spain), St. He visited Palestine round 1186. (AA.SS. Feb 11)

Martyr, Franciscan. An anonymous Franciscan is remembered as 'martyr' in 1392 in the Franciscan Martyrology on Aug 24.

Martyrius. In 457 Martyrius, a Cappadocian, and Elias, an Arab, fled from persecution in Egypt to the monastery of St. Euthymius (Khan el Ahmar) east of Jerusalem. Martyrius became Patriarch (478-486) of Jerusalem. He was succeeded by Sallustius (486-494), and Sallustius was succeeded in 494 by Elias. - According to Cyril of Scythopolis Martyrius died on April 13, 486. Martyrius does not appear in the Greek synaxaries. In the Palestinian-Georgian calendar Martyrius is mentioned on April 13, on June 25, and on October 27 (then together with Zachariah).

Martyrius and Zachariah, patriarchs of Jerusalem. Memory on Oct 27, Palestino-Georgian calendar. Martyrius died 486, April 13; Zachariah died in 629 during his captivity in Persia.

Martyrius' Monastery. (Khirbet-el-Murassas). It is 2 Kms west of the laura of St. Euthymius. (Khan-el-Ahmar).

Martyros, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem (1416). Since Saladin, according to Armenian records, Calvary was in possession of the Armenians. In 1426 the Georgians, who had family links with the Mameluks, seized control of Calvary. The Armenian patriarch, Martyros, despite his advanced age, travelled to the Sultan of Egypt. In a period of 30 years, Calvary changed five times, and each time the ailing Patriarch underwent the discomforts of the long journey to Cairo. The struggle was settled in favour of the Georgians. Armenians were compensated with the Armenian Gallery which they called the Second Calvary, as it faces Calvary. Patriarch Martyros (1410) repaired the Church of the Tomb of Mary at Gethsemane after inundations. His name was found carved in Armenian script, into the rock on the right doorpost.

Martyrs (2) in Ascalon, April 6, without year (AA.SS.)

Martyrs, Franciscans (3). On May 12, 1775 Mahomet Bey conquered Jaffa, he killed the christians and 3 Franciscans (the Superior, the parish priest, and his coadjutor). Only a thirty christians escaped.

Martyrs (7), In Gaza, 420, Feb 26 (AA.SS.)

Martyrs (33), in Palestine, 1st-4th cent. (Aug 16, AA.SS.)

Martyrs (60). Sixty Christians of Gaza refused to adopt the Islamic faith; they were arrested and brought to Jerusalem in 638, and there executed. Their bodies were transferred to Eleutheropolis. There they were buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity. They had been arrested during 2 months in Eleutheropolis. (Analecta Bollandiana 23 (1904), 290-303) Feast is on Dec 19.

Martyrs (70), in Scythopolis (Beth-shean), 452 (AA.SS. June 28). 

Martyrs (30, 000?), who were killed in Jerusalem by the Persians in 614. Their feast is on April 22 (AA.SS.). 

Mary, mother of Jesus. Feasts about facts and titles. 

Facts: Immaculate Conception of Mary (Dogma in 1854), Dec 8; Nativity of Mary (in Jerusalem), Sept 8; Mary is presented in the Temple, Nov 23; Desponsatio (Wedding) of Mary with Joseph (in the temple) Jan 23; Annunciation of the birth of Jesus, at Nazareth, March 25; Visit of Mary to Elisabeth, May 31 (formerly July 2); Mary attending childbirth, Dec 18; Mary gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem (Christmas) Dec 25 Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the temple (Candlemas) Feb 2 Visit of the Magi at Bethlehem. (IEpiphany) Jan 6; The flight from Bethlehem to Egypt, Feb 17; Return of the Holy Family from Egypt to their country, Jan 7; Return of the Holy Family from Egypt to Galilee and Nazareth, Jan 8; Jesus of 12 years refound in the Temple, Feb 13 (Luke 2, 41-52); Intervention of Mary at the wedding in Cana, second Sunday after Epiphany. (John 2, 1-12); Seven sorrows of Mary. Sept 15.; Mary sees the Crucifixion (Mater Dolorosa, 12th Station. - Mary receives the body of Jesus, 13th Station (Pieta), Good Friday. Mary and two other Maries (three Maries) see the funeral of Jesus. Mary receives an apparition of the Risen Jesus on Easter. Seven Joys of Mary (feast special to the Franciscan Order) Aug 27; Mary at the Ascension of Jesus, on Mount of Olives, Thursday after the fifth Sunday after Easter. Mary in the Cenacle for the descent of the Holy Ghost, at Pentecost. Mary dies and is assumed into Heaven, Aug 15.

Titles: The pure heart of Mary, Saturday after the feast of the Sacred Heart.; Maternity of Mary, Oct 11; Purity of Mary, Oct 16 Humility of Mary, July 17; The Virgin of Good Counsel, April 26 The Immaculate Virgin of the Holy Medal, Nov 27; Mary of Mount Carmel, July 16; Help of Christianity, May 24; Refuge of Sinners, Aug 13 Help of the Sick, Saturday before the last Sunday of August Queen of the Apostles, Saturday in the Octave of Ascension; Mary, Queen of all Saints and Mother of the kind love, May 31; (now on May 31 is the Visit of Mary to Elisabeth). Mother of the Divine Shepherd, Sept 3; Mother of the Holy Providence, Saturday before the 3th Sunday in November; Virgin of Consolation, Saturday after the feast of St Augustin (Aug 28). Mother of Grace, June 9; Mediatrix of all graces, May 31 (but now is recorded the Visit of Mary to Elisabeth). Mother of Indulgence, Saturday before fourth Sunday of July; Virgin of Everlasting Help, June 27; The 15 mysteries of the Rosary, Oct 7; Mother of God (Theotokos) Jan 1; Mary, Queen of Heaven, Aug 22 (the eighth day after her Assumption). - Many of these feasts are particular to certain dioceses.

Cincture of the Holy Virgin. The translation of this relic to the reliquary of Chaicoprateia, is commemorated in the Melkite liturgy on Aug 31. - At the northwest corner of the Russian property at Gethsemane, at the edge of the path, the rocky ground is pointed out as the place where the Virgin, as she was assumed into heaven, let her cincture fall into the hands of St. Thomas, the apostle who arrived too late to witness the Assumption. The cincture has been found in the bishopric of Zela in Cappadocia, under Emperor Justinian (527-565); others tell that the discovery of the relic was under the Emperors Constantine and Romanus Porphyrogenetes in 941.

Mary, wearing a cloth decorated with spikes (Mary, the Virgin of the ears of corn). The title refers to the Song of Songs 7, 2. In medieval theology Mary is called a good field that produces corn, out of which is baked the bread of Heaven. (Maria im Aehrenkleid).

Mary, Three Maries, at the Funeral of Jesus. About twelve meters, west of the Stone of Unction, in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, lies a circular white marble slab. It is surmounted by an iron cage. The spot recalls the place, where the three Maries witnessed the death and especially the funeral of the Crucified. The place is the exclusive property of the Armenian community. The three Maries were: Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary Magdalen; Mary of Joset (Mk 15, 47)

Mary, Church of the Three Maries. In the Maronite Convent Road, that leads from the Citadel to St. Mark's Road at a right angle corner, is a house, Dar Diss, where stood the Church of the Three Maries. According to tradition, here the Risen Jesus appeared to three Maries (Mary Magdalen (M~ 28, 1); Mary, mother (?) of James (Mc 16, 1) and the other Mary (Mt 28, 1) after they had learned from the angel of the Resurrection and had received the order to announce the news to the disciples (Mt 28, 8).

Mary, daughter of Abraham. She is 'saluted' together with her father, the friend of God, in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 23rd of the month Nahasse (the twelfth month, Aug 4-Sept 2).

Mary, Lady Mary and her son, Maximus. They founded a Church at Beth-Shean, round 567. The Monastery of Lady Mary is northeast of Beth-Shean. The Church in the Monastery, with the apse eastwards is paved with mosaics. For the inscription see: Elias, the priest and recluse at Beth-Shean.

Mary Magdalen, St. She was from Magdala in Galilee. Jesus expelled seven demons from Mary Magdalen. (Mk 16, 9; Luke 8, 2). An apparition of the Risen Jesus to Mary Magdalen alone is related in Mk 16, 9; Jn 20, 1-18. One of the traditions that is accepted by the Latin liturgy, identifies Mary Magdalen with the sister of Martha and Lazarus in Bethany. - The Franciscans of St. Saviour in Jerusalem make a pilgrimage on July 22 to Bethany and visit the tomb of Lazarus. They celebrate the Mass of Mary Magdalen with the Gospel of Luke 7, 36-50: anointing of Jesus by a penitent woman. - A legend (accepted by Mart. Rom.) tells that Mary Magdalen went to Marseille, where she died (Mart. Rom. July 22). The Ethiopian Synaxarium remembers Mary, the sinner, who anointed our Lord with unguent, on Yakatit 6.

Mary Magdalen and the altar of the apparition. According to tradition Mary was one of the women of Galilee who followed and ministered to Jesus. She was present at the crucifixion and she found the tomb empty. It was to her that Jesus appeared after his Resurrection. The Latin altar, which is outside the pillars of the Rotunda in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, recalls this apparition. Jesus revealed Himself by pronouncing her name 'Mary'. She replied 'Rabboni, which means, my Master' and threw herself at the feet of the Risen Christ. (Jn 20, 1-18)

Church of Mary Magdalen at Gethsemane. The church was built by Czar Alexander III in memory of his mother, the Empress Maria Magdalen Alexandrovna, wife of Czar Alexander II. The inauguration was on Sept 29, 1888. The church has seven guilded onion-shaped cupolas (Moscow-style). In the crypt of the church lies the body of the Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodrovna. She was the sister of the late Empress Alexandra Feodrovna, and the wife of the Grand Duke Serge of Moscow. This Serge was the founder of the Russian (Imperial) Palestine Society, and he was in Jerusalem at the inauguration of the church in 1888. His wife, Elisabeth, and her sister, the Marchioness of Milfordshaven, were also present at the inauguration. Elisabeth expressed the wish to be buried in this church at Jerusalem. Her sister overheard her words. In 1905 the Grand Duke Serge was assassinated. In 1918 the Bolshevists killed his widow Elisabeth and her parents. A monk with the help of the White Army brought the body of Elisabeth to Pekin in Mongolia. Her sister, the Marchioness, with the help of the English Government, had the body of Elisabeth brought from Pekin via Vladivostok with a English ship to Jerusalem in Jan 1921. - In 1934 two Scottish ladies (Russian Orthodox) founded the monastery at Gethsemane.

Mary Magdalen's Convent in Jerusalem. see: Edessa refugees.

Mary Magdalen, the myrophore who was equal to the apostles. In the Greek liturgy on July 22. Mary Magdalen came to the tomb, early when it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she reported this event to Simon Peter and to the other disciple. (Jn 20, 1-18)

Five Maries who brought ointment to the tomb of Christ. Their names are: Maria Cleophas, Maria Jacobi, Maria Magdalena, Maria Johannis, Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Greek liturgy has the memory of the five myrophores on the second Sunday after Easter. The Georgians on the second Tuesday after Easter. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has their memory in the Church of the Resurrection on April 25.

Mary, the mother of John Mark (Maria Johannis) (Acts 12, 12). The Syrian Orthodox Convent of St. Mark is supposed to occupy the site of the house of Mary, mother of John Mark. Tradition has it that it was the house where St. Peter went after being delivered by an angel from his prison. - A Syriac inscription asserts that this 'house' was dedicated for religious purposes since 73 AD. An ancient painting of the Blessed Virgin, attributed to St. Luke, hangs against the southern wall. A small monument in the form of a baptistry records the tradition that Mary (Mary, the mother of Jesus is meant) was baptised by the apostles in this house.

Mary, the mother of Maria Salome, and Soba, the mother of Elisabeth, and Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Mary, Soba and Anne were three daughters of Mathan of Bethlehem, according to the Ethiopian Synaxarium.

Mary, Virgin. In the Greek liturgy on June 6. Together with Martha, Barberia, Cyria and Marcia, she adopted the ascetic life. When the Governor of Caesarea, Palestine, heard about them, the five women were put to death in 304.

Mary Margareth of the Holy Heart. She was Superior of the Jerusalem Convent of the Sisters Franciscans Missionaries of Mary. In 1932, she became Superior Generalis of this Institute.

Mary of Jesus Crucified. See: Marie de Jésus Crucifié. 

Mary of the Trinity (Louisa Jaques) (1901-1942). She was born at Pretoria, Transvaal, from protestant parents. Her mother died at her birth. Her father, a protestant missionar, brought her to Switzerland to be educated by an aunt. Louise converted to Catholicism, she was in several monasteries. On June 30, 1938 she joined the Poor Clares Sisters at Jerusalem. There she died in 1942. Her remarkable notes have been published as 'The spiritual legacy of Sister Mary of the Trinity'.

Mary, Portuguese Tertiary. She suffered martyrdom in the atrium before the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, in 11597. (AA.SS. March 27) (Compare: Cosmas a San Damiano)

Mary, the Egyptian. She was a harlot in Alexandria, born in 354. While visiting Jerusalem, she was converted by an apparition of the Holy Virgin in front of the Church of the Resurrection. She crossed the River Jordan and lived a solitary life of penance for forty years. She received the visit of St. Zosimus in 422. She died in 431. The Martyrologium Romanum has her memory on April 2. (Compare with Pelagia the Penitent, Oct 8). Mary the Egyptian is remembered on April 1 and April 6 by the synaxaries of Greece and by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Chapel of Mary the Egyptian. Right of the entrance to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, underneath the Chapel of the Franks (which is Latin property) is a small Greek-Orthodox oratory. It is dedicated to St. Mary of Egypt, in memory of her conversion at the atrium before the Basilica.

Mary, wife of Baldwin III. She is buried on the right side of the staircase that descends to the tomb of Mary at Gethsemane.

Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. In Bethany, on the mountain, dedication of the Church, memory of Mary and Martha on June 4, in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. - The Church is perhaps the place where Mary, the sister of Lazarus, met Jesus, when he came to Bethany, to call back Lazarus from the dead. Is the 'mountain' recalled by the hill Ras es Shiyah near Bethphage, where there is a Greek-Orthodox Church in ruins?

Maspéro. This French scholar means that the inscription of Siloe which was discovered in 1881 is elder as the time of King Hezekiah. The inscription does not name Hezekiah. The scholars Sayce, Marti, Stade also antedate the tunnel of Siloe. - The inscription of Siloe was brought to a museum at Istanbul.

Massabki. Three brothers Massabki of the Maronite Rite were murdered at Damascus by the Druses in 1860.

Massaia. She came to Palestine in 1169, together with St. Bona and with Gaitana. (AA.SS. May 29)

Matat of Jerusalem: Father of Elisabeth (Eth. Synax.). 

Mater Dolorosa. Three Israeli youths on Aug 4, 1967 robbed the gemmed crown of the statue Mater Dolorosa (13th Station) at Calvary. On Sept 26, 1967 the crown was brought back by the police.

Matta: see Matthew and Nebi Matta. 

Matta (Mattia) Maroum Fadlallah, pilgrim guide. With his help, Father Theodore Ratisbonne bought on Nov 24, 1857 the Arch Ecce Homo and the ruins north of the Via Dolorosa. On the acquired site Theodore Ratisbonne bought a convent for the Sisters of Sion.

Matteo. He belonged, round 1220, to the clergy of the Church of the Holy Cross in Acre. (GBB I, 8) According to Jacques de Vitry, Matteo joined the Franciscan Order before 1220.

Matteo, Franciscan. He was Vicarius Provincialis of the Holy Land. His name appears in the process against the Templars, on Feb 18, 1282, in Nephin, near Tripoli (Lebanon).

Matthan (Mathan) of Bethlehem. According to Apocryphes Matthan, who was the grandfather of Joseph, had three daughters: Mary, Soba, Anne. (Compare Matat of Jerusalem; Mary, the mother of Maria Salome)

Matthew of Edessa. This Armenian historian describes the misdeeds of the Crusaders. He lived in the time of the Crusades.

Matthew of Palestine (Mar Mattai) Feb 1. The Syrian miniature of a monk who has a cape over his head and who bears a Tau-shaped staff, refers perhaps to Mar Mattai, who is mentioned in Sinaiticus 34 (Garitte 123). This Mar (Saint) Mattai was the founder of the Convent Mar Mattai near Mosul, who was called 'Master of the Ascets'.

Matthew the Evangelist. He was a tax collector in Capharnaum. He is referred to as Levi. Later the preached to his fellow-Jews; then he went to Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, Media and Macedonia. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Nov 16; the Mart. Rom. mentions on Sept 21: Matthew, apostle and evangelist. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on Tekemt 12: Matthew became a martyr, in the city of the priests. The same Synaxarium has on Hamle 29: The Lord Jesus appeared to Andrew the Apostle and commanded: Rise up and depart to Matyas (Matthew) in the Cannibal city, so that thou mayest bring him out of prison, for the man of that city will in three days bring him out to eat him. -- The emblem of evangelist Matthew is a man, because his Gospel, which is the first in the series of four, begins with the genealogy of the Lord.

Matthew and Nebi Matta. The mosque in Beit Ummar (village west of the wav Bethlehem-Hebron) is dedicated to Nebi Matta, which is perhaps a corruption of Matthew. Or does Matta mean Amittai, who was the father of the prophet Jonas 2

Matthew at Acre. See: Matteo (round 1220).

Matthias, the Apostle. (Greek liturgy, Aug g). After Christ's ascension, Matthias was elected by lot to fill the place among the Twelve Apostles left vacant by Judas Ischariot. (Acts 1, 15-26). Matthias is said to have gone to Ethiopia. He suffered martyrdom. The Latin liturgy venerated Matthias on Feb 24. Since the reform, the feast is on May 14. The Latin liturgy holds that Matthias suffered martyrdom in Judaea. The mosque in Beit Ummar is dedicated to Nebi Matta. Does it mean Matthias or Matthew?

Matthias, St., eighth bishop of Jerusalem. He was persecuted by Emperor Hadrian (117-138), but he died in peace. His feast is particular to the Latin Patriarchate, on Jan 30.

Matrona of Perge. She was born of wealthy parents. At the age of fifteen, she was married and had one child. She left her husband and entered the monastic life dressed as a monk. She stayed in the monastery of Bassianus for many years, until her sex was discovered. Then she went to Emesa, to Jerusalem and to Beirut. She performed miracles and died at the age of one hundred in 492. The Greek liturgy has her feast on Nov 9. The AA.SS. mention her round 465, on Oct 10.

Matusala. See: Methuselah. 

Maundeville (1332). John de Maundeville counts 28 passes between the site of the Ascension and the site of the Pater Noster.

Maura, martyr. Her memory on June 30 is attested by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Perhaps to be identified with Maura, the woman who was martyred in Gaza, together with Thea. The Mart. Rom. relates the passion of Meura and Thea on Dec 19.

Maura, St., and Brigida, St. They are mentioned in the 6th/7th century. (AA.SS. May 5, July 13)

Maurice, Byzantine Emperor (575-602). Foundation of the Emperor Maurice in Jerusalem. The church above the Tomb of Mary in the valley of Josaphat near Gethsemani existed before Emperor Maurice. Perhaps, he repaired or embellished this church. In the building of Maurice, the emperor, was on Oct 22 the 'great dedication'; and on Oct 23 the deposit of the altar, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. - Emperor Maurice extended the feast of the Dormitio (and Assumptio) of the Holy Virgin, that was in usage in Jerusalem, to the whole Byzantine empire.

Maurice of Epidaurus, servant of God. This Franciscan served 18 years in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Died, Sept 14, 1655.

Maurice, Norwegian Franciscan Father. He left an Itinerarium (1271-1273?). Out of the fragments it is not sure that Maurice has been in the possibility to visit the Holy Places (GBB I, 279-280; 11, 413-415)

Maurus, custos of the Holy Land. He was charged in 1504 by Kansou el Ghury, sultan of Egypt, with special missions to the Pope, Jules 11 (1503-1513), to the doge of Venice and to the King of Spain. He received from the sultan the autorisation to open the Tomb of Christ, he took some parcels of rock as relics for these persons in Europe. - He is also called Maurus Hispanus. He was custos from 1501 to 1506. He was born in the village of Montalbanezo (province of Cuenca in Spain). He returned to Spain in 1506107,

Mausimas (or Maysimas), priest round 400. (AA.SS. Jan 23)

Mauss K. French architect. In 1868 he repaired the big cupola (of 1810) above the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. France, Russia and Turkey paid for the repairs. Mauss cleared in 1871 the Pool of Bethesda; he unearthed there remains of a Byzantine church.

Mauvia, Queen of the Saracens. She devastated Palestine in 371. The AA.SS. mention her on Feb 7.

Maximilian, Duke in Bavaria. He visited Jerusalem from May 9 to May 15, 1838. From Jerusalem he pilgrimated to Nazareth. There died, on May 23, 1838, his personal physician, Dr. Baier from the pest. Maximilian has given money for the altar in the Chapel of the Flagellation. This Chapel was under restoration in 1838. He wrote 'Wanderungen nach dem Orient 1838' (München, 1839). A Latin inscription on a marble slab records his donation of money. The slab is to the right outside the entrance door of the Chapel.

Maximilian Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria. He was born in 1832. He was the brother of Emperor Franz Joseph I. He visited the Holy Land in 1855, in the same year, but later as Leopold, Duke of Brabant, who came in the summer of 1855 together with his wife. Maximilian also was allowed to visit the Dome of the Rock. He donated (1857) an altar to the Latin Chapel of the Finding of the Cross, in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. To the left of the altar is a bronze statue of St. Helen. Maximilian became in 1864 Emperor of Mexico. There he was executed by the rebels in 1867.

Maximus-inscription at Beth-Shean. A Greek inscription at the entrance to the church says: 'O Christ, God, Saviour of the world, have mercy upon the Christ loving Lady Mary and her son Maximus, and grant rest to their forefathers through the prayers of all the Saints. Amen' - The church was founded about 567.

Maximus, 19th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. (AA.SS.)

Maximus, 26th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. (AA.SS.)

Maximus, St. 40th bishop of Jerusalem. (Maximus III). Under Emperor Galerius Maximianus (305-311) one of the eyes of Maximus was hollowed out, one of his feet was burned and he was condemned to forced labour. After his liberation, he became bishop of Jerusalem, he dedicated the newly built Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre to the Resurrection of the Lord. Maximus suffered persecutions from the Arian heretics. He died in 3481349. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has his feast on May 5. The Georgian liturgy mentions Maximus, bishop of Jerusalem, on Aug 26.

Maximus III Mazlum, Catholic Melkite Patriarch. He was born as Michael Mazlum in Aleppo, Syria, in 1799. He died in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1885. Elected metropolitan of Aleppo (1810), he took the name of Maximus (Maximos). On April 4, 1833, he was elected patriarch. He visited his entire patriarchate, preaching and founding churches. He is known especially for settling the dispute (1847) about the ecclesiastical headdress (kalemavkion), and for securing the complete autonomy of the Melchites under the civil leadership of their patriarch in the Ottoman Empire (1848).

Maximus IV (1878-1967) (Maximos). This Melkite Patriarch died at Beyrouth on Nov 5, 1967, at the age of 89 years. He entered in 1893 the Melkite Seminary St. Anne at Jerusalem. He became Patriarch in 1947.

Maximus Symeus, Greek monk. He tells that after the destruction of the tomb of Jesus by Caliph Hakim in 1009 [and by the fire of 1808], the north and the south side of the Sepulchre, besides the rock-bank and the rock-pavement, remained.

Mayaud, Sister of 'Filles de Charité' of France. She arrived at Bethlehem in 1904. During the First World War (1914-1918), she was expulsed by the Turks, but she returned on Oct 14, 1918. She died in Palestine in February 1937.

Maysimas. See: Mausimas. 

Mazabanes, 35th bishop of Jerusalem, died 266. (AA.SS.)

Mazaryik Thomas G, the first president of Czechoslovakia. He visited Jerusalem privately on April 8, 1927. The settlement Kefar Masaryk on the east side of the way Haifa-Acre, in the plain of Zevulon (Zabulon) is named after him.

Mazella Bonaventura, Franciscan. He repaired organs in the churches of the Holy Land. He constructed an organ for St. Catherine's Church in Bethlehem. He died 1953.

Medici, Ferdinand de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. He donated the silver-plated bronze Latin altar at Calvary (11th Station). The bronze panels were made by Father Dominic Portigiani, Ordinis Praedicatorum. The altar was planned under Custos Bonifacius of Ragusa (1555) for the Stone of Unction, but Bonifacius was impeded to place the Latin altar at the Stone of Unction.

Meinertshagen, British officer. Hebron was occupied by the British on Dec 4, 1917. Meinertshagen then entered the Cave of Makpela under the mosque of Hebron.

Meistermann Barnabas. This Franciscan Father helped Brother Wendelinus Hinterkeuser (of Menden), who was the architect of the church at Emmaus. (consecrated in 1902). Meistermann wrote in 1907 his 'Guide de Terre Sainte'.

Mekhitar, Armenian monk. His tomb on the Armenian cemetery outside Sion Gate in Jerusalem has the inscription: This is the refuge of the just Sing Alleluia for the binder of holy books for the monk Mekhitar. (Hintlian K., History of the Armenians in the Holy Land. 1976, p. 62)

Melania the Elder (Major), born Rome 342 - died Jerusalem, round 409. At 16 she married Valerius Maximus, prefect of Rome (361-363). She was widowed at 22, and apparently lost two of her children round the same time. She departed for Egypt (372), where she aided the monks suffering in the Arian persecution. She visited Palestine in 373 and with Rufinus of Aquileia founded in 378 a double monastery in Jerusalem. In 378 her son Publicola married the noble Albina Ceionia and had in 383 a daughter, Melania the Younger. Melania, the Elder, returned to Italy (400) and looked to the ascetical training of her granddaughter in Rome. Melania the Elder returned to Jerusalem, where she died round 409, shortly after her return. Melania the Elder (the Major) is also called Melania the Roman. -Jerome's reference (Epist. 133, 3) to Melania elicited caution among later hagiographers in admitting her sanctity. The Melkite liturgy has her feast on Dec 31.

Melania Major (the Elder) and Rufinus Aquileiensis. They visited Palestine in 373. Melania visited Palestine a second time in 409. (AA.SS. Jan 7, Jan 21, Sept 30)

Melania, the Younger (Junior). She was the granddaughter of Melania, the Elder. She was born in Rome in 383. She was married to a young relative and had two children, who died early. After the death of her children, she persuaded her family to sell their property and to use the money for the emancipation of slaves. During the invasion of the Visigoths (410), she fled to Thagaste in North Africa. In 417 she went from there to Jerusalem, and she established a convent on the Mount of Olives. She died in Jerusalem in 439. The Roman Martyrology has her feast on Dec 31; the Greek liturgy also on Dec 31.

Melania junior, Saint, and Pinianus, and Albina. The three visited Palestine in or before 417. The AA.SS. mention them on Jan 7, Jan 31, Dec 31.

Melchlor, the eldest of the three Kings. In a calendar of Köln, his death is remembered on Jan 6. Melchior presented the gold. Caspar, who was the youngest, brought the incense. Balthasar donated the myrrhe. Melchor stands for Sern (Asia), Caspar represents Cham (Africa), Balthasar stands for Japhet (Europa). The feast of the three Kings is on Jan 6, Epiphany.

Melchior Flavius, Confessor, Blessed. He was born in Toulouse, France. In 1566 he dedicated one of his books to Charles IX, king of France (1560-1574). Several times he visited Palestine. He died round 1580 in Toulouse. The Martyrologium Franciscanum venerates him on March 17.

Melchisedec (Melchizedek), king of Salern (Jerusalem). Melchisedec met Abraham, gave him bread and wine, blessed him, and received one tenth of the booty of Abraham. Melchisedec was also priest of the god of the city, El Elyon. The Georgian liturgy has the feast of Melchisedec on Aug 8. He does not appear in the Greek or the Latin liturgy with a special feast. The Ethiopian Synaxarium 'salutes' him on the 3th of Paguemen, the intercalary month, Sept 3- Sept 7). Then the death of Melchisedec is remembered. (Compare: Sem and Melchisedec).

Melisend, eldest daughter of King Baldwin II. She had an Armenian mother. She was given into marriage to Fulk of Anjou; they were coronated in the Holy Sepulchre on July 2, 1129. Fulk died in 1143. Melisend was appointed regent during her son's minority. She died in 1161, and was buried in the Church of the Tomb of Mary, in a niche to the right, under the altar, that was dedicated to SS. Joachim and Anne.

Melisend Psalter (British Museum, MS, Egerton 1139). The psalter has ivory carving and is the only surviving example of work in ivory from the Crusaders' Kingdom.

Melito of Sardis, bishop. He lived until about AD 190. He came to Palestine, after the foundation of Aelia Capitolina, to find out about the Bible in the place where the events 'were proclaimed and done'.

Meliton, St. the first (?) successor of St. Sabas. Jan 3. The list of the hegumens of the monastery of St. Sabas has: Zenon, Meliton, Theodulus, Gelasius, Cassianus, Cononis, Anastasius, Stephanus, Nicodem, Thomas, John, John (a second), Stephen, Job, Constantini, Strategii, Solomon, David, Peter, …e, Anastase, Salomon. - Cyril of Scythopolis mentions Meliton.

Melkite Church (Greek-Catholic Church). Cyril V, patriarch of Antioch, recognized in 1709 the supremacy of the pope of Rome. The Uniat Greek Church is called Melkite Church. (Melek means king, ruler). This church was in union with Rome. It is considered as dissident by the Orthodox. The Greek-Orthodox Church impedes the celebration of a liturgical service by a Melkite in the sanctuaries of the Holy Sepulchre, of the Nativity, of the Assumption of Mary. There are about 35000 Melkites in the Holy Land, the majority of them in Galilee.

Melkites in Nazareth. Round 1741, the Franciscans in Nazareth bought the building 'Madraseh el Messiah' (School of the Messias) and transformed it into a chapel. At that time, 200 Greek-Orthodox came to the Greek-Catholic Church (Melkites). After 30 years, in 1771, the Propaganda in Rome ordered the Franciscans to give the chapel to the Melkites as their parish church.

Melkite Sanctuaries. In Jerusalem they have, since 1895, the site of the 6th Station (Veronica wipes the face of Christ). The chapel is run by Little Sisters of Jesus. - In Nazareth the Melkites have, since 1771, the so-called Synagogue of Christ. (Luke 4, 16-30)

Mellon, Miss. She built in 1913 a small house in front of the Franciscan property of 'Dominus Flevit' in Jerusalem.

Mena, Blessed. June 16 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Mena, Saint (or Blessed). His memory was on Nov 12; In the martyrion of Mena was the deposit of Isaiah, the prophet, and the memory of the Blessed Bassa. The woman Bassa after 444 founded the martyrion (church) of St. Mena(s).

Mena(s). The Martyrion of Saint Mena(s) is a chapel in the northern annexe of the Armenian Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem.

Menen, Empress of Ethiopia, wife of Haile Selassie I. She built the monastery of the Holy Trinity at the Jordan near Jericho in 1933-34.

Mengoldus, St. He visited Palestine round 892. (Vita S. Men., c. IV, n. 19) (AA.SS. Feb 8)

Mennonite Boys' School in Belt. Jala near Bethlehem. It is one of the projects of the Mennonite Church in the Holy Land.

Mensa Christi. The Franciscans bought in 1861 from a Muslim family at Nazareth the so-called sanctuary 'Mensa Christi'. Inside this chapel an enormous block of soft limestone recalls - according to some legend - the table at which Jesus in Galilee dined with his disciples after his Resurrection (Mark 16, 14-18) - (Compare Saller, Mount of Tabor).

Merab, a daughter of King Saul. Her five sons were crucified by the Gibeonites on the hill of Gibeon (2 Sam 21, 2), together with the two sons of Rizpah, who was a concubine of Saul.

Mercator-Map of Palestine. The Map of Palestine was the first map which Mercator engraved in 1537, being then 25 years. (Bibliothèque Nationale à Paris). A photo in natural size of this map is in the Museum of St. Niklaas (Belgium).

Merchants of Amalfi. They built (or rebuilt) in the 12th cent. the Church (upper church) of St. John the Baptist in the now Christian Street of Jerusalem.

Mercurius, St. Martyr. He had his memory in the Church of the Resurrection, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar, on Sept 30. A St. Mercurius was also venerated in the convent of St. Theodora on Sept 23, in the 'Foundation of John'. Mercurius is mentioned also on Oct 24.

Mercurius, the Galilean, and Ephraim. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on the 30th of Hamle (eleventh month): Mercurius and Ephraim, the holy. Galileans, who became on that day martyrs. These saints were brethren in the spirit, and kinsmen in the flesh, and they were of the men of the city of Akmin. They became monks in the same monastery in Upper Egypt. The Arians beat them severely, and the soldiers trampled upon them until their bones were broken. It was in the time of the Emperor Constantine.

Merkert Maria and Francesca. They founded in 1840 the Polish Sisters of St. Elisabeth. These Sisters have three houses in Jerusalem.

Merlo. See: Boulos Bernardino Merlo. 

Merö Joseph from Baja (Hungary). Merö made his pilgrimage in 1868, at the age of 60. He brought a cross of oak to Jerusalem, and offered it to Gethsemani. This cross was kept there in the Grotto of Arrest. This grotto was flooded in November 1955. When the grotto was cleaned by Father Virgilio Corbo, the cross was removed.

Mesbach. It is the Babylonian name of Azarias, one of the three youths in the furnace. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Takhshash 2)

Meshullam, Hebrew Christian. His wife was an Italian Jewess. He cooperated with Minor Mrs, in Urtas round 1849.

Metawileh (Friends of Ali) (or Nosairis). Religious group, mainly in Syria. They belong to the Shi'ite group of the Islam. Metawileh came from Lebanon to some villages in Upper Galilee. They number about 150000 members. Until 1948 the villages of Hunin, Nebi Yusha, Qadas, El Malkiya, Salha Terbikha south of the Lebanese frontier in Galilee, were completely Metawileh villages.

Methodius, St. Martyr. He was at the same time bishop of Olympus and of Patara in Lycia. Afterwards he became bishop of Tyr, Phoenicia. He was martyred in Chalcis in Coelesyria under Emperor Maximian, round 311-312. His most famous work is 'The Banquet of the Virgins'; the Melkite liturgy has his feast on June 20. The Roman Martyrology venerates him on Sept 18.

Methuselah (Matusala), the son of Henok, who begat Lamech. The days of MatusaIa were 969 years. He is commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 1st of the month Magabit.

Meura, St. and Thea, St. Both women were martyred at Gaza in 305. The Mart. Rom. commemorates them on Dec 19.

Micah, minor prophet. Micah came from Moresheth-Gath in SW. Judah. He is a contemporary of Isaiah and exhibits similarity of thought. The historian Sozomenos (he died around 450) mentions that the relics of Micah were found under Zebennos, bishop of Eleutheropolis, in the year 385. The relics were found in Birath Satia, a village near Eleutheropolis. The Melkite liturgy venerates Micah on Aug 14; the Latin Liturgy on Jan 15)

Micah and his church in Beth-Guvrin (Eleutheropolis). See J. Jeremias, Heiligengraber in Jesu Umwelt, p. 82-86)

Micah and his tomb. The Ethiopian Synaxarium commemorates him on 22nd of the month of Nahasse. Micah prophesied to Ahab, the king of Israel, saying: 'Thou shalt die in the battle of Edom, king of Gilead'. Micah was buried in the village Merata.

Michael Alexander. First Anglican bishop (1841-1846) of Jerusalem.

Michael Archangel, St. In the Gospel of Mt 18, 1-10: 1 tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. In Revelation 12, 7 Michael is the leader of the angelic hosts in the battle between the dragon and his angels. In the Christian liturgy Michael is the protector of the Church and the angel who escorts the souls of the departed into heaven. His feast was on May 8, now it is on Sept 29, together with Gabriel and Raphael. There is an oratory of St. Michael near the Holy Sepulchre. There is a Greek Orthodox Convent of St. Michael, the Archangel, on the north side of the St. Francis Street in Jerusalem.

Michael and Habakkuk. Michael carried Habakkuk by his hair, as he was carrying the food, and he brought him to the city of Babylon forthwith, and Daniel ate of the food. And Saint Michael, the glorious angel, delivered Daniel from the lions' den, and brought back Habakkuk to the land of Judaea, and straightway he stood by the reapers. Salutation to Michael (Ethiopian Synaxarium, 12th of Genbot, ninth month) - St. Michael, who slew 185000 of Sennacherib's soldiers before Jerusalem, is venerated by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 12th day of Hamle. Also on Takhshash 12.

Michael and Jacob. Michael was sent by God to Jacob-Israel, when he was afraid of his brother Esau, and he delivered Jacob from Esau, and brought Jacob over the river Jordan. And Jacob went to Laban, his mother's brother, and married two of his daughters, Leah and Rachel. And Michael brought Jacob back. And his brother Esau welcomed him with peace and love. Therefore the festival of Michael is celebrated. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Ter 12.)

Chapel of Michael. On the westside of the atrium before the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre are 3 doors. The door next to the Basilica leads to the Chapel of St. Michael. (Coptic or Ethiopian property?) The low door in the centre gives access to the Armenian chapel of St. John. The high door on the right, near the row of steps, is for the Greek-Orthodox Convent of St. Abraham.

Church of St. Michael in Bethlehem. Dr. Bannurah, a native of Bethlehem, told to Father Mertens, the author of this book, in Jerusalem on Friday, Dec 16, 1977: When in Bethlehem the mosque was extended in 1954, then to the west of the mosque, under the now parking area, were discovered remains of columns of a church in honour of St. Michael.

Michael Argilas. He was martyred by the Turks in 1556. His feast is on May 17. (AA.SS.)

Michael Gobroni. He was beheaded by Abu-el-Qasim in 914 at Quelis-C'ihe on Nov 17.

Michael, monk of Sabas, Saint. Martyred in Jerusalem under Abd al Malik (685-705). The codex 57 of Iviron places his martyrdom on March 20.

Michael and Theodorus, his uncle. They were martyred in St. Sabas' Monastery, 614 or 797. (AA.SS. July 19)

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels. Feast Sept 29. 

Michael, the Confessor. He was born in Jerusalem of a noble family. He lost his father at an early age and he joined the monastic life in which he excelled. He lived in the 9th century. He died at the age of 85 years. The Greek liturgy has his feast an Dec 18.

Michael the Sunkellos (Syncelle, counsellor). He was born in Jerusalem in 761. He entered the Monastery of St. Sabas in 761.

Michel of Acre. He belonged to the clergy of the Church of the Holy Cross in Acre, round 1220. (Golubovitch BB 1, 8)

Michel Carcano, Blessed. This Franciscan was from Lombardy. He helped the poor in Padua, against usurers. He was exiled and appeared in 1461 in Jerusalem. He died in Italy in 1484 or 1485. The Franciscan Martyrology remembers him on October 15.

Michel del Zio da Ruvo. He was born in Ruvo, Italy, in 1822. In 1850 he joined the Custody of the Holy Land, and he worked in Harissa (Lebanon), Ain-Karem, and Nazareth. Died in Jerusalem, on April 19, 1909.

Michelina of Pesaro, Blessed. She was born in Pesaro, Italy, in 1300. As a young widow, she entered the Third Order of St. Francis. She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and round 1350 took care of the pilgrims in the hospice on Mount Sion. She returned to Italy and died, June 19, 1356. Her feast in the Franciscan Order is on June 20. (Marianus Florent., Vita B. Mich., c. II, n. 11)

Michigan-University. Excavated in 1931 at Sepphoris (Zippori) to the east of an Arabic tower, that was built in 1745.

Mihaic Jerome, Franciscan lay brother. He was born in Pucische (on an island of Dalmatia) on March 13, 1873. He died in Amman, June 20, 1960. He was buried on Mount Nebo. He helped to buy the site of the sanctuary of the death of Moses, for the Custody. The final transaction took place in 1932. - Brother Jerome Whaic decorated the arcade, which is north of the newly rebuilt Chapel of the 2nd Station, with a wooden cross. The cross is covered with bark of an olive-tree. The cross is planted in the stump of an olive-tree, which needed to be removed in Gethsemane in 1909 for the building of the Basilica of Agony. Probably the cross was made in 1910.

Millfordshaven. See: Marchioness of Millfordshaven. 

Minghetti A. This Italian sculptor made in white marble of Carrara the high-relief, which is above the iron door of the 3rd Station. (Jesus fails the first time).

Minor Mrs. This American lady started about 1849 'The Agricultural Manual Labour School’ in Urtass which is south of Bethlehem. Minor Mrs led a band of American enthusiasts. She cooperated with Mr. Meshullam, a Hebrew Christian. The first report of the institution was entitled 'Tidings from Jerusalem'; it was printed in America.

Minores VII (7 Franciscans), in Syria, a Soldane interfecti. They are mentioned on Jan 17, 13th century. (AA.SS.)

Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron. Miriarn is mentioned among the 'Just of the Old Testament' on the first Sunday of Advent in the Eastern Church.

Mirian (265-342). According to some tradition, the Monastery of the Cross (Deir el-Musallabeh) in Jerusalem was founded by Mirian, first Christian ruler of Georgia. He is one of the kings, depicted over the inner portal of the church in the monastery.

Mima Ali Mohammed. In 1844 he proclaimed himself the Bab (Gate) (See: Bab-el-Din). He was executed in 1850 in Tabriz; he was buried in Haifa.

Mima Hussein Ali (Baha-u-Ullah). This leader of the Bahai was exiled by the Turks to Acre, where he died in 1892. Buried in Acre.

Mima Mohammed All, leader of the Bahai. He was the son of M irza Hussein All, and the brother of Abbas Effendi. Abbas Effendi died in Haifa in 1921, and was buried beside the body of his grandfather, Mirza All Mohammed (Bab-el-Din).

Misael in the furnace. See: Three Companions, (Aug 24).

Mislin Jacques, Mgr, Belgian. He visited the Holy Land round 1848 and he described the Way of the Cross; after a second pilgrimage in 1855, he corrected his book. He guided Leopold, duke of Brabant, (the later Leopold II, king of Belgium) and his wife on their visit to the Holy Land in 1855.

Mistruzzi A. This Italian artist made the tabernacle and the lamp in the Chapel of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa. The chapel was renovated in 1927-28 by architect Antonio Bariuzzi.

Modestus of Jerusalem, patriarch. The Greek liturgy has his memory on Dec 16. He served as hegumen in the monastery of St. Theodosius Coenobiarchus, which is east of Bethlehem. He was consecrated Patriarch of Jerusalem. After the destruction of Jerusalem by Chosroes II in 614, Modestus rebuilt the churches and the monasteries. He died in 630 or 637. (AA.SS. in 634). The Palestinian-Georgian calendar venerates him on May 17, March 29, Dec 17. The AA.SS. on Dec 16 and Oct 19. Modestus was buried in the Church of the Eleona on the Mount of Olives (Revue Eleona, avril 1961).

Memory in the 'Ovile' (sheepfold). The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the memory of Modestus in the 'ovile' on Dec 18, and has there a synaxis on Dec 24.

Modsley H. He found, between 1871 and 1875, at Bishop Gobat's School, remains of the line of the First Wall of Jerusalem, at the southwest corner on the Upper City on Mount Sion.

Monachus, patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre (1194-1202) (AA.SS.)

Monald, Francis, and Anthony, three martyrs in Armenia, 1314. Monald was born in Ancona, Italy. Round 1303104 he travelled with Angelo of Spoleto, to Cairo in order to redeem Christian slaves, after the fail of Tripoli (1289) and of Acre (1291). In 1314 Monald was in Erzingan on the Euphrates in Armenia, together with Francis and with Anthony. The three were killed by the Moslems on the fourth Friday of Lent, 1314. Their memory in the Franciscan Martyrology is on March 16.

Money A, Sir, Maj. Gen. in the British Mandate, (1918-1919). 

Monk of Mount of Olives, 5th century. He accepted 60 stadies as the distance from Jerusalem to Emmaus, the hamlet where the Risen Jesus manifested Himself to two disciples (Luke 24, 13-35). (Vita S. Melaniae Junioris)

Monks, martyrs, of the Monastery of St. Sabas. In 614 their convent was sacked by the Persians and 40 (44?) were killed. (Memory in Mart. Rom. on May 16?) - In 797, twenty monks were suffocated by the smoke of a fire that was made before the entrance of their grotto-church, by the Moslems. (Memory in Mart. Rom. on May 16?) The Palestinian-Georgian calendar remembers the death of the 20 suffocated monks on March 19.

Monks, martyrs, of Tekoa. Monks of the convent of Souka (Khirbet Kareitoun) near Tekoa were murdered in 404 by the Saracens in the time of Theodosius the Younger. Theodosius the Younger, (the Less, the Minor) ruled from 408 to 450. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem remembers the martyrs of Tekoa on May 28.

Monks, martyrs, in the desert of Judaea, by Alamundar, the sheikh of the Bedoulns, in 504. (Mart. Rom. on Feb 19).

Monks, martyred in Wadi el Khanka in Abud. A tradition tells that monks were martyred in the valley beneath the village of Abud. This valley bears the name Wadi el-Khanka (valley of the convent). The heads of the murdered monks were exposed on a hill, Ras Qassis (head, hill of the priests).

Monomachus Constantine, Byzantine Emperor. He restored in 1048 the damages done by Caliph Hakim in 1008 in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Montgomery, Field Marshall Viscount, Britain. He died on Wednesday, March 24, 1976 at the age of 88 years, in his home at the Hampshire County. Montgomery defeated General Erwin Rommel in the battle of El-Alamein. - Polish soldiers who were under the command of Montgomery, visited the Holy Land and were trained at Mount Tabor.

Montjoye. See: Premonstratensians and Montjoye. 

Monton Antonio. This Franciscan (he died 1759) built, together with Xibiach (he died 1771), two very large organ systems, one for the Church of St. John in Ain-Karem, the second for the old church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem.

Montserrat (Spain). Since March 1971 Benedictine Fathers of Montserrat take care of the library and of the liturgical services in the Ecumenical Institute for Advanced Theological Studies at Tantur, Jerusalem (EIATS).

Morato Andrea. This Franciscan repaired organs in the Holy Land. He died in 1955.

Moravian Church. This Church, which was founded in 1457, opened a leper home 'Jesus Hilfe' in the Talbieh Quarter at Jerusalem in 1867; in the Silwan Quarter in 1875. At present the Moravians have a leper home on the way Ramallah to Birzeit on the site Sternberg.

Mordecai, paternal uncle of Esther, who reared her (Est 2, 5-8) He is mentioned by the Ethiopian Synaxarium, which 'salutes' Esther on the 24th of Takhshash.

Morétain Jean. This French priest joined the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1852. He built from 1854 to 1858 the Seminary at Beit Jala. He built in 1859 the Latin parish church at Beit-Sahur.

Morphia, Armenian princess. She was the wife of King Baldwin II in Jerusalem. She was the daughter of Gabriel, governor of Melitene in Armenia. She was the mother of Melisend. King Baldwin II ruled from 1118 to 1131.

Morsted. He made the bronze railing under the Latin altar of the 13th Station (Mater Dolorosa-altar). The railing was made in 1955. It has been replaced by a glass-screen to protect but to let visible the Rock of Calvary.

Moschus John. He was a monk and traveller, famous for his collection of vivid monastic tales, entitled Leimon or Neos Paradeisos (in Latin 'Pratum Spirituale', the spiritual grazing place). John began his monastic life at St. Theodosius' near Bethlehem in the third quarter of the sixth century. He stayed elsewhere in Palestine, Egypt, Sinai, Cyprus, Antioch, Egypt again, and finally Rome (614), usually accompanied by his disciple Sophronius the Sophist, who became later Patriarch of Jerusalem. Moschus John died 619 or 620. The stay of Moschus John and Sophronius in Alexandria and in Rome, round 615, are mentioned by Leontius, Vita S. Johann. Eleemos., c. X, n. 69, and by Simeon Metaphr., Vita ejusdem, c. V, n. 31. (AA.SS. Jan 23; March 11)

Moses, Legislator and prophet. Moses appeared, together with the prophet Elijah, during the Transfiguration; Moses saw from Mount Nebo in East Jordan the Promised Land west of the Jordan. On Mount Nebo the Franciscans have a sanctuary. Georgian, Syriac, Melkite calendars have the memory of Moses on Aug 5, the day before the feast of the Transfiguration. The Franciscans venerate Moses on Sept 4. The Franciscans, through the help of Mihaic Jerome, acquired the ruins of the sanctuary of Moses on Mount Nebo in October 1932. Father Saller Sylvester excavated the area. The first pilgrimage of the Franciscans of Jerusalem to the shrine of Moses was on Sept 5, 1966. The Six Days war of June 1967 interrupted the pilgrimage. On Sept 3, 1976 the pilgrimage (the second) was resumed. In the year 1976 Father Piccirillo M. unearthed under the shrine a Byzantine mosaic from the year 526 (August 526).

Nebi Mousa. About 2 kms, south (right) of the way from Jerusalem to Jericho is the shrine Nebi Mousa on the old pilgrim road from Jericho to Hebron. From Nebi Mousa you can see Mount Nebo in East Jordan. According to a Moslem legend, Moses, already 120 years old, fled from East Jordan to West Jordan, to Palestine on the west side of the Dead Sea. There Moses fell asleep, he died, and was buried by angels in a tomb, that was white on the outside, black and dark inside. Under the Turkish government, there was an annual Moslem procession from Jerusalem to Nebi Moussa, a Friday in the month of April. There was also the circumcision of the Moslem boys. The procession, together with the feast, lasted eight days. The procession dated from the time of Sultan Bybars, who in 1269 erected a mosque at Nebi Mousa. In 1470-80 a hospice for Moslem pilgrims was built.

Death of Moses. (Compare Joshua).

Motta, president of the Swiss Confederation. He visited Haifa and Nazareth privately on March 29, 1937.

Moyses. The Acta Sanctorum mention at the end of the 4th century on Feb 7: De S. Moyse, episcopo in Arabia, et de Saracenorum origine.

Mueller Franz. At the age of 58 years, in the Holy Year of 1933, he walked with a cross of 33 pounds (17 kilogrammes) from his village Oberwbhren, Hochstatten near Rosenheirn in Bavaria, through Italy over Rome and through Greece to the Holy Land. He started on Ashwednesday March 1, 1933. He landed at Jaffa, he was in Jerusalem on Oct 9, 1933. The weight of 33 pounds was in honour of the supposed 33 years of Christ's life. Mueller donated his Cross to the Sanctuary of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. There it is kept in a chapel of the Basilica of the Transfiguration. By his pilgrimage of penitence, Franz Mueller imitated Franz Stocker of Prien. This Franz Stocker had carried a cross from Prien to Altötting, the Marial shrine of Bavaria, in 1887. This carrying of a cross of more than 50 kilogrammes was the fulfilment of a vote, made in 1884, when Stocker had escaped from being buried alive. The history of the pilgrimage of Mueller is written on the vertical beam of the Cross at Mount Tabor. The heavy cross of Franz Stocker with the history is conserved at the shrine of A1tötting in Bavaria. (Tierra Santa Revieuw, vol. 54, Marzo 1979, p. 54-58).

Mulligan. This Irish family donated round 1959 the altar in honour of the Assumption of Mary, which is on the north wall in the Grotto of Arrest at Gethsemane. From this north wall there was once a corridor to the nearby Church of the Assumption.

Murgan, Armenian. See: Thevas. 

Musil A. He noted in 1902 a city wall, and two churches in the ruins of Mampsis (Kurnub).

Muzio Giovanni. Architect of the Basilica of Nazareth. The works began in 1955. The inauguration was in 1969, on Sunday March 23.

Myrophores (Women who brought ointment to the Tomb of Jesus). see: Maries (Five Maries) (Mk 15, 43 - 16, 8).

Nabataeans. This Arabic tribe is mentioned in 1 Macc 5, 25; 9, 35 as friends of the Macchabean party. The Nabataeans settled in the former territory of Edom and Moab. They built caravan cities. Their capital was Petra in East Jordan. Nelson Glueck explored the Nabataean civilization. The Nabataeans created carefully constructed systems of water conservation and irrigation.

Nabataean King, Aretas lV (9 BC - 40 AD) and tetrarch Herod Antipas. Aretas had his daughter married to tetrarch Herod Antipas, It was a political marriage, which was wished by Emperor Augustus. Herod Antipas dismissed the Nabataean princess to take Herodias. The dismissed princess returned to her father. In 36 AD Aretas IV attacked troops of Herodes on the frontier and defeated them. The people interpreted the defeat of Herod Antipas as a punishment because he had beheaded John the Baptist.

The king of the Nabataeans and Paul. Emperor Caligula (37-41) leased Damascus to Aretas W, king of the Nabataens. This king sent, round 38, orders to arrest the apostle Paul in Damascus. Paul escaped in a basket. (Acts 9, 20; 2 Cor 11, 33)

Nabataens and Magi. Perhaps the Magi who visited Jesus in Bethlehem ware in relation with the caravan-traders, the Nabataeans.

Naboth. And on this day (Takhshash l.) also died Naboth the Jezreelite. This Naboth owned a vineyard near the threshing floor of Ahab, the king of Samaria.... Salutation to Naboth who was killed by King Ahab for the sake of his vineyard. (Ethiopian Synaxarium). - Yezre'el (the Biblical Jezree;) was chosen as the second capital of Israel. King Ahab (871-852 BC) had there a palace near the vineyard of Naboth. The King confiscated this vineyard (1 Kings 21). At Jezreel, general Jehu killed the descendants of Ahab; and there queen Jezabel was thrown through the window. (2 Kings 9, 37). Yezre'el is about 12 Kms southeast of Afula, north (=right) of the highway from AfWa to Beit-Shean.

Nacer Moussa. He was the first teacher in the parish school of the Latin Patriarchate, in Bir-Zeit, in the days of priest Maccagno, round 1870. Moussa became afterwards Protestant. The family of Nacer developed the Protestant College of Bir-Zeit, which has became an university in 1975.

Nahum, Prophet, St. He is the 7th of the minor prophets. He was an 'Elkoshite'. A place called AI Qush, containing a grave said to be that of Nahum, is located in the neighbourhood of Mosul, near ancient Niniveh, whose ruin Nahum depicts. St. Jerome in his commentary on Nahum, records that the prophet was a native of a village in Galilee, which in Jerome's time was called Elcesi and is identified with el-Qauze, west of Tibnin. Tibnin is the talmudic Taphnith on the way from the northern Jordan valley to the Phoenician coast. Other scholars locate Elkosh at Capernaum, 'village of Na(h)um'. Pseudo-Epiphanius mentions (De Vitis Prophetarum) a Judaean Elkesi, 'yonder', i.e. south of Eleutheropolis. - Nahum's literary activity took place after the capture of the Egyptian Thebes (Biblical No-Amon) by Ashurbanipal in 663 BC, an event which is alluded to in Nahum 3, 13-10. Perhaps the Book of Nahum was composed in the year 612 BC, shortly before Niniveh's downfall. The Martyrologium Romanum indicates Begabar as the place of his tomb. The Greek liturgy has the feast of Nahum on Dec 1. Also the Mart. Rom. on Dec 1. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has Nahum on Takhshash 4.

Nails of the Crucifixion. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on the 9th day of the month Genbot: Helena took the honourable Cross and the nails and gave them to Constantine, her son. And he made for the Cross a case of gold, decorated with pearl-stones, and he worked some of the nails in his helmet, and some of them he placed in the bridle of his horse, in order that there might be fulfilled that which was written: 'Salvation shall be in the bridle of the King'.

Naim, where Jesus arose from dead the son of the widow (Luke 7, 11). The Franciscans erected in 1880 a chapel upon the foundations of an sanctuary. The veneration of Naim was never very important. A Greek sanctuary is not mentioned in the guide-books. The raising of Lazarus (John 11, 21-27) at Bethany always received more importance than the raising of the dead son at Naim. The miracle at Naim was a beneficence for the mother. The miracle at Bethany was a 'sign' for the people of Jerusalem.

Najdek Szymon. He was born in 1898 in Borislav, Galicia, in Poland. He saved Jews during the years 1942 to 1945. He planted a tree in the Lane of the Righteous Gentiles on Tues, Sept 28, 1976.

Naphtali. See: Nephtall. 

Naoum, Mgr. Many Syrian-Catholics emigrated from Turkey in 1890. Also Naoum emigrated. The Syrian-Catholics had in 1895 a church outside the walls between Damascus Gate and the actual New Gate. The church was damaged in 1948 by the action of war. After the Six Days War in June 1967 the site was transformed into a Public Garden along the wall. Mgr Naoum erected in 1974 a prayer house in the Chaldean Street, which is opposite Ecole Biblique, Nablus Road. Shortly after the inauguration of his prayer-house, Mgr Naoum died at Jerusalem.

Naples (Lady of Naples). The 'Itinerary of a Certain Englishman' (1344) tells how a certain Lady of Naples, even when she put off her clothes, could not pass through the 'columns of ordeal’ at the shrine of the Ascension.

Napoléon in the Holy Land. Napoléon came from Egypt, the took Jaffa on March 7, 1799. He lodged in the Armenian Convent of St. Nicolas, he had an observation post in a vault inside the monastery of St. Peter that overlooks the sea. Napoleon had come over Ramleh and had lodged in the Franciscan Convent. He lodged also in the Franciscan Convent of Nazareth. A marble slab, in the museum of the Nazareth-convent, recalls his visit there. Napoléon never came to Jerusalem. The Turks had assembled Christians in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and threatened to burn them with the building, if Napoléon would attack Jerusalem. Napoléon won the battle near Cana (April 8, 1799), he won the battle near Mount Tabor (April 16, 1799). But after a siege of 60 days, Napoléon was obliged to retreat from Acre (May 29, 1799).

Napoléon and the persecutions of the Christians. From the 'White Tower' in Ramleh Napoléon directed his army against Jaffa. This led later to the sacking of the Franciscan Convent in Ramleh by the Turks. - The Carmelite convent on Mount Carmel was a hospital for the French soldiers, who were wounded before Acre. After the retreat of Napoléon, the Carmelite monks and the French soldiers were massacred. The artillery of Napoléon was placed on Tell el Fuqar before Acre. A small pyramid, outside the church on Mount Carmel, reminds us of the death of the French soldiers.

Narciss, bishop of Jerusalem (197- circa 212). Because he was calumniated, he retired into a hermitage. After several years he was reclaimed by his clergy and he again occupied his see. He died in 222 (?) at the age of 116 (Mart. Rom) or 120 years (other tradition). His 'Vita' has his feast on Oct 29 (Anal. Boll., XI, 343) (AA.SS. Feb 26)

Narcissus, one of the 70 disciples. His feast is in the Greek liturgy on Oct 31. He was bishop of Athens. The Roman Martyrology has on Oct 31: Ampliatus, Urbanus, NARCISSUS. - The three are greeted by St. Paul in his letter to the Romans (Rm 16, 8-10).

Narjotus de Tociano. He came to Palestine before 1010. (Epistola Humbaldi, ep. Autissiod.) (AA.SS. Oct 20)

Nathan, the prophet. He rebuked King David for his adultery with Bathsheba and for his murder of the general Urias. Nathan is mmentioned in the book of Jesus Sirach (Ecclesiasticus). Nathan is named in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Genbot 16.

Nathanael. He was summoned by Philip to Jesus, and his unbelief was expressed by the words: 'Can anything good come from Nazareth? Philip said to him, 'Come and see'. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!' Nathanael said to him, 'How do you know me?' Jesus answered him, 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, 1 saw you. ' Nathanael answered him, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!' (John I, 43-49). Nathanael saw the apparition of the Risen Jesus at the Sea of Galilee. (Jn 21, 1). Nathanael is not named in the list of the Twelve Apostles. Nathanael is easily identified with Bartholemew. But some scholars suggest that Nathanael is the same as Matthias, who afterwards was indicated by the lot. (Acts 1, 23). - Epiphanius, in his book Haer. 23, 6, 5, considers the 'unnamed disciple of Emmaus' (Luke 24, 13) as Nathanael.

National Association for Italian Missionaries. This organisation has a hospital (1920) in Haifa, which is served by Franciscan Sisters. The Association owns the shrine Mount of Beatitudes near the Lake of Galilee. (Compare: Schiapparelli Ernesto)

Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The solemn festival is commemorated on the 28th of the month Takhshash. The feast is celebrated on the next day, 29th. - The Ethiopian liturgy has on the 29th of each month the commemoration of the feast of the Nativity.

Nau. This French Father accompanied Marquis de Nointel on his fact-finding journey through the Holy Land in 1674 on behalf of the French King.

Nauar. The name means Tziganes, gipseys. Gipsies exist also in the Nomadic Arab society.

Navigators: Vasco da Gama (Portuguese), Christopher Columbus (Italian), Albuquerque (Portuguese) and others dreamed that they worked for the delivrance of the Holy Land in a certain manner, and they bore the Cross on their breasts, alike the Crusaders.

Navoni Teobaldo (1848-1898). This Italian priest arrived in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1874. He was missionar at Hoson in East Jordan.

Nazareth. 'Salutation to thee, O thou who dost hide in the city of Nazareth' (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Ter g).

Franciscans expelled from Nazareth: In 1263 Bybars destroyed the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, but the Christians continued to visit the Grotto. During this period the 'pious tradition of the House of Mary in Loreto' arose. The transfer of the house of Nazareth to Loreto by angels, was recalled in the liturgy on Dec 10. - The Franciscans were expelled from Nazareth in 1385; a second time in 1448. In 1548 was a third expulsion. The Franciscans handed the key of the Grotto to a Christian with the name of Issa. In 1632, 1634, 1638 there were new persecutions against the Franciscans of Nazareth.

Nazarius (meaning, from Nazareth?), martyr. His parents were converts of the Apostle Peter in Rome. Nazarius distributed all his property and left his home to preach. In Milano he met with Gervasius and with Protasius. Later in Gaul a mother gave to Nazarius her three year old child to become a Christian. Nazarius was arrested by Anolinus under Emperor Nero (54-68). He was beheaded with Gervasius and Protasius and with the young boy Celsus. The Roman Martyrology has the feast on July 28; the Greek liturgy on Oct 14.

Nazianzenus (meaning: of Nazianze, town in Cappadocia). See: Gregorius Nazianzenus, sanctus (AA.SS. May g).

Nebi Samuel. This hill (895 meters) has a shrine with the Tomb of Prophet Samuel. The hill, north of Jerusalem, is above the Plain of Gibeon (Gabaon). David agreed that in revenge the Gibeonites could crucify seven of the stock of Saul. And so were crucified on the hill the two sons of Rizpah, who was the concubine of Saul, and the five sons of Merab, who was the daughter of Saul. (2 Sam 21, 10)

Nebo, Mount. The Franciscan Father Michael Piccirillo unearthed on Mount Nebo in 1976 a Byzantine mosaic of the year 526. (Aug 526) From Mount Nebo in East Jordan Moses had a view on the Promised Land which is on the west shore of the Dead Sea and on the west bank of the Jordan.

Negus: a title of Selassie I, the emperor of Ethiopia. 

Neon, martyr. St. Feast on April 28.

Neon, martyr. Together with Leontius, Longinus and Eusebius, Neon witnessed the martyrdom of St. George of Lydda under Diocletian (284-305) and they converted. The Greek liturgy has their feast on April 24.

Neophytus. He was born in 1134 in Kato Drys in poverty. When he was 17, his parents betrothed him. Seven months after his betrothal, he fled to the monastery of St. Chrysostomos on Mount Coutzouvendi. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he returned to Cyprus, where he settled in a cave, his 'Encleistra' near Paphos. At the age of 36, he was ordained priest by the bishop of Paphos, and he founded a monastery around his cave. He engaged in writings on monastic discipline. He died at the age of 85 in 1219. The Greek liturgy has his feast on April 12.

Nephtali. He was the son of Jacob and Bilha, who was the slave of Rachel. Tobias was from the tribe of Nephtali in Galifea. Nepthali is mentioned in Isaiah 8, 23. The emblem of Nepthali is the hind. The tribe of Nephtali is mentioned in Mt 4, 13. (Compare Zebulon).

Neronias. King Agrippa II changed the name of Caesarea Philippi to Neronias in honour of Emperor Nero (54-68).

Nestabus, St. Martyr. The Mart. Rom. on Sept 8 mentions Nestabus, together with Eusebius and Zenon. Nestabus was martyred in Gaza under Emperor Julian the Apostate (355-363) (See: Nestor)

Nestor, St. Martyr. The Mart. Rom. on Sept 8 relates that Nestor was killed by the crowd in Gaza under Emperor Julian the Apostate.

Nestorian hermitage. Remains of it were discovered in 1933 in Jericho, right of the way from Jericho to Allenby bridge.

Netherlands. Artists of the Netherlands have several decorations in the Grotto of Milk at Bethlehem: a sculpture 'The Flight to Egypt'; a sculpture above the main altar; wooden sculptures at the backside of the chapel.

Nettekoven, Mgr. This prelate of Cologne (he was vicarius generalis in the diocesis of Cologne) was Director of 'Verein des Heiligen Landes'. He came several times to the Holy Land. He was nominated as a bishop, but had not yet received the ordination. When on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he died in 1978 at Jerusalem. His corpse was flown to Cologne.

Neuville. This Frenchman explored in 1928 the cave 'Umm Qatafa' near Khirbet Khareitoun at Tekoa.

New Gate. This breach in the wall was made in 1887. The Gate is also called Gate Abdul Hamid, because the breach was made under Sultan Abdul Hamid. The gate was sealed in 1948 during the Hashemite rule over Jerusalem. After the Six Days War of June 1967 the Israelis reopened the New Gate.

Nicanor, one of the seven deacons. A tradition tells that Nicanor died on the same date on which St. Stephen was stoned to death. The Melkite liturgy has on July 28: the deacons, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas.

Nicanor Ascanio, martyr. He was born in VIIIarejo de Salvanes, Spain, in 1814. At 16 he entered the Franciscan Order. He came to the Custody and was sent to Damascus. There he was martyred by the Druses on July 10, 1860.

Niccaci Rufino. Italian Franciscan of the Province of Assisi. Born 1911. He received on April 19, 1974 the honour to plant a tree in the lane of the Just Gentiles near the Yad Vashem monument, because he saved Jews in 1943-45. He died Oct 16, 1976 at Marsciano (Italy).

Niccolo of Poggibonsi (Italy) (1346-1350). He writes that the Golden Gate was covered with iron plates, but the Christian pilgrims were removing the nails as souvenirs. (Compare: Fabri Felix).

Nicephorus, martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, in 308. In Mart. Rom. on Nov 13.

Nicephorus, patriarch of Jerusalem, after 1012. See: Theophilus. 

Nicholas (or Nicolas). 

Nicholas, child of Cologne. Led, round 1212, an army of children into Italy for a Crusade to the East. This expedition is recalled by the legend of the 'Pied Piper of Hamein'.

Nicholas, Czar of Russia. He asked in 1850 the Sultan to make no change in the regulations of 1757 about the Holy Places. The Sultan in 1852 issued a firman (order) directing that the regulations of 1757 should be maintained. (Statu Quo).

Nicholas, St. Greek Orthodox Convent of St. Nicholas in Haret Deir er Roum (Christian Quarter) in Jerusalem.

Church of St. Nicholas in Tekoa. Ruins of the Byzantine church are about 30 meters east of the baptismal font.

Nicholas of Myra, St. (also called Nicholas, the wonderworker) Bishop of Myra in Lycia, first half of the 4th century. His feast is on Dec 6. His relics were translated to Bari (Italy); there is his feast on May 9. Legends have him born in the Lycian town of Patara, imprisoned in the Diocletian persecution, and present at the Council of Nicaea in 325, and fix his death at 345 or 352. Justinian I built a church in his honour in the early 6th century. (Procopius, De aedificiis 1, 6) Legend tells that Nicholas visited Palestine round 325. (Vita S. Nicol., c. 13) (Analecta Bollandiana, 11, 148) - The Georgian liturgy commemorates Nicholas on Golgotha on Dec 6. - A church of St. Nicholas over the Grotto of Milk in Bethlehem, occurs in a Bull of Pope Gregory XI in 1375. The bull 'Inter cunctos' is dispatched from Avignon on Nov 25, 1375. Only in 1871 the Franciscans were able to build the oratory and the convent at the Grotto of Milk.

Nicholas, Francis, and Peter, martyrs. Blessed. These three Franciscans were martyred in Cairo 1358, April 4, Tuesday after Easter.

Nicholas of Sebenic (Dalmatia) and companions. Nicholas was of the family Tavelic.

Nicholas Tavelic and three companions: Deodat de Rodez (France), Pierre de Narbone (France), Stephen di Cuneo (Italy). Nicholas was born in Dalmatia. He came to Palestine. In 1391 he, together with his three companions of the Franciscan Order, held a demonstration and preach before a mosque in Jerusalem. After three days he was beheaded, together with his three companions on Nov 14, 1391. The four were canonized by Pope Paul V1, on 21 June 1970. In the Austrian hospice opposite the 3rd Station in the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, is a mosaic in the apse of the chapel. On the right side Nicholas is represented on his knees and bearing a palm. Behind him stands the Blessed Engelbert Kolland (who was martyred in Damascus in 1860). Kolland bears a palm in his right hand. On the right side of the apse is a cartouche. It mentions that Nicholas Tavelic was born in Sebenic (Dalmatia) and was martyred in Jerusalem in 1391, and that Pope Leo XIll (1878-1903) confirmed his cult as Blessed. - In the Chapel of the Apostolic Delegation, on the slope of the Mount of Olives, is an altar, dedicated to Nicholas Tavelic. The altar was erected in 1936. The feast of Nicholas is on Dec 5, together with his three companions. Only Tavelic enjoyed in his country a continuous veneration. Only he received in 1889 the official title of Blessed. The three other companions did not enjoy a special veneration in their countries.

Nicholaus, in Carmelo, circa 1000. (AA.SS. May 22).

Nicodemus. He is mentioned only in the Gospel of John (Jn 3, 1; Jn 7, 50; Jn 19, 39). The Georgian calendar mentions him on Aug 31. The 'Apocryphal’ Gospel of Nicodemus or Acts of Pilate tells the trial of Jesus before Pilate. The book was composed in the 4th century. - According to legend Nicodemus was a member of family (cousin or nephew?) of Gamaliel I, who died circa 50 AD. - Nicodemus, who believed in the Son of Mary, is 'saluted' in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Nahasse I.

Church of St. Nicodemus. The Greek Orthodox Church west of the Aqabat Darwish, and north of the Chapel of the Flagellation, is dedicated to St. Nicodemus. Another name of the site is Deir el Ades. Some pilgrims during the Middle Ages sought in this surrounding the palace (or the house) of tetrarch Herod Antipas, who mocked Jesus by a white garment.

Sepulchre of Nicodemus. The southern rock of a sepulchral chamber that is in the Syrian Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre Basilica, has a niche. The niche is indicated as the Sepulchre of Nicodemus.

Finding of his tomb, in 415 by the priest Lucian. Nicodemus, a 'ruler of the Jews' and a 'teacher in Israel’ came to Jesus at night, to converse with him. When some of the Pharisees wished to have Jesus arrested, Nicodemus spoke in His defence and suggested that Jesus should be given a hearing (Jn 7, 50-52). When Jesus was taken down from the Gross, Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathea in preparing His body for burial, for which he contributed a large amount of myrrh and aloes (Jn 19, 39-40). - Tradition tells us, that his body, together with the bodies of St. Stephen, Gamaliel and Abibonis, were found in 415 by the priest Lucian in the village Kafargamala (Beit-Jimal) in Judaea. (Mart. Rom. Aug 3)

Nicodemus, Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem (1882-1891). He had for many years been the representative of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre in Moscow and was, therefore, persona grata to the Russian Government, He laid the first stone of the Russian church of St. Mary Magdalen in Gethsemane on Jan 21, 1885. With the financial help of Russia, he built the patriarchal residence 'Viri Galilei' on the Mount of Olives, and the Chapel of the Virgin Mary nearby. He collected manuscripts from ancient Orthodox monasteries at a central library in the monastery of St. Constantine and Helena which is inside the Old City. He consecrated the Church of St. Mary Magdalen in Gethsemane on Sept 29, 1888.

Nicodemus in Palestina, Martyr, 1st/2nd cent. (AA.SS. Dec 2)

Nicodemus, St., hegumen of St. Sabas. He welcomed St. John Chrysostom and St. Cosmas. Feast on March 13.

Nicola Alberga, Martyr, Blessed. He was born in Spain in 1830. He came to the Custody of the Holy Land in 1859. He was shot down by the Druses at Damascus on July 10, 1860.

Nicola da Sail. Round 1295 Nicola was Minister Provincialis of the Holy Land. Galvano di Levanto- who was the personal doctor of Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303), recommends in his ARS NAVIGATIVA SPIRITUALIS to Fra Nicola: 'Do not traverse the treacherous Mediterranean Sea from Cyprus to Italy, too often'. (Kohler, Ch. Mélanges pour servir à l'histoire de l'Orient latin et des croisades, Paris, 1900, I, 221-222)

Nicolas. St. Nicolas' Monastery of the Armenians in Jaffa served as a hospital for the plague-stricken soldiers of Napoléon in 1799. The painting by Gros, 'Les pestiférés de Jaffa' recalls this epidemic.

Nicolas de Martoni (1393). He mentions on Mount Sion the now Armenian Church of St. Saviour. In this churh is the stone, which was rolled from the tomb of Christ. (Revue de l’Orient Latin, III, p. 617)

Nicolas d'Aquirman (1483). He mentions a fall of Christ after the descent of the Scala Sancta, after leaving the Praetorium. He relates that the place of a fail (perhaps 3rd fall) was indicated by a commemoration-stone.

Nicolas de Hanapes. This last Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem at Acre was killed at the fall of Acre in 1291. (May, Prop. AA.SS.)

Nicolay, Pauline de Marchesi Born at Paris, Feb 16, 1811; she came to Palestine in 1856 with a group of pilgrims and stood in the Holy Land. She bought the site of Emmaus in 1861. She died in Jerusalem, June 9, 1868, in the Casa Nova of the Franciscans. She had donated the site of Emmaus to the Custody of the Holy Land. Her remains were reburied in Emmaus (El Qubeibeh) on Sept 24, 1902. A marble slab in the Church recalls her donation.

Nicolayson. A child of Mr. Nicolayson was buried within the precincts of the cemetery of the American Missionaries, in 1840 or 1841. (Robinson Edward, Palestine, Vol 1, p. 341, 1841)

Nicolò. This Franciscan Father, together with an anonymous companion, was present at the naval battle of Lajazzo, between Genoa and Venice in 1294. Perhaps both were from the convent of Nicosia (Cyprus).

Nicon, St. and 99 other Martyrs of Caesarea, Palestine. Their memory is on March 23 in Mart. Rom.

Nijmegen, Heilig Land Stichting. This foundation in the Netherlands erected in 1915 a church and a Way of the 14 Stations to promote the devotion to the Life of Jesus. The area of 45 hectares received imitations of the several Holy places. The Paters Montfortanen give since 1920 explanation about the several scenes. These Paters Montfortanen organize also pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

Nikolas of Thingeyrar. See: Gissur Hallson. 

Nikon, the archimandrite. He welcomed Simon the Fool and John Fekru in a convent near the Jordan.

Nilus, together with Peleus and Elijah, bishops of Egypt, martyred in Palestine in 310. Mart. Rom. has their memory on Sept 19; the Coptic calendar has the feast on Sept 12.

Nilus. He built a church in Mamshit (Kurnub), 4th/6th century.

Nilus Erikousides. He was the son of John Lascaris and the nephew of the Emperor of Nicaea, Theodore I Lascaris. He went to the Monastery of Acemitos, Pontus. He was banished by Michael Paleologus (Michael VIII, 1259-1282), who usurped the throne from the boy Lascarid Emperor. Nilus began to travel to Palestine, Syria, Rhodes, Crete and Mount Athos. He established a monastery in the mountain of Thesprotia, where he died after several years.

Nine Franciscan Fathers. They were murdered in 1489 in Qariet-el Anab (now Abu Ghosh) and their church was destroyed. (Quaresmius II, 14)

Niniveh, the repenting town, and its people and its tribes are cornmemorated in the Eth. Syn. on Tekemt 3.

Nisbet. See: Bain Nisbet. 

Nixon Richard, president of U.S. He visited Jerusalem in June 1974.

Noah, the hero of the deluge. He does not have a feast in the Christian liturgies. The New Testament describes Noah as a symbol of the Just (2 Petrus 2, 5), and as an example of faith in and submission to God (Heb 11, 7; Luke 17, 26-27). - Muhammed devotes the complete sura 71 in the Koran to Noah. One son of Noah stood at the side of the Ark and was drowned because he refused to enter, when Noah called. - A tomb of Noah is shown by the Moslems in Dura, 7 kms southwest of Hebron. - The birth of Noah is commemorated by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Miyazya 6. On this day were born Noah and David, the king, the father of Solomon.

Nobel H. This Dutchman offered two wood-sculptures to the Grotto of Milk in Bethlehem. One of the sculptures represents the miracle of an ass kneeling before the Eucharist in the precious monstrance that is held by St. Anthony of Padua. The second sculpture represents six knights in armour and the king on the throne. Both sculptures are made by Ramakers Brothers of Geleen (Netherlands).

Nola (Italy). Legates were sent to Nola by John II, bishop of Jerusalem. John II ruled from 386 to 417.

Noni. He painted the frescoes in the tent-like Chapel of the Shepherds' Fields. The chapel was built in 1954 with financial help of Canada.

Nonnus, deacon. A Greek inscription 'Private tomb of the deacon Nonnus Onesimus, of the Holy Anastasis of Christ and of this monastery was discovered in a tomb in the compound of the Ecole Biblique et Archéologique, north of the walled city of Jerusalem.

Norvegians. Under King Sigurd, Norvegians blocked and conquered the harbour of Sidon in. Lebanon in October 1110, at the demand of King Baldwin I.

Nosaires, religious group. See: Metawileh. 

Noth Martin, German Scholar, Direktor of Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut in Jerusalem. He died in Shivta (Subeita) on May 30, 1968, during a visit to this archaeological site. He was buried on the Lutheran cemetery in Bethlehem.

Notre Dame in Jerusalem. It was constructed under the name Notre Dame de France by the Assumptionist Fathers in 1887. The building was heavily damaged by the war in 1948. The property was hold in October 1970 in New York to a company, which sold it to the Hebrew University. The Vatican contested the transaction. The property was resold to the Vatican in Februari 1972. The Vatican repaired the damages and changed the name in Notre Dame Centre de Jerusalem. In December 1978 the Centre received the rank of Praelatura Nullius, depending directly from the Vatican. The Centre has a hostel for pilgrims and rooms for cultural conferences.

Obadiah. St., Prophet. (Latin name is Abdias). Post-exilic Hebrew prophet. The book of the prophet Obadiah is the shortest one in the Old Testament; it is a single chapter of twenty-one verses. The text suggests that Obadiah probably lived in the 5th century B. C., some time after the fall of Jerusalem (587). His oracle is directed against the Edomites, who moved up from the Dead Sea area and occupied the depopulated southern part of Judah, up to Hebron. - Hieronymus (Ep. 46, 13; Comm. in Abdiam, PL 25, 1099 B) mentions a tomb of Obadiah in Samaria.

Oboda. An inscription in Avdat (Oboda) mentions: 'All the friends of Oboda'. Oboda is a city in the Negev.

Oboda(s). (Abdat III, King (30-9 BC) of the Nabataeans, buried at Avdat, was a contemporary of King Herod the Great. The Nabataeans erected numerous caravan cities.

Odoric of Frioul. He mentions on Mount Sion the church of St. Saviour, which was Domus Caiphae... and there is a part of the column to which Jesus was tied during the flagellation (= scourging). There also Peter thrice denied Christ. There is also a big stone on the altar. This stone was first on the tomb of the Saviour. This rolling stone - according to tradition - was salvaged by the Armenians from the Holy Sepulchre after the Khawarismian Turks in 1244 had smashed it into pieces. (Laurent, p. 150, 152) (Compare: Nicolas de Martoni)

Odoric of Pordonone (1265-1331) Franciscan. Was in the Holy Land 1313, 1314, 1330 (AA.SS. Jan 14, Odoricus de Foro-Julii).

Oecumenical Patriarch (Ecumenical). John W, the Faster, (582-595) Patriarch of Constantinople, took the title of Oecumenical Patriarch, and maintained this title in spite of the rebuke by Pope Gregory I (of Rome) (590-604).

Ohannesian. This Armenian family of potters had worked for centuries in Kutahia (Turkey). After World War I (1914-1918) the family came to Jerusalem for decorating with tiles the Dome of the Rock.

Olat St., King of Norway. He is painted (repair of 1169) on a column in the Basilica of the Nativity. (Compare Catald)

Oldegarius, Saint. Round 1120 or 1130. He favoured the Templars. (Vita S. Oldegarii, c. V, n. 45) The Acta Sanctorum mention him on March 6. - In the 'Vita S. Oldegarii, c. III, n. 17' is mentioned: Bernardus de Sederaco desisted from the first Crusade (1096-1099).

Oldfield, Major. English. He died 1799. In the wall of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Acre, he has a memorial tablet.

Oliphant Lawrence. He was born in 1829 in South Africa. He settled in November 1882 in the German-American Temple Society colony outside Haifa. He gave support to Palestinian Jews. He died during a visit in England in 1888, at the age of 59 years. He was buried at Twickenham. He wrote 'The Land of Gilead'; it expresses the Christian encouragement for the Jewish Restoration to Palestine. In the village Daliya of the Druse, on the range of Mount Carmel, a house in the main street was occupied from 1882 to 1887 by Sir Lawrence Oliphant. N. Imber, the composer of 'Hatikva' (The Hope), the Jewish national anthem, was his secretary. To the memory of Lady Oliphant, who died there, Sir Lawrence erected a marble pillar with the inscription of Song of Songs (5, 2): 'I sleep, but my heart waketh'.

Oliverius, St. Pilgrim. (fabulous). AA.SS. May 27, 3th century.

Olympas, one of the 70 disciples, in the Greek list. 

Omri (876. 869) king and father of King Ahab. Omri lived at Tirzah. Tirzah is perhaps to be identified with Tell el Farah, excavated by Ecole Biblique of Jerusalem. Omri bought the hill of Samaria in the 6th year of his reign and moved to Samaria. Omri was disapproved by the prophet Micah (Mi 6, 16).

Onesimus. He was a slave of Philemon of Colosse, who ran away. He met Paul at Rome and was converted to Christianity. Paul sent him back to Philemon with a letter of recommendation to receive him. The Greek Church has his feast on Feb 15; the Rom. Mart. on Feb 16.

Onesimus, the wonderworker. He was born in Caesarea, Palestine, and lived in the beginning of the 4th century. He entered monastic life in Ephesus. Later he established a monastery at Magnesia, where he died. He performed many miracles. (Greek liturgy has his feast on July 14).

Onesiphorus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Cornaea, Achaia, in the Greek list. The Roman Martyrology has on Sept 6: 'in the Hellespont, St Onesiphorus, a disciple of the Apostles'. He is named in the letter of St. Paul to Timotheus (2 Tim 4, 19: 'Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.' - Deposit of relics of Onesiphorus, in the Church of the Apostles, on the Mount of Olives: May 9.

Onuphrius, St. hermit of Egypt. He never visited the Holy Land. In the monastery near Hakeidama, there is an old icon of Onuphrius, represented with his long beard. His feast is on June 12.

Ophel-Hill in Jerusalem. There excavated: Guthe in 1881-82; Schick in 1882; Parker in 1911; Weill in 1913 and 1923; Macalister and Duncan in 1923-25; Crowfoot in 1927. 28; An Israeli team since 1978.

Ophtalmic Hospital of St. John. See: Watson. 

Orestes, patriarch of Jerusalem, died circa 1012. See Hieremias. 

Orfali Gaudence, Franciscan Father. He was born at Nazareth. He discovered at Gethsemane the Byzantine Church in the Garden of Agony, round 1920. He restored the synagogue at Capharnaum in 1926, as it remembered by an inscription on a column. He was killed in an accident in 1926.

Origen. Born, probably at Alexandria, 184 or 185, died probably at Tyre, 253 or 254. Round 218 he visited Palestine, where the bishops Theoctistus of Caesarea and Alexander of Jerusalem invited him to preach, though he was still a layman. He was ordained a priest in 230 by bishop Theoctistus of Caesarea. Origen began to teach at the school of Caesarea in Palestine (231 to 233). The persecution of Decius (249-251) put an end to his activities in 250, when he was imprisoned and tortured. On the death of Emperor Decius, he was set free. He died at the age of 69 years.

Orlandos. He was in 1958 the architect for the Greek community in repairing the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem.

Orléans in France. See: Aurelianenses. 

Orthodox Church. The 4 Eastern Patriarchates (Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem) with the Slav Churches, constitute the Orthodox Church.

Osha, Arabic name for Hosea, the prophet. 

Ottocharus II, marchio Stirensis. He came to Palestine round 1112, he died at Jerusalem. (AA.SS. July 27)

Pacher Friedrich. He was the brother of Michel Pascher who was the sculptor. Friedrich was a painter in Tyrol round 1445. Seven paintings on wood, representing the life of Peter and of Paul, were formerly in the Franciscan Convent of Tiberias. Actually the seven pictures are in the Convent of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem. (Compare: Sepp)

Pacific of Spoleto, Italy, Franciscan, martyr. The Franciscan Martyrologium has his feast-day on September 8.

Painting of the Lord, not made by hand of man. A tradition tells us King Abgar reigned in Osrhoene, Syria, and offered asylum to Christ, who was endangered in Galilee by the tetrarch Herod Antipas. The Lord made his own portrait and sent it to King Abgar V. Christ excused Himself for not accepting the hospitality offer, but He promised to send the Apostle Thaddeus (the disciple Thomas the Younger, or Addai) after His ascension. - The Melkite liturgy has on Aug 16 the translation of the painting from Syria to Constantinople, in 994, according to legend. - Abgar reigned from 4 BC to 7 AD, and from 13 to 50 AD,

Paisius. See: Plesius. 

Palestina prima, secunda et tertia (seu Salutaris). The Roman Emperor Hadrian in 135 divided the country in three Palestines: Prima, the centre, including Judaea and Samaria, with capital Caesarea on sea; Secunda: Galilee, Gilad, and Golan, with capital Beth-Shean; Tertia (seu Salutaris, Healthy) with the Negev and East Jordan, with capital Petra.

Palestine: Persecutions round 1446. Sultan Jaqmaq (1438-1453) of Egypt ordered the closing of all Christian churches and the removal of the Franciscans of Mount Sion to Cairo. The Negus of Abyssinia threatened to divert the Nile. This protest calmed the Sultan.

Palladius. In his Hist. Laus. CXCVI he tells that in the flourishing years 404-409 the convent of St. Paula in Bethlehem had 3 classes of nuns: nuns of noble birth, who taught Greek and Hebrew; nuns of common birth; nuns for the manual jobs.

Palmer E. H. British traveller. He was the first European to visit the ruins of Sobota (Shivta) in the Negev in 1870, to visit in 1871 Avdat (Oboda) and Mampsis (the Arabic name is Kurnub).

Palmprocession. In 1552 the Franciscans made the paIm-procession from Bethphage to Mount Sion. In 1648 the procession was forbidden. In 1933, under the British Mandate, Patriarch Barlassina started again. It begins yearly at Bethphage at 2,30 p. m. and ends at St. Anne's Church. Pilgrims can join the Procession.

Pammegistus. See: Hellophotus. 

Pamphilus, archbishop of Caesarea, Palestine, and historian. Martyred in 309-310. Eusebius of Caesarea, Palestine, took after his conversion to christianity, the name Eusebius Pamphili.

Pamphoditus. See: Heliophotus. 

Panagiotes of Caesarea (Palestine?). He was born in Caesarea (Palestine?). He refused to embrace Islam. He suffered martyrdom in Constantinople by the Turks in 1765. In the Greek liturgy, on June 24.

Pancratius of Taormina. He was born in Antioch and lived during the time of the Apostles. As a young man the visited Jerusalem, where he was baptized. After his parents' death, he followed St. Peter to Antioch and Cilicia, where he met St. Paul. The latter consecrated him bishop of Taormina (Sicily). He was a powerful Preacher, and he converted the governor. He was martyred in Sicily.

Panegorius, martyr in Palestine, 3rd/4th cent. (AA.SS. Jan 29).

Pariphillus, St. priest and martyr. He was born at Beyrouth in 240. He started in Caesarea, Palestine, a library. During the persecution of Emperor Galerjus Maximianus (285-310), he was imprisoned and Governor Urbanus, and afterwards by Governor Firmilianus. He was martyred, together with 11 companions, on Feb 16, 309. - The Palestinian-Georgian calendar mentions on Feb 16: Valens, Paul, Porphyrius, Theodulus, Julianus. These five were from Caesarea. The calendar mentions also five Egyptians. Panphilius of Beyrouth was the 11th martyr. They are commemorated also on June 3, Sept 28, Nov 28. The Greek liturgy has the feast on Feb 16.

Pantaleon. See: Aaron and Pantaleon and Aelianus.

Pantaleon of Aveiro. In 1564 he has seen coats of arms of Spanish Kings at the Armenian Convent of St. James in Jerusalem.

Pantaleone, citizen of Amalfi (Italy). Accompanied by bishop Alfonso of Salerno and Bernardo of Praeneste, he went, between 1062 and 1066, to Constantinople, thence to Jerusalem. There, through the generosity of his father Mauro, a hostel was established in the Muristan, for the citizens of Amalfi.

Paolo, Franciscan. He was the guardian in the Franciscan Convent of Acre round 1290 (GBB I, 327)

Papadopoulos Benedictus. This Greek-Orthodox Patriarch was elected on Jan 29, 1957 on the same day as the Jordanian Government approved the new statute, regulating an old dispute between the higher Hellenic monks (Confraternity of the Holy Sepulchre) and the native Arab members of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Paphnutius, St. Martyr in Jerusalem. He was martyred under Diocletian (284-313) (Mart. Rom. April 19). - Paphnutius and his daughter, Euphrosyne of Alexandria, are mentioned by Greek Synaxaries on Feb 15; by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Feb 20.

Paphnutius, bishop, martyr, patriarch of Jerusalem (?), without year in the 11th century. (AA.SS. April 19).

Parasceve, virgin and martyr. The name Parasceve means 'preparation' (for the Sabbath) and indicates that a person was born on a Friday. A virgin with the name Parasceve was beheaded about 140 under Emperor Antoninus Pius. She was the daughter of Agathon and Politia. The Melkite liturgy has her feast on July 26.

Paraskeve, sister or cousin of the Samaritan woman, Photine. A Paraskeve, who was martyred, is listed together with Photine in the Roman Martyrology on March 20. (Perhaps to be identified with Parasceve)

Paraskeve, Virgin. In the Greek liturgy her feast is on Oct 14. She was born in Epivates, Thrace, of wealthy parents. At the age of ten she exchanged her clothes with a poor girl. She left home, went to Constantinople, then to Heraclion, where she stayed for five years. She travelled to the Holy Land and stayed at a convent in the Jordan-Valley. She returned to Constantinople and finally went to the Church of the Holy Apostles at Kallikratia, where she died.

Parker, Englishman. He came in 1909 to Palestine. In 1911, he clandestinely investigated at night in the Haram Dome of the Rock. It is told that Parker entered the stables of Solomon through a rock-hewn passage that runs southward. Parker slipped away at night from the harbour of Jaffa and escaped persecution for his not authorized investigations.

Parmenas the Deacon. He was one of the seven deacons, who were appointed by the Apostles in Jerusalem. (Acts 6, 5) Later hewent to preach the Gospel in foreign countries and suffered martyrdom at Philippi in Macedonia under Emperor Trajan (97-117). The Melkite liturgy implies that Parmenas died under the eyes of the apostles in the exercise of his function. He is venerated by the Greek Church on July 28; by the Roman Martyrology on Jan 23.

Parricides. They were obliged to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the 9th to 11th centuries. (Mirac. S. Swithuni, c. II, n. 32; AA.SS. July 2; Mirac. S. Bavonis, lib III, n. 44; AA.SS. Oct 1)

Parricides of England. Girls who had murdered their parents, came with their brother to Palestine in 1009. (Miraculum S. Mansueti) (AA.SS. Sept 3)

Pasarion. Perhaps he was archimandrite of the monks in Palestine. Cyril of Scythopolis tells that Pasarion died, seven months after the dedication of the church of the Laura of St. Euthymius. This dedication was on March 7, 428. The death of Pasarion was at the end of October, 428. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the feast of Pasarion on June 7.

Pasarion and his Foundation(s). (May 10, June 7, Nov 3, Nov 21)1n Ptochio, of the priest Pasarion': The Syriac life of Peter the Iberian (BHO, 955) places Ptochium outside a east gate of Jerusalem. But Pasarion founded besides a big monastery inside the walls. - Ptochium means 'little, poor'. The Ptochium-foundation is named on Nov 21, in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. The 'Ptochium' on the east side of the city was perhaps an orphanage.

Passionist Fathers of France. They built a monastery at Bethany in 1903.

Patriarch. A patriarch was burned to death, before the Crusades, in the atrium of Constantine (= the atrium before the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, which was built by Constantine). (Yahia of Antioch, Annales, I, 1, 2).

Patriarcha quidem Hierolymitanus. 1439 (AA.SS. May 25).

Patriarch, Greek. After 1919, during the construction of the Latin Church of Agony in Gethsemane, the Greek Patriarch obliged or allowed the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land to relocate the column of the Prayer Pater Mou, My Father, about 15 meters to the north, outside the limits of the Byzantine Church of Agony. This relocation was in order to place this granit column alongside the path, for making the stone more accessible to all christians. This column is near the Rock of the Three Apostles (Peter, James, John), who fell asleep during the Agony and the Prayer of Jesus.

Patriarchates in order of precedence. In 325 the Council of Nicaea accorded to the bishop of Jerusalem certain honorary privileges,  but he remained subject to the Metropolitan of Caesarea, who himself was subject to the Patriarch of Antioch. At 325 there were 3 Patriarchates: Rome, Alexandria, Antioch. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 accorded to Jerusalem and to Constantinople the rank of Patriarchate. in 587 John IV in Constantinople (582-595) took the title of Oecumenical Patriarch, against the rebuke of Pope Gregory I of Rome. (Gregory the Great). In 883 the order of precedence was Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem.

Patriarchs of the Latin Kingdom in Jerusalem (1099-1187): 1099-1107 Daimbertus; 1107-1112 Gobelinus; 1112-1115 Arnulf us; 1118-1128 Gormundus; 1128-1130 Stephanus; 1130-1145 Wilhelmus; 1145-1157 Fulcherius; 1158-1180 Amalricus; 1180-1191 Heraclius.

Patriarchs of the Latin Kingdom in Acre, (till 1291): 1191-1194 Sulpicius; 1194-1202 Monachus; 1204-1214 Albertus (April 8); 1214-1216 Rudolphus; 1216-1225 Lotharius. 1222 S. Johannes, S. Angeli frater, falsus, died 1222 (mentioned, July 13, AA.SS.); 1227 S. Enoch, falsus (Aug 12, in AA.SS.) died 1227, - 1225-1240 Giraidus; 1240-1254 Robertus; 1255-1261 Jacobus Pantaleo; 1263-1270 Guillelmus. 1272 Bartholomaeus de Bregancia, falsus, died July 1, 1272, AA.SS. - 1272-1276 Thomas Agni (Thomas de Lentino); 1279-1287 Elias; 1288-1291 Nicolaus de Hanapis, who was killed at the capitulation of Acre.

Patriarchs of the Restored Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem: 1847-1872 Valerga Giuseppe; 1873-1889 Bracco Vincenzo; 1889-1905 Piavi Ludovico; 1906-1919 Camassei Filippo; 1920-1947 Barlassina Luigi; 1947-1970 Gori Teofilo; 1970 Beltritti Giacomo.

Patricia, a matron of Constantinople. In Palestine, in the 5th/6th century. (Miracula B. V. Mariae in Choziba, auct. Antonio Chozebitae: Analecta Bollandiana, VII, 360)

Patrimonio M., consul of France in Jerusalem. He obtained from the Sublime Porte in Constantinople the permission to repair the damages, which were done by the Greeks on April 25, 1873, in the Grotto of Nativity in Bethlehem. Therefore, in 1874, Mac-Mahon, president of France, sent the amianth-tapestry.

Patrobas, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Puteoli, Campania in Italy, according to the Greek list. Patrobas, together with Philologus, is in the Roman Martyrology on Nov 4. Patrobas and Philologus are greeted by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, 16, 15.

Patrophilus, St. This first bishop of Scythopolis (Beth-Shean) was at the Council of Nicaea (325). Beth-Shean was then the metropolitan see of Palestina Secunda.

Paul, the Apostle. The commemoration of Paul was on June 30; on June 29 is actually the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. The altar of St. Paul is the first on the right side in the Chapel of the Flagellation. The altar recalls that Paul was once a prisoner in the nearby Fortress Antonia (Acts 21, 23). From this prison Paul was brought Antipatris (Aphek) (Acts 23, 31) to Caesarea Maritima (Caesarea on the sea). There he remained a prisoner during two years, under procurator Felix and under his successor, procurator Festus. Paul defended himself before King Herod Agrippa II and before Festus and appealed to the Emperor Nero. Therefore Paul was sent from Caesarea, Palestine, to Rome for trial.

A commemoration of Paul on April 30 was in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Perhaps the commemoration refers to a monastery of SS. Peter and Paul of the Byzantines. This monastery was founded about 550, next to the Mount of Olives.

St. Paul's Anglican Church in Shivtei Israel Street is rented by an Ecumenical Group.

St. Paul's Hospice outside Damascus Gate. The construction began in 1901. In 1910 St. Paul's was opened as a Pilgrim Hospice. In 1950, the building became the Schmidt's College (Schmidt Girls' College). In 1957 St. Paul's Hospice was enlarged. In the premises is the library of the Görresgesellschaft.

Paul, the Armenian in Mar Sabas. See: Jeremiah, an Armenian. 

Paul, noble man of Eleutheropolis. He built in 352 a shrine near the grotto in the valley of Kedron, where the relics of James, the Less, and of Symeon (the Elder), and of Zacharias (the father of the Baptist) had been discovered. The shrine is mentioned in the liturgies on May 25 and on Dec 1.

Paul, St., martyr of Palestine. He was arrested near Gaza under Emperor Galerius Maximianus (285---310) by the Governor Firmilianus and beheaded in 308. Before the execution he was allowed some time for prayer. He prayed for his Christian companions, for the Jews, for the heathens, for the crowd around, for the judge and for the executors. The Mart. Rom. has his feast on July 25.

Paul and Juliane of Ptolemais. They were brother and sister, they resided in Ptolemais (Acre). They bore witness for their faith and were martyred under Emperor Aurelianus (271-275). Their feast is in the Rom. Mart. and in Greece on Aug 17. Their executioners, Quadratus, Acacius and Stratonicus, were converted and were martyred. (Georgian liturgy Oct 11).

Paul of Elousa. He wrote the life of St. Theognius, bishop of Betylion (Betelia) in Palestine. Paul wrote a letter to Eutropius, the founder of the monastery of the Eunuchs, near Jericho (5th/6th cent) (Analecta Bollandiana, X[, 477).

Paul VI, Pope. (died 1978). He visited the Holy Land in January 1964. He was the first Pope, who from Rome pilgrimated to Jerusalem. On account of the enthusiastic crowds in the narrow Via Dolorosa, he sought shelter in the Chapel of the Vith Station (Veronica wipes the face of Jesus). A marble slab on the south wall of the chapel recalls this unplanned visit. Pope Paul met Athenagoras, the Patriarch of Constantinople, at the pilgrimage in Jerusalem. Paul was the honour-guest of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Benedictos in his residence Viri Galilaei on Mount of Olives. Both were sitting on the same height. (The Pope not on a higher seat!). The Pope crossed the frontier between Jordan and Israel, not at the Mandelbaum Gate in Jerusalem, but on the way near Megiddo. There he was welcomed by the President of Israel. - Later on Jan 15, 1973 Golda Meir as Prime Minister visited Pope Paul VI in Rome. She reminded him that the Jewish people had suffered much from the Cross (the Christians).

Paula, St. (Paula Senior; Paula, the Elder). The Greek liturgy has her feast on Jan 26. Paula was born at Rome on May 5, 347; she died at Bethlehem on Jan 26. (Rom. Mart. feast Jan 26) Paula was born into a rich patrician and Christian family. At the age of 15 she married Toxotius, and they had five children: Eustochium, Blesilla, Paulina (the wife of Senator Pammachius), Rufina and Toxotius. A widow at 31, Paula consecrated her household to an ascetic way of life, together with similar groups of noble Roman women. St. Jerome was their spiritual director. With her eldest daughter Eustochium, she followed Jerome to the Orient in 385, she visited Palestine and the monks of Nitria under his guidance, and in 386 settled in Bethlehem, where she used her wealth to construct a convent for nuns, a monastery for monks, and a guesthouse for pilgrims. Paula died on Jan 26, 404. Jerome wrote her eulogy. Her granddaughter, Paula, who was the daughter of her son Toxotius and of Laeta Caecina, cared for Jerome in his old age at Bethlehem. - In a grotto, north of the Basilica of the Nativity, is shown the common tomb of SS. Paula and her daughter Eustochium, and facing it that of St. Jerome. The bronze doors at the entrance of the Latin Parish Church St. Catherine, have reliefs of St. Jerome and of SS. Paula and Eustochium. The bronze-plated doors were made in 1949.

Saint Paula Hill. This hill (774 meters) between Bethlehem and Jerusalem is locally known as Jebel Abu Ghunneim. On this hill are sections of the aqueduct which Pontius Pilate repaired to bring more water to Jerusalem. The hill is near the village Umm Tuba.

Paula, junior, Saint. She was the granddaughter of Paula, the Senior. Paula junior visited Palestine before 417. (AA.SS. June 1)

Paula, Serapion, Jerome, Marcella. Paula, the Elder, died in Bethlehem in 404; Jerome died in Bethlehem in 4191420; Marcella died in Rome in 410. These four persons are commemorated for their deposit, on Aug 28 in the Georgian lectionnaries.

Pauline de Nicolay, marquess, servant of God. She was born at Paris in 1811. From Rome she went to Palestine in 1858. In 1861 she bought the area that surrounded the sanctuary of Emmaus (El Qubeibeh). There the Franciscans, since 1852, had renewed the pilgrimage that preserved a medieval tradition of the manifestation of the Risen Christ to the two disciples of Emmaus (Luke 24, 13-35). In 1863 Pauline de Nicolay donated her property of Emmaus (El Qubeibeh) to the Custody of the Holy Land. She continued to live in Emmaus till May, 1868; she died in Jerusalem on June 9, 1868. In 1872 her body was brought to Emmaus and reburied at the south end of the sanctuary. A marble slab inside the church that was erected in 1901, recalls the donation. The 'cause' of Pauline de Nicolay has been introduced in Rome. - Father Bagatti Bellarmino excavated in 1940-45 a Roman street, which runs along the northside of the Church.

Paulinios (Paulinianus, Paulinius). He was the brother of St. Jerome, and he was ordained a priest in Bethlehem by bishop Epiphanes, who was bishop of Constantia in the island of Cyprus and on visit to Bethlehem. The ordination happened without the permission of John II (389-415), bishop of Jerusalem. John excommunicated St. Jerome and his monks, because they recognized this ordination as valid. John tried to expel Jerome out of Palestine with the help of the prefect of Constantinople, but the death of the prefect on Nov 27, 395, impeded the expulsion.

Paulus Helladicus. See: Paul of Elousa. (Anal. Boll. X, 75-76). 

Paulus Hildegardus, count of Carinth (Austria). He visited Palestine, round 1020. (AA.SS. Feb 5)

Pausides, St. Martyr in Caesarea, in 304. (AA.SS. March 24)

Pax, St. The word Pax (Latin) means Peace, Paix, Friede, Vrede. The word can also signify a personal name. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has on Oct 21: Erene (Greek) and Pax (Latin). (Compare with Salaphta, which is translated in the Greek language as Erene (Pax in Latin).

Peki'in. The Arabic name for this small village, which is about 30 Kms east of Nahariyya, is Bukeia (little valley). According to tradition, a Jewish community has always lived in Peki'in. In Peki'in are actually also Druses and Christians.

Pelagia, martyr. In Mart. Rom. her memory is on March 23. She was martyred in Caesarea, Palestine. The Ethiopian Synaxarium venerates the martyrs Bacchus and Pelagia on Tekemt 8. (Bacchus was a soldier, the brother of Sergius. Both brothers were martyred in 297 by Galerius, who was Emperor from 305 to 311.)

Pelagia, the Penitent. She was born in Antioch and was a licentious dancing girl. Hearing a sermon of bishop Nonnus of Edessa, Pelagia repented and was baptized. She went to Jerusalem disguised as a man and she lived as a solitary on the Mount of Olives under the name of Pelagius. There she died in 457. A grotto on the Mount of Olives is venerated by the Christians as her tomb. The same grotto is held by some Jews to be the tomb of Hulda, the prophetess. The Moslems venerate in this grotto of Pelagia, the memory of the mystic woman Rabi'a el Adawiyya. The Greek liturgy honours Pelagia on Oct 8; the Mart. Rom. has her memory on Oct 8; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Oct 7. (Compare Margaret, the actress; Mary of Egypt.)

Pelagia of Tyre, round 600. Feast on Jan 23. (Leontius, Vita S. Joh. Eleemosyn.)

Pelagius, the male name for Pelagia, the Penitent. 

Pelagius Morgan of England. He was summoned in 415 by the Metropolitan of Caesarea, Palestine, to the Council of Lydda, where 14 bishops were assembled. Pelagius was absolved, but his doctrine was condemned. Pelagius is the founder of the Pelagianism-heresy. St. Jerome of Bethlehem attacked the heresy of Pelagius. The followers of Pelagius burned therefore the monastery of St. Jerome at Bethlehem. St. Jerome and the nuns fled to a strong tower. This place of safety was perhaps the tower of Jacob at the Shepherds' Fields.

Pelagius, (Luca Campano) Cardinal. He was a Cistercian monk. He was the archbishop of Cosenza (1203-1224). He was Papal Delegate for the Crusade (5th Crusade). He was in 1217 as Papal (De)legate at Messina (Sicily) where a part of the Crusaders (5th Crusade) embarked for Damietta. This Crusade was under Pope Honorius III (1216-1227). Pelagius arrived at Damietta in September 1218. He was with the Crusaders before Damietta (Nov 1219), he marched on Cairo, conquered the town in 1219, but in August 1221 he was enforced to evacuate Egypt. Pelagius, the Cardinal and the Legate of the Pope, was against the initiative of St. Francis of Assisi to cross the front-lines in order to contact the Moslems with an arrangement of peace. Notwithstanding the opposition, St. Francis crossed the lines, and contacted the Sultan and returned to the Crusaders. (C. Donovan, Pelagius and the Fifth Crusade, Philadelphia, 1950)

Pèlerinages de Pénitence. They were organised by the Assumptionists Fathers of France. The pilgrims were lodged in the Notre Dame de France, outside the New Gate. - The second pilgrimage of penitence (1883) donated a bronze statue of St. Peter to the Franciscan Church of Tiberias. In 1895 the pilgrimage came with its own ship 'Notre Dame de Salut'. In 1903, at the Eucharistic Congress at Jerusalem, the 28th Pèlerinage de Pénitence brought 300 pilgrims.

Peleus, bishop, martyr in Palestine. The Mart. Rom. has his feast on Sept 19; the Coptic calendar on Sept 12.

Peleus, Nilus, Elijah, SS. bishops of Egypt, martyred in Palestine in 310. The Mart Rom. has the memory on Sept 19. The Mart. Rom. adds on Feb 20: the martyrdom was under the military commander Veturius. They were killed in Tyr (Phoenicia). The AA.SS. mention Peleus and Nilus, on Sept 19, the death was in 310.

Pellegrino da Follorone, Blessed, Franciscan. According to tradition, he visited Palestine round 1222133. He died in the convent of S. Severino in Italy about 1233. (GBB I, 150-151)

Penitent pilgrims visited Palestine in the 9th cent. (Miracula S. Florentii, c. II, n. 19) (AA.SS. Sept 22)

Pentecostal Church of God's Prophecy. Has put up a memorial on the Horns of Hattin. On this height, the Crusaders lost the battle on July 4, 1187, against Saladin.

Penuel: See Phanuel, the archangel. 

Penuel (as a site). The site (Gn 32, 31) is near Nahr ez Zerqa (the blue river, the biblical Jaboc) in East Jordan. At this place Jacob wrestled with the being (the angel), who donated to Jacob the new name, Israel. - Jacob named the site of the wrestling Penuel.

Peregrinus, St. In the 4th/5th century he came to Palestine. (AA.SS. Aug 1) (Acta (fabulosa), n. 5-11).

Perdiccas. This Greek pilgrim mentions in 1250 the Tomb of David in the lower Chapel, on Mount Sion.

Pereyre family. de Saulcy had cleared the Tombs of the Kings in 1863. The family Pereyre bought the site in 1879, and donated it to France in 1886. It belongs now to the French government. - Tombs of the Kings are the burial place of the family of Helen, the Queen of Adiabene. Helen had converted to Judaism and had come to Jerusalem about 45 AD. She died in Adiabene but her remains were brought from Adiabene to Jerusalem.

Parrot Jean M., French archaeologist. He uncovered in 1954 two viilages, southeast of Beersheva: one at Bir Abu Matar, the second at Bir es Safadi. The villages are of the Chalcolithic period.

Pesenti. He describes the procession of the Franciscans to the Grotto of Nativity and the nearby sanctuaries, as it was done on Sunday April 14, 1613.

Pest. The names of 74 Franciscans who fell as victims by caring for the pestilence stricken, figure in 'Libro d'Oro' p. 644-648. This list extends from 1566 to 1902.

Peter, the Apostle. The Roman liturgy has the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul on June 29. In the Gospel of John (1, 40-42) the call of Peter occurred near the Jordan; in the Synoptic Gospels the call occurred at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus cured the mother-in-law of Peter at Capharnaum (Mt 8514); Peter attempted to walk on the water of the Sea of Galilee. (Mt 14, 28-31); Mount Tabor recalls the transfiguration of Jesus, which Peter with James and John witnessed. - In Jerusalem the Church St. Peter in Gallicantu recalls the repentance of Peter after his threefold denial. Peter was delivered by an angel from the prison in Jerusalem. The present church in the Syrian Orthodox Convent of St. Mark is supposed to occupy the site of the house of Mary, mother of the disciple and evangelist Mark John (Acts 12, 3). To this house Peter went after his escape from the prison. The Kanater Mar Boutros (St. Peter's Street) reflects this supposition.

Peter (St) in chains. The Mart. Rom. has at Rome in Exquiliis, Dedicatio sancti Petri Apostoli ad Vincula, on Aug 1. - Peter was imprisoned by King Herod Agrippa I (41-44), in Jerusalem, but an Angel rescued him, leading him out the prison (Acts 12, 11-23). South of the Daûd Street is the Street Haret ed Dawyeh. The actual name of the street is St. Mark Road. Fifty metres, more to the south, is Deir es-Syrian Road, that slopes down to Suq el Hussor. A subterranean chamber in the basement of a house in the Haret ed Dawyeh was, according to monkish tradition, the prison, in which Peter was bound. (Palestine Exploration Fund, Quarterly Statement, Oct 1906, p. 298-301). The part of Harat ed Dawyeh that slopes down to Suq el Hussor, was sometimes named Tariq Mar Botros (path of St. Peter). At the east end of the downsloping Tariq Mar Botros, on the opposite side of Suq e) Hussor, a displaced Corinthian capital and some old stones are, according to some traditions, the vestiges of the Porta Ferrea, or the iron Gate. (Acts 12, 10)

Chains of St. Peter: In the Greek liturgy on Jan 16. St. Peter was imprisoned in Jerusalem by king Herod Agrippa I, but he escaped from this prison. The chain of Jerusalem was transferred in 437 to Constantinople by the Empress Eudocia. It was placed in the Chapel of St. Peter, inside the Great Church of Constantinople. In Rome a small church was built by Pope Sixtus III (432-440) on the Esquilinian hill. This church in Rome was built with the finances of Eudocia, the Younger. In this church in Rome the chain with which St. Peter was bound in the prison of Rome at the time of Emperor Nero, is venerated. Since the 6th century this church has been named St. Peter ad Vincula. Its dedication is on Aug. 1

The liberation of Peter from the prison of Jerusalem, is remembered on Jan 16, in the Greek liturgy.

St. Peter's Street (Kanater Mar Boutros). The St. Peter's Street (near the Road St. Mark) descends into Harat al Jaouny (Quarter ot the Jawany (Greeks). The lower end of Harat al Jaouny is known as Suq el Hussor. (straw mats). There straw mats are sold.

St. Peter's Church in the Muslim Ouarter. Between Herod's Gate and the beginning of the Via Dolorosa, was in ancient days a church in honour of St. Peter. The site was at or near the mosque ei Mathone el-Hamra. See: Mertens A. What, when, where in the Holy Land, Map of the mosques, p. 32.

St. Peter's Church at the palace of Caiphas. Its dedication was on Aug 17. A house of Caiphas is claimed by the Armenians on Mount Sion.

St. Peter and St. Paul. Feast on June 29. The first vocation of Peter is recalled near the Jordan; another call was on the Lake of Galilee. - The Franciscan community of Nazareth makes a pilgrimage to the Church of St. Peter in Tiberias, near the lake, and celebrates there Holy Mass. In the evening a pilgrimage goes to the River Jordan (south of the Lake) and reads there the Gospel of Matthew 3, 13-17. - Peter and Paul, apostles, are venerated on Dec 28 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. The 'Dedication of St. Peter' (Jan 21) probably refers to a church of SS. Peter and Paul in the monastery of the Byzantines. This monastery was founded about 550 by a certain Abraham. The monastery was on the Mount of Olives (Palestinian-Georgian calendar).

Peter Absalon (Apselamos). He was born in Anea, near Eleutheropolls. He was martyred as a young man in 309. (Eusebius, PG 20, 1497) Synaxarium Armen. describes Peter as an 'athlet' for God. He was martyred on the 11th of the month of Auduneos, which corresponds to the 3th before the Ides of January (the 11th of Jan) 309. Petrus Apselamos was the only one of the Palestinian martyrs known from the persecution of Diocletian, who has his name in the Jerusalem calendar.

Peter, archbishop of Damascus, martyr under Caliph Walid II (743-744). Feast on Jan 28. Perhaps this Peter is a double of Peter of Capitolias. A Greek synaxary has Petrus, archbishop of Damascus, on Feb 9.

Peter, archbishop of Jerusalem (524-552). He succeeded John of Jerusalem in 524. Peter accepted the appointment of Anthimius as patriarch of Constantinople; but he was reproached by Pope Agapetus I for doing so, and he accepted the rebuke. Troubled by the Origenistic monks in Palestine, who were supported by Theodore Ascidas and Domitian, Peter complained secretly against them. Called to Gaza in 539, he took part in the synod that deposed Paul of Alexandria and that appointed Zoilus as the new patriarch. Peter welcomed the Roman deacon and future pape, Pelagius I, to Jerusalem and had his monks provide him with information that resulted in the condemnation of Origen by Justinian I (543). Peter was called to Constantinople, and, at the insistence of Theodore Ascidas, he accepted two Origenistic syncelli (counsellors), who aided the Isochristic monks in their attempt to have Origen's doctrine accepted by the Palestinian monks. - Peter sent St. Sabas to the Emperor Justinian (527-565), with the prayer to obtain the construction of a hospital (bimarestan) for the foreigners, and the finishing of the church Nea. The prayer was exauced by the Emperor Justinian. The Lectionary of Latal has the feast of Peter on July 7. A Peter, patriarch of Jerusalem, is commemorated in the Church of the Apostles on Nov 26 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Peter the Armenian in Mar Sabas. See: Jeremiah, an Armenian. 

Peter I of Nazareth. This archbishop of Nazareth was expelled by the Moslems from the Holy Land in 1291, and reached Padua. Pope Clement V ordered the Benedictine monastery of Sancta Justina in Padua to provide for the maintenance of Peter, a sum equal to that of the maintenance of two monks. (Prawer J. Crusader Tomb from Acre, in Isr. Expl. Journal, 24, 1974, p. 248) Peter died circa 1326.

Peter II of Nazareth. He was a Dominican Father, he was elected in Italy in 1329 as archbishop of Nazareth in succession of Yve. (Prawer, Isr. Expl. Journal, 24, 1974, p. 249)

Peter Catanus, Blessed, Franciscan. He visited Palestine, together with Franciscus, in 1219-20; he died in Assisi, on March 10, 1221.

Peter of Capitolias. (Perhaps Petrus, archbishop of Damascus). He was born in Capitolias in East Jordan, he married and became father of three children. After the death of his wife, he became a monk and later was ordained a priest. He suffered martyrdom from the Saracens, on Jan 13, 715. He is mentioned in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar as bishop, on Nov 23. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Oct 4. Some scholars mean that Peter was consecrated bishop of Busra, Hauran.

Peter of Eleutheropolis. He lived in the latter part of the 3th century. He was known for his physical strength and piety. He helped the poor and suffered martyrdom, during the Diocletian persecution (284-313). The Greek liturgy has his feast on Oct 14. (Probably to be identified with Peter Absalon)

Peter of Gaza. The Ethiopian Synaxarium on Takhshash relates: Peter was of the city of Roha (Edessa) and belonged to a noble family, and his parents gave him to the Emperor Theodosius so that he might appoint him a governor. He became a monk in a monastery. The bishops, against his will, made him bishop of Gaza. And when they brought the body of Saint James the 'dismembered', he took it and dwelt in one of the monasteries of Jerusalem. In the days of Marcion the heretic, he fled to Egypt, and with him was the body of James the 'dismembered', and he dwelt in a monastery. When the days of Marcion the infidel, were ended, Peter returned to Palestine. Zeno, the Emperor, wished to see him, but Peter fled. Then he came to the shore of the lake (or sea) of Gawer and dwelt there... Salutation to Peter, for when he broke the bread of the Offering, blood distilled there from until the whole of the paten was filled therewith.

Peter, second bishop of Jamnia. He was at the Council of Nicaea (325). Peter was the successor of bishop Macrinus.

Peter of Santolo, Blessed, Franciscan. He was from Spain. He lived a certain time on Mount Sion in Jerusalem. He returned to his country, Castilla, and died in the convent of Valladolid, on April 7, 1431. The Martyrologium Franciscanum commemorates him on April 7.

Peter of Sebaste, brother of St. Basil the Great. Peter wrote in 381: The Church of the Holy Mount Sion testifies that the Messias has taken the Jewish Passah in the Upper Room, on the feast of the Jewish Passover. (Text, discovered in 1902 by Don J. Marta, priest of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem.) (Review AI-Machriq, Beyrouth, 1902, Nr 1). Peter mentions a church near the Gate of the Sheep, where Jesus healed the paralytic man. This Peter, who was a bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, mentions a church of Zachariah in the territory of Aelia (Jerusalem). Peter died in 392.

Peter, St., near Aulon. The Martyrology of Rome mentions on Jan 3: near Aulon in Palestina, martyrdom of St. Peter, who was crucified. (Compare: Peter the sign-bearer)

Peter of Caphar Baricha (today Beni Nalm). He founded the Archontics. Peter composed a book with the title 'Symphonia'. The Archontics are mentioned by St. Epiphanius in his book 'Panarion'. The village Beni Naim is about 6 Kms, southeast of Hebron.

Peter, the Count, Inscription. See: Zosimus-inscription. 

Peter, the Hermit. This leader of the First Crusade reached Palestine, but he returned to Europe in 1101, and he died at an advanced age in 1115. He is mentioned in AA.SS. on July 7, July 8, July 15. (Vita Petri, e calendario Carmelit.) (Compare: Conon, count of Montaigu in Auvergne)

Peter, the Iberian. This Monophysite bishop of Maiuma near Gaza, was born in Georgia (Iberia) in 409. He died in Jamnia in 488. He came in 422 to Constantinople, fled in 429-430 to Jerusalem, together with John the Eunuch. There Peter became a monk about 430, in the monastery that was founded by St. Melania on Mt of Olives. He himself founded the Iberian (Georgian) monastery near the Tower of David. He was persecuted for his Monophysite doctrine, and he fled in 438 to Gaza. There he was ordained a priest in 446, and he became bishop of Gaza in 453. He was expelled and he went to Egypt. Eighteen years later he returned to Palestine. He founded a monastery, perhaps that of Bir el-Qatt, south of Jerusalem. He died in 488 in Jamnia or in Gaza. In the 'Foundation of Peter' (perhaps near the Tower of David) was held by the Georgians the commemoration of the Forty Saints on Oct 13. (Compare James torn to pieces, Intercisus)

Peter, the Hesychast. The Greek liturgy has his feast on November 25. He was born near the Black Sea, and he devoted his life to mysticism and prayer. He visited Galatia, Palestine, and Antioch where he gained fame on account of his ascetic life. There he died.

Peter, the priest. He is mentioned in an inscription in the Greek-Orthodox Church of Abud (5th/6th century).

Peter, the Sign-bearer. He was born in Eleutheropolis. He was crucified near Hebron in 311. His relics repose in the Church of St. Zacharias in Atroa. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Jan 3.

Peter, the Soldier. The Ethiopian Synaxarium relates on Sane 19 about five soldiers: Arsonphis, Peter, Ascarion, Arengis, and Belfeyos, who lived in the Palace of Diospolis. (Probably not Lydda in Palestine, but Thebes in Egypt). The five were tied up in the hide of an animal, and shut up in a chamber to die of hunger and thirst.

Peter and Abraham the physician. Peter died on the first of the month Artemesios, 3rd indiction. Abraham the physician died on Artemisios 18, in the 12th indiction, 365th year (= 564 CE). Peter perhaps died in 555 CE. Their marble tombstone with Greek inscription is in Museum of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem. (Revue Biblique, 1905, p. 248). The tombstone came from Hebron.

Peter I, bishop of the Camps. See: Petros Aspebet. 

Peter II, bishop of the Camps. His bishopric of Bedouin camps formed an enclave in the diocese of Jerusalem.

Peter III, bishop of the Camps. He participated in the Council of Jerusalem in 536.

Peter I, King of Cyprus. He attacked in 1365 Alexandria. The Franciscans of Mount Sion were arrested and brought to Damascus. Peace was concluded in 1370. In 1377 the Guardian of Mount Sion became independent of the Provincial of Cyprus, and dependent immediately of the General of the Franciscan Order.

Peter IV of Aragon. A letter of Pope Clement VI (Avignon, 1342-1352) to Peter IV of Aragon in 1345 proves that there were difficulties on Mount Sion.

Peter of Bordeaux. This Franciscan of Mount Sion witnessed the martyrdom of 4 Franciscans at Jerusalem on Nov 14, 1391.

Peter-Matthew de Lara Barnuevo, Franciscan. He was born in Buscalanze near Cordova (Spain); at the age of 34 years, he died in Jerusalem, on Sept 21, 1671.

Petrocus, abbot, St. He came to Palestine round 550. (Vita S. Petroci, auct. Joh. Tinmonth., n. 4) (AA.SS. June 4)

Petronilla, St. Name given to the supposed daughter of St. Peter, the Apostle.

Petronilla, Lady. She bought from the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre for 420 bezants a property, west of the 7th Station. The site belongs actually to the Franciscans. Moudjir-el-Din, the Arabian historian, called the site the Borghohyeh (Bulgarian) Hospice. There or nearby was the Hungarian Hospice.

Petronius. The apocryphal Gospel of Peter gives the name Petronius to the centurion who was in charge of the soldiers who watched the sepulchre where Jesus had been buried. (Mt 27, 62-66)

Petronius, bishop of Bologna. St. He came to Palestine round 420. (Vita S. Petronii, c. II, n. 12-14; Vita alia ex Mart. Rom. Galesinii) (AA.SS. Oct 4)

Petros. See: Aspebet-Petros, bishop of the Camps. After his conversion to christianity, Aspebet, who was from Persia, adopted the name of Petros. An inscription in Greek letters on a reused slab contains the name of Petros. The reused slab closed the entrance to a sepulchral vault in the laura of St. Euthymius (Khan el Ahmar) in the desert of Judaea. The excavations were made by Yannis Meimaris, and he was helped by the architect Christos Katzimbinis, round 1975.

Petros, Abuna, archbishop of Gondar (Ethiopia). He came to Jerusalem for medical treatment. He died there in 1969. He was buried at the St. Takle Haymanot Monastery at Bethany.

Petros, who made this cross. This Armenian is mentioned in an inscription on a marble urn in Jerusalem.

Petrus Athonita, Saint, 8th century. He was at war with the Saracens. Gregorius Palamas wrote 'Vita S. Petri' gr. et lat. The feast is on June 12 (AA.SS.)

Petrus, bishop of Roeskilde in Scandinavia. The AA.SS. (Jan 8) mention him in 1153 in the Holy Land.

Petrus Diaconus. He was librarian of the Convent of Cassino, he wrote in 1137 'Liber de Locis Sanctis'. He borrowed from St. Beda the Venerable (720) and from Aetheria (385-388). - Petrus mentions the centre of the world inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Petrus, episcopus Anagninus, Sanctus. He is mentioned round 1106, in AA.SS. Aug 3. (Vita S. Petri, c. 2)

Petrus, episcopus Nazarenus. Round 1317 (AA.SS. May 22) (Probably Peter I of Nazareth).

Petrus, Graecus, abbas Sucae. He died 546. (AA.SS. Sept 29)

Petrus, martyr, Majumae near Gaza, 743. (AA.SS. Feb 21)

Petrus of Penna, O. P. (1350) Compare: Buttadeus. 

Petrus, patriarch of Jerusalem, died 544. (AA.SS.)

Petrus, priest of Rome. He came to Palestine round 595. (Vita S. Gregorii, auct. Johanne Diacono. I, II, c. VI, n. 15) (AA.SS. March 12)

Petrus Soler, Blessed, Franciscan. Martyred in Damascus in 1860. The feast is on July 10.

Petrus Telonearius, St. Round 540 he came to Palestine. (Vita S. Petri Tel., lat. vers.; Vita S. Joh. Eleeemos., auct. Leontio et Simeone Metaphr., lat. vers., c. VII, n. 39) (AA.SS. Jan 20, Jan 23)

Petrus Thomasius, Saint, archbishop of Constantinople. He was in Palestine, 1357-1358. (Vita, auct. Philippo Mazzerio) (AA.SS. Jan 29)

Petrus Vivus, Saint. The 'Chronica S. Petri Vivi' mentions Alexander, capellanus Stephani Blesensis, in the first crusade. (AA.SS. April 23)

Pfintzing (1436). He speaks about the Way of the Passion. He sees the Chapel of the Angels in the house of Annas in the Armenian quarter. Quaresmius later claimed to have read in an old document: the Angels veiled their face, when Jesus at the trial in the house of the Highpriest received a stroke from the hand of a servant.

Phaletrus, Lemovicensis, St. At the end of the 5th century, he was in Palestine. (AA.SS. Nov 23)

Phanuel, the Archangel. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on Takhshash 3: 'Salutation to thy office in the court of God, o Phanuel, thou ladder of prayer, and expeller of Satan'. The salutation refers to the wrestling of Jacob. (Gen 32, 31). Jacob called the site of the wrestling Peniel. - The site of the dream with the ladder was called by Jacob Bethel (Gen 28, 19). (Compare Penuel)

Phanurius, Sanctus. In the book 'Miracula S. Phanurii' is told Greek priests are taken prisoners by the Saracens in the 8th century in Palestine. (AA.SS. Mai 27)

Phasael. He was a brother of Herod the Great. Phasael was in 40 BC by Antigonus lured out of the besieged Jerusalem, and he was taken prisoner. Phasael leaped in his prison in Ecdippa (Akhziv, the Arab village of Es Zib) to an abyss and perished. Herod dedicated round 23 BC the biggest of the three towers at the Citadel of David, to the memory of his brother Phasael. The foundations of the Tower of Phasael still exist.

Philastrius, episcopus Brixiensis, Saint. The AA.SS. on July 18 tell that Philastrius visited Palestine in 375. (De virtutibus S. Philastrii, auct. S. Gaudentio; Officium S. Philastrii)

Philemon. He was a disciple of St. Paul. After being consecrated bishop of Gaza, he visited Colossae, in Phrygia, where he preached together with Archippus, Aphia and Onesimus. They were imprisoned and sent to Rome, where they suffered martyrdom. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the feast of Philemon on Nov 21; the Roman Martyrology and the Greek liturgy venerate Philemon on Nov 22.

Philemon and Paul. In his Epistle to Philemon (circa 62-63) Paul asks that Philemon should receive Onesimus the slave who had fled.

Philip the Apostle. St. Martyr. The feast of the Apostles Philip and James (James the Lesser) is in the Roman church on May 3. Philip was from Bethsaida, which is on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Philip became an Apostle, and he brought Nathanael to Christ (Jn 1, 43-48). Philip engaged in a dialogue with Jesus at the multiplication of the loaves (Jn 6, 5-7); Philip introduced the Hellenistic Jews to Jesus Qn 12, 21); he asked Jesus to show the Father to the Apostles (Jn 14, 8). Philip is said to have preached in Phrygia, where he was martyred: he was fixed to a cross and then stoned near Gerapolis in Phrygia (Turkey) (Gerapolis = Hierapolis). Philip was buried in Hierapolis (Eus. Hist. Eccl. 111, 31). The Greek liturgy has his feast on Nov 14. Phillp and James, Apostles, have their feast on May 3 in the reformed calendar of the Latin liturgy. Formerly the feast was on May 1.

Philip and Thomas and Bartholomaeus, apostles, and Matthew, evangelist. The lectionary of Paris gives to this four a memory in the village of Bethphage, on Aug 24.

Philip, St. deacon. Philip is one of the seven, who were chosen to assist the apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 6, 5). The deacon Philip was the first to announce the Gospel in Samaria (Acts 8, 5-13), where he converted Simon, the magician. Philip baptized the eunuch of the queen of Ethiopia on a journey from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8, 26-40), and from there he announced the Gospel in the coastal plain, especially in Azotus (now Ashdod). Philip accorded hospitality to St. Paul in Caesarea, Palestine (Acts 21, 8). There he had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. Perhaps the expression means: singing and dancing in a estatic manner.

Fountain of Philip. The baptism of the eunuch is recalled by the Fountain, Ain-el-Dirweh (Fountain of the Crest), which is on the left side alongside the way Bethlehem to Hebron. There is a small mosque. There are also remains of a Christian church.

Three daughters of Philip, were buried near their Father (Mart. Rom. June 6).

Fourth daughter of Philip. Her name was Hermione. She died in Ephesus (Mart. Rom. June 6).

Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. (1419-1467) He financed the building of a hospice in Ramla (Ramleh). The Franciscans had a house there, already in 1296. Philip received from Pope Nicolas V (1447-1455) the permission for the repairing of the roof the Basilica of the Nativity at Bethlehem. Edouard IV, King of England, should donate the lead-plates; the Republic of Venice should transport the materials to Jaffa; the Franciscans should supervise the repairs. - Philip the Good legated his heart to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. But the heart never reached Jerusalem.

Philip of Alsatia. He brought in 1178 a relic to Europe. In Kortrijk (Belgium) there is on Ascension a procession of the Sacred Hearts.

Philip of Aubigny. This English knight was tutor to Henry III, king of England. Philip was also governor of Jersey. He came to the East in 1222, and he accompanied Emperor Frederick II to Jerusalem in 1228. The tomb of Philip is outside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, under the bench, which is outside the western aisle of the double gate. The tomb was discovered in 1867. - A tradition tells that not Philip, but another knight is buried there. (Compare: Wigger)

Philippe de France. He made peace with Henry II, king (1154-1189) of England. Philip took the Cross in 1188.

Philippe d'Annecy en France. St. Anthony of Padua during his stay in France, foretold his birth to the pregnant mother. Philip joined the Franciscan Order, he joined the Crusaders, he was martyred in 1280 in Azot (Ashdod) in Palestine. (AA.SS. March 7)

Philippe de Puy en Velay. Franciscan, Blessed. St. Anthony of Padua was in the years 1224 to 1227 Superior in the convent of the Franciscans at Le Puy en Velay, France. He foretold to a pregnant mother that her son would be a Franciscan and a martyr. In 1265 her son, who had joined an army of Crusaders, fell in an ambush near Gaza. He refused to become a Muslim, and was beheaded. He was about 40 years old. He was martyred at Arsuf (G BB 11, 460; Van der Vat 93-94). Arsuf is on the Mediterranean coast. (Compare Philippe d'Annecy)

Philippe le Bel, King of France, (1285-1314). He persecuted the Jews in 1306. Philippe made a process against the Templars. It ended in 1312 with the suppression of the Order of the Templars.

Philippus Brosserius (1285-1290). He mentions a piece of the column of the Flagellation in the Cenacle on Mount Sion, and another piece in the Palace of Caiphas.

Philippus, 9th bishop of Jerusalem, died round 124. (AA.SS. Aug 4)

Philippus Huart, Franciscan, probably from Belgium. Philippus was in Scandarona (= Alexandretta) the last day of June 1665. So it is related in a letter written by Pater Lambertus Benoict to Father Gonsales Antonio on Juli 17, 1665. - Pater Lambertus (of Belgium) died in Alexandretta on Aug 20, 1665.

Philippus, Martyr, Franciscan. (Miraculum S. Antonii cle Padua, AA.SS. June 13) Philippus was martyred in Azot in 1280. (AA.SS. March 7) (Compare: Philippe d'Annecy; Philippe de Puy)

Philistines. They are named Pelistim in 1 Sam 14, 1. Their region is Philistia in Palestine. Philistia was the coastal plain north of Gaza. The Philistines introduced the use of iron into Palestine. The name Philistia for the total territory west of the Jordan was adopted in the Roman and Byzantine times, and survives in the name Palestine.

Philodemus (friend of the people). It is the surname of Aretas IV, king of the Nabataeans. An inscription in Aramaic language with Nabataean script was discovered at Madaba in 1880. (now in the Vatican) Aretas (AD 9-40) ruled over Damascus. (Acts 9, 23 ff)

Philologus, one of the 70 disciples, according to the Greeks. The Roman Martyrology has on Nov 4: Philologus and Patrobas. Both are greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans 16, 14-15.

Philonilla, sister of Zenais. Both were relatives of Paul and followed his teaching. Feast on Oct 9.

Philoromus, St. He visited Palestine round 362. (AA.SS. June 14)

Philotheus, martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, under Maximianus (305. 311) The feast is on Nov 5, together with Domninus, Theotimus, Dorotheus, Casterius and Silvanus of Emesa.

Phinees. The Gospel of Nikodemus (XIV, 1) tells: 'Phinees, a priest, and Adas, a teacher, and Angaeus, a levite, came from Galilee and they informed the chiefs of the synagogue, the priests and the levites: 'We have seen Jesus, with His disciples, sitting on the mount, which is named Mamilch'.

Phinehas, grandson of Aaron the priest and son of the priest Eleazar. Phinehas is commemorated, together with them, on Sept 3 in the Georgian liturgy. Phinehas, the priest, was celebrated for his zeal. When an Israelite was having intercourse with a Midianite woman about the rites of Baal Peor, Phinehas killed both with a single trust of a spear in the genital organs (Nm 25, 7-11). For this he was promised an abiding priesthood. According to the Samaritan tradition, the high priest Eleazar and his son Phinehas were buried in Awarta. There are two tombs in this village. They are called EI Azeir (Eleazar) and & Azeirat.

Phlegon, one of the 70 disciples in the Greek list. Bishop of Marathon, Achaia. In the Roman Martyrology the feast is on April 8. Phlegon is greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans 16, 14.

Phocas John. See: Johannes Phocas. 

Phocas, Saint. Phocas was venerated in Jerusalem. There was a commemoration of St. Phocas and St. Babylas on the 'Holy Mountain' (that means the Mount of Olives), according to the lectionary of Paris, on Aug 30.

Phocius, son of Photine, the Samaritan woman. 

Photides, son of Photine, the Samaritan woman. 

Photine, St. Legend gives this name to the Samaritan woman of whom the Gospel of John (4, 11-42) speaks. After her conversion she, together with her 5 sisters and her 2 sons, preached the Gospel and suffered martyrdom under Nero (54-68). Her 5 sisters were Anatole, Photo, Photes, Paraskeve, and Cyriaka. Her 2 sons were Photinus (or Photides) and Joseph. - The Greek liturgy venerates Photine on Feb 26. The Mart. Rom. has the commemoration on March 20. It mentions 6 sons: Joseph, Victor, captain Sebastian, the saints Anatolius, Phozius, Photides. It relates Paraskeve and Cyriaka, as cousins of the Samaritan woman.

Photinus, a son of the Samaritan woman. (Compare Photides)

Photo, a sister of the Samaritan woman, Photine. 

Plavi Ludovico. He belonged to the Franciscan Order. He was Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from 1889 to 1905.

Piccardo Louis, Don. (1845-1917) This priest arrived in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1870. He was an auxiliary bishop from 1902 to 1917. In 1917 he was deported by the Turks to Damascus, where he died on Dec 2, 1917, two days after his arrival.

Picavet. Born Tielt (Belgium) June 24, 1874, died as Melkite archimandrite at Nazareth, on Feb 20, 1923. (Perhaps killed by robbers).

Picchiarini L. He executed the vitrails in the Church of Agony (1924) and in the Chapel of the Flagellation (1927-29).

Pierotti Hermes, Italian architect in Palestine from 1854 to 1862. In his work 'Jerusalem Explored'(London 1864) he writes: 'Farther on (=after Veronica's house) the street Via Dolorosa is arched over, and in the side-walls are remains of ancient masonry. Here, some place the house of the WANDERING JEW. This tradition, however, (or rather legend) is not accepted by the Christians of Jerusalem. - A legend adds: the exhausted Crossbearer Jesus rested on the threshold of a house. The owner obliged him to continue his way, because he did not like that his house should be marked as having given rest to a condemned crossbearer. - A street, to the east of Nablus Road, is named after Pierotti.

Pierre d'Englisperg. After his return from Rhodos (round 1500) he imitated in Fribourg in Switzerland the way with the 7 columns (7 stations of the Via Dolorosa). The distance between the Judgment and the Stripping of the Garments accords in Fribourg to the measures of Rhodos. (Archives de la Société d'histoire de Fribourg, (1891), V, 274)

Pierre de la Roche. Franciscan Father. He was in 1225 the confessor of the crusader, Count William of Pembroke. Pierre was really in the Holy Land. (GBB I, 417; Van der Vat, 97 nota 65)

Pierre de Narbonne (France), Franciscan. He was martyred in Jerusalem, together with three other Franciscans, on Nov 14, 1391. They were canonized by Pope Paul VI, on June 21, 1970. Feast on Dec. 5.

Pietro Bardulio. The Latin rulers of Acre sent the Franciscan Father Pietro Bardulio to the Curia at Rome in 1290. And Pietro Bardulio came back in the same year 1290 with a papal edict of Pope Nicolas IV (1288-1292).

Pietro of Boreth. This Franciscan Father was in Acre round 1227. (Albericus in M. G. H., SS, XXIII, 920)

Pletro Soler, Franciscan, Blessed. He was born in Lorca, Spain, in 1827. In January 1859 he came to the Custody of the Holy Land. He suffered martyrdom by the Druses at Damascus, on July 10, 1860.

Pietruszka, Mgr. He belonged to the Polish Army of General Anders in the Second World War (1939-45). He was chaplain for the Polish christians in the Holy Land. He organised a small museum at the 3th Station. The Polish group had rented the site of the 3rd and 4th Station. Pietruszka died at Jerusalem.

Pilate, the archbishop. And on this day (9th of Nahasse, twelfth month) also is commemorated Pilate (?) the archbishop. (Ethiopian Synaxarium).

Pilate, Pontius. He was the Roman procurator of Judaea, who condemned Jesus. Pilate was a Roman equestrian of the Samnite clan of the Pontii, hence his name Pontius. The meaning of his cognomen Pilatus is uncertain; his personal or first name is not known. In 26 AD the Roman Emperor Tiberius (14-37) appointed Pilate procurator of Judaea, Samaria, and ldumea. In 1961 a Latin inscription with the words 'Pontius Pliatus praefectus Judaeae' was discovered at Caesarea, Palestine. All four Gospels describe Pilate's weak submission to the unjust accusation against Jesus. The chief apocrypha about Pilate are the ACTS of PILATE, LETTER of PILATE to CLAUDIUS, LETTER of PILATE to TIBERIUS, ANAPHORA PILATI, and PARADOSIS PILATI. The legends in these works led the Ethiopian Church to honour Pilate as a saint (feast June 25) His wife, traditionally called Claudia Procla (Procula), is venerated as a saint by the Greeks. Her feast is on Oct 27. The Copts in the 6th/7th centuries considered Pilate as a saint.

Pontius Pilate in the Ethiopian Synaxarium. On the 25th of the month Sânê Pilate, the confessor, died. Salutations to Pilate, who washed his hands of the blood of Jesus Christ (wanting in the Bodleian Manuscript). - Pilate sent soldier Longinus to Emperor Tiberius (23th of Hamle). - Pilate gave them (i.e. Joseph and Nicodemus) permission to carry Him away (1st of Nahassê) - And although the prison, in which Joseph of Arimathea was imprisoned, was sealed with the seal of Pilate, and with the seals of the High Priests, our Risen Lord Jesus came to the place where Joseph was (1st of Nahassê)

Pilate's Aqueduct. The dam that traverses Birket-es-Sultan (Germain's Lake) contains remnants of the aqueduct for the repair of which Pilate took money from the temple. - The aqueduct of Pilate passed through Bethlehem. It started at Wadi Arrub and passed at the Pools of Solomon, and continued over Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Remains of the aqueduct are still in Bethlehem and in Jerusalem to the south of the wails, outside Dung Gate and Sion Gate.

Pilgrim Arculf. (See Arculfus, and Adamnanus). This French bishop made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land at about 670. He told his story to Adam(n)anus, abbot of a monastery at Iona, which is an island off the shore of Scotland. Adam(n)anus put the story of Arculf in writing.

Pilgrim of Bordeaux. This anonymous traveller made a pilgrimage from Bordeaux in France to the Holy Land in 333. He mentions the construction of three Basilicas: Holy Sepulchre, Nativity, Ascension.

Pilgrims to Palestine, in the 9th century. They are mentioned in Miracula S. Quirini, c. II, n. 20. (AA.SS. March 25)

Pilgrims-railway. The Hejaz-railway for the pilgrims to Medina and Mecca was begun in 1901 by European engineers. The railway goes from Damascus over Deraa on the border of Syria, via Amman, and Ma'an in the direction of Medina. (1300 Kms). At Deraa an embranchment went along the valley of the Jarmuk-river. It crossed the Jordan, passed through the valley of Esdraelon, via Afula to Haifa. A narrow gauge railway, built by the Turks in 1914-15, came from Lydda over Naplus and Jenin to Afula and joined there the embranchment.

Pilon, Dr. He was born in 1917 in Indonesia, with Dutch nationality. He came from Holland to Israel in 1956 with his wife Christine and five children. He served on the staff of the Church of Scotland Hospital at Tiberias until 1960. He established Nes Ammim 'Banner of the Nations', which is a Christian settlement, near Lohamei Hageta'ot, on the way Acre to Nahariyya. Dr. Pilon died on July 14, 1975.

Pinazzo. See: Francis Pinazzo, martyr, Damascus, 1860. 

Pincuret Martin, Canon. He bought the site of Dom Poiski inside the Old City, in 1907. This house belongs to the Primate of Poland.

Pinianus (or Pionius). He was the husband of Melania the Younger. She came in 417 with her husband from Rome to Jerusalem. Pinianus and Mary died both in peace. (AA.SS. S. Melania junior, Pinianus et Albina on Jan 7; Jan 31; Dec 31)

Pionius, husband of Melania the Younger. See: Pinianus. 

Pionius, priest of Smyrna. He fled from the Decian persecution, and came to Palestine as a pilgrim. He defended himself before the judge Polemon, he was martyred on March 12, 250. Pionius relates about the Dead Sea, he does not mention Golgotha, and the Tomb of Christ.

Pipinus, pilgrim. Died about 1320, he speaks about Bartimaeus.

Pisans. They received from King Baldwin III the privilege to have at Jaffa their own street and their own church. - In Jerusalem the Citadel of David was called Tower of the Pisans during the rule of the Crusaders.

Pistis (Belief), daugther of Sophia (Wisdom). The feast of Pistis is on Oct 25 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Pius XI, Pope. He reestablished in 1847 the Latin Patriarchate.

Place of Trumpeting. A Hebrew inscription in a niche at the southwest corner of the Temple Mount reads: 'To the place of trumpeting'. The niche has fallen from this 'pinnacle' outwards on the Herodian street. - The inscription is now in the Museum at the Citadel.

Placidus of Varallo. This Franciscan survived the pest in Milan in 1630. He came to the Holy Land in 1632. He died in Jerusalem on July 18, 1670, at the age of 77 years.

Plain of Puthaba (or al Butaiha). It is at the north-east end of the Lake of Galilee. In this plain King Baldwin III in 1158 defeated Nurad-Din.

Planquet Fr. This priest founded in Lyon in 1875 the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles. These Sisters run since 1946 an Orphanage in Bethlehem.

Platonidis and two other Martyrs. They suffered martyrdom in Ascalon. (Roman Martyrology has the feast on April 6)

Plesius, martyr of Palestine. He was born in Egypt. He presented himself to Urban, the governor of Caesarea, Palestine. He confessed his faith and suffered martyrdom in 297. The Greek liturgy has his feast on March 15. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has on March 23: Agapius, two Alexanders, Dionysios, Timolaos, Paisius (Plesius).

Pliny, Cajus Plinius Secundus (Pliny, the Elder). He lived AD 23-79. He died during the eruption of the Vesuvius. He wrote Historia Naturalis. Some of the phenomena of Palestine are elucidated.

Plumer F. British High Commissioner from 1925 to 1928.

Poemenia, Roman matron. She built a church on the site of the Ascension, before 378.

Polish Hospice in, East-Jerusalem. See: Pincuret Martin. 

Polish Hospice in West-Jerusalem. It was opened in 1945 in Shivtei Israel Street, with alms from the Polish Soldiers of the General Anders Army, who were trained in Palestine.

Polish Orphanage on Mount of Olives. Opened in 1967.

Polish Sisters of St. Elisabeth. They were founded by Maria and Francisca Merkert and Clara Wolf in 1840 at Nissa in Poland. In 1931 the Sisters of S. Elisabeth took over the administration of Dom Polski in the Old City. (Hospice) (See: Pincuret Martin).

Poloner (Polonus) John (1422). He mentions a devotional Way of the Passion in Jerusalem, during the night with lamps.

Polycarp, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (1808-1827) He restored the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, which had been damaged by fire in the night of Oct 11, 1808. (Calendar of Gregory, followed by the Latins. The Greek Church indicates the date as Sept 30, 1808)

Polychronius, bishop of Areopolis. He is mentioned in the year 518.

Polyeuctes, Saint, martyr at Melitene in Armenia round 250. He was an officer of the 12th legion. A funeral chapel of Polyeuctes was in the house of an Armenian in the Musrara Quarter, north of Damascus Gate. There was discovered, during the expedition of Bliss, in 1894-97, a mosaic with an Armenian inscription: 'For the memory and the salvation of those Armenians who fell and whose names are known only to God'. The inscription dates probably from the 5th century.

Pomenia (Pomnia, compare Poemenia). This Roman matrona was a relative of the future Emperor Theodosius I (379-395). (De Vos in Analecta Bollandiana, 1969, p. 189-212). Pomenia erected on the top of the Mount of Olives a round building (rotunda) over the site where the Ascension of Jesus was remembered.

Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem (Jesuits) was built in 1924-1927. 

Pontifical Mission for the Refugees. It was established by Montini (the later Pope Paul VI) in 1949. Two members of the GRAIL are among the staff.

Pontius Pilatus. See: Pilate. 

Pool of the Patriarch's Bath. Near Khan el Aqbat (Copts' Khan) which was rebuilt, in 1838, is the Pool of the Patriarch's Bath. The Pool is also named Pool of Hezekiah. It was called by Josephus (Wars V, 11, 4) Arnygdalon. This name perhaps means Pool of the Big Tower (Tower of David).

Poor Clares of Jerusalem. (1884) Compare: Harmel

Poor Clares of Nazareth. (1884) It was founded from Paray-le-Monial (France). In their convent of Nazareth worked Charles de Foucauld as gardener (1897-1900). The Sisters were exiled to Malta in World War I (1914-1918). The Poor Clares built in 1968 a new convent on the 'Mount of the Fright'. The Little Sisters of Jesus (Foucauld-Sisters) occupy the ancient convent of the Poor Clares.

Poor Clares from Algeria. These Sisters have a small convent at Nazareth, near the Melkite Seminary. They follow the Melkite rite.

Pope Clement IV (?), 1265-1268. He donated on April 1, 1255 (?) Mount Tabor to the Hospitalers of St. John.

Pope Clement XIII (1758-1769). He appealed to the Western Powers to change the firman (decree) which was stipulated by the Sublime Porte at Istambul in 1757. The action of the Pope was without result.

Pope John Paul 1 (1978). See: Luciani. 

Poppo, archbishop of Trier (Germany). Together with his guest, Simon of Trier, Poppo pilgrimated (1028-1030) to the Holy Land. After their return, Poppo granted the permission to Simeon to occupy a cell in the Porta Nigra at Trier, where Simeon, after 5 years, died on June 1, 1035.

Poppo, St, Stabulensis. He came to Palestine round 1001. (Everhelmus, Vita S. Popp., C. II, n. 4-5) (AA.SS. Jan 25)

Porphyrius, Martyr. He was a relative of Panphilius, the martyr. Porphyrius and Saint Seleucus from Cappadocia were tortured: Porphyrius was burned, Seleucus was decapitated. The executions took place in Caesarea, Palestine, under Emperor Galerius (305-311). The Roman Martyrology has the feast on Feb 16.

Porphyrius, the Juggler. The Roman Martyrology on Sept 15 refers to Porphyrius the Juggler. During a performance, the was baptized and proclaimed his faith. On order of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363), he was decapitated. This happened at Hadrianopolis in Thracia.

Porphyrius, the Mimicker. He was born in Ephesus and lived during the reign of Emperor Aurelianus (270-275). He was in the service of the Governor of Alexandria as a juggler and mimicker. He was converted and baptized while in Caesarea, Palestine. Many idolaters accepted the faith an account of his conversion. An attempt was made to force him to renounce his faith. Upon his refusal, he was decapitated. The Greek liturgy venerates him on Nov 4.

Porphyrius of Gaza. (Porphyrius Thessalonicus). He was born in Salonica in 352. He came a monk in Scetis (Egypt), and later about 392 in the Jordan Valley. Later he went to Jerusalem, where he earned his living as a shoemaker. At the age of 40 he was ordained to the priesthood and in 396 he was consecrated bishop of Gaza. During his administration, the temples and idols of Giza were destroyed. He suffered severely from the pagans, yet he christianized the population of his diocese. He died at Gaza in 420. He is venerated in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Feb 26. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Feb 26. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar mentions him on Feb 25, Feb 26, March 3. - Marcus Diaconus mentions a journey of Porphyrius of Gaza and of John, archbishop of Caesarea, to Rhodos and from there to Constantinople in 401. The tomb of Porphyrius is in the Greek Orthodox Church of Gaza. - The AA.SS. mention Porphyrius of Thessalonica, with Mark, his disciple. (Vita, ex Menacis) (AA.SS. Feb 26)

Portigiani. Dominic Portigiani, Dominican Father of the Convent of St. Mark in Florence, made in 1588 (?) the silver plated Latin altar. The altar was a gift of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinand de Medici. The altar was intended for being placed at the Stone of Unction. But as the Latins were prevented to place it there, the altar received a place at the site where the Latins on Golgotha remember the l 'Ith Station (Crucifixion). In six silver-plated panels are represented scenes of the Passion.

Portuguese ships. They shelled Suez in 1460. The Mamluks used nitrates of the Dead Sea in the gunpowder for the defence.

Potard, Mgr. He organised the PèIerinages de St. Louis.

Potentius, Felicius, Simplicius, saints and hermits of Cologne. They came to the. Holy Land round 330. (Legenda SS. Pot., Fel., et Simpl., n. 5) (AA.SS. June 18)

Potesta, see: Gaetano Potesta. (died 1738)

Poudes (probably Pudens). One of the 70 disciples, Greek list.

Poulain. Nickname for the sons who were born in the Holy Land from a Crusader-father. The Arabic 'fulan' means ': a certain. The French word poulain means a young horse.

Poussepis Marie (1653-1744). She founded the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation. They serve in the home 'Maison d'Abraham' Jerusalem, on the Mount of Scandal (Mount of Offence).

Poveda Pedro (died 1936). He founded in 1921, with the cooperation of Maria Josepha Segovia, the Secular Institute of the Theresians. These Sisters run the Pontifical Missionary Library inside the New Gate at Jerusalem. They came in 1952 to Jerusalem.

Poyet Louis, Mgr. (1815-1893) He came to the Latin Patriarchate in 1852.

Praxius, bishop of Jerusalem. The Ethiopian Synaxarium relates on the 1st of Magabit (seventh month, March 7-April 5): Praxius was appointed bishop in the days of Alexander Caesar. During the persecution of Maximianus Caesar (305-311) he fled to the desert. Jerusalem indicated as bishop, first Dies, and later Agradinus. When the persecution had passed by, Praxius returned to Jerusalem and ruled with Agradinus for one year. After the death of Agradinus, Praxius ruled together with Iskander (Alexander), bishop of the city of Cappadocia, who was on a visit in Jerusalem. All the days of the Abba Barkisos (Praxius) were thirty-six years, and all the days of his life were one hundred and sixteen years. And he died in peace.

Praylius, 43th bishop of Jerusalem. (Died 418). Mare the Deacon in 'Vita S. Porphyrii' writes: Mare accompanied Porphyrius to Golgotha. After the veneration of the relic, Porphyrius replaced the relic of the cross in its shrine, closed it, and went out and brought back the keys to the Blessed Bishop Praylius, and went away.

Praylius, archbishop of Jerusalem (416-422) and martyr, and Arcadius, the King. The lectionary of Paris commemorates them on Aug 27. (Compare Arcadius, emperor (395-408)

Pre-Chalcedonian Orthodox. The Copts of Egypt, the Ethiopians, the Armenians accept only the first three ecumenical Councils (Nicaea in 325, Constantinople in 381, Ephesus in 431), and they reject the Christology which was defined at the fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451. The Pre-Chalcedonian Christians are Monophysites.

Premonstratensians and Jonah and Montjoye. The Premonstratensians were established in Jinis (or Kenise) near Lydda. - Jinis means perhaps Jonas (Jonah). Indeed, Jews identified Geth-Hepher, the birthplace of Jonah, with Geth near Lydda. - The Premonstratensians also settled in Montjoye (Nebi Samwil, Nebi Samuel). The site with the tomb of Prophet Samuel, was called Mons Gaudii, Montjoye. From that height the pilgrims had their first view of Jerusalem.

Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple. (Proto-evangelium Jacobi, VII, 2-3). The feast is on Nov 21. Anna and Joachim brought their child Mary to the temple at the age of three years. An angel brought victuals. Mary remained in the temple till her 12th year. Then Joseph received her from the hands of the priests. - The Ethiopian Synaxarium tells on Takhshash 3:... Zacharias, the high priest, said: Let every man of the house of David, whether he be young or old, whose wife is dead, go to Jerusalem. From the staff of Joseph, the carpenter, appeared a white dove and it flew up and stood upon his head. And Zacharias said unto Joseph: Take Mary the Virgin and keep her in thy house. - The Maria Nea Church was built in Jerusalem and dedicated in Nov 543 to the Presentation of Mary. Pope Sixtus V in 1585 extended the feast of the Presentation to the Universal Church.

Priests of Heaven. 24 priests before the throne of the God of Hosts, are 'saluted' on the 24th of Khedar (third month) in the Ethiopian Synaxarium: Salutation to you, o priests of the Law.

Prince Edward of England, the later Edward I, king of England. He, came as a Crusader to Acre in 1270-71, together with Theobald Vismunti, the later Pope Gregory X. Prince Edward had joined the Crusade (8th Crusade) of King Louis. King Louis died at Carthage on Aug 26, 1270. Prince Edward conducted a crusade on his own.

Prince of Wales, the later Edward VII, king of England. He visited the Holy Land in 1862, he was allowed to visit the mosque at Hebron. He encamped at Jerusalem north of the city.

Princes Albert and George (of England). They visited the mosque of Hebron in 1882. They opened in 1882 at Nablus a school, which was founded by the C(hurch) M(issionary) S(ociety).

Priority between the Religious Communities. According to the Status Quo, the Greek-Orthodox community has the first place; the Armenians have the second place; the third place is occupied by the Latin Community. - The Latin Patriarch is not allowed to celebrate the solemn service inside the Tomb of Christ. He always celebrates before the Edicule that covers the Tomb.

Prison of Barabbas and the two thieves. It is recalled by caves to the north of the Via Dolorosa. The Greek Orthodox have there a sanctuary. It is to the west of the Arch Ecce Homo. The Convent dates from 1906. The rock-hewn caves under the Greek convent are indicated as prison of Barabbas and prison of the two thieves.

Prison of Christ, on the Via Dolorosa, near the Fortress Antonia. It is shown in the Greek-Orthodox Convent. The prison of Christ is a cave, but on a higher level as the prison of Barabbas and the thieves.

Prison of Christ, in the House of the High-priest. This sanctuary is venerated in the St. Saviour's Church of the Armenians on Mount Sion.

Prison of Christ, before his Crucifixion. In Typicon Anastasis (9th cent.) is remembered that Christ, attending his Crucifixion, was a prisoner. The Greek Chapel 'Prison of Christ' at the north side inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, is an ancient Jewish tomb which reminds us of a prison. This sanctuary is incensed by the three communities during their processions.

Prison of Peter (Acts 12, 11-23). See: Peter in chains.

Priscianus. He was beheaded, together with his sister Fortunata and his brothers Carponius and Evaristus, in Caesarea, Palestine, in 303. The Mart. Rom. has the memory on Oct 14.

Priscus, Malchus, Alexander, martyrs in 259. These three men lived in the suburbs of Caesarea, Palestine. They went into the city and rebuked the governor for his harshness in the persecutions of the Christians. For their audacity they were thrown to the wild beasts. This happened under Emperor Valerianus (253-260). The Mart. Rom. has their memory on March 26.

Pritchard J. B. He excavated in 1952-1959 the great Pool at the Biblical Gabaon (Gibeon) (the Arabic name of the village is El Jib). At Gabaon Abner killed Asael, who was the brother of Joab. Later Joab slew treacherously Abner at the gate in Hebron. (See Joab) Gabaon later produced a false prophet, Hananias, against whom Jeremiah spoke (Jer. 28). Gabaon is north of Jerusalem, on the way Jerusalem - El Qubeibeh (Emmaus). The Wadi el Askar (valley of the soldiers) reminds us of the death of Asael.

Probus, abbot. On his insistence, he was sent by Pope Gregory I (the Great 590-604) with money to Jerusalem to erect a hospice. (Vita S. Gregorii, auct. Johanne diacono, I, II, c. II, VII, VIII, n. 11, 52, 55) Round 600 Probus was in Palestine (AA.SS. March 12). Probus was the first superior of the hospice. Perhaps its site is to be searched for near the forum where later was built Sainte Marie Latine (St. Mary of the Latins) (Mémoires de l'lnstitut National de France, XXXI, P. 153, n. 1)

Probus, martyr. He is venerated, according to the Georgian liturgy of Palestine, on June 27, July 18, Sept 28, Oct 1, Oct 11.

Probus (or Poromotus, or Promotheus) of Ascaion. Together with Ares (Aretis) and Elijah. The three were martyred at Ascalon. Their memory is on Dec 14.

Probus, martyr in 304. He was from Side in Pamphylia. He was martyred, together with Tarachus and Andronicus, in Anazarbe, in 304.

Prochorus, martyr or confessor. He was one of the seven deacons whom the people presented before the Apostles (Acts 6, 5). Prochorus was consecrated bishop of Nicomedia by St. John, and he suffered martyrdom (?) in Antioch. The Greeks have his feast on July 28. The Melkite liturgy admits that Prochorus died in peace, as a confessor, and has his feast on July 28, together with Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has the feast of confessor Prochorus on Ter. 20. (AA.SS. April 9)

Procla (Procula). She was the wife of Pontius Pilate. She became a Christian and died in peace. The Greek liturgy remembers her on Oct 27. Procla is not venerated in the Roman liturgy. Sometimes the Eastern liturgies name her Claudia Proc(u)1a.

Proclus, archbishop of Constantinople (434-446). He was a disciple of St. John Chrysostom. Proclus is venerated in the Palestinian. Georgian calendar on Nov 19, Nov 20. In the Greek synaxaries on Oct 24, Nov 20.

Procopios of Porphyre. See: Procopios the scholar (scholastikos). Not to be identified with Procopios of Caesarea, the historian.

Procopios the scholar (scholastikos). Procopios, the scholar, of Porphyre tells about the priest Zacchaeus. The two sons of Procopios studied at Caesarea, Palestine. There came at Caesarea a strong epidemy. Procopios went to priest Zacchaeus, who lived at Mount Sion in Jerusalem. Not finding Zacchaeus at Mount Sion, Procopios went to the church NEA. There he found priest Zacchaeus, praying in the atrium of the NEA church. Zacchaeus heard about the fear of Procopios and turned himself to the orient and prayed during two hours without saying anything. Then Zacchaeus turned himself to Procopios with the words: 'Your sons will not die from the epidemy. After two days the epidemy will cease in Caesarea'. (John Moschus, Pratum Spirituale, 131) The NEA church was built by Emperor Justinian I (the Great) (523-565) in 543.

Procopios of Caesarea, the historian. Round 560 he wrote 'De Aedificiis Justiniani'. Justinian I, the Great, ruled 523-565.

Procopius of the Decapolis, monk. He was a monk during the reign of Emperor Leo III, 717-740. Procopius supported the iconodules. He died in peace in 751. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Feb 27.

Procopius of Scythopolis, martyr. He was born at Jerusalem, but he lived in Scythopolis (Beth-Shean), where he was a church-reader and an interpreter of Syriac. At the time of the Diocletlan persecution, he was sent to Caesarea, Palestine. He was ordered by Flavian, the governor, to sacrifice to the idols. He refused also to sacrifice to the Emperors. Procopius was beheaded in 303, as the first victim of this Persecution in Palestine. The Martyrologium Romanum has his memory on July 8; the name of the governor is there Fabianus. The Greek liturgy remembers Procopius on Nov 22; the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on June 23. The mother of Procopius was Theodosia. She was martyred under Diocletian (284-313) Her memory is on May 29.

Church of Procopius in Jerusalem. In this church was, on Oct 2, the memory of Peter and Paul, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, apostles; of Isaiah and Zachariah, prophets; of the martyrs Panteeleemon, Theodosius, Sergius, Christophorus, Mamantis. (Palestinian-Georgian calendar. -The Church of Procopius was founded probably in the 6th century. Remains of it are still on the top of Abu Tor (Jebel Deir Abu Tor = Mount of the Convent of the Father of the Bull). (Revue Biblique, 33, 1924, p. 616, Nr 26)

Church of Procopius in Scythopolis (Beth-Shean). This Procopius' Church was on Tell el Husn (Hill of the Castle), between the east side of the rivulet Jalud and Nahr el Maliha.

Church of Procopius near Mount Nebo. In the lower part of Khirbet el Mekkayyat (the little needle) is a mosaic floor in the church of SS. Lot and Procopius.

Procorius. See: Prochorus, martyr or confessor. 

Procula. See: Procla, wife of Pitate. 

Prodromos (Forerunner). See: John the Baptist. 

Promotheus (Promus (?), Promotus, Poromotus). In the church of the Anastasis, the memory of Aretis, Promotheus (Promus?), Elias, on Dec 14. The three were from Egypt, but they were martyred at Ascalon. (De Mart. Pal., X, 1)

Prosper a Briscia, Guardianus of Mount Sion. He sent on Aug 14, 1751 his 'episcopal’ staff to the Convent of San Francisco el Grande of Madrid for making the staff lighter. The staff was entrusted to Fray Custodio de Riaza. An invoice of Nov 11, 1752 mentions the price of repair. The transformed staff was brought back to Jerusalem. (Arce A., Archivo Espanol de Arte (1973) 437-440)

Prosper of the Holy Ghost, Spanish Carmelite. In 1630 he took up on Mount Carmel his abode with two companions amid the ruins of the ancient monastery of the Carmelite Fathers. He bought rooms in Haifa and he looked after the christians, mainly sailors. The 'hermitage' of Prosper is on the sea-side slope of Mount Carmel.

Protestant Mission of America. It began in the Holy Land in 1838, it closed in 1843.

Provisional Government of France (1940-1945) in World War II. It donated the central altar to the Crusader Church of Qyriat-el-Anab (Abu Ghosh). The altar was dedicated in May 1945.

Prussia. The Crown Prince of Prussia visited the Holy Land in 1869. He took possession of the ruins of St. Mary Latin, presented to his father by Sultan Abdul Aziz.

Pseudo-Rufinus. He was the author of the second book VITARUM PATRUM. He visited Palestine round 394. (AA.SS. Oct 4)

Ptolemais. The town Acco of the tribe of Asher received in the time of the Ptolemies the name of Ptolemais. At the beginning of the Christian era, it was named Colonia Claudii Caesaris, in honour of Emperor Claudius.

Ptolemy, Claudius Ptolemaeus. This Alexandrian mathematician and geographer died in the middle of the 2nd century after Christ. His GEOGRAPHIA contains information on Palestine.

Publius, monk and martyr. He was the teacher of St. Leontius, martyr. Leontius was martyred under Vespasian (69-79). Feast June 18.

Publius, Saint, 18th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. (AA.SS. Jan 21)

Pudens, one of the 70 disciples. The Melkite liturgy has on April 14: the memory of Aristarchus, Pudens, Trophimus. Pudens was a Christian of Rome. The Apostle Paul mentions Pudens in his second letter to Timotheus (2 Tim 6, 21) and greets Timotheus from the part of Pudens. According to tradition, Pudens gave hospitality to St. Peter and was baptized by St. Peter.

Puthaba. See: Plain of Puthaba. 

Puydt (De) Gerardus. Franciscan preacher in Flanders. He is known under his Latinized name Rana. He pilgrimated to the Holy Land. He died at Yperen (Belgium) on Feb 15, 1608.

Qamicho. See: Ahadabui and Qamicho. 

Qaraali Abdallah. He was born in Aleppo on Sept 8, 1672. He founded in 1696 the Lebanese Maronite Order of religious men, and he was elected Superior in 1700. He was also consecrated bishop of Beyrouth in 1716. He died on Jan 7, 1742, in Lebanon. Father Makhlouf Charbel, hermit, belonged to the Lebanese Maronite Order.

Quadratus. See: Codratus. 

Quaresmius Francis. He was born in Lodi, Lombardy, 1583 or 1585. From December 1618 to August 1619 he represented the Custos of the Holy Land. Pope Urbanus VIII nominated him as Apostolic Nuntius for the Chaldean Christians in Syria. He died in Milan, Oct 25, 1656. His most famous book is 'Elucidatio Terrae Sanctae' (1626). The book has engravings of Bernardino Amico, who visited the Holy Land round 1596.

Qouloniyeh. The Arabic name of this village recalls the Colonia, founded there by Titus in 71 AD for 700 veterans. - According to Père Benoit, O.P., the Biblical Emmaus of Luke (24, 13-35) may correspond to Qouloniyeh, which is on the site of the Biblical Motza of Josuah 18, 27. The way, up and return, would correspond to the sixty stadia (seven miles). Qouloniyeh is northwest of Jerusalem.

Queen of Belgium. See: Elisabeth

Queen Millicent. See: Melisend. 

Quiriacus, anchoret. He was born in Corinth in 448, visited Palestine in 466, and lived as anchoret in the monastery of St. Chariton. He died in 556. He had a church in Khirbet Fusail in the Jordan Valley. (Mart. Rom. Sept 29)

Quiriacus, (or Cynacus). Perhaps Judas Quiriacus, martyr in Jerusalem, 2nd cent. (AA.SS. March 17)

Quiriacus. See - Judas Quiriacus, 15th bishop of Jerusalem, round 134-138. The AA.SS. have the feast on May 4, and March 17. (Acta Apocrypha, latina)

Rabinus. Unknown. He is mentioned in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Sept 26.

Rachel, second wife of the patriarch Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel is named among the 'Just in the Old Testament' on the first Sunday of Advent, in the Eastern Churches.

Tomb of Rachel. It is on the way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. On Feb 26 and on July 18, the memory of Rachel and the 'depositio' of St. Stephen, John the Baptist, Zachariah the prophet, are mentioned, in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. The memory was in the 'church of Rachel'. (Lombardi G. La Tomba di Rahel, Jerusalem, 1971; Jeremias J. Heiligengraber in Jesu Umwelt, 1958, p. 75-76) - Bernardino Amico about 1596 sketched the Tomb with the four arches not yet walled up.

Radbord Commandeur. He designed the statue of Mary on her deathbed for the crypt of the Dormitio-Church on Mount Sion.

Radulph. This Franciscan was sent in 1254 by the city of Acre to the court of England. (Perhaps to be identified with R. (the Franciscan who was sent, together with J., in 1244: See Franciscan Messengers of Acre.)

Radzwil Nicholas Christopher. This Polish prince visited on July 9, 1583, the site Fontenoid 'the spring of Emmaus' where the Knights Hospitalers had erected a church in 1142. The site is now called Abu-Ghosh. Its Hebrew name is Qariet-el-Anab.

Rafael, the archangel. See: Rufael. 

Raguel, archangel. The first day of the year (of the first month Maskaram (Sept 8-Oct 7) has the feast of Raguel, the angel, one of the nine archangels. Raguel informed Enoch concerning the fire which burned and the destruction of the world. And he is the angel of lights. May the intercession of this angel be with us all. (Ethiopian Synaxarium)

Rain of ashes. A rain of ashes threatened to destroy the town of Constantinople in 466, under Emperor Leo the Great (Leo I, 457-474). The liturgy in Jerusalem recalls this fact on Nov 6. (Compare: earthquakes)

Rainerius (Raynerius) He was Prior of the Church of St. Michael in Acre. He entered the Franciscan Order round 1220.

Rainier: See Rainerius. 

Raisus. An inscription on a column of the portico at the west side in Avdat mentions: 'This roof was built by Raisus, son of Avdalga.

Raithu on Mount Sion. Forty Martyrs, without year. (AA.SS. Jan 14)

Rama. ViIIage about 10 Kms west of Safed with Christians and Druses, The Latins have a parish church since 1959. The Christian group counts Armenians (50 members), Melkites (750), Greek-Orthodox (750), Latins (214), Protestants (10), Russians.

Ramakers, Brothers, from Geleen (Netherlands). The wood sculptures at the south-side of the Grotto of Milk in Bethlehem are made by the artists Ramakers. The sculptures were offered by Nobel H., Holland. The Chapel above the Grotto and the Franciscan convent were built in 1872.

Rambertus, bishop of Verdun (France). (Hugo Flavin., Vita S. Ricardi, c. VIII, n. 75) (AA.SS. June 14). He visited Palestine.

Ramleh. The tower with five storeys near the White Mosque in Ramieh is an imitation of christian clock-towers, like they were in the 12th century. (Compare: Jourdain). The construction of this tower began under Bybars in 1267 or 1268. The construction was finished by Sultan Nasir Mohamed ibn Kalaoun in 1348. The tower is named Tower of the fourty companions of the Prophet.

Ramsey Michael, archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Anglican Church. He visited Jerusalem an April 23, 1966.

Rana. Latinized name for PUYIDT (De).

Ransquin Rene, Belgian police-man. He hid the Jewess Rahel Weiss-Goldstein in his office in Brussel, when she fled into the building during a Gestapo street round-up. - Ransquin was honoured as a Righteous Gentile at Yad Vashem on Thursday, Jan 27, 1977.

Ranulfus, bishop of Liège (Belgium). He visited Palestine in 1189. (Analecta Bollandiana, XIII, 209-210)

Raoul. This Norman Englishman was sent as chancellor of the English King, to Bethlehem for the restoration of the Basilica in 1165-1169. After the completion, Raoul was called to Pontoise to mediate between Henry II of England (king 1154-1189) and the exiled Thomas Becket.

Raoul d'Alost (Belgium). He was killed, together with Gerard d'Avesnes and Stabelon, near Ramleh in May 1102 in a clash with the Egyptian troops. - Roger de Rozoy and Walter van Berg could escape to Jaffa.

Rasputin. This Russian monk made at Easter-time 1911 the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. A Russian ship, that was named 'Andromeda' was afterwards renamed 'Zagorsk', after the holy city of Zagorsk. Rasputin heard about the 'Andromeda' ship.

Ratisbonne Marie Alphonse, co-founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame de Sion and of Fathers of Sion. He was born in Strasbourg, France, on May 1, 1814. He died at Ain-Karem, May 6, 1884. So bitterly anti-Christian was Alphonse that he could not forgive nis elder brother Théodore for converting from Judaism to Catholicism in 1827. But Alphonse was converted by a vision of the Blessed Virgin in a church of Rome on Jan 20, 1842. He joined the Jesuits. After his ordination as a priest (1848), he left the Jesuits and collaborated with his brother Théodore for the conversion of the Jews. In 1855 Alphonse went to Palestine. He established for the Dames de Sion the Ecce Homo Convent in 1856, and later (1870) opened an orphanage in Jerusalem and another one in Ain-Karem. Alphonse died in Ain-Karem, on May 6, 1884.

Ratisbonne, Marie Théodore, co-founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame de Sion and the Fathers of Sion. Théodore was born in Strasbourg (France) on Dec 28, 1802. He was the second son of a Jewish family. He converted to catholicism in 1827. Théodore and his younger brother, Alphonse, who converted to Catholicism in 1842, founded the Congregation of Notre Dame de Sion for women (1843) and the Fathers of Sion (1852). Théodore wrote: 'La question juive' (1868). Théodore died at Paris on Jan 10, 1884.

Raymond. (Compare Lull Raymond) In 1282 and in 1292 he was in North Africa. In 1302 perhaps he came over Cyprus to Jerusalem. In 1309 he published 'De acquisitione Terrae Sanctae'. In 1311 he wrote 'Book on the birth of the Infant Jesus Christ'. In 1315, at the age of 83(?) years, he was for the third time in North Africa. He was beaten by the Muslims. Sailors of Genoa brought him to their ship. He died on sea, in view of the harbor of Palma, the capital of the island Majorca. (Terre Sainte, 1973, Novembre, p. 310)

Raymond Lulluis. To be identified with Lull Raymond. The AA.SS. mentions him on June 30.

Raymond d'Agiles. He wrote the history of the First Crusade (1096-1099).

Raymond de Saint Gillis, Count of Toulouse. He had fought in Spain against the Moors. He took the Cross in the first Crusade (1096-1099). The village Sinjil, to the left on the way from Jerusalem to Nablus, is named after him. It has two ruins: one is named Burj (Fortress, Castle), the second is called Keniseh (Church).

Raymond III of Tripoli (Lebanon). He was the garrison-commander in Tiberias, during the battle at Hattin in June 1187.

Raymond de Bourgogne, Crusader. See: Guillaume Roi. 

Raymond du Puy. He was the second Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers. He received in 1113 from Pope Pascal 11 (1099-1118) the exemption of his Knights from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. (Compare Godechaux de Turout)

Raymundus, princeps Antiochiae. He had the same mother as Guillelmus VIII, who was dux Aquitaniae. Raymundus came to Palestine round 1136. (AA.SS. Feb 10)

Raymundus S. Aegidii (Raymond de Saint Gillis) at Albertus, prior Casae Dei. They are mentioned round 1106. (Mirac. S. Roberti Casae Dei, c. II, n. 10-11) (AA.SS. April 24)

Raymundus Lullius. He begged from England aims for the Holy Land. (AA.SS. June 30) In 1289 he tried to unite the Templars with the Knights Hospitalers. (To be identified with Lull Raymund).

Raymundus, nobilis Tolosanus. This nobleman of Toulouse visited Palestine in the 10th century. (AA.SS. Oct 6)

Raymundus Paimerius, Saint. He came to Palestine round 1169. (Vita, c. 1) (AA.SS. July 28)

Raynerius, bishop of Antloch (1216). The bull 'Si Ordinis Fratrum Minorum' of Gregory IX (1227-1241) of Feb 1, 1230 is addressed to Raynerius and Girondus. (To be identified with Rainerio, Rainier)

Raynerius Pisanus, Blessed. He came to Palestine in 1139. (AA.SS. June 17) (Fr. Benincasa, Vita B. Rayn., c. II-V, n. 22-65; c. XI, n. 119: miraculum a B. Rayn. C. P. anno 1161 patratum)

Razzo, St. Comes Andechsensis. Together with Judith, countess of Bavaria, he visited Palestine round 940. (AA.SS. Oct 8) (Innoc. Keferhoherus, Vita S. Razzonis, n. 4; AA.SS. June 19). Pilgrimages were possible before the time of the Crusades.

Rebecca (Rebekah), wife the patriarch Isaac. She is named among the 'Just of the Old Testament' on the first Sunday of Advent, in the Eastern Church. Her cenotaph is opposite that of her husband Isaac in the Haram el Khalil (Hebron).

Rebondin, Sister of 'Filles de Charité'. The Hospice at Haifa had been opened in 1899. Sister Rebondin worked in this Hospice till 1942. In 1907 she began to build the School that was finished in 1913.

Récamier, Sister of 'Filles de Charité'. She arrived in Jerusalem on Oct 9, 1918. She founded the Orphanage at Bethany in 1922; she died at Jerusalem on Sept 4, 1950.

Regenspurg. In the Cenacle (Room of the Last Supper) inside its north-west entrance, at the west wall, under the rim of the capital are incised drawings and also paintings of coat-of-arms. On a coat the name 'Regenspurg' is visible. The black graffiti have been overpainted by colours. Probably the black painting date from the Crusaders, and the colour-painting from the later redecoration by the Franciscans. (Compare: Rimier)

Reginbertus, episcopus Pataviensis. He was in Palestine in 1147. (AA.SS. Aug 8) (Monachus Gottwic., Vita S. Altmanni, c. V, n. 44)

Reinaldus, Tornodorensis comes, postea episcopus Lingon. He came to Palestine round 1060. (Translatio S. Mamantis, c. II, n. 1012) (AA.SS. Aug 17)

Reinildis, St. She visited Palestine round 670. (Vita S. Rein., c. 7) (AA.SS. July 16)

Reland. He wrote 'Palestina ex monumentis veteribus illustrata', 1714.

Relic of the Cross. A relic in a shrine was discovered by the Crusaders on Aug 5, 1099, on the indications of a local christian. This (or such a) relic was afterwards lost in the battle at Hattin in June 1187.

Renan Ernest (1823-1892). This French writer visited the Holy Land and wrote 'Vie de Jésus' in 1863 and 'Histoire du peuple Juif' in 1887-1893.

Renaud de Châtillon. This Seigneur of Kerak, brought in 1182, across the desert separate pieces of ships to the Gulf of Aqaba. His fleet attacked the Muslim pilgrims to Mecca. (Compare Lulu el Hajeb) In 1184, Renaud resisted in Kerak to the attacks of Saladin. After the victory at Hattin in 1187, Saladin beheaded him.

Renaud l’évèque. The knight Renaud, who was surnamed l’évèque, (the bishop) was the nephew of Roger l’évèque of Lydda. Renaud was the marshall of the Company of St. George in the district of Lydda. Renaud was taken prisoner by the Egyptians when he was at war against the Egyptian garrison of Ascalon round 1139140.

Renier Brus. (1139-1164) The town of Belinas (Paneas, Banyas) on the Golan-heights was first held by Renier Brus. He was of the Anglo-Norman family from which Robert Bruce was descended. (Compare Bruce Robert)

Reovales. Was in Palestine in the year 569. (Vita S. Radegundis, auct. Baudanivia, c. III, n. 21-22) (AA.SS. Aug 13; Aug 17)

Reparata, St., Virgin and martyr. Under Emperor Decius (248-251) she refused to sacrifice. She was beheaded at Caesarea, Palestine. Her soul was seen taken to heaven in the form of a dove. The Mart. Rom. has her memory on Oct 8. (AA.SS. Nov 6)

Retamero Zachariah, priest, Franciscan of Spain. He was murdered by Greek pirates in 1833.

Reuben. He was Jacob's first-born son. The weli Rubin in Nahr Rubin at Jamnia (now Yabneh) is, according to Arab tradition, the tomb of Reuben. It is in Nahr Rubin at Jamnia (now Yabneh). The masjid (= small mosque) was built in the 13th century. The masjid was a place of pilgrimage.

Revoil, Joseph, priest of France. He was ordained as a priest by Patriarch Barlassina in the newly erected sanctuary of the Monastery of the Ark at Abu-Ghosh, on Nov 9, 1925. Revoil served in this shrine for 45 years till his death, on March 25, 1969. He is buried in the shrine. - The shrine was built in 1924. It belongs to the French Sisters of St. Joseph de l’Apparition. The shrine is called Notre Dame de l’Arche de l’Alliance. The building is surmounted by a statue of the Virgin Mary. The shrine recalls the site, where the Ark of the Covenant rested when sent on its way by the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh (1 Sam 7, 1). - Abbé J. Revoil had a sister, Mère de la Trinité.

Rhodos. The King of Rhodos came in 1403 to an agreement with the sultan of Egypt whereby a Consul (dragoman) and 6 Franciscans were allowed to settle at Ramleh for the service of the pilgrims.

Riant P. This French count wrote in the 19th century the book 'Scandinaves en Terre Sainte'.

Richard, Benedictine abbot of Saint Vannes. Richard pilgrimated (1023 or 1026127) to the Holy Land. There he met Simeon of Trier, who lived at that time in Palestine. Afterwards Simeon visited Richard in Verdun. Richard was then abbot of Saint Vannes.

Richard I, King of England (Richard Coeur de Lion). He wintered in Sicily in 1190191. He conquered Acre on July 12, 1191. In 1192 Richard ambushed an Egyptian caravan in Bir Khuweilifa (Round Cistern). Richard tried to marry his sister Johanna to the brother of Saladin. He met Saladin at Qariet el Enab (actually Abu Ghosh) on June 12, 1192. The plan of marrying failed. Richard left the Holy Land on Oct 9, 1192. On the return he was taken prisoner at Vienna (France) by his erstwhile Allies; he was ransomed. He died 7 years later.

Richard de Caiffa, ' He was slightly wounded in the Plain of Sharon, but he could follow the army. The army reconquered Arsur (Arabic Arsuf) on Sept 11, 1191. Arsuf was lost to Baybars in 1265.

Richard de Filangieri. Frederick Il sent in 1231 Marshall Richard as his legate to Syria.

Richard of Marseilles, Franciscan. Round 1268 Richard obtained for himself and for a companion the permit for a pilgrimage to the Orient. It is not clear if the pilgrimage took place. (GBB II, 411)

Richard II, count of Normandy. He sent, round 1023, legates with gifts to Palestine. (Compare: Richard, Benedictine abbot; Simeon of Trier). (Eberwinus, Vita S. Simeonis reclusi, c. II, n. 10) (AA.SS. June 1) (See: Simeon of Trier)

Richard of Cornwall. He was the brother of King Henry III of England. Richard sailed in 1240-41 for Acre. Richard and Theobald IV of Champagne consented to ally themselves with the Emir of Emesa against the Sultan of Egypt. But the Sultan implored the help of the Khwarismian Turks. The Egyptian army was under the command of Baybars, the later Sultan. In a battle, fought at Forbie or Hirbya near Gaza on Oct 17, 1244, Richard was defeated by Bybars.

Richardus, St., episcopus Cicestriensis. He preached the Crusade in 1248. (AA.SS. April 3) (Capgravius, Vita S. Richardi, c. III, n. 16)

Richaud, Cardinal. He opened officially on April 29, 1965 the 'Maison d'Abraham' (a hospice of Caritas Internationalis) on Mount of Scandal at Jerusalem.

Rich Man. The unnamed figure in the parable of the Rich Man and the poor Lazarus (Luke 16, 19-31) is often called 'Dives'. This word is used in the Latin Vulgate to translate the Greek word Plousios.

Ricold da Montecroce, Dominican pilgrim in 1289. He mentions the building on Mount Sion, already in ruins; part of the building is a mosque. This was the situation before the Franciscan Roger bought the site in 1335. - Ricold visited at a junction of streets the site, where Jesus halted for a while (= 3rd Station), and the site of the 'Spasm of Our Lady Mary' (4th Station), and near the site of Simon of Cyrene (5th Station) was the house that once was habited by the Franciscans. - Ricold tells that the Garden of Gethsemane was called 'Champ of Flowers'. (Compare: Burchard)

Rimler Johannes, Alsatian Crusader, knight. His armour represented a knight with the drawn sword. Of his partly erased name remain seven Gothic letters in black painting: JohRiml (sic). They are on the west face of a column which is at the north-west entrance in the Cenacle. According to a family-tradition, Rimler Johannes came in the 12th century to Jerusalem as a crusader. He was killed in action. Therefore his family received the title of 'Knight'. The armour has on blue-gold field a Crusader with drawn sword. The printed family-armour perished in a fire at the 19th century. Mertens A, at Jerusalem, clearly discovered the partly erased name. He also has seen a heraldry armour under the rim of the column. The drawing seems to show a knight with a sword. The column with the drawing is on the west side of the northern niche in the Room of the Last Supper. A relative of Rimler supplied in 1976 to Father Mertens A. the informations in connection with the name and the drawing, in the Room of the Last Supper. (Compare: Regenspurg)

Rindfleisch Peter, pilgrim of Breslau. He visited Jerusalem in 1496. He writes: A slab of white marble covers the tomb of Christ. This slab is broken in its midst. Rindfleisch mentions also a picture that is above the tomb. The painting figures the Risen Lord, it is protected by a grid of wire. - Still nowadays, six lead-filled holes (they supported once the upstanding bars of the gridframe) can be seen and touched in the rim along the length of the marble slab. The sixfold perforated rim reveals that the marble plate is still the same as in the days of Rindfleisch in 1496. The Franciscan Custos, Bonifacius of Ragusa, restored in 1555 the building above the Holy Sepulchre. Bonifacius did not change the broken marble slab. Bonifacius in his book 'Liber de Perenni Cultu' admits that he 'removed' one of the slabs that cover the Tomb and that he had seen the bare rock. (Mertens A., Una lapida rota. Tierra Santa, Nr 542, vol 49, 1974, p. 105-112)

Ripsimis, Saint, and saints companions. They were pilgrims round 301. (AA.SS. Sept 30)

Ritz E. He restored and decorated in 1944 the Latin church of St. Peter in Tiberias.

Rizpah, concubine of Saul. Her two sons were crucified by the Gibecinites on the hill. (2 Sam 21, 1) Rizpah, to prevent the birds of pray, to devour the corpses, remained on the hill from the beginning of the harvest till the rainy season. On learning of the devotion of Rizpah, David took the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan from the people of Jabesh Gilead, which is in East Jordan, and had them buried with those of the two sons of Rizpah and with those of the five sons of Merab, in the tomb of Kish, the father of Saul, at Zela, a city of Benjamin (2 Sam 21).

Rizzari. See: Innocent Rizzari. 

Robert Bruce of Scotland. His heart never reached Jerusalem. But the heart of Marquis of Bute, John Crichton Stuart, was buried by proxy in 1901 in the ground near the small chapel at Dominus Flevit on the slope of Mount of Olives. (Compare Renier Brus; Marquis of Bute)

Robert d'Eglin. He wrote Vita S. Canuti. He mentioned that Batilda, wife of Henry the Good, was buried in 1103 at Jerusalem in the church of the Assumption.

Robert, knight. This knight went to the Pope and confessed that while a captive in Egypt, during the famine at the beginning of the 13th century, he had killed his wife and his child, and had kept himself alive by eating their flesh. The pope (perhaps Innocent III, 1198-1216) ordered him to pass three years in the Holy Land.

Robert I, the Frisian. He was the son of Baldwin the Pious, count of Flanders. Robert sailed as a pirate to Galicia in Spain. There he fought against the Moors. He returned to Flanders. Afterwards he joined pilgrims for Jerusalem. He tried to found a kingdom at the Bosphorus. He failed and he sailed back to Flanders. He went to Friesland and married there in 1064 Gertrude of Saxe, who was the widow of Count Florent I. Robert was desherited by his father in 1066. Later he took the power in Flanders under the name of Robert the Frisian. He sailed again to the East. He had founded a village of fishers and a church where later would be the town of Oostende. In 1093 he abdicated in favour of his son, Robert II.

Robert II, Count of Flanders. He partook to the first Crusade (1096-1099). He was surnamed the son of Saint Georges. (Gualterius Tarv., Vita S. Karoli Boni, c. I, n. 65-67). Robert was an excellent soldier and leader, he was compared to Caesar Augustus. (Ebrardus Wattinensis, Miracula S. Donatiani, c. II, n. 227 The AA.SS. mention Robert on Oct 14, and July 1, round 1106. - During a tempest at the return, the boatsmen decided to throw in sea all the relics. Robert promised to offer his relic to a religious foundation. He donated a relic of the Cross to the Church of St. Walburgis at Veurne (Belglum). (Compare: Veurne, Boeteprocessie).

Robert of Bruges. This Hospitaller, on his own initiative, against the rules of his Order, boldly attacked the Muslims in June 1192 at Beit Nuba.

Robert of Turnham, Franciscan about 1250. He needed to follow the crusade of Henry III, King (1216-1272) of England. This expedition became a failure. Robert was perhaps in Palestine. (GBB II, 369-370; Van der Vat, 97-98)

Roberts David R. A. Scottish, (1792-1864). He was in the Holy Land in 1839 and painted a view of Bethlehem. The text was written by his friend, the Rev. G. Proly.

Robertus de Arbrissello, Sanctus. He preached in 1095 the first Crusade (1096-1099). The AA.SS. mention him on Feb 25.

Robertus Diabolus. He came to Palestine in 1035. (AA.SS. June 14) (Hugo Flavin., Vita S. Ricardi, c. VIII, n. 75)

Robertus Guiscardus. He established a Norman state in 1071 round Bari. His chaplains came to Palestine round 1085. (AA.SS. Sept 21)

Robertus, patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre 1240-1254. (May, Prop. AA.SS.)

Robinson, Abbess. Mother Mary was from Scotland. She was abbess of the Russian Convent S. Mary Magdalen at Gehsemane. She took over in 1934 the Russian Hospice at Bethany and opened there a school. Mother Mary died in 1966.

Robinson Edward. This American archaeologist was the first to visit the ruins of Mampsis (the Greek name for the Arabic town Kurnub) in 1838. He discovered in 1838 the so-called Robinson's Arch of the Royal Gate, orr the western side of the Temple Mount. He recognized the synagogue at Capharnaum in 1857. He published 'Physical Geography of the Holy Land' (1865).

Robinson, Mgr. As Visitator Apostolicus for the Union Churches (churches in union with Rome), he arrived in Jerusalem on Sept 15, 1927.

Rockefeller John D., Junior. He visited Jerusalem, together with his son, in March 1929. He asked: 'Do you remember, Mrs. Vester, whether it was one or two million dollar I donated towards the Jerusalem Museum?' (Bertha Spafford Vester, Our Jerusalem, p. 308)

Rockefeller Nelson Park. This park on the site Karem Sheikh el-Khalil was opened in 1971. The park is near the Rockefeller Museum.

Rodhain Jean, Mgr, President of Secours Catholique. He visited the Holy Land several times. He died at Lourdes (France) on Feb 1977. A holy Mass was celebrated for him in 'Maison d'Abraham' Jerusalem, on the anniversary (Feb 11, 1977) of the Apparition of Notre Dame in Lourdes. The Apparition in Lourdes happened in 1858.

Rodulphus, patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre (1214-1216) (AA.SS.)

Roehricht R. This German scholar wrote several studies on the Holy Land. He published 'Syria Sacra' in Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palaestina-Vereins, Vol. X, (1887).

Roegnwaldus, count of the Orcades (Orkney islands). With crusaders out of Norway, he came to the Holy Land in 1153. He returned to Norway in 1154. The AA.SS. mention him on Aug 20.

Roger do Lydda (Roger l'évèque). His nephew, Renaud, was surnamed Renaud l’évèque. This Renaud was taken prisoner round 1139-40 near Ascalon by the Egyptians.

Roger do Rozoy. This knight from Picardy (France) received in 1100 from Godfrey de Bouillon the county of Jaffa. Roger celebrated Eastern 1102 at Jerusalem. In a clash with Egyptian troops near Ramlah (May 17, 1102) and in another clash (Oct 9, 1106) Roger could escape to Jaffa.

Roger do Rozoy-sur-Serre (France). He was killed, together with Erard II of Brienne, at Mansurah (Egypt) in February 1250.

Roger des Moulins, Grand Master of the Hospitallers. He was suggested by Gerard do Ridefort, who was the Grand Master of the Knights Templars, to attack Saladin. The same order was given to Jacques do Mailly, who was the marshall of the Templars. They took 90 Templar Knights of the castle of EI-Fouleh and some 40 Knights of the garrison of Nazareth, with their horse-men, numbering about 400. Thrice they attacked. Jacques do Mailly was killed, Roger des Moulin's was killed. Only three Templars escaped and reached Nazareth. Under these three was Gerard de Ridefort. The battle was on May 1, or on May 10, 1187, in the plain east of Sepphoris.

Roger Père, (1610). The Turks allowed the Franciscans 'every Friday to make, two by two the way of the Cross, bare-footed'.

Roger, Jean. (Père Jean Roger Hené) Born in München, 1918, from a Jewish father. He became an Assumptionist priest in 1948 in France. He emigrated from France to the newly founded State of Israel. He guided pilgrims. He died in September 1979. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Peter in Gallicantu.

Roger Garin, Franciscan of the Province of Aquitaine (France). He was the representative of Robert, King of Naples, and of Queen Sancha in the negotiations for buying a sanctuary on Mount Sion. He came to Jerusalem in 1333. He lived in the Hospital of St. John, There was at that time a hospice for pilgrims. He bought for 400 dirham on Sept 19, 1335 a part of the estate, which Lady Margaret had acquired on May 15, 1335. Friar Roger and other friars bought for 1400 dirhams more land on Feb 1, 1337, and they lived on Mount Sion. The place was Eliat Sahium, the Upper Place of Sion. A papal letter of 1343 mentions the Franciscans in the Cenacle. Perhaps the Franciscans were on Mount Sion, already in 1336. (Compare: Ricold da Montecroce, 1289)

Roger the Lombard. He possessed the Crusader Castle at Umm Khalid, just north of Netanya. Netanya on the Mediterranean coast is the capital of the Plain of Sharon. Netanya is about 30 Kms north of Jaffa. Netanya was founded in 1928 and named after Nathan Strauss.

Rogerius Fuxensis. He returned from the first crusade (1096-1099). In memory of the city of Apamea (Syria), he founded in France the city of Apamiam (Pamiers). (AA.SS. Sept 2)

Rohan Denis Michael. This Australian tourist of 28 years put fire to the EI Aqsa mosque on Aug 21, 1969. The fire destroyed the pulpit (minbar). Rohan was condemned. After several years he was sent back to Australia as insane.

Rolling Stone. A fragment of the rolling stone that closed the tomb of Jesus is conserved behind the glass cover in the marble pedestal which stands in the Chapel of the Angel, inside the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre.

Romanus John, bishop of Bethlehem. He took away before 1244 some liturgical objects from the Basilica of Nativity for repaying debts. - In 1879 were found in Bethlehem two silver candelabra. They bear in Gothic letters the Latin inscription: 'Damned be he who takes me away from the Holy Nativity at Bethlehem'. These candlesticks are in the Museum of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa (Compare: Giovanni Romano)

Romanus, monophysite monk. The monastery in Khirbet Tequ'a (Tekoah) is believed to have been founded by Romanus, who was the friend of Marcianus. Later the followers of Marcianus attacked in 484 this convent.

Romanus of Caesarea, Palestine. He was deacon in Caesarea. His tongue was cut off, and he was strangled in the prison at Antioch in 303. The Mart. Rom. has his feast on Nov 18.

Romanus of Karpenisi. He was born in Karpenisi. He went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He returned to Salonika, where he professed his faith before the Moslems. He was tortured, but saved from death because he was sold as a slave. Later he was freed and he went to Mount Athos. In 1694 he suffered martyrdom in Constantinople. An English ship is said to have taken his body to England. The Greek liturgy remembers him on Jan 5.

Romanus the Melodist. He was born in Emesa, Syria, of Jewish parents. He converted and served as deacon in Beirut. He went to Constantinople. He wrote many hymns, though about only eighty have survived. He died in the 6th century, after 557. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on Oct 4; the Greek liturgy on Oct 1.

Romolus, St. Martyr, 304. See: Romylos. 

Romylius. He was born in Lydda (Lod), Palestine, and presented himself to Urban, the governor of Caesarea. He confessed his faith and suffered martyrdom in 297. (Greek liturgy on March 15)

Romylos, martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, companion of SS. Timolaus, Agapius, etc. According to Eusebius, his death was on March 24, 304. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the feast on Feb 8 and Feb 11; and also on March 23 and on March 24.

Romylus of Damascus, goldsmith and deacon of Gethsemane. He suffered a theft. He went immediately to the martyrion (the shrine) of St. Theodosius and he Prayed there to the martyr for five days and five nights. (Vita S. Sabae, ch. 78). The shrine of St. Theodosius is identified by Dr. John Tleel of Jerusalem, as the Greek Orthodox Convent of St. Theodorus, inside the Old City, north of the hostel Casa Nova. According to a legend, in this Greek Orthodox Convent of St. Theodorus, the Holy Chalice, the Grail, was venerated. At this convent the silversmiths had a service on July 3.

Rorde (de) Macidius. This Franciscan started from Liège (Belgium) on March 3, 1666, together with Father Bartholomew Deschamps. Both went over France and Spain. They met in Benavente (Galicia) the General Superior Ildefonsus Salizanes. They received from him the permission to go to the Holy Land. They embarked at Barcelona, and landed on Aug 21, 1666 at Finale in the State of Genoa. They embarked on Sept 3 for Alexandria and landed there on Sept 20, 1666. Macidius de Rorde received letters from Jerusalem to travel with the common caravan to Jerusalem. Father Deschamps sailed with a Turkish boat to Acre, and continued to Nazareth, where he stayed till Jan 12, 1667. There Deschamps met again Macidius de Rorde.

Rosary Sisters. They were founded by Tannous Joseph. Their first school in Palestine was opened in Nablus in 1884.

Rossi Joseph. (184, 3-1890). This Franciscan painted 'St. Mary of the Fright' which is above the altar in the shrine on the mountain at Nazareth.

Rothenensis Anonymous. He came to Palestine round 1030. (P. Damianus, Vita S. Odilonis, c. X) (AA.SS. Jan 1)

Rothomagensis monachus. A monk of Rouen (France) brought a finger of St. Catherine to Rouen in the 13th (?) century. (Miracula S. Catherinae, c. 18) (Analecta Boll. cat. cod. hag. Brux., 11, 172-173)

Rouba, desert in Palestine (?). St. John Hesychast (died 558 at the age of 104 years) very often retired to the desert of Rouba (?), where he is known to have performed the miracle of the lion. (Cyril of Scythopolis)

Roum (Rûm). The Muslims in Palestine mean by Roum the Romans especially the Romans of the East-Roman Empire, the Byzantines, who are adherents of the Greek-Orthodox Church. The opposite of Roum is Franj, the Frank, the Crusader. Deir el Roum signifies Convent of the Greek Orthodox.

Rshdouniatz. In the list (7th century) of the Armenian monk Anastase Haroutioun, the monastery of St. Stephen (to the east of the Armenian Convent of the Archangels on Mount Sion) is known as Rshdouniatz. It took care of lepers in Jerusalem.

Rua Michele (1837-1910). He was the General Superior of the Salesian Fathers. He visited the Holy Land in 1890, and in 1908. Some sources indicate that he visited Jerusalem for the first time on March 3, 1895.

Rudolph of Habsburg, crownprince, Archduke of Austria. He was the son of Franz Joseph, the Emperor. Rudolph visited Palestine from the beginning of Feb 1881 to the end of April 1881. He wrote in 1884 the book 'Eine Orientreise'. He died under tragic circumstances in the night 29130 Jan 1889, at the age of 31 years, at the castle of Mayerling.

Rufael (Rafael), the archangel. He healed Tobit, the father of the travelling Tobias. Rufael is mentioned in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Maskaram 16 (first month, Sept 8-Oct 7). He is saluted on Takhshash 13 (fourth month).

Rufinus Aquileiensis. The AA.SS. mention Rufinus, together with Saint Melania Major, on Jan 7, Jan 21, Sept 30. Both visited Palestine in 373.

Rufinus, martyr, and Agabus, martyr. Perhaps both belonged to the group of Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, etc., martyrs in the time of the apostles. This group is remembered by the Greek Synaxaries on April 8. - Agabus, the prophet and apostle, is listed on April 10 or 11. Rufinus (April 9 in Rom. Mart) is perhaps a double of Rufus, martyr, who is listed on April 9.

Rufinus as Pseudo-Rufinus. Visited Palestine round 394 (AA.SS. Oct 4)

Rufus, bishop of Thebes, one of the 70 disciples (Greek list). 

Rufus, the son of Simon who carried the cross. (M1k 15, 21)

Rufus of Rome. His feast is on Nov 21 in the Latin church; on April 18 in the Greek liturgy. Rufus is greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans (16, 13) Perhaps Rufus of Rome is to be identified with Rufus, the son of the Crossbearer Simon of Cyrene.

Rufus, martyr. (Perhaps to be identified with Rufinus). The feast of Rufus, martyr, is one April 9. Rufus was martyred in the time of the Apostles. In the Greek Synaxaries, he is listed together with Herodion and Agabus on April 8.

Rufus, patronus. A Latin epitaph, that was found in 1872 and is conserved (Nr 242) in Museum Flagellation reads: Heterio Grapto, Heterius Rufus Patronus. - A certain Rufus was governor during the Revolt of Bar-Kochba (132 CE).

Ruga Armenorum. It is a long street in the South-western section of Jerusalem. It was known under this name since Byzantine times. At the very beginning of Ruga Armenorum was the church of Saint Sabas, according to John of Würzburg (1165).

Ruiz Emmanuel and Companions, martyrs at Damascus in 1860, Blessed. Ruiz was born at San Martino de las Ollas, Spain, in 1804. In 1831 this Franciscan priest came to the Custody of the Holy Land. He was martyred by the Druses at Damascus, on July 10, 1860, together with seven other Franciscans of his convent. Pope Pius XI proclaimed them 'Blessed' on Oct 10, 1926. Three brothers Massakbi, of the Maronite rite, were murdered at the same time.

Ruma. See: Arethas. 

Rumanian Church and Patriarchate. In West Jerusalem, not far from the Old City, to the north, in Shivtei Israel Street Nr 46.

Rumèhe Josephine. She was born in Aspet, near Toulouse, on Oct 18, 1850. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph de l’Apparition, and came to Jerusalem in 1868. She built the Hospital St. Louis in Jerusalem, which is opposite the New Gate. She acquired a site in Kiryat-Yearim in 1903 and founded there the Sanctuary 'Our Lady of the Ark'. She died there on Sept 1, 1927.

Ruschi. See: Anselm Ruschi. 

Russians in the Holy Land. The Russian Consulate was opened in Jaffa in 1820. The Russian archimandrite arrived in Jerusalem in 1844. The Imperial Palestine Society of Russia was established in 1847, primarily to help Russian pilgrims to the Holy Land. Bishop Cyril arrived on Jan 31, 1858 and was in function till 1864. He was succeeded by Archimandrite Leonid. The ground for the Russian Compound outside the walls (meidan) was bought in 1860. The Holy Trinity Cathedral was built there. in 1881-1883 was formed the Orthodox Palestine Society. The Russian Tower on Mount of Olives arose 1870-1887. The Tombs of the Prophets on the west slope of Mount of Olives was purchased in 1890. In 1888 arose the Church with the gilded onion-formed cupolas of St Mary Magdalen at Gethsemane. The Russian convent for nuns in Ain-Karem was opened in 1871.

Russian pilgrims killed in 1893. A caravan of Russian pilgrims left Jerusalem for Galilee on March 4, 1893. On March 11, 1193 they were caught in a storm round Mount Tabor. On March 17 they began the return from Nazareth to Jerusalem. In Samaria, in the vicinity of Lubban, they were surprised by a hailstorm. In the Greek Orthodox Church at Ramallah was held the burial-service for twenty-five victims. (Graham Stephen, With the Russian pilgrims to Jerusalem. London, 1911).

In 1902, Turkey granted a firman which accorded the Russians the right to open schools in Galilee: 23 schools were opened. Before World War I (1914-1918) there came yearly 10000 Russian pilgrims. The Alexander Hospice (Russian Shrine) is to the south of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. It is opposite the Lutheran Church of St. Saviour. In the Hospice is a threshold, which had belonged to a gate. After the revolution of 1917 the pilgrimages of Russia stopped. In 1921 the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia is founded. Its headquarters are in New York since 1950.

The Russian Mission in Palestine is actually twofold: one is connected with the Patriarchate of Moscow, the second with the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia. The first branch is in West-Jerusalem; the second branch is in East Jerusalem in the Alexander Hospice.

Rusticus (Grossus Rusticus). He was Emir of the Land of Suète. Albert d'Aix, I, p. 633 mentions: In terram Grossi Rustici, nomine Suet. - The country Land of Suhite, as-Sawad was to the east of the Lake of Galilee. King Baldwin I (1100-1118) by an accord received 1/3 or 1/2 of the harvest of the Land of Sawad.

Ruth, the heroine of the Book of Ruth. Ruth married Booz in Bethlehem. Their son was Obed, the grandfather of David. Ruth is mentioned among the Just of the Old Testament, on the first Sunday of Advent in the Eastern Church. The Field of Ruth is shown east of Bethlehem, in the fertile plain that descends to the Dead Sea.

Ryan Cornelius, the author of 'The Longest Day'. He was stationed in Jerusalem in 1946 as Bureau Chief of the London 'Daily Telegraph'. During his stay in Palestine, he covered the story of the boat-loads of Jewish refugees, who were prevented by the British Mandatory Government from landing in Palestine and were transported to Cyprus. On one occasion he look a photograph of two refugee children. The photo now (1975) hangs in the offices of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva.

Saada Gabriel Abu, Mgr. He was Melkite bishop in Jerusalem till his death in 1965. A bronze bust of Saada stands before the Church of the Melkites in Beit-Sahur, near Bethlehem.

Sabas, Isaias, and 36 companions, Martyrs in Sinai, 303. (AA.SS. Jan 14)

Sabas, monk. He was born in Moutalaski near Caesarea, Cappadocia, in 439. As a youth he became a disciple of Euthymius the Great. After living for years as a solitary, he founded in 478 a ]aura east of Bethlehem. In 493 Sabas was given the jurisdiction over all Palestinian monks. He went twice to Constantinople, in 511 and 532. He died at the [aura of St. Sabas on Dec 5, 532. He is surnamed Sabas the Syrian. His relics were brought back from Italy in 1968 with permission of Pope Paul VI. Greek and Latin liturgy have his feast on Dec 5. In St. Sabas' monastery is on July 19 the memory of Michael and Theodorus, his uncle. (martyred by the Persians in 614). On March 20. is the memory of Johannes, Sergius, Patricius, and 17 companions (martyred in 797 by the Arabs). On May 16 is the memory of the 49 monks of St. Sabas' convent, who were murdered by the Persians. Under Soliman II (1537-1541) thousands (?) of its anchorets were killed (Radzvil).

Convent of Mar (Saint) Sabas. The permission to visit the Convent of Mar Sabas, must be obtained in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, in the forenoon. Women are not allowed to enter the Convent of St. Sabas. Women can view the buildings from the Women's Tower.

Four lauras of St. Sabas: The Great Laura (today St. Sabas in the lower Cedron valley) founded in 483; the New Laura (it was begun by Origenistic monks in 507); the Laura Heptastomos (Seven fountains) in 512; the Laura of Jeremias in 531.

Monasteries founded by St. Sabas: Castellion on Jebel Muntar, in 492; Monastery of Nicopolis (Amwas) in 508, during the voluntary exile of Sabas; Spelaion (Spelonca) in 509; Scolarios in 510; Zannos in 513.

St. Sabas'Church in Ruga Armenorum in Jerusalem. This church is mentioned by John of Würzburg in 1165.

Sabas of Kalymnos. After he became a monk, he lived in the skete of St. Anne on Mount Athos. He went to Palestine where he stayed for seventeen years in the monastery of SS. John and George of Choziba, and from there he went to the monastery of St. Sabas. In Jerusalem he cooperated with Chrysostomus Papadopoulos. Upon his return to Greece, he lived near Nektariu6 in Aegina until the death of Nektarius. Then he went for several years to Patmos, and the last years he spent in Kalymnos, where he died in 1948. He was canonized by the Greek Church in 1958.

Sabas of Serbia. He was born in 1175 in Tirnovo as the third son of King Stephen 1 Nemaya. He secretly became a monk on Mount Athos in 1191. In 1219 he was consecrated as the first archbishop of the Serbs by the Byzantine Patriarch. He established a hospice for Serbian pilgrims in Jerusalem and at Mount Sinai. He died in 1235. (Greek liturgy, Jan 14).

Sabatini Salvatore da Pizzoli (Italy) (1875-1920). This Franciscan Father was murdered on Jan 23, 1920 at Mugiuk Deresi (Armenia) by the Turks. - An autograph letter of him is conserved in the Museum of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem.

Sabbatino, Blessed. He accompanied St. Francis to the East in 1219 and he returned with St. Francis in 1220. Sabbatino died in Rome round 1249.

Sabbatino, Franciscan in Armenia. He was baptized in the Armenian convent of Kegard (lance). In this convent, according to tradition, the lance which pierced the heart of Christ, is conserved. - Sabbatino, still an infant, wore the habit of St. Anthony of Padua.

Sabinus, priest. His memory is on April 29. Sabinus appears in the company of S. Andrew, the Apostle, because he founded a chapel in honour of S. Andrew in the Church of the Apostles (Apostoleion). This memory is particular to Jerusalem. Sabinus is mentioned also on July 20. The 'House of the priest Sabinus' is mentioned on Sept 11 in the lectionary of Paris. This house seems to have been an annex to the Church of the Apostles on the Mount of Olives.

Sacquegna of Lecce. He fabricated in 1913-14 the papier-mâché representations in the Chapel of the 2nd Station (Jesus takes up his Cross), Via Dolorosa.

Saewulf, anglo-saxon pilgrim. (1102). He mentions the column of the Flagellation, inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. He is the first to give St. Peter's the additional name of St. Peter's in Gallicantu. Seawulf supposes the 10th Station (Jesus is derobed) as prior to the Crusades and near to Calvary. This 'nearness' is recalled by the Armenian Chapel 'Division of the Garments' which is to the east of Calvary inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Satrira, daughter of Moses the prophet. Her martyrdom (?) is, according to the Ethiopian Synaxarium, on Nahasse 12. In the Bodleian MS, this saint is called Afra, and the nativity of Moses is commemorated.

Said Alexander. Near Beth-Shearim (House of Gates) a mound bears the equestrian statue of Saint Alexander, who lost his life here. Beth-Shearim is about 15 kms west of Nazareth. Beth-Shearim housed the Sanhedrin for many years. The catacombs on the slope of the mount shows inscriptions in Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Palmyrene.

Saidnaya. The Greek Convent Saidnaya inside the Old City of Jerusalem honours the Blessed Virgin of Saidnaya, a site 35 kms. north of Damascus.

Saint Frai, Mlle (1816-1894). This lady of Tarbes (France) founded the Sisters of Notre Dame des Douleurs. These Sisters run a Home for the Aged at Bethany.

Saint Omer (town in France). A young man of St. Omer came to Palestine in the 12th century. (Joh. mon., Miracula S. Bernardi Poenit., c. IV, n. 42) (AA.SS. April 19)


SAINTS IN THE NAMES OF LOCALITIES IN THE HOLY LAND

Saint Abraham, Hebron, EI Khaill. It was the capital of the Seigneurie of St. Abraham under the Crusaders. They made Hebron a bishopric in 1168. The cathedral in the Haram was built in 1171-172. Saladin conquered EI Khalil after the battle of Hattin in 1187. He brought Nur ad-Din's pulpit (minbar) frorn Ascalon to the Haram. The pulpit is still in situ in the Haram.

St. Brocard, Ed Deir, Ein es-Sih. (Compare Brocardus St. on Mount Carmel). 

St. Elias, Mount Carmel. The present Carmelite monastery occupies the site of the Greek monastery of St. Margaret. This site was a place of pilgrimage in Crusader times. The Carmelite Fathers then had a hermitage around the chapel of St. Simon Stock (of Kent) below the actual light-house.

St. Euthymius, Khan-el-Ahmar (the Red Khan). The convent was in the 12th century, during the Crusades, still occupied by Eastern Orthodox or Greek monks. (Compare Samaritan, Good Samaritan)

St. George de Labeyne, El-Bi'na. This locality was named in the Crusaders' time after a Benedictine abbey (Deir el Assad). The village Bi'na is on the north side on the way Acre to Safad. The church is dedicated to St. Barbara. In the valley is a spring, where stood the Crusader Church of St. George.

St. Gillis, village of Sinjil. The village is to the west side (= left) of the way Jerusalem to Nablus, about 40 Kms north of Jerusalem. (Compare: Raymond de Saint Gilles)

St Johan de Sabaste (Sabastya). The ruined cathedral in honour of St. John the Baptist in Sebaste (Samaria) is transformed in a mosque.

St. John de Tire (Tirat Karmel). The site is named after a Greek abbey with a miraculous shrine. The place was probably held by the Templars of Chastiau Pélerin. - Bir el Kaniseh (Fountain of the Church) is a covered well, close to the site where in the Middle Ages was the hamlet Capharnaum-by-the-sea. (Mediterranean Sea). St. John de Tire is about 10 Kms south of Haifa.

St. John's Ford, Qasr al Yahud, Jews' Castle. This traditional place of Jesus' baptism at the West-bank of the Jordan is near the monastery of the Greek-Orthodox. The Templars occupied there a fortified post.

St. John in the Woods = Ain Karem. The Franciscan Church in the valley (village) is over a Crusader Church. The sanctuary recalls the birth of John the Baptist. The church on top of the hill remembers the 'Meeting of Mary with Elizabeth' (Luke 1, 11-80).

St. Jorge de Lidde, Lydda, Ludd, Lod. The Crusaders had at St. Jorge de Lidde the seat of their first bishop in 1099. The Church of St. George was restored by the Crusaders. (Compare: St. George of Lydda and Abu Ghosh).

St. Lazarus, Bethanie, Bethany, El-Azariya. The Benedictine nunnery was founded by Queen Melisend, wife of King Fulk, for her sister Juveta or Judith (Yvette). Melisend erected a tower for the protection of the place. The Canons of the Holy Sepulchre had first ceded in 1138 the church at St. Lazarus to the Benedictine nuns of St. Anne's. Yvette was abbess from 1157 to 1178.

Saints, painted at the repair of 1169, on the columns of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem: Macarius, Anthony, Leonard, Cosmas, Damian, Stephen, John the Baptist, Margaret, Cataldus, Olaf of Norway. (This list is not complete).

Saints were raised and coming out of their tombs after Jesus' resurrection, entered the HOLY city and appeared to a number of people (Mt 27, 52. 53). At the Vespers of Great Saturday, the Melkite liturgy names: priest Jeremias, prophet Ezechiel, prophet Daniel, the blessed Zachariah and John the Baptist.

Salama, Abba. Surname for Frumentius.

Salaphta, virgin. Her name means Peace. Her baptism and her life in the monastery are described in the Life of Porphyrius of Gaza. Perhaps Salaphta is referred to by the name Pax, St. on Oct. 21, in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Salesian Fathers. They were founded in 1868 by John Bosco. They came to Palestine in 1891. They have an orphanage and school in Bethlehem (foundations of Belloni in 1863); an Agricultural School in Beit-Jimal (founded by Belloni in 1878). They have in Cremisan near Beit-Jala a winery and a Theological School. The School and the Church of Jesus Adolescent at Nazareth (French property) are directed by the Salesian Fathers.

Salesian Sisters. They were founded by St. John Bosco and by St. Maria Mazzarello (1837-1881). The Salesian Sisters came to Palestine in 1894. They opened in 1959 their Noviciate for the Middle East at Cremisan near Beit-Jala.

Saller Sylvester, Franciscan. Born in Michigan Oct 25, 1895; died at Jerusalem, Jan 22, 1976. He excavated the shrines of Mount Nebo, of Ain-Karem, Bethany, and Dominus Flevit on Mount of Olives. -On the first Friday of October 1972 he inaugurated the series of Friday-Talks at the Convent of the Flagellation. Out of his diary he gave the talk 'Nine months on Mount Tabor'. He placed in 1944 a tablet on Mount Tabor in memory of Mt 28, 16 'that the Risen Jesus appeared to his disciples on a mountain of Galilee'. Theodosius (in 530) located this apparition on Mount Tabor.

Sallustius, bishop of Jerusalem (486-494) July 23. He has his feast in the Church of the Disciples on July 24, according to the Georgian liturgy. The Greek synaxaries do not mention him. Sallustius obliged Sabas to take Holy Orders. Sallustius succeeded Martyrius (479-493) and was succeeded by Elias in 494.

Salome (Mary Salome), St. Her feast in on Oct 22 in Mart. Rom. She was the wife of Zebedee and mother of the apostles James, the Greater, and John. She stood by the cross of Jesus and took part in His burial (Mk 15, 40; 16, 1). She asked that her sons might sit, one on the right hand of Jesus and one on the left in His Kingdom (Mt 20, 20). - On Oct 22, the Franciscan Community of Nazareth makes a pilgrimage to the village of Yafa, 5 kms south of Nazareth, and celebrates Holy Mass in the Chapel of St. James. Yafa is inhabited by Moslems and by Christians (Greek-Orthodox, Latins, Melkites).

Salome, the sister of our Holy Lady, the Virgin Mary. Salome is 'saluted' by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 25th of Genbot. This Salome made bold to touch the seal of Mary's virginity, and her fingers were burned by divine fire; but as soon as she touched the Child Jesus, she was healed, and her fingers became as before. She sometimes carried Jesus in her arms during the flight to Egypt. She saw Him on the day of His Resurrection, before the Apostles saw him. In the Upper Room of Sion, the Holy Spirit came down upon her and the holy women.

Salome, the daughter of the sister of Our Lady Mary. The Ethiopian Synaxarium relates on the 8th of Sane: Joseph rose up, and took our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, and her Child, and Salome, the daughter of the sister of Our Lady, and they came to Egypt, and to Dabra Kueskuarn (or Ayn es Shems, the fountain of the Sun) (Heliopolis). And Our Lord Jesus made this fountain of water to spring up, when He was with His mother, and it exists to this day.

Salome, the dancing daughter of Herodias. 

Salome, the wife of Lazarus. See Lazarus, the teacher of the Law. 

Salomes, St., and Judith, St. In the 9th till the 11th century, round 1080 (?) they came to Palestine. (Monachus Altah., Vita SS. Sal. et Jud., c. II, n. 13) (AA.SS. June 29)

Salomon. See: Solomon. 

Salos. See: Symeon Sallus. 

Salvator Lilli, Franciscan. He was born in 1853 in Italy. He was ordained a priest at Bethlehem in 1878. He worked as parish priest in Mugiuk Deresi (Lesser Armenia). There he was killed, together with other Christians, on Nov 22, 1895, by Turks, who persecuted the Armenians.

Salvatorian Sisters. They were founded in Tivoli, Rome by the Blessed Mary of the Apostles (Baroness Teresa of Wollenweher, 1833-1907). The Sisters came to Beit-Sahur in 1958. They follow in the Holy Land the Melkite rite. They have also a house in Nazareth, they run a Home for Aged Persons in Emmaus (El-Qubeibeh).

Salvius (Fontain of Salvius). See: Anastasius the Persian. 

Saizman. He made the interior decorations of the new cupola which was built in 1868 over the Rotunda of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The repairs were done by France as protector of the Latin Church and by Russia as protector of the Orthodox Church.

Samaria. 1480 Martyrs of Samaria at the Persian invasion of 614, are commemorated in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Samaritan Traveller (Good Samaritan). The inn 'Good Samaritan' is at Maleh Adommin (the slope of the Bloods (plural). The site was called by the Crusaders Maldouin, or Chastel Rouge. The Arabic name is Talat el Damm (Ascent of the Blood (singular). There was a fortress of the Templars in the 12th century. - Khan el-Hatrura is to the north side (left side) of the road that descends from Jerusalem to Jericho. The Biblical name Maaleh Adommim (slope of the bloods) is related to the iron oxide with its red colour. An old legend places at Maaleh Adommim the capture of King Zedekiah by the Babylonians. (Compare Zedekiah's Cave). - The site is the scene of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10, 25-37): a Jewish traveller was wounded by robbers. The Jewish wounded man was not helped by a Jewish priest, nor by a Jewish levite. Then a Samaritan traveller came along and he brought the wounded man to an inn and paid for him the expenses.

Samaritan woman. Legend gives her the name Photina, and mentions her 5 sisters and her 2 sons. Greek liturgy: Feb 26.

Samson, a judge in Israel. He is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Magabit 30. Samson lifted up (Judges 16, 3) the gates of the city of Gaza. He transported them, according to a local tradition, to Jebel Muntar, southeast of Gaza. The strength of Samson was in his hair. Samson put his arms round the two middle pillars supporting a temple-building in Gaza, and he died under its ruins. Samson was called a Nazarite. - When Samson killed Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, he was helped by the archangel Michael. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Yakatit 12)

Samuel Joshua Anastasios. This Syrian Orthodox Archbishop in Jerusalem bought in 1947 some Dead Sea Scrolls and brought them to the United States. They were bought there by Israel.

Samuel, martyr of Alexandria. He was beheaded in Caesarea, Palestine, in 309 under Emperor Galerius (305-311), together with Elias, Jeremias, Isaias, Daniel. Feast on Feb 16.

Samuel, prophet. To him Yahweh revealed that the young man who inquired about the lost asses of his father, was the king whom Yahweh had chosen for Israel. Samuel anointed Saul king. The ghost of Samuel was, on request of Saul, called up by the with of Endor in Galilee. Saul consulted this witch before the battle of Gilboa against the Philistines. The Roman martyrology and the Armenian liturgy have the memory of Samuel on Aug 20. Jews and Moslems and Christians venerate Samuel in the shrine Nebi Samuel (895 m.) The hill on which the shrine stands, was called by medieval pilgrims Mons Gaudii (Mountain of Joy), Montjoie, because from that hill the pilgrims had their first view of Jerusalem. Baldwin II (1118-1131) gave the place to the Canons Regular of Premontré, who rebuilt the church with a monastery under the name of St. Samuel of Montjoie. After the fall of Jerusalem (1187) a synagogue is mentioned in the 13th and 15th cent.; the site passed into the hands of the Moslems in the 16th century. A mosque was built in the 18th century, then was erected a cenotaph (memorial) and the shrine retained the name of Nebi Samwil.

Sancia (Sancha), queen of Naples, wife of Robert d'Anjou. Two papal bulls of 1343 (Clemens VI) report that 'after difficult negotiations and huge expenses' between the Sovereigns of Naples and the Sultan of Egypt, Malek al, Nasir Mohammed, the Franciscans took possession of the Cenacle of the Lord, the Chapel of the Descent of the Holy Ghost, the Chapel of the Apparition of the Risen Jesus, and around these sanctuaries Queen Sancia built a convent for 12 friars and 3 lay brothers. - It was probably round 1336 that the Franciscans took over-possession of the shrines. Sancia died in 1345. The Franciscan Martyrology remembers her on July 28. (Compare Roger Garin)

Sandys George. He was the son of the Archbishop of York (England), he visited Palestine in 1611, and wrote: Jerusalem is inhabited by Christians out of their devotion; and by Turks for the benefits received from Christians, otherwise perhaps it would be generally abandoned.

Sankt Marien zu Jerusalem. This Order was founded in 1218 in the castle of Aldenbiezen (near Tongeren) in Belgium. The device was: Helpen en Genezen (To help and to cure). In 1979 the Order had 520 members, they are helped by 400 Families and by honour-knights. The Order at Aidenbiezen belonged to the German Group of the Hospital(l)ers. (Compare: Teutonic Order)

Sanuto Marino of Italy. He remarks the two flagstones in the Arch that overspans near to the Second Station, the Via Dolorosa. Fabri (1485) tells us that Jesus was standing on one flagstone, and Pilate at the other flagstone and that these two flagstones had been placed above the Arch by the fidels. Anselm of Krakow (1507) writes: the two flagstones were bought by a certain Franciscan Guardian (=Superior of the Franciscans), who fixed them above the Arch.

Sarah, wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. She is named among the 'Just of the Old Testament' on the first Sunday of Advent in the Eastern Church. Her cenotaph (empty tomb) is opposite that of Abraham in the Haram at Hebron. Sarah is honoured with a salutation to the womb of Sarah. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Nahasse 26)

Sardis, Provincial Council of Sardis in 347, proclaimed the supremacy of the See of Rome. In the North (= left) side above the architrave (main horizontal beam, resting immediately on capital of columns) in the Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem are represented six provincial councils. Seven general Councils are to the South side. The texts of the Councils were drawn up at the same time in Latin and in Greek.

Sareptha, widow of Sareptha (Saraphta) See: Zarephath. 

Sarkis, Armenian Patriarch. He was in office in 1311 and played a role in preserving the independence of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem, when Palestine came under Mameluke rule. Non Armenian historians consider Sarkis as the first Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem. The Armenians pretend the first was Arsen in 1006. - The Armenian church of St. Sarkis is since 1976 under construction on Mount Sion. The dedication stone (khatchkar) of an anonymous Armenian pilgrim of the 18th century, is inserted in a wall of this church.

Saturnine of Jerusalem, penitent and abbess. The Ethiopian Synaxarium salutes her on the 6th of Hamle (the 11th month, July 5 - Aug 3): on this day Saturnina died. She was of the people of Jerusalem, and previously was a sinner. She turned to God and became an abbess. She died in peace. Salutation to Saturnina.

Saturninus, St., martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, in 303. His memory, together with Lupus, is on Oct 14 in the Roman Martyrology.

Saul, the King. He consulted a witch at Endor, before the battle against the Philistines (1 Sam 28). His army was defeated; Saul and his three sons were killed in this battle near Mount Gilboa. Two accounts (1 Sam 31; 2 Sam 1) of his death agree that is was suicidal. One account makes it self-inflicted, the other account represents it at the request of Saul to a passerby. Saul is not venerated in a Christian liturgy.

Savary François, count of Brèves, minister of France. He contacted, without success, Sultan Mehmed III (1595-1603), in Constantinople (Moschopoulos, Terre Sainte, p. 165). Savary went personally to Jerusalem, before returning to France. With a bribe of 6000 florins to the Turkish judges, he obtained in favour of the Latins some rights on Calvary, which were not foreseen in the Capitulations of 1604 (Zinkeisen J., Geschichte des Osmanischen Reiches, T. III, p. 824)

Savatius. Together with Dorymedon and Trophimus, he suffered martyrdom in Antioch in 278 under Vicarius, the governor. The Greek liturgy has the feast on Sept 19.

Savignac R. This French scholar visited the ruins of Sobota in 1905.

Savoy (House of Savoy) and Mount Sion. On Thursday of the Holy Week 1928 (April 5) the prince of Italy, Umberto of Savoy, visited the Holy Cenacle at Jerusalem. To protest against claims of the House of Savoy on Mount Sion, the Moslems laid carpets in the Upper Room (the Cenacle), declaring the room a mosque; afterwards they erected before the central window a mihrab, a prayer-niche, directed to the south, to Mecca. (Terra Santa, 1928, p. 84-87; 89-99)

Saxon. An anonymous Saxon visited the monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai, in the 13th century. (Analecta Bollandiana, Cat. cod. hag. Brux. 11, 165-166)

Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) in Rome. Tradition tells: A part of the stone stairs that led down from Gabbatha to the Via Dolorosa, is conserved under the wooden stairs (scala sancta) in Rome. Pope Sixtus V had it transferred to the Chapel 'Scala Sancta'. This Chapel was built by Fontana in 1585-1590.

Scandinavian Seamen's Church (Lutheran) in Haifa, founded 1949. 

Scandar, Abouna. (1841-1915) In 1876 he opened the Latin mission of Kerak. In 1880 he directed the emigration of Christians from Kerak to Madaba. He returned to Kerak and founded there the Latin parish.

Schick Conrad. German architect and archaeologist. He worked for Deutscher Palaestina Verein, round 1850. He explored Herod's Family Tomb in 1891; Golden Gate; Gilhon spring. He published in 1880 the Siloam-tunnel inscription. He excavated in 1887 for the Greek community at Mount of Olives. The street, east of Nablus Road, leading to the Garden Tomb, is called after Dr. Schick.

Herod's Cave (Tomb of the Herodian family). The site belongs to the Greek-Orthodox Church. The tomb is west of Gehennah-valley. Probably the tomb was the burial place for members of the Herodian family. (Herod himself is buried at the Herodium-Fortress, east of Bethlehem). A huge rolling stone is just inside the entrance of Herod's Cave at Jerusalem.

Schiapparelli Ernesto. (died 1928). He founded Associazione Nazionale per soccorrere i Missionari Italiani. This Society built in 1936-38 the octagonal chapel on the Mount of the Beatitudes. Antonio Barluzzi was the architect. The shrine is run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Italian sisters).

Schindler Oskar (1908-1974). During World War II (1939-1945) he saved 1200 Jews in Poland. After the war, he emigrated from Germany to Argentine. In 1956 he returned to his homeland, Germany. In 1962 he was honoured by Israel as one of the 'Righteous of the Nations'. He died in Hildesheim. By his will he was buried at Jerusalem on the Latin cemetery on Mount Sion. The burial was under the assistance of Father Pax E., chaplain for the Germans.

Schmidt Wilhelm. This German Lazarist Father was in 1889 director of a girls-school in West Jerusalem. Afterwards the school was transferred to St.. Paul's hospice in East Jerusalem, outside Damascus Gate, Nablus Road. The school is named Schmidt Girls' College. It is run by the German Sisters of St. Ch. Borromaeus.

Schmitz Ernst, German Lazarist Father. He founded in 1908, in the newly built St Paul's Hospice, which houses the Schmidt Girls's College, a museum, in which fauna of Palestine is exhibited.

Schneider P.L. This German acquired in 1876 a plot to the west of the Franciscan Church of Emmaus. He ceded it in 1883 to Deutscher Verein vom Heiligen Lande. Actually the house 'Löwenburg' is transformed in a Home for Aged People. Schnelder, Dr. He and Mader A. E. excavated el Tabgha in 1932.

Schneller Johann Ludwig. This German Protestant missionary founded in 1860 in Jerusalem the 'Syrian Waisenhaus', in order to help Christian orphans from Syria, after the revolt of the Druses.

Scholarios (Scholarius). He was a disciple of St. Sabas. He founded the laura of Scholarios at Jebel Muntar in 510 (see John Scolarios)

Schultz Stephan. This German missionary visited Acre in 1754-55. He reports that the Knights of St. John used oil instead of water for the mortar.

Schumacher. Thid traveller (19th century) describes the ruins of Hippos, to the east of the Lake of Galilee.

Scolarios (Scolarius). The monastery Scolarios at Jebel Muntar was founded by this disciple of St. Sabas in 510.

Scopus. On Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, was laid in 1919 the first stone for the Hebrew University.

Scravenrunde. A soldier brought in the 13th century relics of St. Catherina of Alexandria (St Catherina on Mount Sinai) to the monastery of Scravenrunde. (Analecta Boll., Cat. cod, hag. Brux., II, 166-167)

Scythopolis (Beth-Shean). Seventy Martyrs in 452 at Scythopolis. Feast on June 28. (AA.SS.)

Sebaste. (Greek translation of the Latin word Augusta) Herod the Great received the town from Emperor Augustus. Therefore Herod changed its name in Sebaste. In Sebaste lived about 6000 veterans of the Roman armies in the days of Herod. Hundred year later, Sebaste was eclipsed by Neapolis (now Nablus). Neapolis means new city. It was founded in 70 AD as Flavia Neapolis, in honour of Emperor Flavius Vespasianus. - In 1170 king Ludovicus VII made a donation to the Hospitalers of Sebaste in Samaria. (AA.SS. June 24). Omri, the sixth king of Israel, had founded Sebaste.

Sebastian, son of Photine, the Samaritan woman. 

Sebeos, Armenian chronicler. Sebeos and the other Armenian chronicler, Thomas Ardzrouni, mention that 'the order was given to count the slain, and that 57000 persons had been slain' (by the Persians in 614 at Jerusalem).

Sela Mérill. He explained in 1902 a part of an aqueduct near Birket Mamillah as belonging to the Gihon Superior (the Upper Pool) of King Hezekiah. (Quarterly Statement, 1903, 157)

Selassie Haile, Emperor of Ethiopia with the title Negus. (1892-1975) See: Haile Selassie. 

Seleucus, St. martyr. Under Emperor Galerius (305-311) in Caesarea, Palestine. The feast is on Feb 16.

Sellers. This American excavated, together with Wright, the site of Shechem in 1957-60.

Sellin. This Austrian scholar excavated together with the German Watzinger old Jericho (Tell-es-Sultan) in 1907109. Sellin excavated at Shechern in 1913-14 and in 1926-27.

Sem. Sem was the son of Noah and the father of Kainan (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Paguemen 3). The Jews honour the Cave of Sem and Eber (his grandson) in the southern part of the town of Safed. Arab tradition, preserved in an inscription of 1412, recognises this cave as the tomb of the messenger who brought to Jacob the bloody coat of Joseph.

Sem and Melchisedech. The Ethiopian Synaxariurn has on the 3rd day of the month Paguemen: on this day is celebrated the death of Melchisedech. This man was the son of Kainan, the son of Sem. When Melchisedech was fifteen years, God compelled Noah to send Sem, his son, with the body of Adam and to lay it in the 'middle of the earth', which is called Kranyo (Cranion); and God informed Sem that He would redeem Adam by His blood. And Sem with the boy Melchisedech took the body of Adam from the house of his father in secret, and he went there. And Melchisedech was appointed priest. And when Abraham returned from the war, Abraham gave to Melchisedech tithes of all his possessions, and Melchisedech was appointed priest and king of Salem. Salutation to Melchisedech.

Sema'et Walde Mamher (1884-1902). He was the head of the Ethiopian Community. He built Dabre Gannet (Mount of Paradise), the round church at Ethiopia Street outside the walls. This church was consecrated in 1893. He acquired also the property north of the 8th Station. There he erected in 1901 the residence of the Ethiopian Archbishop.

Seneca and Justus, 9th and 10th bishops of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. 

Sepinski Augustinus Josephus. Born at St. Julien-les-Metz (France) June 26, 1900. Died Dec 31, 1978. He was the General of the Franciscan Order from 1951 to 1965. He was Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem from Feb 2, 1966 to 1969. Then he became Nuntius Apostolicus in Urugay. In 1975, at the age of 75, he left this office and retired to Naples.

Sepp Johannes Nepomocenus. This scholar donated in 1861 seven paintings of Pacher Friedrich to the Franciscan convent of Tiberias. Sepp wrote 'Neue Entdeckungen auf der zweiten Palaestinafahrt' München, 1896.

Septemius of Lycaonia. Together with Jerusalem of Lycaonia and Fortunatus, he suffered martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution (284-313). After severe tortures he was beheaded in Ailouri in 294. In the Greek liturgy, his feast is on April 16.

Sepulchre, Dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, on Sept 13 in the Greek liturgy. Jesus was crucified outside the walls, in a quarry. The quarry was already out of use in the days of the crucifixion. A rocky knoll on the east slope of this quarry was named in the Hebrew language Golgotha. The Greek translation is given by John 19, 17 'kraniou topos', place of a (the) skull. The Latin translation is Calvaria. The rock had a hollow, a grotto. The roof of this grotto was cleft by a fissure. Probably the fissure was from an earthquake (Mt 27, 51-52). It may be that the fissure existed already before the days of Jesus. According to a legend -the legend perhaps antedates Christ - the skull of Adam was buried in Jerusalem. Perhaps Paul refers to this or such a legend in his letter to the Romans: Christ is a second Adam, and Christ died for Jews and Romans alike. (Rom 5, 1-15). - The burial cave of Jesus was in the garden on the west slope of the same quarry. King Herod Agrippa I (41-44) included the quarry in an enlarged town. Hadrian, the Emperor (117-138) filled the quarry and laid over Calvary and over the tomb a forum with pagan statues.

By the edict of Milan in 313, Christianity became a religio licita (a religion which was legally recognized). The Christians reclaimed the spot of Calvary and of the Tomb. The Basilica was dedicated in 335, on Sept 13. The date of September 13 came in the place on which the Roman temple of Jupiter Capitolinus had been dedicated. The Basilica was damaged by the Persians in 614. It was restored by the patriarch Modestus. Caliph Omar in 638 respected the church. Caliph Hakem in 1010 damaged the Sepulchre of Christ. An earthquake in 1034 damaged the building. Emperor Constantine Monomachus of Constantinople restored the basilica in 1042. In 1099 the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem. An earthquake caused damages in 1105. The Crusaders began a restoration in 1135. It was finished in 1149.

The Russian hegumen Daniel describes the Tomb in 1109-10. He mentions a turret above the Edicule, that covers the tomb. The turret bears a cupola, that is covered with scales (plates) in gilded silver. And above the cupola is an ikon (figure, painting?) in massive silver. This was the work of the Franks (Crusaders). A tile that corresponds to the description as it is given by Daniel, is in the Chapel of Etchmiadzin in the Armenian Church of St. James. Replica of this tile can be purchased in the Armenian Pottery, which is opposite the 6th Station on the Via Dolorosa.

Liberation of the Holy Sepulchre, on July 15, 1099 by the Crusaders. The liberation happened on a Friday at 3 p. m. Yearly at July 15, the Latin Patriarchate recalls the liberation. Holy Sepulchre is also the titulus of the Concathedral of the Latin Patriarchate.

Broken marble-plate that covers the tomb of Christ. Rindfleisch Peter (1498) mentions already the fissure. (Röhricht, Pilgerreisen, Berlin, 1860, p. 333)

Serafin of Novara. He belonged to the Franciscan Province of Sicily. He died in 1677, at the age of 60 years, on May 3, the feast of the Invention of the Cross.

Serapion. Together with Paula, Jerome, Marcella, on Aug 28 in the Georgian lectionary.

Serbs. In 1623, they sold their convent of the Archangel St. Michael to the Greek-Orthodox. St. Michael is the actual St. Francis Street. (For Map of Greek Convents, see: Mertens A, What, when, where in the Holy Land, 1977, p. 54)

Serenus, pseudo. episcopus of Jerusalem. He ended his office in 415. (AA.SS. June 7)

Serge, Grandduke of Moscow. See: Mary Magdalen, Church in Gethsemane. 

Sergios, Armenian monk. He came from Palestine. He lived at the court of the Mongols, where he rendered services in 1254 to William of Ruisbroeck.

Sergios, bishop of Madaba. A mosaic from the year 578-579 in the Church of the Apostles at Madaba refers to bishop Sergios. (Noth M. Mosaikinschriften der Apostelkirche in Madaba, in Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palästina Vereins, 84, 1968, p. 131). Sergios is also mentioned at Madaba in an inscription in the Chapel of St. Elias (inscription from 595196). He is mentioned in an inscription of 597 in the baptistry of Ras es Siyaga (Mount Nebo).

Sergios, St., soldier. Sergios and his brother Bacchus. Sergius was in command of the 'Schola Gentilium' in the army, and Bacchus was his second in command. Bacchus refused to sacrifice and he was beaten to death. Sergius was made to run by the chariot of commander Antiochus for many miles with nails in his shoes, and finally given a soldier's death by the sword. It happened at Rosapha, afterwards called Sergiopolis, probably in 297, when Galerius, after his victory over the Persians, persecuted the Christians in the Roman army. Later Galerius became Emperor. (Elinor A. Moore, Some Soldier Martyrs of the early Christian Church in East-Jordan and Syria. 1964, Beirut)

An ikon of Sergios and his brother Bacchus. It is in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Forty Martyrs, near Holy Sepulchre.

Convent of Sergios. It was two miles from Bethlehem. It was surnamed Xeropotamos (Dry River). The site is actually named Tantur. The convent is mentioned in Pratum Spirituale, PG. 87, 3053.

Sergius, patriarch. June 15 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. There are Sergius I. and Sergius II. as patriarchs of Jerusalem. The date of the death of both Sergius is unknown. Sergius I was patriarch round 843 to 850. Sergius II was patriarch from Oct 7, 906 to round 911. - Sergius II, Leontius, Anastasius, Christodorus I, Agathonus, Johannes VI, Christodorus II, Thomas II, Joseph: patriarchs of Jerusalem between 907 to 980 (AA.SS. May, Prop.).

Sergiy of Odessa. This Metropolitan led a group of six Russian Orthodox clergymen from the Sovjet Union to the Holy Land for the Easter-pilgrimage in 1977 (Easter for the Orthodox Church was in Jerusalem on the same date as for the Latin Church, Sunday, April 10, 1977). It was the Russians' first visit to Israel. Representatives of the Russian Church generally pay a visit to the Holy Land during the time of Pentecost.

Seridion (Seridon) Monastery near Gaza, whose hegumen was Seridus. In Serid(i)on lived Dositheus and Dorotheus.

Seridus. Unter abbot Seridus, Vitalius left the monastery of Gaza to convert the licentious women in the harbour of Alexandria. It was during the patriarchate of John the Almoner (610-619). (Vitalius has his feast on Jan 11)

Seth, son of Adam and Eve, with whom Jahweh 'replaced' the slain Abel. Seth is the father of Enosh (Gen 4, 25). -Seth ministered (i.e. officiated as a priest) to the body of our father Adam, until the flood came. Then Noah took Adam's body into the ark (Syn. Eth. 6th of Miyazya) (Compare: Sem)

Seven Maccabees brothers. Boniface of Ragusa (Boniface Stefani) in 1573 mentions the Church of the Seven Maccabees brothers at Amwas.

Seven Shepherds: See Shepherds. 

Seven Sleepers at Ephesus. Their feast is on Oct 22. They were placed in a grotto. The grotto was then walled up. This was done by Optimus, proconsul of Asia, under Emperor Decius, round 250. Legend tells that the seven men slept during 300 years, and then awakened for a time. The legend has been adopted in the Koran (Sourate al Kahf, Sourate XVIII, 13-18). The Melkite liturgy has 'the seven sleepers' and 'mother Eudocia 'on Aug 4. This Eudocia is not the mother of the seven sleepers. This Eudocia is venerated in the Melkite liturgy, also on March 1. The Ethiopian Synaxarium 'salutes' the seven sleepers on Ter 13.

Seventy disciples (Luke 10, 1). A Greek list names the 70 disciples. The first ten are: James, brother of the Lord and son of Joseph, Simon, who was the second bishop of Jerusalem (62-107); Matthias, chosen by lot in the place of Judas; James Alphaeus, the brother of Matthew Judas; Barnabas; Philip, the deacon who baptized the eunuch Ananias, bishop of Damascus, who baptized Paul; Joseph and Justus and Barnabas; Stepheri, the first martyr, deacon. (The ninth disciple (Joseph, Justus, Barnabas) is threefold, to obtain the number 72)

From 11 to 20 are the names: Prochorus, bishop of Nicomedia; Nikanor; Simon, bishop of Bosra in Hauran; Parmenas; Timon, bishop of Bosra; Epainetus, bishop of Carthage; Luke, bishop of Laodicea; Aristarchus, bishop of Apamea in Syria; Mark, called John, bishop of Biblos (Lebanon); Zeno(n), bishop of Diospolis.

From 21 to 30 are named: Aristobulus, bishop of Britain; Apelles, bishop of Smyrna; Narcissus, bishop of Athens; Herodion, bishop of Tarsus; Agabus, a prophet; Rufus, bishop of Thebes; Asynkritus, bishop of Hyrcania; Phlegon, bishop of Marathon in Achaia; Hermes, bishop of Dalmatia; Patrobas, bishop of Puteoli in Campania.

From 31 to 40 are named: Hermas, bishop of Philippolis; Linus, bishop of Rome; Gajus, bishop of Ephesus; Philologus; Olympas; Herodion; Aristarchus; Poudes; Trophimus; Lucios, bishop of Laodicea in Syria.

From 41 to 50 are named: Jason, bishop of Tarsus; Silas, bishop of Corinth Silvanus, bishop of Salonica; Andronicus, bishop of Pannonia Kriskes, bishop of Chalcedon; Amplias, bishop of Odessa in Moesia,; Urbanus, bishop of Macedonia; Barsabas, bishop of Heraclea; Stachus, bishop of Byzantium; Sosipater, bishop of lconium.

From 51 to 60 are listed: Erastus, b. of Caesarea Philippi (Banyas) Terentius, b. of lconium; Kuartus, b. of Berytus in Phoenicia Apollo, b. of Caesarea in Bithynia; Sosthenus, b. of Colophon in Asia; Epaphroditus, b. of Andriace, Myra, Lycia; Caesar, b. of Dyrrachium, Epirus Nova; Tychikus, b. of Colophon, Asia; Mark, b. of Apollonia in Palestine; Justus, b. of Eleutheropolis, Palestine.

The names from 61 to 70 are: Artemion, b. of Lystra in Lycaonia Onesiphorus, b. of Cornaea in Achaia; Clemens, b. of Sardinia Tychikus, b. of Chalcedon; Karpus, b. of Verria in Macedonia; Euodus, b. of Antioch; Zenas, b. of Diospolis. 1 Philemon, b. of Gaza; Fortunatus; Achaikus.

The synaxe of the 70 (72) disciples is in the Greek Melkite liturgy on January 4.

Seventy disciples. Of the 70 disciples, the Greek-Melkite liturgy mentions on April 8: Herodion, who is named in the letter of Paul (Rom 16, 11), Agabus, the prophet of Jerusalem, who predicted the captivity of Paul; Rufus, the son of Simon of Cyrene; Asyncretus, Phlegon, and Hermes, who are mentioned in the letter of Paul to the Romans (16, 13-14).

Seventy-eight disciples: on April 15 in the Lectionary of Paris. 

Severianus, martyr. Together with Victor, Zoticus and Eusebius, he witnessed the martyrdom of St. George of Lydda, and was converted. Subsequently Severianus was beheaded during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian (284-305). According to a tradition George of Lydda was martyred in Lydda in 303. The Greek liturgy has the feast of Severianus on April 20.

Severianus, martyr and bishop of Scythopolis. He was martyred in 452 by the sword. The Mart. Rom has his memory on Feb 21.

Severianus, monk. He founded a monastery in Caphar Barucha, now Beni Naim, about 6 kms east of Hebron. In this monastery St. Euthymius lived for a time.

Severos, bishop of Sodom in 325. Abel F. M. in 'Géographie de la Palestine, II, 1938, p. 467-468 remarks: Among the bishops who were present at the Council of Nicea in 325 was one Severos, bishop of Sodom. This title - Abel continues - does not appear after this date and has perhaps been taken by the bishop of Zoara, whom one meets in 381. Zoara was in the south-eastern part of the Dead Sea valley.

Severus, St. from Scythopolis or from Abila. He travelled to the West round 365. (Vitae S. Severi, c. 1) (AA.SS. Nov 1)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Such are the Babylonian names of the three children, that is to say, Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, the sons of Eliakim, the king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar reared in his palace in Babylon and cast into a fiery furnace. The three youths are saluted on Takhshash 2 in the Eth. Syn.

Sharbel. See: Makhlouf Sharbel (Charbel). 

Shardy Frederick, American. He made 'Mediatrix', one of the 12 panels in bronze. His panel represents Mary's intervention at Cana. The 'Mediatrix' panel is at the South facade of the Basilica of the Annunciation at Nazareth. (Basilica consecrated on March 23, 1969)

Shaw Walter, English. He headed the Commission of Enquiry about the Hebron riots of 1929 where Moslems killed Jews. He held public sessions in Jerusalem from Oct 25 to Dec 29, 1929.

Sham, Ham, and Japheth (Japhet). Three sons of patriarch Noah. Shem (Sem) stands for Asia; Ham (Cham) for Africa; Japheth for Europe.

Shepherds at Bethlehem. In the Greek-Orthodox Chapel of St. Eustathius at Göreme (Turkey), the three shepherds are called: Sator, Arepo, and Teneton. In the Syriac 'Book of the Bee' the names are seven: Asher, Zebulon, Justus, Nicodemus, Joseph, Barshabba, Jose. (Bruce M. Metzger, Names for the Nameless in N. T. p. 86)

Shilling Godfrey. This Franciscan planned in 1890 to erect a huge cross on a hill in Staten Island, overlooking the entrance into New York Bay. He changed his plans. A massive Crucifixion group, in granite, was placed on a hilltop in Brookland near Washington. This granite group replaces a former wooden Cross. (Compare Leonari Aristides)

Shroud. St. Jerome mentions an Apocryphal Gospel, in which the Risen Lord appears to James the Less, 'after having given the shroud to the servant of the high-priest'.

Shroud of Turin. The shroud was photographed in 1898 at the occasion of an regular exhibition for veneration. Normally the shroud is folded over the feet. (So the Jewish observances, according to a rabbi.) The shroud of Turin is folded over the head. Professor Raes of Belgium examined a sample of the shroud of Turin. It is woven in the fish-bone pattern, which is a pattern of wealth. It is woven in linen. It is woven on a loom, on which also cotton (gossipium herbaceum) was woven. - Other examinations discovered that on the shroud rested pollen. The same kinds of pollen were found in Galilee, in Edessa (Turkey), in Constantinople, in France, in Italy, also on the several places where, according to tradition, the shroud of Turin has been.

Shushan, Armenian princess. See: Jojik. 

Sibylla, elder sister of Baldwin IV, King (1174-1185) of Jerusalem. Both were children out of the later annulled marriage of King Amaury I with Agnes de Courtenay. Sibylla married first Guilliaume de Montferrat, and later Guy de Lusignan, who was king of Jerusalem from 1186 to 1192.

Sibylle, countess of Flanders. She was the daughter a King Fulk d'Anjou and his first wife Aremburge du Maine. Ex-queen Melisend and her daughter-in-law, Sibylle, promoted the election (1157-58) of Patriarch Amaury de Nesle. Sibylle married Thierry d'Alsace.

Sicilian pilgrims came to Palestine in the 16th century. The year is not indicated. (AA.SS. Aug 17)

Siger de Bruges, Pirate. He crossed eight years before the coasts of Africa and of the Levant, together with Gerard of Kortrijk (Belgium) and Jith Winkmar of Boulogne (France). They joined the first crusade and partook in the siege of Laodicea in 1097.

Sigurd, King of Norway. He was the son of Magnus III. Sigurd landed in the summer of 1110 at Jaffa, from there he went to Jerusalem. There King Baldwin I asked him to conquer the harbour of Sidon (Sajete of the chroniclers). Sigurd blocked this port in October 1110.

Sikko. Together with Eelko, leader of the Frisian Crusaders in the first crusade (1096-1099) (AA.SS. March 22).

Silas, one of the 70 disciples. According to the Greek list, Silas was bishop of Corinth. The Roman Martyrology has Silas on July 13. This Silas was sent with SS. Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles. Silas died in Macedonia. - The Melkite liturgy has on July 30: Silas, Silvanus, Crescentius, Epainetes, Andronikus (all of the 70 discipies).

Silas, the soldier. See: Surset. 

Silentiarius. See: John the Silent. 

Siloe, dedication of the altar, Sept 6. In the Pool of Siloe the blind beggar was healed (Jn 9). Near the Pool was a church in the 6th century. Perhaps it was erected by Eudocia, who died in Jerusalem in 460. The Church was dedicated to the Saviour, the Illuminator. It was destroyed in 614 by the Persians. The Crusaders never rebuilt it. - The site was explored by Bliss and Dickie in 1896. It was covered up again by the Turkish Government, for fear that a desire to possess the holy site might lead to fresh contentions between the Christians. Remains of a mosque were rebuilt, and a sexagonal minaret was added to the mosque.

Inscription of Siloe. It was discovered in 1880 by a boy of Bishop Gobat's School. The slab with the inscription is now in Istambul. The inscription does not mention King Hezekiah. Perhaps the inscription is before his time. The water flows from the Spring of Gihon (Fountain of the Virgin), very slowly, to the Pool of Siloe. The tunnel or canal of Siloam is 544 meters. -The inscription was on the left side when you see from Gihon to Siloe. The inscription has been removed to the Museum of Constantinople.

Tower of Siloe. The Pool of Siloe waters the Garden of the King (Neh 3, 15). The Pool of Siloe brings his water through a open canal to the nearby valley of Kidron. In the vicinity of the Pool of Siloe was the Tower of Slice, which is mentioned in Luke 13, 4. Jesus asked the Jews: 'Or these eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No.' No site has been indicated for the ruins of this tower.

Silvanus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Salonica, according to the Greek list. The Roman Martyrology mentions on Dec 2: In Troas in Phrygia, St. Silvanus, bishop, famous on account of his miracles. The Melkite liturgy has on July 30: Silas, Silvanus, Crescentius, Epainetes, Andronikus. (all of the 70 disciples).

Silvanus, bishop of Egypt. He was martyred in Tyr (Phoenicia) with the bishops Tyranpio, Peleus, Nilus, and with the priest Zenobius, in 310. The Roman Mart. has the memory on Sept 19.

Silvanus, bishop of Gaza, with 39 or 40 companions. See: Silvanus, the Elder. 

Silvanus, the Elder, Martyr. He was born in Gaza, and served as a soldier in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Later he became a priest in Gaza, and preached throughout Palestine. The immoral people of Caesarea, Palestine, accused him. He was condemned to hard labour in the copper mines of Phunon, about 50 kms south of the Dead Sea. There he was beheaded with 39 companions in 310. The Greek liturgy has the feast on Oct 14. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has the memory of Silvanus on May 4. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his commemoration in the Church of the Anastasis (Resurrection) on May 4. Phunon is in the El-Arabah valley, which extends from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea.

Slivanus, the monk. He lived some years in Scethe (Egypt), he went to Sinai, proceeded to Palestine. He founded near Gerar (Wadi esh-Sheria) which is mentioned in Gen 10, 19, a community for hermits. By some scholars Gerar is identified with Tell esh-Sheria; by others with Tell Abu Hureire. Both sites are about 20 Kms northwest of Beersheva.

Silvanus of Emesa, Martyr in Caesarea, Palestine, under Emperor Maximianus (305. 311). His feast is on Nov 5, together with Domninus, Theotimus, Philotheus, Dorotheus, Casterius.

Silvanus, Sanctus, episcopus Nazarenus, sancti Hieronymi discipulus. Silvanus lived round 400. Feast on Sept 22. (AA.SS.)

Silvester, Patriarch of Great Rome (Pope). He is commemorated on Jan 1. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the commemoration of St. Silvester in the Church of the Resurrection on March 1. Perhaps this commemoration was particular to Jerusalem. Pope Silvester ruled the Church of Rome from 313 to 335.

Silvinus, St., bishop. He came to Palestine round 700. (Vita S. Silv., auct. Antenore, cA, n. 9) (AA.SS. Feb 17)

Simeon, Armenus. St. He came to Palestine round 980. (Vita S. Sim., c. II, n. 15. - Encyclica Arsenii, patriarchae Hierosolymitani) (AA.SS. July 26) - Simeon travelled to Rome in 983. (AA.SS. July 26)

Simeon of Cyrene, the Crossbearer. See: Simon of Cyrene. 

Simeon of Trier. He was born round 987 in Syracuse (Sicily); his father was a Greek. At seven years, Simeon and his parents emigrated to Constantinople. Simeon was in Jerusalem round 1026. He went in the service of a hermit near the Jordan; afterwards he lived at Bethlehem, and later on the peninsula of Sinai near the Red Sea. The presence of sailors disturbed him, and he ascended to Mount Sinai. His Benedictine abbot from Europe ordered him to go to Europe to accept a donation from Richard II, count of Normandy. Along the Nile, the cities of Antioch, Belgrado and Rome, Bonosius (?) (= Simeon) arrived in France; there he met count Gulllaume IV of Poitiers. When Bonosius (= Simeon?) reached Rouan, Count Richard had died and Simeon could not receive the money. He went to Verdun, there lived Richard, who was the abbot of the abbey of St. Vannes. Simeon had met Richard in the Holy Land, Simeon stood a long time at Verdun, then he went to Trier. Toge. ther with Poppo, who was the archbishop of Trier, Simeon travelled to Palestine. After the return, Simeon obtained permission of Poppo to live in one of the cells of the Porta Nigra at Trier. There he lived 5 years, and there he died on June 1, 1035.

Simeon II, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem (1050-1099). He retired or was exiled by the Crusaders, to Cyprus in 1099 and there he died in 1099.

Simeon reclusus, St. See: Simeon of Trier. 

Simeon Salos, St. (See: Simon the Fool). Round 552 in Palestine, together with Johannis ad Mare Rubrum. (AA.SS. July 2; July 21)

Simeon, St. called Simeon the Elder. His feast on Oct 8 (Mart. Rom.) is particular to Palestine. Luke 2, 22-35 relates: 'Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him... And inspired by the Spirit, he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the customs of the Law, he took him up in his arms, and blessed God and said, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,... - At the top of the quarter Katamon in Jerusalem, amidst the pines is the Monastery of St. Simeon. The small church is dedicated to him. The church was rebuilt in 1890. And in the church his supposed tomb is pointed out. Since the 16th century tradition says that Simeon lived there, the old man who had the consolation of seeing the Saviour before his death (Luke 2, 25). - The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has on Feb 3: memory of Simeon and Anne, prophets. Greek Synaxaries have Simeon and. Anne on Feb 3. No church, chapel or tomb of Anne, the prophetess, is venerated in Jerusalem.

Simeon, the Elder, and his translation of the Book of Isaiah, in the Septuaginta-translation. The Ethiopian Synaxarium on Yakatit 8 'salutes' Simeon and relates: And when king Ptolemy, who was called the 'Conqueror' was reigning, and the Jewish people were under his dominion, he brought from Jerusalem to Alexandria seventy (two) learned Jewish rabbis and he commanded them to translate the Books of the Law from the Hebrew tongue into the Greek tongue. (Ptolemy II, 283-246 BC). And when Simeon, the Just, had translated all the Books of the Law, he came to the Book of Isaiah, who saith: 'Behold a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel (Is 7, 14). And Simeon was afraid to write 'a virgin' and said: 'The king will laugh at the prophet, and will not accept his word'. And Simeon wrote 'young girl'. And the angel of God appeared to him, and said: 'Thou shalt not taste death until thou hast seen the Christ, who shall be born of a virgin, and has carried Him in thy hands'. And Simeon lived after this three hundred years, until our Lord Jesus was born, and he brought Him into the sanctuary, as it might be this day.

Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem. He was the son of Joseph and cousin of Jesus Christ. He was consecrated after the death of James the Less, who was stoned about 62. Simeon suffered martyrdom by the Jews during the reign of Trajan (98-117). He was martyred at the age of one hundred and twenty years. The Greek liturgy venerates him on April 27. (Compare: Simeon, son of Cleopas)

Simeon, the son of Cleopas, as the 'unnamed' disciple of Emmaus. Origen tells that Simeon was the youngest of the four sons of Cleopas, who was the uncle of Jesus. This Simeon succeeded his brother James the Less, after his death about 62. This 'unnamed' disciple of Emmaus (the companion of Cleopas) is represented as a bishop with stola in the right nave of the Franciscan shrine at Emmaus. His father, Cleopas, has his statue in the left nave. The Melkite liturgy mentions Simeon, relative of the Lord, on April 27. The Roman Martyrology has his feast on Feb 18.

Simisius, abbas. He lived in the laura of Duq (Douk) on top of the mount of Quarantine near Jericho. (Compare Elpidius).

Simon, Benedictine lay brother of Maria Laach. He executed the statue of Mary on her deathbed, in brown marble in the crypt of the Dormitio on Mount Sion. This church was consecrated in 1906.

Simon, St. and Judas Thaddeus, St. Apostles. Simon was one of the Twelve. Simon is called 'the Canaanite' (Mt 10, 4; Mk 3, 18), 'the Zealot' (Lk 6, 15; Acts 1, 13). Legend tells us that Simon was martyred in Persia. - Judas Thaddeus (Luke 6, 16; Acts 1, 13) was one of the Twelve. According to legend Thaddeus was martyred in Persia.

Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus to carry His cross (5th Station). The sect of the Basilidians holds that Simon, who resembled Jesus, was abducted and was crucified instead of Jesus. This legend is recalled in the Islam. Simon (Simeon?) of Cyrene is mentioned together with Cyriakus of Jerusalem, and both have their feast on Oct 28. A; legend (of the 17th century) relates: Simon and his two sons preached in Spain, where Simon was a bishop.

Simon de Guinecort (Frère). This name is found on a Crusader seal. The inscription surrounds the coat of arms. The seal was discovered at Château Pèlerin (Castle of the Pilgrims), which is identified with Atlit on the Mediterranean coast, south of Haifa.

Simon of Lipnica (Poland), Blessed. Simon entered the Franciscan Order in 1453. He made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In Krakow, he helped those who suffered from the pest. He died on July 18, 1482. (AA.SS. July 18)(Vita S. Simeonis, c. IV, n. 27-31)

Simon of Meopham, archbishop of Canterbury. Pope John XXII in 1332 wrote to him and to Edward III, king of England, and to David 11 of Scotland and asked them to help the bishop of Bethlehem recover his revenue and so enable him to return to Bethlehem and carry out repairs. It seems little was done. (Compare Romanus)

Simon, the Canaenite. Greek liturgy: May 10. He was born at Cana in Galilee. According to legend, he was the bridegroom at the wedding of Cana. He left his home and followed Christ. He was present on the day of Pentecost. Subsequently he preached the Gospel in Mauritania, and finally in England, where he suffered martyrdom. - The Roman Martyrology mentions Simon, the Canaenite, and Thaddeus, who was named also Judas, on October 28. Simon preached first in Egypt, came afterwards to Persia, where he wad martyred, together with Thaddeus.

Simon the fool and John Fekru. Simon Shalusi and John his friend (or John Fekru) are named in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 14th of the month Nahasse (twelfth month, Aug 4-Sept 3). Both saints lived in the kingdom of Yostos (Justus), the Christian Emperor. They went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Cross. After the feast, they continued to Jericho. John saw on the plain of the Jordan some monasteries. A certain archimandrite Nikon accepted both pilgrims. Afterwards they departed by the road to the Dead Sea, and they came to a river which was called Amon. There they found a cave. Simon went to Jerusalem and pretended to be mad, and sometimes, he healed those who were mad, and sometimes he carried fire in his hands. And Simon went in under a vine, and he and John, his friend, delivered up their souls into the hand of God. - The AA.SS. mention Simon on July 2; and on July 21, Simon, together with Johannes ad Mare Rubrum. They lived in Palestine round 552.

Simon, the leper. (Simon of Lans) He is commemorated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Miyazya 11. Perhaps to be identified with Simon of Mt 26, 6-13; Mk 14, 3-9. Simon was the host of Jesus, when a woman anointed the head of Jesus and washed His feet.

Simon, a magician of Samaria. He was esteemed by his followers as 'The Great Power of God' (Acts 8, 9-24). He was converted by the preaching of the apostles; he desired to purchase the gift of charismata for money. From him, the vice of simony, commercial traffic in sacred things, takes its name. Peter met Simon again in Rome, where this magician preached against Peter.

Simon Myroblytes. He was a solitary on Mount Athos. One Christmas night he saw a bright star of such golden glory that he was convinced that it was the identical star of Bethlehem. Pondering the meaning, he interpreted it as a command to erect a monastery. In about 1363, the monastery of Simonpetra was founded. In the Greek liturgy Simon has his feast on Dec 28.

Sim(e)on rusticus. Pilgrim Ernoul (1230) mentions the station where Sim(e)on rusticus (who returned from the fields, Luke 23, 26) was obliged to carry the cross of Jesus. The fact is now recalled by the 5th station of the Way of the Cross.

Simeon the sewer (the tanner). He was a Christian of Joppa (Jaffa). In the house of Simon, Peter had a vision, and there Peter received the messengers of the centurion Cornelius who lived in Caesarea. (Acts 9, 43; Acts 10, 6).

House of Simon. A small mosque, near the light house, is considered the site of Simon's house. Beside the mosque is St. Peter's church. It dates back to 1654. It was pillaged in 1775, and in 1799. In 1830 the convent was rebuilt. It is registered as Spanish property. In 1933 the parish church, St. Anthony, was constructed.

Simon Srugi (1877-1943). This Arab was from Nazareth. He died at Beit-Jimal at the convent of the Salesian Fathers. His cause has been introduced in Rome.

Simon Stock (1165-1265) Saint. He was born in the county of Kent (England) in 1165. He entered the Carmelite Order in 1212. The Order was reformed since 1209. Simon became general vicar in 1215. In 1237 he came to the Holy Land, he lived six years (1237-1243) on Mount Carmel. In 1251 he received at Cambridge the scapular which was to become a distinctive mark of the Order. Simon died at Bordeaux on May 16, 1265. His body reposes in the tomb of the altar of Notre Dame of the Carmel. This altar was made round, 1880.

Simon Stylite. An oratory in the Tower of Eudoxia at the Monastery of St. Sabas is dedicated to Simon Stylite.

Simon the tanner in Jaffa. See: Simon the sewer. 

Simon the Zealot, apostle. (Luke 6, 15) See Simon the Canaenite. 

Simplicius. Compare: Potentinus. 

Sinai. Christian pilgrims very often continued their pilgrimage from the Holy Land to Mount Sinai. - According to tradition Moses received the Law for the Hebrews on Mount Sinai. Israeli soldiers occupied Mount Sinai in the Sinai-campagn of November 1956. They evacuated the Sinai-peninsula in 1957. (Compare Eden, Eisenhower). Israel again occupied Mount Sinai in the Six Days War of June 1967. Israel evacuated Mount Sinai in November 1979. On Nov 19, 1979 (2 years after his first visit to Jerusalem) Sadat, president of Egypt, inaugurated at Mount Sinai a building that contains a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. The threefold sanctuary is in remembrance of the three religions, which are related to Mount Sinai.

Sinai, ancient martyrs in Sinai. Without year, without day in Martyrologium Orientale, November.

Sindoon. Joseph of Arimathea wrapped Jesus in a clean sindon (a linen shroud) (Mt 27, 59; Me 15, 46; Lk 23, 53). John I9, 27 mentions othonia 'bindings'. (Compare: Shroud, Suaire).

Singeliers Philippus. This Franciscan lay brother was doorkeeper at the convent Boetenclaal near Brussel. He started with Surius Bernardinus on April 25, 1644 for the Holy Land. Both came back end of June 1647.

Sinjil. The village of Sinjil, on the left side of the way from Jerusalem to Nablus, got its name from Raymond de Saint-Gilles, Count of Toulouse. Near the village are two Crusader ruins, one called Qasr (tower), the other Keniseh (church).

Sion Gate. According to an inscription on the gate, it was built by Soliman II, in the year 947 Hegirah (1540-41 AD).

Sion Mount. The Dominican Father Burchard (Burkhard of Barly) was surnamed: of Mount Sion. He was in Jerusalem round 1283, i.e. before the Franciscan Roger Gar(h)in who came to Jerusalem in 1333. (See Roger Garin)

Sion Léonie. This Sister belonged to the 'Filles de la Charité'. She was born at Houplines, near Lille (Nord France), round 1846. She came to Jerusalem on May 3, 1886. She founded in Jerusalem in 1886 the Hospice 'Saint Vincent de Paul’ outside Jaffa Gate. She founded in Bethlehem in 1887 the 'Hospital of the Holy Family' (called French Hospital), she founded the French Hospital at Nazareth in 1898. She died at Jerusalem on Oct 31, 1903.

Sira (Sirana), Blessed. On Dec 31 the Franciscan Martyrology mentions: The Blessed took her name Sira (Sirana) from her country of origin, Syria. She belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis. She worked several years in the hospice of the Franciscans on Mount Sion, together with the Blessed Michelina of Pesaro. Both went to Italy, perhaps for the Indulgence of the Jubilee of 1350. Sira lived in Pesaro which was the city of Michelina. In 1356 both Michelina and Sira died.

Sirach (Jesus Sirach, Ben Sira(ch). The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on the 16th day of the month Genbot: Sirach said in sealing (finishing) his book, 'Blessed be the God of All, who doeth great things everywhere, and who maketh long our days from the womb'. And when saying this, he died. Salutation to Sirak, the son of Eleazar of Jerusalem. - The Book of Ben Sira is also called Ecclesiasticus, in the Vulgate. The book was written in Jerusalem, 190-130 BC.

Sirmond. Jesuit historian and scholar (1559-1651, Paris). H. Delehaye edited in 1902: Synaxarium Ecclesiae Constantinopolitanae e codice Sirmondiano adjectis synaxariis selectis. (Propyfaeum ad Acta SS. Nov.)

Sisinnios, bishop. The Pratrum Spirituale, chapter 93, speaks of a hermitage at Bethnambris (Bethnemra), near Tell Nimrin to the northwest of Siyagha in East Jordan. It was inhabited by Sisinnios. He had been a bishop, but resigned his office and retired to a solitary life. His death occurred during the reign of Emperor Tiberius 11 (574-582). At the moment of his death, he was visited by the archimandrite Gregory. He found Sisinnios with his disciple. The disciple also died before Sisinnios had been buried, and was laid in the same grave with his master.

Sisinnius. See: Elpidius et Sisinnius. (AA.SS. Sept 2, Sept 28)

Sister Joséphine of Jerusalem. See: Rumène Joséphine. 

Sister Mary of the Five Wounds. This Sister from Portugal belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis. At 59 years of age, she travelled over Aleppo to Jerusalem. There she died on Sept 5, 1670 from the plague.

Six oecumenical councils. On Sunday the 13th of July, or on the next Sunday, the fathers of the six oecumenical councils are remembered in the Melkite liturgy. These six councils are: Nicaea 1 (325), Constantinople 1 (381), Ephesus (431), Chalcedon (451), Constantinople 11 (553), Constantinople III (Trullanum) (681).

Sixty Crusader Knights. They were cut down by the Moslems. The mosque of the sixty, Jamia es Sittin, with some walls still standing in Khirbet Seilun (the ancient SiJo) remembers the knights Jamia es Sittin (or Jamia el Yeteim) is not far from the weli (sanctuary) Jamia el Arbain (mosque of the forty), which is shaded by a huge tree,

Sixty defenders of Gaza. See: Florian (Dec 17). They were killed by the Arabs under the reign of Emperor Heraclius (609-641). Compare Forty defenders of Gaza.

Sixty martyrs. They were killed in Jerusalem by the Moslems about 724. They were buried in the supplementary buildings near the nave of the Church of St. Stephen. Their feast was there on Oct 21 (SHG, 1217). The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the feast on Oct 21.

Skeleton of a crucified man. It was discovered in a cave, north of Jerusalem, in 1968. (Israel Exploration Journal, vol 20, n. 1-2). One nail pierced together both feet. The skeleton dates perhaps from the first revolt of the Jews against the Romans (67-70 AD).

Skull of Adam under the feet of the Crucified Christ. The legend that the skull of Adam was buried under Calvary inspired artists to add a skull either in the Grotto of Adam under Calvary or under the feet of the Crucified. (Compare: Adam, Grotto of Adam) -Origen (in Mattheum 126, P.G. XIII, 177) tells us: I have heard about a legend that the body of Adam is buried under Calvary.

Skytte Lars. He was born in Stockholm about 1610. He worked in Portugal as a diplomat between 1641 and 1658. He converted from Lutheranism to Catholicism, and he joined the Franciscan Order in 1647. He was in the Custody of the Holy Land between 1653 and 1655. In Portugal he was the friend of Father Claude Jarier, who died at Jerusalem in 1653. Skytte worked in Rome in 1655 and between 1658-1696. There he died in 1696. He wrote in 1668 'Scala Pietatis'. (Arce A, Lars Skytte, in Archivum Franciscanum Historicurn, An. 65, 1972, 415-474)

Slouschz N. He cleared in 1924 Absalom's Tomb at Jerusalem.

Smaragdus. The male name of the virgin Euphrosyna of Alexandria, who lived 38 years in a convent of monks.

Smith A. He made trial digs at Shiloh. The subsequent excavations were done by Kjaer H., in 1926-1929,

Smith Sidney. This British naval officer defended with a British squadron, Acre against the attacks of Napoléon in 1799.

Smithsonian Institution of Washington. It excavated Tell Jemme (Gemmeh) in 1970. Flinders Petrie in 1927 believed it was the Biblical Gerar (Gen 10, 19). Tell Jemme is one of the tour large mounds between Gaza and Beersheba. (Compare: Silvanus, the monk)

Smuts Jan Ch. (1870-1950). The settlement Ramat Johannan, about 10 kms south of Haifa, is in honour of this South-African Fieldmarshall and statesman.

Soba. According to the Ethiopian liturgy, Soba was the mother of Elisabeth, and the grandmother of John the Baptist. The sister of Soba was Anne, who became the mother of Mary the Virgin.

Sobata (Subeita, Isbeita, Esbeita). The Hebrew name of this Byzantine city in the Negev is Shivta. The ruins show three monasteries.

Societas. Jesu (= Jesuits). In 1534 the Jesuits tried to find an apostolate in the Holy Land. The war between Venice and the Turkish Empire impeded their departure. (Compare: Ignatius of Loyola)

Sodalitas Catholica Opificum ex gente Germanorum. (Deutsch Katholische Arbeitergemeinschaft). Their members visited the city of Jerusalem in 1900 and they donated a white marble memorial tablet with Latin text. The inscription recalls the visit of Maximilian, Duke in Bavaria, to Jerusalem in 1838, at the time of the pest. (Compare: Baier Dr) - After the restoration of the Chapel of the Fiagellation in 1929, the marmor slab was fixed at the northern part of the facade, outside the Chapel.

Soidos. An inscription in Avdat mentions: 'Let Zamnos the builder of the house be remembered in the year 162 (= 268 AD). Let Soidos be remembered'.

Soler, archbishop of Montevideo. He visited Palestine in 1885. He bought the site of Deir et Benat (Convent of the Maidens) at Ortas (Urtas), as the seat of a shrine of Mary, Our Lady of the Garden. (Hortus Conclusus). The shrine is staffed by Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden. This congregation was founded in Italy in 1829, but came to Uruguay and Montevideo. The sanctuary was completed in 1901. The Sisters opened the Orphanage in 1903.

Soler Petrus. See: Petrus Soler, martyr Damascus 1860. 

Solomon, the King of Jerusalem. He is not venerated in the Armenian liturgy, not listed in the Roman Martyrology, nor in the Greek liturgical books. Solomon is 'saluted' by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 23th of the month Saneh. The Queen of Saba paid a visit to Solomon. (Saba, Sheba) (1 Kings 10, 1; 2 Chr 9, 1). Solomon (961-925) built the Temple at Jerusalem.

Portico of Solomon. John 6, 22 writes: It was the time when the feast of the Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple, walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. - This portico was at the southeast side of the precinct round the Temple. In the southeast corner of this mount are vaults, which are named Stables of Solomon.

Throne of Solomon. Just north of the Golden Gate is a small mosque. It is known as the Throne of Solomon (Kursi Suleiman). Legend says that here Solomon sat and watched the jinns (spirits) who worked for him.

Pools of Solomon. Three large pools, south of Bethlehem, are after a popular tradition attributed to Solomon. A spring, Ain-Saleh, carries water to the upper pool. Herod the Great carried water to the Herodium by an aqueduct. The water for the Temple passed in the days of Jesus through the Pools of Solomon. (Compare: Pilate's Aqueduct)

Pillars of Solomon. The red-rock pillars at Timna are like chimneys for the refining of the ore of copper in the mines of Solomon.

Quarries of Solomon (Solomon's Quarries or Royal Caves). A subterranean quarry which is supported on natural pillars goes 200 meters under the city of Jerusalem. This quarry supplied since the epoch of Solomon or before this period materials for construction. The entrance to the quarry is between Damascus Gate and Herod's Gate. The Arabs call the site Mogharet el Kittan (Grotto of the Cotton), because the caves served as a storeroom for powder. The site is known also as Zedekiah's Cave(s). A tradition has it that Zedekiah, the last king of Judah (597-587 BC) escaped from his royal palace through a tunnel to these caves, and from there in the direction of Jericho. Zedekiah was overtaken by the troops of King Nebuchadnezzar. His sons were executed in his presence, he himself was blinded and abducted in chains to Babylon. The site where Zedekiah was captured is on the way to Jericho, at Qalaat ed Damm (the Castle of Blood), where tradition afterwards located the Good Samaritan Inn.

Solomon and Megiddo. Solomon built the fortified city Megiddo. Some constructions are interpreted by certain scholars as stables for horses. The Book of Revelation 16, 16 mentions a place which in Hebrew is called Armaggeddon. This great symbolic battlefield for the final struggle is related with the strategical importance of Megiddo.

Solomon and Mount of Scandal in Jerusalem. On the Mount of Scandal or Mount of Offence Solomon, having taken Moabite wives into his harem, built for these foreign wives a sanctuary to Chamos, who was the God of Moab (1 Kings 11).

Solomon and Tomb of Pharaon's Daughter. At the foot of Mount of Scandal, is the Monolith of Siloe, an ancient tomb. It is locally known as Tomb of Pharaon's Daughter. it could have been that Solomon buried there his Egyptian wife.

Solomon and New Testament. In Mt 6, 29 Jesus declares: 'Think of the flowers growing In the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. '

Solomon, patriarch of Jerusalem (round 858-864). The Palestinian-Georgian calendar commemorates him on Feb 14.

Son of Lambert Coriparius of Acre. His marble tombstone (Nr 10) with Latin inscription is in the Museum of the Flagellation. (Revue Biblique 1921, p. 443-446)

Sopater, disciple of Christ. (1st cent.) (AA.SS. June 25)

Sophia, the mother of St. Sabas. Sabas was born in Moutalaski near Caesarea, Cappadocia, in 439. Sophia followed her son to Palestine, where she became a nun and lived in the convent of St. Paula in Bethlehem. After her death, her remains were brought to the church of St. Sophia, which is about 350 meters north of the Convent of St. Sabas. This church was built in 657. - Another tradition says that Sophia was buried in St. Theodosius, east of Bethlehem.

Sophia in Jerusalem. 'In sancta Sophia, litania': this means the church which was dedicated to the Wisdom (Sophia) of God, where the house of Pilate was recalled. The Georgian liturgy recited in this Sophia-Church a litany on Aug 7. The dedication of this Church was commemorated on Sept 21.

Sophia-Church in Constantinople. The Hagia Sophia was built by Emperor Justinian I (523-565). Greek synaxaries have the dedication on Dec 23, and a second dedication on Dec 24 (562). Georgian liturgy had in Jerusalem the dedication, on Dec 23.

Sophia degli Arcangeli of Florence. This Lady opened in 1353 a pilgrim house north of the Franciscan Convent at Mount Sion. The hospice came later under the Friars, and the women who were in charge of it, became Tertiaries.

Sophia of Jerusalem, mother of Elisabeth, who had as son John the Baptist. Sophia is venerated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium.

Sophinos. This martyr is mentioned in the Passion of St. Codratus, in the Armenian liturgy on May 9. Sophinos is not named in the Greek liturgy.

Sophronius I, St., patriarch of Jerusalem. He was born at Damascus round 560; he died at Jerusalem on March 11, 638. Sophronius was a monk in Egypt, round 580. Then he came to the Jordan area, and from 619 he was at Theodosius' monastery near Bethlehem. He accompanied John Moschus on his journey to Rome, and returned from Rome round 620. Moschus dedicated his Pratum Spirituale to Sophronius. In 633 Sophronius went to Alexandria. Shortly after his election to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (634-638), he addressed his famous 'Synodical Letter' to the other patriarchs, explaining his own teaching on the two natures in Christ. Sophronius saw the surrender of Jerusalem (637) to the Moslem conqueror, Caliph Ornar. Of this 11 extant sermons, that delivered on Christmas 634 has special interest, as it indicates that the Saracens were already in possession of Bethlehem. The Latin Patriarchate has the feast of Sophronius on March 11. This Sophronius I, patriarch, is most probably to be identified with Sophronius the Poet, who ruled the Church of Jerusalem until the arrival of Islam.

Sophronius II, Euthymius and Simon, patriarchs of Jerusalem, round 1060-1099. 

Sophronius IV, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, 1579-1608. He renewed the claims of Germanus (1565) to the Basilica of Bethlehem. In 1605, one year after the New Capitulations, Sophronius could get a firman (permit) from Sultan Ahmed I, giving the Greeks the northern part of the Calvary, the place of the crucifixion (12th Station). This northern part is still in Greek possession.

Sophronius, the Armenian, the hegumen. He was the successor of St. Theodosius (died 529) in the convent of St. Theodosius. Sophronios died in 542, on March 21. - Sophronius was an Armenian of Sebastia in Armenia. Sophronius had a cousin, Mamas, who was in the Byzantine court. Mamas donated money for the convent.

S. O. S. village for abandoned children in Bethlehem. The institute was founded in Tyrol in 1949 by Gneimer. The village in Bethlehem is run by Austrian Sisters.

Sosipater, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of lconium, in the Greek list. According to the Roman Martyrology (June 25) we read: Sosipater, near Beroea, who was a disciple of St. Paul. In the letter of Paul to the Romans (16, 21) Sosipater and Lucius and Jason are called 'my kinsmen'. Sosipater, together with Jason, is remembered by the Greek liturgy on April 28.

Sosthenes, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Colophon, in the Greek list. The Roman Martyrology has on Nov 28 Sosthenes, a disciple of St. Paul. This Sosthenes is named in the first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1, 1).

Sosthenes, president of the synagogue at Corinth (Acts 18, 17). This Sosthenes was beaten by the Jews in the presence of the governor Gallio, who ignored the riot. This Sosthenes is since patristic times identified with Sosthenes who is greeted by Paul in 1 Cor 1, 1. His being beaten may have been the incitement for his conversion to Paul.

Soudarion (Greek). The unnamed disciple in Jn 20, 7 entered the empty tomb and saw the cloth that had been over His head. Soudarion (napkin) stands in opposition to othonia, 'bindings, linencloths'. - The emir of Edessa (Urfa in Turkey) was obliged to give the soudarion (Holy Shroud (Mt 27, 59) or napkin) to the Byzantine conqueror John Gourgen in 944.

Soultaneh Danil. See: Alphonsine, Sister. 

Sozomenos. He was born near Gaza, he wrote 'Historia Ecclesiastica', he died around 450.

Spaccapietra. He visited Jerusalem in 1859, Oct 29, as Apostolicus Visitator.

Spafford Horatio. This lawyer of Chicago settled in Jerusalem in 1881, together with his wife. They erected the American Colony. The Americans were joined by Swedish sympathisers. In time the Swedish element withdrew and the Colony continued under the descendants of the original founders. (Bertha Spafford Vester, Our Jerusalem, 1951) Spafford lived first inside the walls, where is now Spafford Baby Home. Horatio Spafford died at Jerusalem in 1888. (Compare Lagerlöf).

Spafford Baby Home. The site was the first abode of the family Spafford (1881) in Jerusalem. The house is very close to the wall Damascus Gate to Herod's Gate on the ridge. Under the ridge are the subterranean Quarries of Solomon (or Royal Caves). The Spafford house became later Christian Missionary Society Girls School. And afterwards Spafford Baby Home.

Spanish Kings. Between 1219 and 1244, Spanish kings helped the Armenians of St. James in Jerusalem, because at that period the Armenians were in union with Rome.

Spelonca. The name of a monk and of a convent in Wadi Kattar (between Muntar and Castellion) in the Judaean desert.

Spes. The Latin name for the person, who was named in Greek language Elpis (Hope).

Spijkerman August, Franciscan. He was born in 1920 at St. Nicolaasga in Friesland (Netherlands), he died at Jerusalem in 1973. His speciality as numismatist concerned Palestinian coins. Spijkerman cooperated with Rosenberger who edited several books about Rosenberger-collections.

Spirid(i)on, the wonderworker, bishop of Trimythonthe (Cyprus). He was the father of a family, he was named bishop. His continued his work of shepherd. He died around 348. The Melkite liturgy has his feast on Dec 12; the Roman martyrology on Dec 14. -The Greek Orthodox Convent St. Spiridon is inside the wall, to the west of Damascus Gate. (Mertens A. What, when, where in Jerusalem, p. 54, Map of Greek Convents inside the Old City of Jerusalem.)

Spiridon Scordillis, archimandrite. He organised a small museum of antiquities that were found in Jacob's Well at Shechem. In 1860 the Greeks had acquired the site. In 1863 the crypt was restored. Before 1914, the Greeks rebuilt with Russian funds the Byzantine church above the well. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the funds stopped, and the church is still unfinished.

Spoudaioi. The Greek word means 'men who are always at hand'. Daniel the Russian archimandrite, in 1106 locates their convent west of the Holy Sepulchre. There is actually a Greek convent. Its chapel is dedicated to the Holy Virgin.

Srour of Abud. (13th cent.) He was the son of the deacon Abd el-Messih son of George, son of Said, son of Khweq el-Aboudi. Srour bought near Cairo a Syro-Edessian canonary (book with canons, laws of the church). The ruin, Khirbet Srour, is at the entrance of the village of Abud.

Srpouhi, the Armenian 'Mother Superior', who took the veil at the age of 16 and departed to Christ at the age of 100. This inscription is in the Armenian cemetery outside Sion Gate in Jerusalem.

Stachus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Byzantium, in the Greek list. The Roman Martyrology mentions on Oct 31, Stachus, bishop of Constantinople (Byzantium), who was ordained as the first bishop of this town by Andrew the Apostle.

Star in Bethlehem. The silver star in the Grotto of Nativity was stolen on Oct 31, 1847, by the Greeks as protest against the Latins. The star bears the Latin inscription: Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est 1717. Because the removal was contrary to the Status Quo, the Greeks were obliged by the Turkish Government to replace an identical star, in 1852.

Starkburg. German name of the Crusader fortress Montfort. With the support of Frederick II, it passed, early in the 13th century, into the hands of the Teutonic Order. The Arab name is Qal'at el Qurein.

Starkey James Leslie. He was the head of the British expedition for the excavation of Lachish. He was murdered on Jan 10, 1938, near Hebron, as he was driving from Lachish to Jerusalem. The British dig ended in 1939. Starkey is buried on the Protestant-Anglican cemetery on Mount Sion, Jerusalem.

Statchbury H. He made in 1960 the final clearing of Zachariah's Tomb in the valley of Kidron.

Station(s). A manuscript which was formerly in the Franciscan Convent of Sint Truiden (Belgium) mentions the word Station(s) as stopping place or place of praying during the Way of the Passion. The manuscript is probably before Bethlem (round 1475). Its author is unknown. The manuscript mentions 12 Stations (from Judgment (1st) to burial (12th). The Stations are: 1) Judgment; 2) Jesus is disrobed for the scourging; 3) Crowning with thorns; 4) Ecce Homo; 5) Jesus meets his mother Mary; 6) Simon helps; 7)Veronica wipes the face of Jesus; 8) The Gate of Judgment, when leaving the town; 9) Place of Crucifixion; 10) Mary and John under the Cross; 11) Mary receives the body of Jesus; 12) Burial. The manuscript is actually in the Franciscan Convent at Vaalbeek (Leuven).

Status quo. At Easter 1757 there was in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre a collusion between the Greek clergy and the Franciscans (Latins). The Porte Sublime of Constantinople issued then a firman (decree). It accorded to the Greeks possession of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, of the Tomb of the Virgin in Gethsemane, and joint possession with the Latins in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Pope Clement XIII (1758-1769) appealed to the Western Powers without result. In 1829, the Armenian Orthodox as belonging to the Ottoman Empire, had their rights in these three sanctuaries confirmed. After the Crimean War (1854), the Treaty of Paris in 1855 confirmed the Status Quo of 1757. The Congress of Berlin in 1878 excluded a priori the question of the Holy Places. Clémenceau after the victory of 1918 declined to 'become the sacristan of the Holy Sepulchre'. The British Mandate, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Israel, respected the Status quo.

Sanctuaries under Status quo:

The Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre is used by Greek, Armenians, Latins. - The Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem is used by Greek, Armenians, Latins. - The Tomb of Mary in Gethsemane: here the Latins claim right from the Greek. - At the shrine of the Ascension, the Christians (three groups) have rights, together with the Mosiems. - At the Coenaculum, Room of the Last Supper, on Mount Sion, the Franciscans claim right against the Moslems.

Steenberg Matthieu, parish priest of Londerzeel (Belgium). He had visited the Holy Land. Shortly after 1500 he erected a Cruysganck in his parish. The stations in the fields and streets were: 1) Pilate condemns Jesus; 2) First fall; 3) Simon helps; 4) Veronica cleans the face of Jesus; 5) Second fall; 6) Daughters of Jerusalem lament Jesus. 1 7) Last (third) fall; 8) Jesus is stripped of his garments. - The stations in the streets of Londerzeel were on the same distance as in Jerusalem. On Good Friday the stations were visited with a procession. Round 1930 a highway cut the village in two parts. Since then the Procession Way of the Stations was omitted.

Steiner Joseph. He was born at Haifa from Austrian parents, on Nov 24, 1897. He was ordained as a priest by Patriarch Barlassina in 1920. Steiner died in Lebanon, on Dec 7, 1975.

Steinmann. This French professor was drowned, together with 22 French pilgrims, on a visit from Jerusalem to Petra, when a flood entered the Siq of Petra in April 1963. Only two ladies who were much in advance were not overrolled by the flood because they could climb on the rocks. The Siq of Petra is a narrow passage between high walls of rock. Since the disaster the dam that should prevent the invading of floods had been made higher.

Stephanis and Victor, martyrs. They are mentioned in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on April 22, Aug 8, Oct 3, Nov 11. These martyrs are not identified.

Stephanus, abbas ad Lacum Anserum, St. He visited Palestine in the 8th century. (AA.SS. Jan 14)

Stephanus Blesensis. He is mentioned in the first crusade, 1096-1099. His chaplain was Alexander. (Chronica S. Petri Vivi) (AA.SS. April 23)

Stephanus, fifth patriarch (1128-1130) of the Latin Patriarchate. 

Stephanus Obazinensis, St. He worked for the Saracens, round 1259. (Vita S. Stephani, auct. anon. c. II, n. 7) (AA.SS. March 8)

Stephanus Perticensis. He participated in 1205 at the fourth crusade, he was in Palestine in 1203. (AA.SS. June 24)

Stephanus, the unprofitable clerk. Armenian monks, who wrote in colophons of manuscripts, protested their unworthiness in the following fashion: 'Least of the clergy, the unprofitable clerk, Stephanus, miscalled a priest, which in name alone he is, and not in deed, and a hardened sinner and foreigner, unfruitful of good and unprofitable in all ways, the unmentionable Aretas'. (Hintlian Kevork, History of the Armenians, 1976, p. 54)

Stephen, St. First Martyr. His feast is on Dec 26. Stephen was a Jew of the Diaspora. He lived in Jerusalem, and he accepted Christianity. Stephen and six others were appointed to provide for the care of the needy community, while the Twelve confined themselves to preaching (Acts 6, 11-6). The Seven also preached and it was the Jews of the Diaspora who charged Stephen before the council. The burden of the charge was a prediction of the destruction of the Temple and of the change of the Law. This was judged blasphemy, and Stephen was stoned, according to the law. Luke notes the presence of Saul (Acts 8, 1).

Death of Stephen. A street slopes down from Stephen's Gate to the valley of Kidron. South of the street, in the curve, is the newly (since 1966) rebuilt multi-storeyed church of the Greek Orthodox. The church commemorates the stoning of Stephen.

Finding of his body. In 415 the priest Lucian found the tomb of St. Stephen in Cafargamala (Beit-Jimal). This village is 5 kms south of Beth-Shemesch in Judaea. The body of St. Stephen was then transferred to Mount Sion in Jerusalem, and it remained there from 415 till 439. In 439 the relics were brought from Mount Sion to the newly built basilica north of Jerusalem. This basilica was built under Empress Eudoxia-Athenais. The actual church was consecrated in 1900. It is served by the Dominican Fathers. Near the church is the Ecole Biblique et Archéologique de la France.

Stephen's Gate. (See Lions' Gate) Stephen's Gate has several names. The name Bab Sittna Mariam (the Gate of our Lady Mary) indicates that the way descends to the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. The name Bab el Asbat (Gate of the Tribes) indicates that pilgrims coming from Jericho entered through this gate. The Greeks usually call it Gethsemane Gate, as leading to Gethsemane. Since the Crusades, the christians and the pilgrims call it St. Stephen's Gate. It was also named Gate of Galilee. The Hebrew name Lions' Gate is related to the sculpted lions.

Stoa of St. Stephen. In the Stoa of St. Stephen, deposition of the saints Tarachus, Probus, Andronicus, on June 27 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Stoa (portico) means perhaps the atrium (central court) of the Basilica, which was inaugurated by Empress Eudoxia on June 15, 460.

Synaxis in Stephano Sancto. The Georgian calendar on Jan 14 has for this synaxis: totum invenies temporis Paschalis Secunda feria quarta (the second Wednesday after Easter).

Transfer of the bones to Jerusalem. The Melkite liturgy remembers it on August 2.

Transfer of the bones to Constantinople. The Greek synaxaries remember it on August 2.

St. Stephen on Mount Sion (Armenian Church). Theodoric (1172) mentions this church. A colophon of the Armenian manuscript (Man. No 1863, fol 327b-328b) dated 1134, locates this church to the east of the Armenian Convent of the Holy Archangels.

Stephen, adopted name of Dunale. 

Stephen, the Arab. He was hegumen of the 'koinobion' of St. Sabas. Stephen died 533 or 534, Jan 22. (Vita Euthymii, ch. 48) The Georgian calendar has the feast on Jan 12.

Stephen, bishop. St. Not identified. Perhaps Stephen, disciple of S. Euthymius and deacon of the Anastasis-Church, and later bishop of Jamnia, who took part at the Council of Chalcedon (451). Feast on April 2.

Stephen, count of Chartres in France. He took part at the first Crusade, 1096-1099.

Stephen of Chenolakkos, St. In the Greek liturgy on Jan 14. He lived in the 8th century. He entered the monastic life in Palestine, staying for some time in the monasteries of St. Euthymius, St. Sabas, and St. Theodosius. After studying the rules of these monasteries, he went to Constantinople, where he consulted with Germanus I, the Patriarch, who helped him to found the monastery of Chenolakkos near Moudania in Asia Minor, where he remained until his death.

Stephen of Cuneo (Italy), St. This Franciscan was martyred in Jerusalem on Nov 14, 1391. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI, on June 21, 1970. His feast is on Dec 5.

Stephen of Dor. In September 642 Stephen was promoted by the pope as Administrator Apostolicus of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It was after the conquest (637) of Jerusalem by the Islam.

Stephen of Melitene in Armenia. He was the brother of Gainos and of Andrew. Stephen was received in the laura by St. Sabas. Stephen became bishop of Jamnia. (Perhaps to be identified with Stephen, bishop?)

Stephen, a shepherd in France. This youth induced, round 1200, young companions to follow him for a crusade. His group was taken by slave-dealers and sold into Egypt.

Stephen, the confessor. In the Greek liturgy, Dec 17. He was ordained by Pope Agapetus 11 (946-955), he went to Constantinople where he met with the Emperor Constantine VII (912-959). Stephen proceeded to Jerusalem, from there to Egypt, where he was arrested and died.

Stephen, Franciscan Father. He came in 1219-1220 to the Holy Land and informed St. Francis of Assisi about the happenings in his Order in Italy.

Stephen, the hymnograph, (Stephen of Mar Saba, The Sabaite, The Thaumaturgist. The Melkite liturgy has the feast on Oct 28. Stephen was born in Damascus in 725. His brother was John of Damascus. Stephen entered the monastery of St. Sabas in the desert of Judaea. Later he was consecrated a bishop. For many years he withdraw to live in the desert. He performed many miracles. He is said to have walked over the water. He lived on herbs. He died on March 31, 794. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his feast on Dec 23. Stephen has written the passion of the 20 monks who were martyred in 797 by the Moslems. The Acta Sanctorum have Stephanus, confessor and poet, on Oct 28, in the 9th century. The Acta Sanctorum have Stephanus Sabaita on July 13.

Stephen, successor of St. Gerasimos, (Vita Cyriaci, ed. Schwartz)

Stephen, Saint, King of Hungary. Round 1010 he founded buildings in Jerusalem. (Vita S. Steph., auct. Hartwico seu Carthuitio, ep. c. III, n. 18) (AA.SS. Sept 2)

Sterckx Petrus, (Petrus Potens) priest from Leuven (Belgium). After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he erected round 1505 a Cruysganck in the streets of Leuven with 8 Stations. They are: 1) Judgment 2' First Fall; 3) Simon helps; 4) Veronica wipes the face of Jesus 5) Second Fall; 6) Daughters of Jerusalem lament Jesus; 7) Third Fall; 8) Stripped of the garments. This 8th Station was outside the gate of the city. The Cruysganck of Leuven served as model for Peter Calentijn, who published his Cruysganck in 1568. (Compare: Steenberg Matthieu of Londerzeel)

Stock Simon. See: Simon Stock of Kent (1165-1265). 

Stone of Calvary. According to the Latins, the Greeks cut away on Friday July 20, 1810 a part of the rock round the hole in which the Cross stood on Calvary. The relic was destined for Constantinople. The ship, according to the Latins, shipwrecked before the coast of Syria and the relic was lost. (Compare: Maurus, custos)

Storrs Ronald. He belonged to the British Military Government. In 1918, he ordered the Greeks to remove the screen wall, that separated the east apse from the central nave in the Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem. The Greeks had erected the screen in 1842, after an earthquake of 1834.

Strabion. A tombstone in the Armenian cemetery outside Sion Gate in Jerusalem mentions: 'This is the tomb of Strabion, the Consul of Prussia and the United States'. - In the 19th century, it was customary for governments to appoint their consuls from the native population of Palestine. Armenians provided many consuls and interpreters for the consulates of the kingdom of Prussia, and of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

Strategius, hegumen of St. Sabas. He is mentioned, round 760, in the Life of St. Stephen the Wonderworker, ch. 33. - Strategius wrote a rapport on the sack of Jerusalem by the Persians on May 20, 614. Strategius hegumen is commemorated on May 5.

Stratoni(c)us, martyr at Ptolemais. Probably to be identified with Andronicus, martyr under Aurelian (271-275) (Compare Codratus).

Streuvels Stijn (Lateur Frank), Flemish writer (born 1871, died 1969). He wrote about his pilgrimage (1935) in the Holy Land in his book 'ingooigem II (1914-1940)'. He assisted on Sept 3, 1935 in Jerusalem with the Corps Diplomatique at a funeral service for the Belgian Queen Astrid. On Friday Sept 6, 1935 the pilgrims took the train at Lydda and travelled via Gaza and El-Arish to El-Kantara, where they crossed the Suez-Canal. They continued by rail to Cairo, visited the Pyramids. They embarked at Suez on the French steamer Porthos. This ship came from China and was steaming to Marseille.

Strouthion-Pool. It is mentioned by the historian Flavius Josephus. This pool was nearby the Fortress Antonia.

Stylites in the Holy Land. Cosmas in the valley of Kidron; John in Lydda; Two stylites near Bethlehem; A stylite near the well of Jacob in Samaria; A stylite near Gethsemane; A stylite near Bethlehem is mentioned by the Russian hegumen Daniel (1106-1107); John was a stylite near St. Sabas; A stylite near the ]aura of St. Gerasimus at the Jordan; Gabriel was a stylite near St. Sabas in 1183.

Sufinus, martyr. See: Sophinos. 

Sulpicius, first patriarch (1191-1194) of the Latin Patriarchate in Acre. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, after the fall of Jerusalem in 1187, survived in Acre till the fall of Acre in 1291. (AA.SS.)

Surafel, archangel. See: Afnin. 

Suriel, the fourth archangel, who helped the twelve sons of Jacob. He is celebrated in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 27th of the month Nahasse (the twelfth month, Aug 4-Sept 2).

Surset. This lady is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Takhshash 10. She was a daughter of the nobles of Constantinia. She refused to be betrothed to a nobleman and she went to Jerusalem (?) and she came to the monastery of the Egyptians (?). She went in the shrine of Golgotha, and she became a nun. Silas, who was a soldier from the country of Caesarea, had a friend who was a pilgrim and a man of the desert. This friend lived in the caves of Kalamon. When Easter came, Silas went to seek his friend, but he could not find him. Silas met a person in a cave, and asked: 'Is it a woman or a eunuch?' The lady Surset revealed her story. Silas brought her food, but she would not eat, and she died. Silas buried her in her cave. Salutation to the Lady Surset.'

Surius Bernardin. This Franciscan Father, together with Brother Philippus Singeliers, started from Boetendael near Brussels, on April 15, 1644. He was in the Holy Land from 1644 to 1647. He was in Jerusalem in May 1646, he became Superior of the Franciscan convent near the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. He stayed 6 months in Jerusalem. He was back at the end of June 1647. He published: Den godvrugtigen Pelgrim ofte Jerusalemse Reyse, (1649). - Surius relates that a Flemish Franciscan priest, Mauritius, was during 25 years in the Custody of the Holy Land. Neither name of the family, nor date of birth of Mauritius are given by Surius.

Susanna (Hebrew lily), heroine in the story of Daniel 13. Susanna, the wife of Joakim, was desired by two elders of the Jewish community in Babylon. They threatened to accuse her of adultery, unless she yielded to their desires. Susanna refused, and was condemned on their accusation. On the way to execution, Daniel the prophet examined the two elders. The falsehood of the accusation was detected and both elders were executed. - The Chapter Daniel 13 does not exist in Hebrew and is not in the Jewish and Protestant Bible.

Susanna. In the Museum of the Flagellation, Jerusalem, is her tombstone (Nr 9) with a cross and with a Greek inscription. The Blessed Susanna died on the 17th of the month Artemesius in the 11th indiction. (Revue Biblique, 1903, p. 425) - The tombstone was found near Beersheva.

Susanna, St., virgin and martyr. She was the daugther of the pagan priest Artemius and of the Jewess Martha. After the death of her parents, she became Christian. Prefect Alexander tortured her by several methods. She died in 3621363, in Eleutheropolis (BeitGuvrin). Her memory is in the Rom. Martyrology on Sept 19.

Susanna, mother of Artavan. In the hall of the former Russian Museum in the Russian Convent grounds on Mount of Olives is a pavement (6, 70 by 7 meters). Its inscription in Armenian reads: 'This is the tomb of the blessed Susanna, mother of Artavan, Hori 18.' Hori is the second month in the old Armenian calendar. Artavan was a Byzantine Armenian general.

Sutuel, the remaining (one) of the prophets. See Ezra Behar, who is called the scribe of the commandments of God. 

Sveinsson Eskill, admiral of Jutland, and his brother, Sveinsson Svein, bishop of Viborg in Jutland. Eskill accompanied his brother on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Both brothers prayed in the sanctuary of Pater Noster on Mount of Olives, and they rebuilt the chapel with the alms which they had left for this purpose. Admiral Eskill, after a bath in the cold water of the Jordan, fell ill and died. Later his brother, bishop Svein, died in March 1152. Both brothers were buried in the Church Pater Noster, which was then under construction. Their tombs were unearthed under two slabs in 1869.

Swedish Jerusalem Society. It is housed in Prophets' Street, West Jerusalem. The Society runs the Swedish Theological Institute which publishes an Annual. The Swedish Institute possesses an inscription of the excavations of Gezer.

Sylvia of Aquitanie = another name for the nun Aetheria, who visited the Holy Land round 385. 

Symeon Salos (the Fool). See: Simon the Fool. Leontius of Neapolis has handed down the life of Symeon Salos (BHG 1677). Simon was born round 522 in Emesa. He came to Jerusalem, together with his companion John (of Emesa). They lived 40 years in the monastery of St. Gerasimus, west of the Jordan. Symeon returned to Emesa, feigned to be a fool, therefore the nickname 'the fool'. Symeon died at the end of the 6th century. Symeon Saios and his companion John are remembered together on July 21.

Symeon, the Younger, stylite, St. He received from Jerusalem a relic of the Cross, and a chip of the rol1stone that was before the mouth of the Holy Sepulchre (Life of Martha, BHG 1174). The dedication of this relic-stone is mentioned on May 26, in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Symeon, the Younger, is remembered on May 23, and on July 27.

Symeons, Three Symeons, stylites. The Georgian liturgy records the three on July 27. Symeon, stylite, the Elder, made by miracle an end to a drought. Symeon, stylite, the Younger, received from Jerusalem a relic of the Cross and a chip of the rol1stone. Symeon, stylite, the third, lived 4 miles away from Egee in Cilicia. (Pratum Spirituale, ch. 57; PG 87, 2912). The 'three stylites' are mentioned in a canon of the 'Holy Fathers', Saturday of the second week before Lent, in the Greek liturgy.

Symeus. See: Maximus Symeus. 

Symmachus, 22nd bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd century. (AA.SS.)

Syrian Hermit, abbot of St. Elias (Deir Mar Elyas). This monk with a long beard and with the face of a saint, brought to Richard Lion-Hearted, who encamped at Beit Nuba in June 1192, a relic of the Cross, in order to sustain his offensive against Jerusalem. But Richard failed to attack.

Syrian-Catholics. They have since 1974 in Jerusalem a new prayer-house in the Chaldean Street. The Syrian-Catholics emigrated from Turkey. A lot of them settled in Bethlehem.

Syrian-Jacobites (Syrian-Orthodox). At the instigation of Jacob Barada, bishop of Edessa, (died 587), they rejected the Christology of the Council of Chalcedon (451) and they became Monophysites.

T. The capital letter T stands as emblem for the possession which during the Crusades were held by the Templum, (the Templars or Knights Templars). In the streets Suq el-Lahannin (Meats), Suq el-Attarin (Gentlemen), Suq el-Khawadjat (Spices), the emblem T can be seen above the shops. Another emblem in the same quarter is Scta Anna. It indicated the property of the Monastery of St. Anne.

Tabariae. The 'Miraculum S. Jacobi' n. 212 mentions: a certain noble Frenchman, who lived Tabariae, in 1103. (AA.SS. July 25). Does Tabaria mean: Mount Tabor, or the village Dabouriyeh at the foot of Mount Tabor, or the town Tiberias?

Tabgha. The Deutscher Katholisches Palaestina Verein (of Cologne), which was founded in 1855, bought in 1905 the site of Tabgha at the west shore of the Lake of Galilee. The Lazarists Fathers of Germany took care of the site which recalled the Multiplication of Loaves. (Compare Mader, Schneider) A mosaic floor was unearthed in 1932. It is now covered by a chapel. The German Benedictines run the sanctuary since 1939.

Tabgha and the Primatus Petri. Near the Lake are rock-hewn steps which recall the Apparition of the Risen Jesus to his disciples, and the Primatus Petri. (, In 21). Locally the site was known as the PLACE of the COALS. (Jn 21, 9). The Franciscans built here a chapel in black basalt stone. It was inaugurated in 1935. Pope Paul VI descended over the steps to the water of the lake, on Jan 5, 1964.

Tabitha. The word means 'gazelle'. Tabitha is the Aramaic name of Dorcas, a woman of Joppa (Jaffa), raised from the dead by Peter (Acts 9, 36-40). On May 21, 1905, more than 10000 pilgrims, christians and Muslims, visited the cemetery of Tabitha, on Jelbel Tabita, at Jaffa. Not far from the cemetery is the Russian Church. The pilgrimage for remembering Tabitha is on the fourth Sunday after the Easter of the Latins. The Ethiopian Synaxarium has on Ter 26: Salutation to Joseph, who was like unto Tabitha, and gave away all his possession.

Tabor. The AA.SS. May 4 relate: Monks of the Benedictine order and their servants, all together 72 persons, were killed by the Muslim bands of Maiduc and Toghtekin, who raided in 1113 Mount Tabor and stormed the Abbey. - Benedictine Fathers were attacked in 1183 on Mount Tabor by troops of Saladin. But the Benedictine Abbey resisted the attack. - The Apocryphal Gospel of the Twelve Apostles (end of 1st century or beginning of 2nd century) tells us that the Holy Spirit led Jesus on the Mount Tabor for being tempted by the devil. (Compare Mt 4, 1-11) (Compare also: Saller S.; Elijah; Moses)

Taboria. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has this name on Aug 7, the day after the Transfiguration of the Lord, which is recalled on Aug 6, on Mount Tabor. Does Taboria mean Tabor or Dabouriyeh, the village at the foot of Mount Tabor. In this village is commemorated that Jesus, after the night of the Transfiguration, drove out the devil (Luke 9, 37). The nine apostles had not been able to cast out this devil (Mk 9, 13-28), when the three chosen apostles witnessed the Transfiguration. Or is Taboria the name of a person?

Tadzariq. Tadzariq is the Persian name for Theodore, who was the brother of Emperor Heraclius. Tadzariq was the commander of the town of Ramleh. He was joined by the troops of Artaboum, the general of Herachus. Ramieh surrendered to the Muslims in the year 12 Hegira (= 634 AD). Tadzariq and Artaboum fled to Egypt.

Taghleb. Christianized Arab tribe in Palestine. On account of its Arabic origin, conqueror Omar imposed to this tribe only a double sadaqa. Sadaqa means the 'aim of the tithes' which is to be paid by the Muslims.

Takhshash. The month of joy and gladness, the name of which is in the language of Syria the 'First Kanun', and in Greek 'Yasabyo', and in Hebrew the 'First Teshrin'. Takhshash is the fourth month in the Ethiopian calendar. This Ethiopian month goes from December 7 till January 5.

Takle Haimanot. Ethiopian Saint of the 13th century, who made three pilgrimages to Jerusalem. He was a teacher and a priest. For his frequent pilgrimages to Jerusalem, the Ethiopian Saint was rebuked by the Patriarch of Alexandria, who admonished the pilgrim by saying that it would be better for him if he occupied himself with the founding of a monastery than in wandering through various countries. (Ethiopian Synaxarium, Nahasse 14.) (Budge, The Life of Takle Haimanot, London, 1906.) - Takla Haymanot is the Ethiopian monastery in the Old City, north of the 8th Station. It was acquired in 1891. Takla Haymanot is also the name of the new Ethiopian church and monastery in Bethany, consecrated on Sunday, Nov 17, 1974.

Talaleus, martyr. His deposit was 'in Sion' on Nov 19, according to the Georgian liturgy. Perhaps Thaleleus, the martyr of Aege in Cilicia (BHG 1707-1708) is meant.

Tailtha Kumi. Jesus took the daughter of Jairus by the hand and said to her 'Talitha Kumi', which means: Little girl, up for me. (Mk 5, 41). The Kaiserwerth Diaconesses (Lutheran) opened in 1851 in Jerusalem the Talitha Kumi Girls' School. They transferred the school in 1961 to Beit-Jala near Bethlehem.

Tancred. During the siege of Jerusalem in July 1099, Tancred made a second breach in the walls at the northwest corner. The site was afterwards called Tancred's Tower. The stronghold is also known as Qala'at el Jahud (Jewish Stronghold) [or Qala'at el-Jalud (The Castle of Goliath)]. Tancred was prince of Galilee from 1099 to 1112, and prince of the city of Antioch from 1111 to 1112. He died in 1112. -Tancred is one of the heroes in the epos of Tasso 'Jerusalem Liberated'.

Tannous Joseph. He was born in Nazareth in 1838. He became a priest, he founded in 1880 in Jerusalem the Congregation of the Sisters of the Rosary. All its members are Arab girls. Tannous died in Nazareth in 1892. His remains were brought in 1899 to the Church of the Rosary Sisters on Agron Street (formerly Mamillah Street) in West Jerusalem. (Jérusalem, Bulletin diocésain, XL, 1974, 718, p. 132)

Taphos. This Greek word 'Sepulchre' stands for Confraternity of the Holy Sepulchre. Patriarch Germanos (1534-1579) founded it. Its members are the guardians of the Holy Places for the Orthodox Church. The Taphos-Confraternity is the opponent of the Custody, which defends the rights of the Latins (Roman Catholic Church). The emblem of the Taphos-Confraternity is the Greek capital letter T, interwoven with the 0. This interweaving, produces the letter Phi (beginletter of the second syllable, Phos, from the complete word Taphos) This monogram in relief marks the Greek property.

Tarsha. This Christian family of Jerusalem donated the central altar in the Grotto of Arrest, when the Grotto was cleaned (1959) after the flood of 1956. The picture above this central altar represents Jesus in the Garden with the Oil-press (Gethsemane).

Tarachus, martyr. He is venerated in Palestine on June 27, July 18, Sept 28, Oct 1, Oct 11. Tarachus is remembered together with the martyr Probus and the martyr Andronicus, according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Tarasius, St., martyr. Tarasius (Terentius) was martyred with Africanus, Maximus, Pompejus, etc. in Africa. The memory is on April 10. In the 'building of Maurice, the Byzantine emperor' was on July 14, the memory of Tarasius and companions.

Taucha. The parents of Saint Taucha went from Palestine/Syria to Champagne in Gaul in the 4th century. (AA.SS. Oct 10)

Teggart. During the British Mandate (1917-1948) Teggart built Police Stations at Safed, at Latrun (Amwas in the plain of Sharon), at Metulla in Galilea, on the frontier with Lebanon.

Tatian, king (466. 498) of Georgia. He founded the monastery of the Holy Cross (Deir el-Musallibeh) in Jerusalem. (Compare: Lazes)

Teliaeus, St. He was in Palestine in 518, together with David, archiepiscopus Menevensis, and Paternus. (AA.SS. March 1, Feb 9, April 15) (Vita S. Teliaei, c. II, n. 6-9)

Templars or Friends of Jerusalem. These Germans of Wurtemberg were conducted by W. and C. Hoffrnann, and erected in 1868 the Templars Settlement near Jaffa, and afterwards other Christian communities in Haita, Sarona, Wilhelma, Waldheim, and Bethlehem in Galilee. The Templars were exiled to Australia by the British Administration during World War II (1939-45). Their property was taken over by the State of Israel.

Templars or Knights Templars. This religious Order was found at Jerusalem in 1119. They had their headquarters near the Templum Domini (the Dome of the Rock) in the buildings of the EI Aqsa Mosque. King Philippe le Bel arrested the Great Master, Jacques de Molay, and the Knights Templars who were in France. (1307). Pope Clemens V, suppressed the Templars in 1312. - The Templars had as coat-of-arms a red cross. The four ends of the four arms were split open. The Templars wore since 1148 a white mantle.

Templecombe in Somerset (England). The Knights Templars erected in 1185 a commandery at Templecombe where new Templars were trained before departing to the Holy Land.

Ten lepers. See: Lepers (Luke 17, 11-19)

Teodorico of Ravenna, bishop. He came to Syria in 1234. He was accompanied by the Franciscan Father, Diotisalvi of Firenze.

Terebon I. He was the son of the sheikh Aspebet-Peter. As a young boy, Terebon was healed by the monk Euthymius, the Great (377-473) in the desert of Judaea. Terebon succeeded to his father as sheikh and phylarch. He was calumniated and imprisoned at Bosra round 458. Through the intervention of Euthymius, Terebon was liberated. He returned to his camps, and died round 485. His eldest son, Peter II, succeeded him as phylarch (bishop) of the Bedouins.

Terebon II, phylarch of the Bedouins. This after-grandson of Aspebet-Peter, ruled the monastery of St. Theoctist in the 6th century. Terebon II told, round 550, the history of his nomad tribe to the author Cyril of Scythopolis.

Terentius, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of lconium (Asia), in the Greek list. The Roman Martyrology does not mention Terentius.

Terra Santa College. At the junction of Rehov Agron (Mamillah) and King George Avenue is Terra Santa College. Its facade is surmounted by a statue of the Virgin. It was built by Cardinal Ferrari in 1927. 1t was taken over by the Franciscans in 1929. It served as a college until 1948. Then it was partly occupied by the Hebrew University. The Franciscans officiate the chapel for the few Latin families in that part of Jerusalem.

Testa. He was Apostolic Delegate in Palestine in 1949. Later he became a Cardinal.

Teutonic Order. During the siege of Acre (1189-1191) the Order began as a hospital. Indeed, the Hospitallers of the Hospital of St. Mary of the Germans at Jerusalem, founded the military Order of the Teutonic Knights. A 'homo honestus Teutonicus' erected round 1128 a hospital and the church St. Maria (of the Germans). This Church is opposite the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), on the site of the Hasmonaean Palast. The ruins of the Crusader Church are now preserved in the Archaeological Garden. - The Teutonic Knights have as emblem a black cross, of which the four arms enlarge to the periphery. The Hospital(I)ers have the white Maltese Cross on their black mantle. The four triangle-shaped arms converge to a point at the centre of the cross. The Teutonic Order had a hospital at Alden-Biezen (Belgium) since 1220.

Thaddeus, St. Apostle. His feast is on Oct 28 in Mart. Rom. The name Thaddeus occurs only in the lists of Mt 10, 3 and Mk 3, 18. Luke has Jude (6, 16; Acts 1, 13). Legend declares Thaddeus a martyr in Persia.

Thaddeus (or Lebbaeus). The Greek liturgy has his feast on Aug 21. According to tradition, Thaddeus was born in Edessa and went to Jerusalem. After being baptized by John the Baptist, he followed Christ to His Passion. He returned to Edessa, and there he baptized Augarus the Governor and healed him of leprosy. Finally he went to Beirut, where he died. - The Roman Martyrology has on Oct 28 the feast of Simon the Canaenite, and of Thaddeus, who was called also Judas. Both were martyred in Persia.

Thaddeus, copist. A certain Thaddeus, with an Armenian anchorite who was called Mark, copied a gospel in the convent of St. Sabas. (colophon dated 1455) (Surmeyan, Archbishop Artavazd, Catalogue of Manuscripts of 40 Martyrs' Church. 1935, Codex 23, pp. 58-59)

Thaleleus, martyr. The Greek liturgy has his feast on May 20. He was born in Lebanon, and lived during the reign of Numerianus (283-284). He was a physician, and healed many people. He was also a powerful preacher of the Gospel. He was arrested by Theodore, the Governor of Cilicia, and suffered martyrdom. First he was thrown into the sea, but he escaped without harm, wearing a white garment. Finally he was decapitated with the sword. The Martyrologium has his feast, together with that of others, on May 20. (Compare: Talaleus, martyr)

Thalleleus, doctor, Alexander and Asterius from Palestine, martyrs (284) in Edessa, or in Aegis in Cilicia. (AA.SS. May 20)

Thea, St. She was martyred, together with Meura (St), in Gaza, in 305. (Memory on Dec 19 in Mart. Rom.)

Thea of Gaza, virgin, martyr. Together with her sister, Valentine, Thea was martyred by being burned alive. In Palestine is the memory of Valentine on July 22; but Mart. Ram. does not mention Thea on July 22.

Thecla, martyr at Gaza. Greek liturgy on Aug 19. Thecla was born in Bizya, she suffered martyrdom in Gaza, together with Agapius. Thecla was thrown to the beasts and torn to pieces in 306, under Emperor Maximianus (265-310). The Martyrologium Romanum mentions as site of her martyrdom the amphiteater of Caesarea, Palestine, together with Timothy, on Aug 19.

Thecla, virgin and martyr, when the angel brought her on a rock and secretly baptized her. This Thecla 'on the Holy Mount' is mentioned by the Georgian liturgy on July 26, Sept 23, Sept 24, Oct 10, Oct 12, Dec 24. On Oct 10 and Oct 12 Thecla is venerated together with Euphemia. - On Sept 24 Thecla is venerated together with Conon. This veneration was on the 'Holy Mount' (that is the Mount of Olives). The AA.SS. have, in the 1st/2nd centuries on Sept 23: S. Theclae, virg. Seleuciae, who came to Antioch. In the Chapel of Thecla, which is in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem, is a stone, which bears a footprint of Christ.

Thecla (vel Tigridis), St. (Vita S. Tigr. n. 2-8) (AA.SS. June 25, round 562-593 in Palestine)

Thecua (Tekoa). Many monks were martyred in 404 or 410 at Khirbet Kareitoun in the village of Thecua, near Bethlehem. The feast is on May 28. (AA.SS.)

Thenius Otto. This German suggested in 1840 that the hill north of Damascus Gate outside the walls was the true site of Golgotha. (Compare Gordon)

Theobald III of Champagne, leader of the 4th Crusade (1202-1204). In March 1204 the Crusaders stormed Constantinople and made Baldwin the first emperor of the Latin Kingdom of Constantinople. It lasted till 1261. Venice received the main part of the spoils.

Theobald IV, Count of Champagne. He sailed in 1239 for Acre (6th Crusade). He was followed on October 11, 1240 by Richard of Cornwall, who was the brother of King Henry III. Theobald lost in 1240 a battle near Jaffa against the Khwarismian Turks. Theobald IV left Acre in September 1240 for Europe.

Theobald, King of Navarre, since 1234. He was the chief of an army in Palestine round 1240. (See: Guillaume de Cordelle) -Theobald of Navarre is to be identified with Theobald IV of Champagne, who was Count of Champagne from 1201 till 1253.

Theobald Visconti. He made in 1271 an expedition to Acre, with his friend Prince Edward of England. Theobald was not even a priest, he was archdeacon of Liège. During this expedition he was elected pope by the Council of Viterbo. He arrived in Rome, only six months after his election. He adopted the name of Pope Gregory X (1271-1276). He was responsible for the actual form of the Conclave.

Theobaldus, St., Pruvinesis. He came to Palestine round 1056. (Vita S. Theob. c. I, n. 4; c. II, n. 5; - Bulla Canonizationis, n. 5) (AA.SS. June 30)

Theoctista, martyr. Jan 31 and June 28. 

Theoctistus, St. Greek liturgy, Sept 3. He was one of the great ascetics in the wilderness of Judaea. He inhabited the cave monastery of Wadi Mukelik. First he lived with St. Euthymius; later he withdrew, though soon other monks joined him. Theoctistus died on Sept 3, 451. He was buried by Euthymius. - The name Theoctistus is also mentioned on May 13 and on May 17 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. The AA.SS. have his death in 467, and his feast on Sept 3.

Theodora of Tyrus, Martyr. Greek liturgy, April 2. She was born in Tyrus, Phoenicia. She lived during the reign of emperor Maximianus (285-310). She was led before Urbanus, the governor of Palestine, who caused her to be tortured and thrown into the sea.

Theodora, empress, who built the Church of the Virgin. She was born about 508, she was the wife of Emperor Justinian I (524-565). She died on June 28, 548. Theodora (according to the Palestinian-Georgian calendar) or Theodore (according to the Lectionary of Latal) is mentioned on July 2. Was perhaps the name of Theodora connected with a building or with a restoration of a shrine 'Ark of the Covenant' on the hill of Kirjat-Jearim? The feast of the Ark of the Covenant was on July 2.

Theodore. See: Tiridatis, (together with Archelais and Theodore)

Theodore, martyr, St. Greek martyr of the 4th century. Saint Theodore's Church (south Church) is a Byzantine relic in Avdat. Marbled tombstones inserted in the floor have Greek inscriptions. The tombstone, which is next to the right (southern) apsis marks the grave of a young guardsman who died 'a bachelor', at the age of 27. Another tombstone, which is also in the southern aisle, mentions the 'Martyrion of St. Theodore'.

Theodore, monk. He was buried in a catacomb near the Well of David in Bethlehem. There was a Byzantine convent with church, between the fourth and the sixth century.

Theodore, Abuna Abba, Abbot of Dabra Libanos. He was the fifth of those who sat upon the throne of Abuna Takla Haimanot. Theodore died on the 5th day of the month Magabit. (Eth. Synax.)

Theodore, archbishop, perhaps Theodore Ascidas. Theodore Ascidas was a counseller of Emperor Justinian I (518-527). He was exarch (chief) of the New Laura in Palestine; afterwards he was archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia. He died between Dec 557 and Feb 558. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar means perhaps Ascidas by the feast of Jan 26.

Theodore, archbishop. St. Perhaps this is the patriarch of Jerusalem. This Theodore I (he began his rule in 742) was already dead at the time of the Council of 787. The Georgian calendar has the feast of Theodore archbishop on Jan 26.

Theodore, architect. The Emperor Justinian (527-565), in accordance with the wish of Peter and of St. Sabas, sent to Jerusalem the machinarius and architect Theodorus for building the new church of Mary (Nea-Church). The building lasted 12 years. The Nea-Church was dedicated in 543.

Theodore, the builder, and his wife Georgia. An inscription at Jerash tells us that they built the church St. George at Jerash. Its mosaics were made in Feb 533. Theodore is represented on the mosaic wearing a mantle. Georgia is represented as 'orans' (praying woman).

Theodore, the calligraph, bishop of Cyrene, martyr under Diocletian (284-313). Greek synaxaries have his memory on July 4.

Theodore Graptos. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Dec 27. Theodore was the son of Jonas, and the brother of Theophanes Graptos. Theodore was educated in the monastery of St. Sabas in Palestine, and became known on account of his hymnography. During the iconoclastic controversy, he suffered torture, and wasbranded. Theodore died in prison in 833. - His brother Theophanes died in 845. Both brothers were twice exiled, the first time under emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820), a second time under emperor Theophile (829-842). Theophanes became bishop of Nicaea and died in peace in 845. The Martyrologium Romanum has the feast of both brothers on Dec 27.

Theodore, hegumen of St. Sabas. In the list of the hegumens of St. Sabas, Theodore does not figure. But Theodulus is listed between Meliton and Gelasios. The feast of Theodore is on Feb 9 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Here Theodore is listed together with Archelais, martyr, and with Tiridatis.

Theodore, soldier and martyr. On June 3 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar.

Theodore of Constantinople (6th century). He gives the oldest testimony that attributes the painting of the Virgin Mary to St. Luke.

Theodore of Edessa. He lived during the second half of the 8th century. At the age of twenty, he became a monk in the monastery of St. Sabas. Later he was consecrated bishop of Edessa, Mesopotamia. He engaged in theological polemics and wrote ascetic works. In the Greek liturgy his feast is on July 9.

Theodore I, patriarch of Constantinople (died Dec 27, 687). He was commemorated by the Armenian and by the Greek liturgies in Jerusalem on Dec 27 or Dec 28.

Theodore I, pope of Rome (642. 649). He came from the clergy of Jerusalem. He introduced the feast of the Dormition of the Holy Virgin, in Rome.

Theodoric, Legate. This legate of Pope Gregory IX (1227-1241) laid the interdict over Acre. (Compare Henri de Nazareth)

Theodoricus, abbas Andaginensis, St. He came to Palestine round 1033. (Vita S. Theod., c. II, n. 24) (AA.SS. Aug 24)

Theodoricus, St., abbas S. Ebrulphi He came to Palestine before 1058. (AA.SS. Aug 1)

Theodoricus. He visited Jerusalem in 1172. He wrote 'Libellus de Locis Sanctis'. He mentions an Armenian church on the eastern slope of Mount Sion, which is dedicated to St. Peter. He mentions the Church of Chariton to the north of the Holy Sepulchre. He mentions a stone (a piece of a column) on which Jesus was seated when, before the Crucifixion, he was insulted. Such a broken column is in the Greek Chapel of the Mocking, which is in the east apse, to the east side of Golgotha, in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. - The Mocked Jesus, seated on a broken column is known in Belgium round 1500 as 'Christus op den Kouden Steen' (Christ on the Cold Stone). An exhibition 'Het Laatgotisch Beeldsnijcentrum, Leuven' (October, November 1979 in Stedeliik Museum, Leuven) showed 21 representations of the Mocked Jesus. Most of the representations were sculptures which belonged to churches or chapels in and around Leuven (Belgium).

Theodoricus, alamannus, carmelita, Blessed. In the 14th century, he visited the Holy Land. (AA.SS. Oct 15)

Theodoricus, praefectus Trevirensis. He came to Palestine in 1072-1073. (Vita S. Conradi, c. iii, n. 24) (AA.SS. June 1)

Theodorus Siceotas, St. He came to Palestine, first round 550, a second time in 580, a third time in 600. (Vita S. Theod., auct. Eleusio Georgio, lat. vers., c. IV, n. 23-24) (AA.SS. April 22)

Theodose, the monk, and the picture of the Virgin Mary. See: Martha, a widow. 

Theodose, patriarch. An inscription in the Greek Orthodox parish church of Abud, refers to Theodose, patriarch. The inscription dates from the year 450 of the Bedouins, i.e. hegira (622). The yew 450 corresponds to the year 1072 AD.

Theodosia. An inscription in the so-called Bath of Jesus in Bethlehem reads: 'O Lord, remember your servants Zosimus, Theodosia and Kallis'. (Compare: Kallis)

Theodosia, St., mother of the martyr St. Procopius, and Twelve Ladies. They were tortured in Caesarea-Philippi (northeast of the Lake of Galilee) and decapitated under Emperor Diocletian (284-313). Memory in Mart. Rom. on May 29.

Theodosia of Caesarea, Palestine, martyr and virgin. Greek liturgy, May 29; Mart. Rom. March 23. As a young woman of 18 years she was imprisoned and suffered martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution in 308. To be identified with Theodosia of Tyre.

Theodosia of Tyre, St. The Mart. Rom has her memory on April 2. She was from Tyre in Lebanon. She had greeted the Christian martyrs, therefore she was led before the governor Urbanus in Caesarea, Palestine. He stripped off the skin of the breasts, and he ordered the body of the virgin to be thrown into the sea. She was martyred in Caesarea, Palestine, on Easter, in 3071308 under emperor Maximinus Daia (305-313). Greek Synaxaries and the Palestinian-Georgian calendar have her feast on May 29.

Theodosius, haereticus, intrusus, bishop of Jerusalem. He ended his office in 451 (Cyril of Scythopolis mentions Theodosius on Jan 20). Theodosius was the last bishop of the Jerusalem bishopric. in 451 the General Council of Chalcedon made the bishopric of Jerusalem a Patriarchate.

Theodosius, St. Coenobiarch. He was born in Cappadocia in 423, he settled at the age of thirty in Palestine, he formed a small community east of Bethlehem. When St. Sabas was appointed head of all anchorites, Theodosius was set over the coenobites. Coenobites lived in community. Theodosius opposed Monophysitism. This opposition led to his removal by the Emperor Anastasius. The convent Deir Dosi, or Deir Ibn Abeid, east of Bethlehem, was built over a grotto, where the Magi passed the first night after the angel had warned them in Bethlehem to return to their country by another road (Mt 2, 12). Deir Ibn Abeid is the centre of the Abediyeh Bedouins. - The Georgian calendar remembers Theodosius on Jan 11. Theodosius died at 105 years, on Jan 11, 529. (Metaphraste, Vita S. Theodosii).

Theodosius and Shepherds' Field of the Greek. (Keniset er-Rawat, in the plain). Once Theodosius went from Bethlehem to his convent, and on the way he visited his friend Marcian and operated for him a miracle. (Compare: Marcian; Romanus)

Theodosius I, the Great, (379. 395). He died on Jan 17, 395. He is remembered by the Armenian lectionary on Jan 19; by the Greek synaxaries on Nov 9 or Nov 10; by the Syrian calendars on Jan 18. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has his remembrance on May 31.

Theodosius II (Theodosius Minor), emperor of Byzantium, 408-450. He was a grandson of Theodosius the Great (I). Theodosius II died on July 28, 450. He is remembered by the Greek synaxaries on July 29, 30, 31. Sometimes, he is surnamed: Minor, the Little, the Less. His grandfather, Theodosius I, is surnamed the Great. Theodosius II was married to Eudocia in 421. He repudiated her. Their granddaughter (born round 439) is Eudocia the Younger. - Round the time of Theodosius II in 404 or 410, the Saracens murdered monks at Souka (Khirbet Kareitoun) in Tekoa.

Theodosius III, Emperor (715-717) of Byzantium. He died in 722.

Theodosius, patriarch of Jerusalem. Eusebius, Theodorus (or Theodosius), Basilius, were patriarchs 760-772. (AA.SS. Prop.)

Theodota, martyr. Jan 31 and June 28. 

Theodote. She lived before the Council of Nicaea (325). She was the mother of the unmercenary saints, Cosmas and Damian. She died in peace. (Compare: Cosmas)

Theodotos. inscription. A certain Theodotos, of a Jewish family of Roman Freedmen, placed in Jerusalem a Greek inscription. The inscription was found by Weill R. This archaeologist excavated on the Ophel-hill in Jerusalem in 1913-14 and 1923-24. The inscription may belong to the synagogue of 'Freedmen' (Acts 6, 9).

Theodoulos, St., the Elder. In the Greek liturgy, on Feb 17. He served in the family of Governor Firmilianus. He witnessed the constancy of the Christian martyrs and claimed to be Christian. He was fixed to a cross in Caesarea, Palestine. (Mart. Rom. Feb 17) It happened round 309.

Theodoulos of Constantinople, urbis praefectus. Round 385 he visited Palestine. (Vita S. Theoduli, c. II, n. 10-11) (AA.SS. May 28)

Theodoulos of Phoenicia. Theodoulos and Hypatus were ordered by Hadrianus the Governor to arrest Leontius. Leontius was an officer in the Roman army and was stationed in Tripoli of Phoenicia (Lebanon). Theodoulos and Hypatus were converted during the process. They were beheaded by the governor during the reign of Vespasian (69-79). The Latin Church and the Greek liturgy venerate their martyrdom at June 18.

Theodoulos of Sinai. Greek liturgy, Jan 14. Theodoulos, together with his father Nilus, led an ascetic life in Sinai. Theodoulos was captured by the Barbarians and sold as a slave. A bishop, however, redeemed him. Theodoulos returned to the monastery (6th century) to continue his ascetic life. Emperor Justinian translated his relics to the Church of St. Paul in Constantinople. (AA.SS. Jan 14)

Theodulus. Martyr in Jerusalem, about 274, together with Alexander, bishop. He is venerated on Dec 18 (AA.SS.)

Theodulus, Paulus, Johannes, Proclus, and Companions, martyrs in Sinai, round 500. Their feast is on Jan 14 (AA.SS.). The 'History' by the author Nilo, exists in a Latin translation. (Jan 14)

Theoforus. See: Ignatius of Antioch. 

Theognius, bishop. St. He is mentioned by the calendar of the Georgians on Feb 7, Feb 8, Feb 10. Theognius was a disciple of St. Theodosius, and bishop of Betylion (Betelia) near Gaza. His life is described by Paul of Elousa, and by Cyril of Scythopolis. Paul of Elousa gives as date for his death 522, Feb 8. Theognius is not listed in the Greek Synaxaries. The AA.SS. name him 'episcopus Beteliae' (Analecta Bollandiana). The AA.SS. name him Theognius Cappadocensis, and mention that he came to Palestine in 454. Cyril of Scythopolis relates that Theognius came to Jerusalem in the 5th year (4541455) of Emperor Marcian (450-457). Theognius accompanied a certain lady, Flavia, to the Mount of Olives, and to a church of the Saint martyr Julianus.

Theo(o)n. See: Aurelius (in Timna)

Theophane of Taormina. He mentions Emmaus (Hom. XXXII).

Theophanes, bishop at Mount Tabor at the Byzantine period. The bishopric of Mount Tabor was erected at the Council of Constantinople in 553. (Commemoratorium de Casis Dei, round 808)

Theophanes Graptos. In the Greek liturgy on Oct 11. Theophanes was the son of Jonas, and the brother of Theodore Graptos. Educated in the monastery of St. Sabas, Theophanes became known on account of his hymns. During the iconoclastic controversy, he suffered torture and was branded, together with his brother. From there the name Graptos (Grapti, plural). After the death of the Emperor Theophilus (829-842), Theophanes was consecrated bishop of Nicaea. He died in Nicaea in 845. His surname is Graptos.

Theophanes Isaacius (8thigth century). He tells that Mansour and Celsius saved the columns of the Basilica of Agony at Gethsemane. (PG. Will, 721)

Theophanius (1608-1644). This Greek patriarch of Jerusalem, living in Constantinople, renewed the claims of Germanos (1565) and of Sophronius IV (1579-1608) on the Basilica of Nativity.

Theophilus, bishop of Caesarea, Palestine, St. He opposed the Quartodecimans. These Jewish Christians celebrated Easter on the 14th of Nisan (die quarta decima), the day of the Jewish Passover, in accordance with Exodus 12, 15. Roman practise emphasized the observance of the Sunday as the day of the Resurrection. As Christianity separated from Judaism, Gentile Christians objected to observing the principal Christian feast on the same day as the Jewish Passover. - Theophilus died in 190. The Roman Martyrology relates on March 5 that Theophilus was famous for his wisedom in the days of ruler Severus. This Severus is probably not the Emperor Severus, who ruled from 222 to 235.

Theophilus, bishop of Eleutheropolis. Before 360, he was transferred to the bishopric of Castabala in Cilicia. His transfer caused discussion between Acacius, the metropolitan of Caesarea, Palestine, and Cyril, the bishop of Jerusalem. (PG 67, 1195-1196)

Theophilus of Constantinople, pseudo-patriarch, with twelve clerics (fabulosum). They visited Palestine round 356-361. (Translatio S. Antonii, n. 7, 28) (Analecta Bollandiana, 11, 343, 351)

Theophilus, Nicephorus, patriarchs of Jerusalem, after 1012. (AA.SS. Mai, Prop.)

Theophilus, Sergius, and Hyginus, monks in Mesopotamia. They visited Palestine, before 375 (AA.SS. Oct 23). (Vita S. Macarii (fabulosa) n. 3 et 24)

Theophorus. See: Ignatius of Antioch. (Theophorus means Godbearer)

Theotecnus, bishop of Caesarea Maritima, without year, 2nd/3th cent. The feast is on March 5. (AA.SS.) -Theotecnus means Child of God.

Theotimus, martyr. Together with Domninus, Philotheus, Dorotheus, Casterius, and Silvanus of Emesa, martyrs in Caesarea, Palestine, under Emperor Maximianus, (305-311). Feast on Nov 5 in Mart. Rom.

Theotokos (Mother of God): Title of the Virgin Mary. 

Theotonius, St. He came to Palestine, a first time before 1112. (Vita S. Theot., prima c. II, n. 7; Vita altera, n. 2; Vita tertia, n. 5) (AA.SS. Feb 18). He came to Palestine a second time round 1125. (AA.SS. Feb 18)

Thetmar (Thietmar). He visited the Holy Land in 1217. He found the sanctuaries without lamps, without cult.

Thevas, Abas, Murgan, Armenians. A mosaic (1, 19 m x 0, 49 m) in a room in the Russian Convent on the Mount of Olives has an Armenian inscription (5th/6th cent): 'For the prayer and salvation of Thevas, Abas, and Murgan'.

Thibaut = Theobald. 

Thief, the Good Thief, called Dismas. To the penitent thief Jesus spoke: 'Truly, I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise' (Lk 23, 43). The Good Thief is represented at the right hand of the Crucified Jesus. The Roman Martyrology has the memory of Dismas on March 25. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the Franciscans of Jerusalem have the feast on March 26. - The Crusaders had a fortress Castrum Boni Latronis, on the hill, where is now the Cistercian abbey. The site was considered as the home of the good thief. The Georgian calendar venerates the Good Thief on Oct 12.

Thiemo, archiep. Juvavensis, martyr at Ascalon in 1102. He is called Thiemo of Salzburg. In 1090 he became archbishop of Salzburg. (Riant, Revue des Questions Historiques, 1886, T. XXXIX, p. 218-237) Sometimes he is called Dietmar. The AA.SS. remember him on Sept 28.

Thierry d'Alsace (Thierry of Flanders) (Diederich of Alsatia). He was count of Flanders from 1128 to 1158. He debarked in 1139 in the Middle East. He brought in 1148 a relic (linen with Blood of Christ) to Brugge. Therefore the annual Procession of the Holy Blood, since 1149.

Thietmar (1217). See: Thetmar. 

Thirty. three martyrs. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has them on May 27, Greek synaxaries mention 3 groups of each 33 martyrs: 33 at Melitene, companions of St. Hieron, on Nov 7; 33 martyrs of Palestine on Aug 16; 33 martyrs of Nicomedy on Aug 28.

Thirty-five monks. In 1517, the year in which Luther revolted against Rome, 35 monks and nuns pilgrimated to the Holy Land.

Thoenessen Gerardus. He was the son of Hermann Thoenessen and Petronilla Scherders. He was born in Hommersum, near Munster, Germany, on Aug 7, 1865. He was professed in the Belgian Province of St. Joseph on Dec 7, 1897. He came to the Holy Land on March 1, 1898. He guided the Emperor Wilhelm II in Oct 1898. He excavated the Crusader Church of the Agony at Gethsemane in 1909. On Monday Nov 22, 1909, he cut down a dead olive-tree, which was nearly in the centre of the Crusader Church and which had spoiled with its roots the ancient mosaics. The stump was used by Mihaic of Dalmatia as a support for a huge cross. The cross stands near the Chapel of the second Station, under the arcades. Thoenessen died at Jerusalem May 13, 1920.

Thomas the Apostle. In Greece, his feast is on Oct 6. Thomas is known as 'Doubting Thomas' during the life of Christ. Thomas brought the Gospel to India. The Christians of Kerala call themselves 'St Thomas Christians'. His relics were claimed to be in Edessa, the place of his birth. The Martyrologium Romanum had formerly the feast of Thomas on Dec 21. Actually, the feast is on July 3.

Thomas and the ass. The Ethiopian Synaxarium on Yakatit 2 relates: An ass proposed Thomas to ride on its back. Thomas asked 'To what race dost thou belong?' The ass answered: 'I am a descendant of the offspring of the ass which was in the service of Balaam, and the ass whereon thy Lord and Teacher rode, was descended from him, and was my father. Now as for me, 1 have been sent to give thee rest and for thee to mount upon'. Thomas mounted on this ass, and he came to the gates of the city. Then Thomas said: 'Depart, and take heed whither thou departest', and straightway the ass fell down and perished. Thomas commanded to bury the dead beast.

Church of St. Thomas. North of the Street St. James, that leads from the Armenian Patriarchate to the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate, is an old construction. It was the church of the 12th century, and it was dedicated to St. Thomas. Near of it is now the mosque Hariri. The Thomas' Church belonged to the German Crusaders.

Death of St. Thomas. Represented on a engraved copperplate in the Museum of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa. (Guida a] Museo, 1939, Nr 60)

Altar of St. Thomas. The indulgences and Votive Masses of the Cenacle on Mount Sion were translated to St. Saviour's Church. Its central altar is that of the Holy Ghost; the altar in the left apse recalls the Last Supper; the altar in the right apse is in honour of St. Thomas who doubted. The Church of St. Saviour (rebuilt in 1855) is for the Latin Parish inside the walled City.

Thomas Adrzrouni, Armenian Chronicler. He mentions that the Persians, having undermined the walls, took Jerusalem in 614.

Thomas Agni (Thomas de Lentino) (Sicily). Latin patriarch of Jerusalem in Acre, 1272-1276, Dominican Father. (May, Prop. AA.SS.)

Thomas Bellaci of Firenze. Blessed. He accompanied John Capistran to the Holy Land, round 1439. Thomas died in Rieti on Oct 31, 1447. Franciscan Martyrology remembers him on Oct 31.

Thomas, Capucin Franciscan. He was found murdered at Damascus in 1840. The Jews were accused of ritual murder.

Thomas Cook and Sons. Eldest travel agency in Jerusalem.

Thomas Diaz, priest. He founded in 1723 at Shefar'am, which is about 20 kms east of Haifa, a house of worship for the newly converted Melkites.

Thomas, Farfensis, St. and others. They came to Palestine, round 670. (Vita S. Thomae, c. 1) (AA.SS. Sept 17)

Thomas, Florentinus, Blessed. He came to Palestine in 1438. (P. M. Morellus, Vita B. Th., c. IV, n. 29-35) (AA.SS. Oct 31)

Thomas, monk and hegumen of St. Euthymius. He died on March 25, 542. On account of the feast of the Annunciation, which is on March 25, the memory of Thomas was advanced to March 24, in the Palest i nian-Georgian calendar.

Thomas, superior at Jerusalem. He gave a latin certificate to J. Cambray on April 10, 1565.

Thomas of Ascani, Franciscan. Born in Ferentino Romano (Italy) in 1846; came to the Holy Land in 1873. He died at Jerusalem, Feb 3, 1920.

Thomas of Novara. This Custos bought in 1621 the ruins of the Church and the Convent of St. Jean the Baptist in the village of Ain Karem. The restoration could begin in 1675, and lasted till 1690.

Thomas I, patriarch of Jerusalem (807-820 or 829). He restored the roof of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. For this purpose, he had fifteen cedar-wood trees and fifteen fir trees, stripped of their branches, brought from Cyprus. Charlemagne (769-814) contributed towards the expenses. Thomas was known under the (Persian) name Tamriq. - The Palestinian-Georgian calendar remembers him on May 16. The AA.SS. mention him on Feb 11.

Thomas II, patriarch of Jerusalem (969. 978). See: Sergius II. 

Thomas, a pious man. He buried 1030 corpses in Gethsemane after the sack of Jerusalem by the Persians in 614. (According to Strategius) (Compare: Thomas Ardzrouni)

Thomson. This member of the American Missionaries in the 19th century, was buried in the small cemetery of this group on Mount Sion. The plot was afterwards acquired by the Custody.

Thönessen Luca. See: Thoenessen Gerardus. 

Three companions in the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3,1-30). The Song of the three children (Daniel 3, 24-90), Ananias, Azarias, Misael, is preserved only in Greek, and is not found in Hebrew and Protestant bibles. The Georgian liturgy has the feast on Aug 24, and on Oct 15, and Dec 15. Greek Synaxaries have the feast on Dec 17. The Martyrologium Romanum adds on Dec 16: the bodies of the three companions are buried near Babylon in a cave (grotto).

Three doctors of the Church. A legend tells us that under Emperor Alexis Comnenus (end of the 12th century) a discussion arose: who of the three hierarchs (Basil, on Jan 1; John Chrysostom, on Jan 27; Gregory of Nazianze, on Jan 25) is the most important? Under the emperor Alexis Comnenus, a common feast of the three (on Jan 30 in the Greek liturgy) should settle the discussion. Since then 'a triple sun' enlightens this day. In Arabic, the feast is named 'the three moons'.

Three Franciscans (the Superior of the Convent, the parish priest and his helper) and Christians were massacred at Jaffa by Mahomet Bey, surnamed Abou Daxas (or Dahab =father of the gold) in May 12, 1775.

Three French Ladies. They wore the clothing of knights and fought on horse-back before Acre in 1189. When they were taken prisoners, their sexe was revealed.

Three healers. Perhaps as concurrence to three pagan healers, Asklepios, Hygieia, and Telesphorus, three christian healers are venerated in the Holy Land. Generally they are: Cosmas and his brother Damian, the third is Luke, the physician, or Panteleimon, or Christ Himself.

Three Hierarchs. St. Basil of Caesarea (Cappadocia) 330-379; St. Gregory of Nazianzen (329-390); St. John Chrysostom (344-407). Since the 11th century, the Greeks have the common feast of the three hierarchs on Jan 30. It seems that Basil of Caesarea (Basil the Great) came to Caesarea, Palestine, as a priest for study.

Three Kings (Magi): Balthasar, Kaspar, Melchior. 

Three Martyrs at Safed in 1266. Sultan Baybars promised clemency to the beleaguered native christian helpers at Safed. The Templars sent Leon, the Casalier (provision-chief) as an ambassador. Leon deceived them, by promising for all defenders free exit to Acre. But Baybars killed the foreigners. Jacobus da Puy and Jeremias of Genoa (or Lecce?) and Hugo, the Prior of the Templars, were executed. The bodies of these three foreigners, together with the bodies of other christians, were thrown in a grotto. This grotto has been discovered in the 19th century. (Geissler Aegidius, Das Martyrergrab in Safed, in Das Heilige Land, 25 (1881) p. 121-126)

Three mothers in the iconography. Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist; Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary; Mary, the mother of Jesus. The three mothers are represented as a group.

Three Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). The Greek liturgy venerates the three on Dec 16, or in the week before Christmas. This feast does not exist in the Western (Roman, Latin) liturgy.

Three Shepherds at Bethlehem. Sator, Arepo and Teneton are painted in the Chapel of St. Eusthathius in Göreme, Turkey. - A local tradition in Bethlehem showed at Beit-Sahur the tomb of the three shepherds at the site Siyar el Ghanam, the Sheepfold. The site is now the Shepherds' Field of the Latins on the hill where a tent-like Chapel is built.

Three years in the Holy Land. The service of a Franciscan in the Custody of the Holy Land should not exceed three years. Pope Benedict XIV, on Jan 7, 1746; confirmation by Pope Pius IX in 1846.

Thyssen Joseph (1879-1970). This Belgian Franciscan served the Custody for a long period.

Tiberias. The city was built by tetrarch Herod Antipas round 20 CE (AD). He named the foundation Tiberias, in honour of Emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD) - Tiberias suffered in the earthquakes of 1759 and of 1837. In 1936 a cloud-burst caused portions of the city-walls to be removed to allow the flow of water to the lake.

Tigridis is another name for THECLA. 

Timolaos, martyr of Palestine, martyred (in 297?) in Alexandria. Feast March 24. 

Timolaus, martyr in Caesarea, Palestine. In Greece and in Palestine he is remembered on March 15. Timolaus presented himself to Urban the Governor. Timolaus died during the Diocletian persecution (284-313). Timolaus is commemorated together with Dionysios, Pausides, Romolus, Alexander, another Alexander, Agapius, another Dionysios. They were decapitated in 304 under the Governor Urban. The Roman Church has their memory on March 24.

Timon, martyr. He was one of the seven deacons of the Apostolic Church and he was later consecrated bishop of Bosra in Syria. Timon was burned alive. - The Roman Martyrology tells that he was thrown into the flames, but escaped without harm. Then he was crucified. This was done by Jews and Greeks. The Greek liturgy venerates Timon on July 28; the Rom. Mart.. on April 19.

Timotheus, the Apostle. He was a native of Lystra in Asia Minor, and was converted by the Apostle Paul whose helper he became. Two epistles of St. Paul were addressed to him, and he was enthrusted with the supervision of the church around Ephesus. Timotheus suffered martyrdom in Ephesus by being beaten do death by the mob for opposing the observance of a pagan festival. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Jan 22; the Roman Martyrology on Jan 24. The translation of Timotheus, together with the translation of Andrew, is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on May 9. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the feast of Timotheus on Jan 22, and on Feb 16. This feast on Feb 16 seems particular to Jerusalem. It was held in the Church of the Anastasis (Resurrection, Holy Sepulchre).

Timotheus, Patriarch of Bagdad-Seleucia. About 800 he wrote in a letter to Sergius, Metropolitan of Elam, that a certain person from Jerusalem had visited him and had told him a strange story. An Arab had been hunting with his dog in the vicinity of Jericho, and the dog in pursuit of some animal, disappeared into a hole in the rock. His master went in, after the dog. He found himself as in a little house in the rock, and there were manuscripts. The hunter reported his find to some Jewish scholars in Jerusalem. The Jews came down to the cave and removed some scrolls, which were reported as being books of the Old Testament and other Hebrew works. (Compare: Samuel Joshua Anastasios)

Timotheus and Titus. The names of the Children upon whom the Lord laid His hand (Mt 19, 13), in the 'Book of the Bee'.

Timothy of Gaza, martyr. During the Diocletian persecution (284-313) he served the Church as a teacher in Gaza. He confessed his faith in front of Urbanus, the Governor, and he was tortured and suffered martyrdom. The Greek liturgy and the Roman Martyrology mention him on Aug 19. The Ethiopian Synaxarium salutes him on Yakatit 24. A Timothy is mentioned in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on March 14.

Tiridatis. He is mentioned by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Feb 9, together with Archelais and Theodore.

Titulus. See: Fortunatus, Eusebius. (1st-4th cent. Aug 14)

Titulus Crucis. The Latin lay brother, Kreutzer Francis, sacristan mounted on Friday, April 13, 1973 at 4. 00 in the morning, on Calvary to prepare the Latin altar for the feast of Our Lady of Doulours (13th Station). He surprised two Israeli robbers. They had robbed the titulus, which is above the Greek Cross at the 12th Station, and also the nimbus round the head of John, who stood under the Cross. The robbers pushed the Latin sacristan along the vertical northern staircase down into the ambulatory. They escaped over the roof of the adjoining Greek Convent. The wounded sacristan needed to wait till the police, with the help of the Muslim watchman, could enter the Basilica. The titulus bears the initials I. N. FI1 (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews). This emblem had offended the Israeli robbers.

Titus, apostle and bishop. He was born on Crete in 12 AD. He went to Palestine at the age of twenty. On the day of Pentecost he was converted, he became a helper of St. Paul. Titus organized the Church in Crete, and became bishop of Cortyna. St Paul wrote a letter to Titus, instructing him how to rule the Church. Titus died in Crete in 106. Greek liturgy has his feast on Aug 25. The Roman Martyrology mentions him on Jan 4 and has his feast on Feb 6. The Palestinian-Georgian calendar celebrates the feast on Aug 25. The Ethiopian Syn. salutes Titus on Paguemen 2.

Translation of his body. Constantine the Just, the Great Emperor of Emperors, translated the body of Titus from Akrates (Crete) to the city of Constantinia. (Eth. Syn. Takhshash 18)

Titus. Apocryphal writings sometimes give the name Titus to the robber on the right side of the Crucified. Normally: Dismas.

Titus, together with Timotheus. The children upon whom the Lord laid His hand (Mt 19, 13) according to 'The Book of the Bee'.

Titus, bishop of Bosra, 4th/5th cent. In his Comnentaries, he accepts the reading '60 stadia' as the distance from Jerusalem to Emmaus.

Tobias, Saint, 5th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. His feast is on Dec 17. (AA.SS.) He is mentioned on Sept 17 and Sept 20.

Tobias, Tobias the Younger, son of Tobit. Tobias healed the eyes of his father Tobit and buried his father Tobit. (Eth. Syn.)

Tobit (Tobias), Book of Tobit. Tobit is a Greek form of Hebrew Tobiah, which is graecized as Tobias. Tobit is deported from the Kingdom of Israel in the reign of Shalmaneser of Assyria. Tobit becames blind, he commands his son Tobias to collect a debt from their kinsman Gabael. Tobias on his journey meets the angel Rafael. Tobias catches a fish, by which the bride Sarah and the father Tobit are to be cured. Tobias marries Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, and expulses the demon Asmodaeus. Tobias returns home and heals the blindness of his father Tobit. The angel Rafael reveals his identity. The book Tobit Jb, in abbreviation) is preserved in Greek. The Ethiopian Synaxarium on Maskaram 10 relates: Tobit is the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael, of the tribe of Naphtali. Tobit is a native of Tebes, on the right hand of Kades, which is Naphtali in Galilee, which is above Aser. Tobit was buried by his son Tobias.

Tobler Titus. This scholar from Switzerland described in 1848 the arch that afterwards, in 1864-65, will be explored by Wilson, and will be called Wilson's Arch'. The Wilson's Arch is a part of a bridge on several arches. The bridge connected the area of the Temple with the palace of King Herod the Great at the Jaffa Gate. Through a causeway inside the bridge, soldiers could be sent from the Citadel of the Upper City to the area of the Temple and the Fortress Antonia. - Tobler published 'Dritte Wanderung nach Palaestina'.

Tofa. She was the mother of Count Christopher of Jutland. Perhaps she was a concubine of King Valdernar I. Tofa visited the Holy Land round 1190.

Toledo. In 1682 on the General Chapter of Toledo (Spain) was agreed: No Franciscan may pilgrimage to the Holy Land without the permission of the Provincial Definitorium. But the definitive authorisation comes from the Superior Generalis at Rome.

Tombs of the Latin Kings, inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. They were violated by the Kharismians in 1244.

Tommaso. This Franciscan Father is perhaps the 'lector constantinopolitanus' of whom speaks Salimbene. Salimbene met Tommaso in the convent of Lyon in 1249. - William of Ruisbroek mentions Tommaso as Minister Provincialis of the Holy Land. Tommaso was in this function, at least from April 1253 till August 15, 1255.

Tonnini C. He made the bronzes and the statues in the Basilica of Agony at Gethsemane (Basilica was consecrated, on June 15, 1924).

Toros, Armenian prince. He was received in Jerusalem by the Latin king, Amaury I (1163-1174).

Torosssian Haroutioun. This Armenian acted in the 19th century as pro-consul for Prussia. (Compare Strabion).

Torrence Herbert, Senior. He started Scottish Seamen's Medical Mission at Tiberias, which gave the medical help to the native population. The Hospital was built in 1894.

Torrence Herbert, Junior. He was the son of Torrence Herbert Senior. In the summer of 1946, Torrence Herbert Junior celebrated 25 years of work at the Scottish Seamen's Medical Mission at Tiberias.

Toretti. He was from Venice. He was the master of Canova. Toretti sculpted the relief in marble, representing Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. The sculpture is on the east wall of the entry-hall to the Basilica via the sacristy. In this sacristy every pilgrim receives gratis a leaflet of an olive-tree. The leaflet is glued on a small paper that bears the image of Jesus, praying in the Garden, and that provides a short explication on the Garden of Agony.

Tounon Hilarius. This Franciscan laybrother from Flanders guided pilgrims. He was more than 28 years in the Custody. Father Custos of Jerusalem sent Tounon to Europe for contacting the court of France. Between Tyre and Sidon Tounon was beaten by Turks and robbed of his clothings. The naked Tounon reached the monastery. This happened six weeks before Surius arrived at Sidon (1667). Tounon was appointed as Superior at Nazareth. There he suffered much from the Turks, Two times he was at Nazareth commissioned with special tasks by the King of France. Tounon died at Nazareth in the midst of the 17th century. (Surius, Le dévot Pèlerin)

Tournai. Two brothers of Tournai, Letold and Gilbert (or Engilbert) climbed as first conquerors the wall of Jerusalem, to the east of Bab al Sahira (Herod's Gate) at the conquest of Jerusalem by the Crusaders on Friday, July 15, 1099.

Tournai, Jacques de Tournai, marshall. He halted in 1218 the French troops at the Fortress 'Falcon' and returned with them to Acre. But a detached vanguard of knights was defeated (Aug 29, 1218) at Caymont (Tell Qaimun at the foot of the Carmel). Hundred knights were taken captives to Jerusalem.

Tower of the Pisans. Daimbert, the leader of the Pisan crusaders, received by an agreement with Godfrey of Bouillon, the possession of the Tower of David. The agreement of 1099 lasted till the death of Godfrey (1100). Perhaps from this arrangement, the name Tower of the Pisans.

Train Jerusalem-Jaffa via Lydda (Lod) (French concession), began on Sept 26, 1892. (Compare: Streuvels)

Tranenses. Templarii Tranenses are mentioned round 1142 in AA.SS. on June 2.

Trdat, Armenian architect. When Hagia Sophia in Constantinople was damaged by an earthquake in 989, Trdat repaired it, at the request of Emperor Basil II.

Trever. This American scholar photographed in Jerusalem in 1947 the freshly discovered Qurnran-scrolls. Professor Sukenik recognized on the photos that the scrolls were from the time round Christ.

Trephillo, bishop of Nicosia, St. He visited as pilgrim the Holy Land round 320. He died 370. The Mart. Rom. has his memory on June 13.

Tribunus, Johannes Tribunus. He died on the 25th of the month Dustros, in the first indiction, year 414 (era of Eleutheropolis). The date corresponds to the year 613 CE. The tombstone (Nr 16) is in the Museum of the Flagellation in Via Dolorosa. The stone was found in Beersheva. (Revue Biblique, 1903, p. 247)

Tripoli (Lebanon). In 1289 Tripoli was taken by the Mamluks. (April 26) Seven Franciscans, and members of the Dominican Order, and Sisters Poor Clares were killed.

Tristam H. B., zoologist. He identified new species of animals, when he visited Masada in 1863.

Trojani. See Caterina Trojani (1813-1887)

Trophimus, one of the 70 disciples in the Greek list. The Roman Martyrology mentions on Dec 29: Aries in Gallia, Trophimus. - To this Trophimus St. Paul refers in his second letter to Timotheus: Trophimus, 1 left ill at Miletus. - Trophimus was from Ephesus, he accompagned Paul to Jerusalem. After the first captivity at Rome, Paul journeyed with Trophimus through Asia and left him ill at Miletus. -- The Melkite liturgy has on April 14: memory of Aristarchus (from Thessalonica), of Pudens (from Rome), of Trophimus (from Ephesus).

Trophimus of Antioch. Together with Savatius and Dorymedon, he bore witness for Christ. The three were brought before Vicarius, the Governor of Antioch. They were executed in Antioch in 278. In the Greek liturgy, feast on Sept 19. (Compare Dorymedon, Savatius)

Trouvelot, French. He was in 1958 the architect for the Latin community in repairing the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Tryphaena. Deposit of her relics in the Church of the Apostles on Mount of Olives, May 9.

Turribus, Sanctus, episcopus Asturicensis. He came to Palestine round 405 (AA.SS. Oct 29).

Tutela, martyr. See: Chryspolitus. Memory on May 12.

Twain Mark, American author. He visited Jerusalem in 1867 and wrote about this trip his book 'Innocents Abroad'(1869).

Twelve Apostles. The Greek liturgy has their feast on June 30. Their names: Simon Peter; Andrew, the brother of Peter. Andrew is surnamed Protoclitos, the First-Called; James, son of Zebedee; John, the brother of James. (John is called the evangelist, the theologian); Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas, the doubter, also called Didymus; Matthew, the publican and the evangelist. He is called Levi James, son of Alphaeus; Jude, called Lebbaeus and Thaddeus Simon the Canaenite or the Zealot; Matthias, who was elected to succeed Judas Iscarioth.

Twelve apostles 'sitting' on twelve thrones. They are mentioned in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Oct 6. Does the memory refer to a church on the westshore of the Lake of Tiberias? There the Commemoratorium de Casis Dei (round 808) mentions a church of the 'Twelve thrones'. There was a table (mensa, rockplate) where the Lord sat down with his disciples at the multiplication of the loaves. (Compare Tabgha)

Twelve ladies, martyrs. See: Theodosia, mother. 

Twelve Magi. Syrian and Armenian tradition sometimes have 12 Magi (Kings) (Bruce M. Metzger, Names for the Nameless).

Twelve Prophets. Their memory in the Church of the Resurrection on Dec 4, according to the Georgian liturgy. The twelve minor prophets are: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Abdia (Obadiah), Jonas, Michea (Micah), Nahum, Habacuc (Habakkuk), Sophonia (Zephaniah), Aggai (Haggai), Zacharia (Zechariah), Malachia (Malachi). Since all the 12 Minor Prophets can be written on one scroll in the Hebrew Bible, they are considered a single book, called by the Aramaic word 'The Twelve'. - The name 'Minor' prophets goes back to St. Augustine, who distinguished the 12 shorter prophetic books as prophetae minores from the four longer books of the Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremia, Ezechiel, and Daniel.

Twelve women and Tutela. They were martyred under Emperor Maximianus (305-311) because they had buried Chryspolitus and Barontius. (See: Chryspolitus)

Twenty monks, martyred in St. Sabas in 797. Their martyrdom has been described by Stephen of Mar Sabas, the Wonderworker.

Twenty-four elders of the Apocalypse (4, 4). They do not resemble the elders of the primitive Church. They are a heavenly divine council, formed on the analogy of the Old Testament council of elders and the representation of the heavenly council in such passages as 1 Kings 22, 19; Ps 89, 2. The number 24 may be derived from the 24 classes of priests and levites (1 Ch 24, 5). The Eastern Church venerates the 24 elders of the Apocalypse on Nov 24.

Two anonymous Franciscans, confessors, round 1250, in Syria. The Martyrologium Franciscanum has their memory on Sept 27.

Two German religious men. They pilgrimated in 1333 to Jerusalem. (Dr. Ferdinand Khull)

Two Knights, who returned from the Crusade, erected in Brugge (Belgium) the Tomb of Christ in a church. The Church received the name of Jerusalem-Church.

Two robbers, who were crucified with Jesus. The robber (penitent robber), on the right hand, is very often called Dismas. The robber on the left side, the non-penitent robber, is called Gestas. (Bruce M. Metzger, Names for the nameless in the New Testament)

Two shepherds: Legend names them Arnias and Lekotes. 

Tychicus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Colophon, Asia, in the Greek list. The Mart. Rom. mentions on April 29: Tychicus, near Paphos, Cypria. He was a disciple of Paul, he appears as the bearer of Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Eph 6, 21) and to the Colossians (Col 4, 7).

Tychicus, another of the 70 disciples, bishop of Chalcedon, Asia Minor, according to the Greek list. 

Tyrannius, bishop and martyr. He was martyred in Tyre (Phoenicia, Lebanon), together with the bishops Silvanus, Peleus, Nilus and with the priest Zenobius, under Emperor Diocletian (283-314). The Martyrologium Romanum has the feast on Feb 20. The AA.SS. give the year 310 for the death of Tyrannius, bishop of Tyre.

Tyre. The Franciscans were at Tyre (Lebanon) before 1255, according to a letter of Pope Alexander IV, which was dated March 1, 1255. The Franciscans were expelled from Tyre in 1291. They returned in 1866.

Uhlenbrock Philippe (1832-1860). This priest joined the Latin Patriarchate in 1858.

Uldalricus, Cellensis, St. He came to Palestine before 1052. (Vita S. Uldal., c. II, n. 15-18) (AA.SS. July 10)

Ulpianus, martyr in Tyre, Phoencia, in 304. Feast April 3 (AA.SS.)

Umberto Noni of Trieste. He painted three frescoes above the three altars in the Grotto of Arrest in Gethsemane. The grotto was cleaned after a flood of 1955. (Compare Mero Joseph)

Umberto of Savoia. As crown-prince he visited Jerusalem on April 1, 1928. He belongs to the Royal House of Savoie, which in 1333 had bought some sites on Mount Sion. To avoid this prince to pray in the Cenacle, on Holy Thursday, April 5, 1928, the prince was refused a longer visit to the Cenacle. Afterwards the Muslims erected inside the Cenacle a decorated mihrab (prayer niche). Umberto, ex-king of Italy, is the owner of the Shroud of Turin. He accorded permission in 1973 to Professor Gilbert Raes of the Textil Institute of Gent, to take a sample (13 x 40 mm) and another sample (10 x 40 mm) of the Shroud, for scientific investigation.

Umm el-Ruus (inscription) See: Amba Alo. (Revue Biblique, 7, 1898, p. 814; 8, 1899, p. 452-457)

Uniate Eastern Churches. Small groups from the Eastern Orthodox Churches returned to communion with the See of Rome. The most important group is the Uniat Greek Church (Melkite Church). The Melkites (Greek-Catholic) returned in 1709; the Syrian Catholics in 1662 the Armenian-Catholics in 1740; The Coptic Catholics in 1742 the Chaldaean Catholics in 1552.

U(nited) N(ations) 0(rganization). It proposed in 1949 an internationalization of Jerusalem. But the Jordanian Kingdom claimed himself the heir of the anterior governments (Turkish, British) and declined the internationalization.

University of Bethlehem. It began on Oct 1, 1973. The university is run by American members of the Frères des Ecoles Chrétiennes.

UNRRA. This United Nations Refugees Relief Assistence has a storeroom above the ancient Birket el-Israel. The Pool is now filled in and the area, which is inside Stephen's Gate, has a parking and a shed for the distribution of flour.

Urban II, Pope (1088-1099), Blessed. At the Council of Clermont (1095) he promoted the first Crusade, by according an indulgence. His feast is on July 29.

Urbanus, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Macedonia, according to the Greek list. The Martyr. Rom. has Ampliatus, Urbanus, and Narcissus on Oct 31: to these three Paul has greetings in his letter to the Romans (Rom 16, 13-12). The three were killed by the Jews and the Gentiles. (Compare: Amplias)

Uriel, the angel. He is saluted by the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Hamle 21 (the eleventh month, July 5-Aug 3).

Ursicinus, St., episcopus Senonensis. He visited Palestine, round 360 (AA.SS. July 24). (Officium S. Ursicini, n. 2-3)

Urso, archiepiscopus Barensis. He came to Palestine in 1088. (Johannes Barensis, Transi. S. Sabini, c. I, n. 2) (AA.SS. Feb 9)

Ursula, Saint and 11000 virgins, visited the Holy Land, round 445 (falsum). (AA.SS. Oct 21)

Ursulina Parmensis (of Parma), St. She came to Palestine in 1395. (Simon de Zanaccis, Vita S. Urs., c. IV, n. 31-32) (AA.SS. April 7)

U.S. Navy Expedition. The members visited Masada in 1848, they mistook the western approach for the 'snake path'.

Utudjian. He was in 1958 the architect of the Armenian Community for the repairing of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Vagarini. He restored in 1950 the paintings in St Catherine's cloister at Bethlehem.

Vahan. In a vaulted room of an underground tomb in the Russian Convent grounds on the Mount of Olives is a pavement (1 meter by 70 centimeters) with an Armenian inscription: 'Having as intercessors with God the Holy Jesaiah and the Blessed Fathers, I Vahan, have made this monument for the pardon of sins'. The inscription is from the 5th/6th century.

Valens, 28th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. (AA.SS.)

Valens, bishop of the Camps. He participated at the Council of Jerusalem in 518. He was bishop of the Camps, an enclave of Bedouins in the Judaean desert.

Valentine and Thea, SS. virgins, martyrs. Mart. Rom. on July 25. Valentina was led into a pagan temple. She refused to sacrifice. She was burned alive. Thea was arrested in Gaza, while reading the Holy Scriptures, together with other Christians. Thea was burned alive, together with her sister Valentina. In Palestine the memory is on July 22. Thea is not named in the Mart. Rom.

Valentine. A church, built by a certain Valentine, in the 6th century, was discovered in 1931 at Mukhmas, which is a village to the north of Jerusalem.

Valentinus, episcopus Muzarabus. The AA.SS. mention him, round 1106, on Jan 22. (Transi. brach. S. Vincentii, n. 2)

Valerga Joseph, patriarch of Jerusalem. He was born at Loano (Italy) on April 9, 1813. Between 1841 and 1847 he worked among the Chaldaean Christians in Mesopotamia. In 1847, Pope Pius IX nominated Valerga as patriarch of the newly restored Latin Patriarchate. Valerga consecrated the Latin co-cathedral in 1872. He died at Jerusalem on Dec 2, 1872.

Valeria, St. Martyr in Caesarea, Palestine. (Mart. Rom. June 5)

Van Ballaer Jacobus. This Franciscan started in 1664, from the convent of Boetendael near Brussels, together with Gonsales Antonius. They went via Rome to the Holy Land. Van Ballaer was in 1666 chaplain of Sir de Meyer, who was the consul of Holland in Tripoli (Lebanon). Besides Van Ballaer took care for the Dutch seamen at Tripoli. In the beginning of 1669 Van Ballaer was back in Belgium, but he returned to Jerusalem. There he died in 1671.

Van Breda, (Father Herman), Franciscan. He was born in Lier. In 1937 he brought the manuscripts of the deceased Professor Husserl for safety out of Germany to Belgium. During World War II (1939-45) he helped the widow of Professor Husserl. She converted to Catholicism in Belgium. Van Breda planned the escape of Edith Stein, who was the former secretary of Husserl, and who had joined the Carmelite Sisters at Echt in Holland. Sister Stein feared a punition from the Nazis for her monastery, and she declined to escape to Switzerland. She was arrested on Aug 2, 1942 in her monastery, she perished in a concentration-camp in Poland. Van Breda edited the manuscripts of Professor Husserl. Van Breda planted a tree in the Avenue of the Righteous of the Nations, at Yad Vashem. He received a doctorate honoris causa from the University of Beersheva. He died at Louvain on March 4, 1974.

Van Cotwyck I. Left Jerusalem on Nov 1598 (not 1596), published 'De loflycke reyse van lerusalem ende Syrien' at Antwerpen 1618.

Van den Broeck Silverius. He was 8 years in the Holy Land. He was the spiritual director of Sister Mary of the Trinity, Poor Clare at Jerusalem. He published her notes. He died at 59 years in Eeklo (Belgium) in 1949.

Van der Heyden Bonaventura. He was from Leuven (Belgium). Lived in the Holy Land from 1538 to 1540. He left a Latin description in manuscript. Andrichomius (who never came to the Holy Land) relates that he received many oral informations from Van der Heyden for the redaction of 'Theatrum Terrae Sanctae'.

Van der linden Jan. He starts in 1633 (not in 1592) from Mechelen (Belgium) to the Holy Land for a penitence. He is accompanied by his confessarius, Pater Jacobus Pussenius.

Vandermeersch B. He led in 1965-69 the excavations for 'Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques' at the Mount of Precipice (Saltus Domini, Jebel Qafzah) in Nazareth. There is recalled the text of Luke 4, 30: 'And Jesus escaped from their hands'.

Van der Stracten Jan (Plateanus). This Franciscan was born round 1570. He was Superior at Yperen, Brugge, Gent. He walked on foot to Jerusalem. He published his description, at Brugge in 1620. He died at Gent between 1641 and 1644.

Van de Vijvere, Mauritius. His family of Belgium offered in 1923 the southern altar (right nave) in the Basilica of the Agony. A mosaic represents the soldiers who fell to the ground as Jesus pronounced: ' 1 am he. ' (Jn 18, 6) The mosaic is above the altar.

Van de Wiele Albert, Franciscan lay brother. He was born in Zele (Belgium) in 1892. He helped to found the Latin parish at Salhie Damascus after 1920. He died in Mechelen on Sept 5, 1978.

Van Heirhorn, Theodulus. Born at Lier (Belgium) in 1901. He was Commissar for the Holy Land from 1939 to 1973. Died at Gent Oct 12, 1973.

Van Humbeeck Pacificus, Franciscan priest. Born at Leuven (Belgium). He was professor in Rome and in Jerusalem, he died at Jerusalem on Aug 27, 1933, at the age of 71 years. He was the organist in the Church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem.

Van Iseghern Karel. He was born at Lendelede (Belgium) on Nov 9, 1900. As Brother Marist he adopted the name of Gerard. He was Superior in a school at Arlon (Belgium), and he saved Jews during World War II (1839-45) by taking them as workers in the school. A street in Tel-Aviv is named after him. In gratitude for their escape, the saved families planted a forest of 100 trees in the Holy Land. He himself never visited the Holy Land. He died at Mont-Saint-Guibert, on April 29, 1979.

Van Masseme Jan, knight of Axel (Netherlands). At the beginning of the 15th century, he was sent on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, because he had killed another knight, in the presence of Jan zonder Vrees, who considered this kill as a 'violation of his own honour'.

Van Paeschen Jan (Paschal). This Carmelite Father of Mechelen never came to the Holy Land. On the model (and the scale) of the Cruysganck of Leuven, he assembled notes. His book 'Een devote maniere om gheestelijck Pelgrimagie te trecken' was edited by Calentijn R, chaplain of the Great Beguinage of Leuven in 1563. Calentijn was in the Holy Land from the 181st till the 236th day. Caientijn begins the 'langhe Cruysganck' (long Way of the Cross) at Gethsemane, but the 'rechten Cruysganck' (short way) at the Pretorium. The book written by Calentijn P. was published in Leuven in 1563. (Compare: Steenberg; Sterckx)

Van Ruyven Johannes (Father Athanasius). Born in 1911 at Rijswijk (Netherlands), entered the Benedictine Order in 1929. Was since 1966 chaplain for the Benedictine Sisters of the convent Emmanuel at Bethlehem. He worked also for the Greek-Catholic Patriarchate (Melkites) at Jerusalem. He guided pilgrims, especially from Holland and Germany. He died in the Benedictine Abbey of Chevetogne (Belgium) on April 2, 1977.

Van Stochhove Vincent from Brugge (Belgium). He travelled through the Balkan to Constantinople, where he received on March 4, 1631 a sauf-conduit (permission) from Sultan Amurat. Van Stockhove wrote 'Het Bereysde Oosten'.

Van Veldhoven Lucas, Franciscan lay brother. Born in Haacht (Belgium) in 1865. He joined the Custody of the Holy Land. He died at Jerusalem on Dec 11, 1895.

Vartabed. See: Vertanes, monk. 

Vartabed Anastase. This Armenian in 634 mentions 70 Armenian churches in Palestine, which included Convent of St. James in the Valley of Josaphat, St. Mary's near Rachel's Tomb, St. Stephen's near David's Gate, St. Peter's to the east of Sion.

Vartabed Hanna. This Armenian monk wrote in 1744 an History of the Holy and Great City of God, Jerusalem, and of the Holy Dominical Places.

Vartan. This Armenian was the first governor of the Fortress Coket near Acre. A fortress with a similar name, Coquet (Coquetum) was built by Fulk of Anjou (1129-1143), on the westbank of the Jordan to the south of the Lake of Galilee. The fortress Coquet was also named Belvoir. It was sold to the Hospitaliers in 1168. The Arabic name for Coquet is Kawkab el Huwa. - Another Coquet (Caco, Qaqun) is between Tulkarm and Hadera. Caco belonged to the Templars Knights.

Vartan, monk. This Armenian monk was from Palestine. Vartan has seen round 1264 a chapel at the entrance of the ordu (court) of Doquz-Khatun, who was the main wife of the Mongol ruler Hulagu. Doquz-Khatun was a Christian woman of the Nestorian Church.

Vartan of Maratha, Armenian monk (1321). He could in Jerusalem visit only the grotto of the church of the Tears of Saint Peter. There he prayed, wept bitterly and composed a prayer at the request of two Armenian monks from St. James. (Bogharian, Grand catalogue of St. James' Manuscripts, vol IV, 1969)

Varus, St. He was martyred in Palestine under Maximian (285-310), round 307. The Greek liturgy has his feast on Oct 19. The AA.SS. (Oct 19) mention: Cleopatra, who brought the body of St. Varus to Palestine, round 307. (Vita S. Vari, gr. c. II, n. 12) His name appears in the liturgy on June 15 and Oct 24.

Védrines. This pilot arrived by plane in Jaffa on Nov 27, 1913, on his flight from Constantinople to Egypt.

Venantius of Lerin, St. He visited Palestine round 380 (AA.SS. June 1)

Vereshaguine. This Russian artist painted the iconostasis and the picture, which is behind the altar in the Russian Church St. Mary Magdalen at Gethsemane (church consecrated on Sept 29, 1888). The artist perished during the Japanese-Russian war in 1904.

Vergennes (de), ambassador of France in Constantinople. First in 1740 and then in 1757 the Greeks ousted the Franciscans from the Tomb of Mary in Jerusalem. To to French ambassador, the Great Visir, Rageb Pasha, declared: 'The holy places belong to my lord, the Sultan. He gives them to whom he wishes. Perhaps these places have been in the hands of the Franciscans, but now it is the decision of my lord that these places will be in the possession of the Greek-Orthodoxes'.

Verger Hubert, Chanoine (1901-1972). He conducted 11 times the 'Pèlerinages du diocèse de Poitiers' to the Holy Land.

Verina of Constantinople. See: John of Constantinople. 

Verkade Willibrord. This Benedictine monk of Holland painted for the Holy Land. He died in the abbey of Beuron (Germany) round 1940.

Veronica. Tradition tells us that a woman wiped the face of the crossbearing Jesus with a linen. Jesus left the impress of His face on the cloth. Tradition has it that the lady was none other than the woman who had been cured by touching His garment, (Mt 9, 20-22; Mk 5, 24-34; Luke 8, 40-49) and in gratitude had followed Jesus whithersoever He had gone. Tradition also has it that this woman was summoned to Rome by the emperor Tiberius, who was cured of an illness by looking on the image of Christ's face. - Saint Gregory of Tours (died 594) says that Veronica was the wife of an officer of Gaul, who served in the Roman army at Jerusalem. - Since 707 a 'veil’ of Veronica has been venerated in St. Peter's Rome. The name Veronica means vera (true) ikon (icon = image). The scene of Veronica is recalled by the 6th Station of the Way of the Cross. The shrine belongs since 1894 to the Greek Catholics. Since 1950 the Little Sisters of Jesus (inspired by Charles de Jésus (Charles de Foucauld) take care of the shrine. The Chapel was restored in 1953.

Veronica de Binasco, Blessed. She planned to come to Palestine, before 1497. (Isidorus de Isolanis, Vita B. Veron., lib. IV) (AA.SS. Jan 13)

Vertanes, monk. An inscription in the Armenian cemetery otitside Sion Gate in Jerusalem reads: 'In this tomb lies the mortal remains of Vertanes the monk, who was Vartabed for 55 years. He was confessor for 20 years, a consoler tor all, he was vigilant and a toiler for the Holy Places, repaired much. Died in the Lord at the age of 92. ' (Hintlian Kevork, History of the Armenians in the Holy Land, 1976, p. 62)

Vesallus, Andreas. This physician and anatomist was born in Brussels, Dec 31, 1514. In 1543 he became physician to the imperial household of Emperor Charles V. In the spring of 1564 he began from Venice a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There he met the Custos, Bonifacius of Ragusa, who accompanied him on the trip to the Jordan and to Jericho. On the return a storm caused the ship to put in at the island of Zante. Vesalius died, either on sea (Oct 10?) or on the shore of Zante (Oct 15?) 1564. To the Pilgrim Fuhrer von Haimendorf of Nürnberg, the Population showed in 1566 on the island of Zante, the tomb of Vesalius, and the tomb of Cicero.

Vester Ferdinand, senior. He came to Palestine in 1853 as a Lutheran missionary. He lived first inside the city walls of Jerusalem. In 1868 he built the house on the Mamillah Road (Agron Street), which is now the Consulate General of the United States. In this house his son, Ferdinand junior, was born in 1869.

Vester Ferdinand junior. (1869-1938). He married the daughter of Horatio Spafford.

Vester Mrs. She was born in Chicago in 1878. She came to Jerusalem as a child of three years, in 1881. She married at Jerusalem Vester Ferdinand junior. Mrs Vester published the story of the American Colony in the book 'Our Jerusalem'. Mrs Vester died at Jerusalem in 1968. The Spafford or American Colony is now a hotel on Nablus Road.

Veurne, Boeteprocessie. This town in Flanders (Belgium) had in 1626 a 'long way of the Cross (Passion). The way began at Gethsemane, stopped at 3 falls, at the meeting of Jesus with His mother, at the help of Simon, at the wiping of Veronica, at the lament of the Daughters of Jerusalem. The way ended with the burial of Jesus, immediately after His death. - Since 1650 - through the help of the Franciscans - this 'long way of the Cross' (ommeganck) took the character of a procession of penitence: the participants carry crosses and have their faces covered by a black cape. The procession is held every year in Veurne.

Viaud Prosper, Franciscan priest. He was born at Marennes (France) in 1852. In 1881 he came to the Holy Land. He became famous through his excavations in 1889 and 1907 at Nazareth. He published: 'Nazareth et ses deux églises de l’Annonciation et de Saint Joseph'. He died at Jerusalem on Feb 1, 1932.

Vialar. See: Emilie de Vialar, St. (Aug 24)

Viator, St. He visited Palestine round 385. (AA.SS. Sept 2, Oct 21) (Vita S. Viatoris, n. 71-72) (See: Justus, bishop of Lyon)

Vichy French Troops. In World War II (1939-45) troops of Vichy French Government (Marshall Pétain) fought at Jisr Benat Yacoub (Bridge of the Daughters of Jacob). Through this ford on the Jordan, north of the Lake of Galilee, passed the Via Maris, the caravan route, from Damascus to Egypt. At this ford the Templars built the Castellet (Qasr el’Atra) in 1178.

Victor, martyr. Not identified. He is mentioned by the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on Aug 8.

Victor, soldier and martyr. He served in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). He was converted to Christianity. Many idolaters accepted the Christian faith through his witness. He was martyred in Damascus. Greek liturgy, Nov 11.

Victor, son of Photine, the Samaritan woman. 

Victor. In the Greek liturgy, April 20. Together with Severianus, Zoticus and Eusebius, he witnessed the martyrdom of St. George in Lydda and was converted. Subsequently, Victor was beheaded during the Diocletian persecution (284-313).

Victor Emmanuel de Savoie, King of Italy. He visited Jerusalem from Feb 14, 1887 to Feb 24, 1887; a second time from July 18, 1900 till July 21, 1900.

Victor III, Pope (1086-1087), Blessed. He preached in 1087 against the Saracens of Africa. (AA.SS. Sept 16)

Victor Urrutia, martyr. He was born in Rigoitia (Spain) in 1864. He joined the Custody of the Holy Land in 1893. He was killed, together with other Christians, by the Turks, near Marasc (Less Armenia) on Feb 11, 1896.

ViIIani R. He made the designs of the mosaics for the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. (consecrated in 1924).

ViIIanis Giuseppe, Don (1810-1895). This Italian priest came to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1874.

Vincent, monk. He was a friend of St. Jerome. Vincent refused to exercise a liturgical function at Bethlehem 'out of respect and humility'. Therefore Epiphane, bishop of Cyprus, who was passing at Bethlehem, ordained as priest Paulinus, who was the brother of Jerome. This ordination happened without the permission of the bishop of Jerusalem, John. - The AA.SS. name Vincent 'a priest'. (Sept 30)

Vincent L. H. This French Dominican priest was professor at Ecole Bibiique et Archéologique de Jérusalem. He published in 1954: 'Jérusalem de l'Ancien Testament'.

Vincent and John, Franciscans, martyred in 1547 or 1548 in Damascus. They belonged to the Custody of the Holy Land. They went to Damascus and preached there. They were decapitated in Aug 1547 or 1548. The Martyr. Franciscanum remembers them an Nov 19.

Vincentius a Paulo. (Sept 27) This French priest founded in 1625 the Vincentian Fathers (Pères Lazaristes), and in 1633 the Company of the Daughters of Charity (Filles de la Charité, Soeurs de St. Vincent). - In the Hospice 'St Vincent de Paul’ there is every year on Sept 27 the Holy Mass with the presence of the Consul of France.

Virgines VII (Seven virgins), without year, martyrs in Gaza. (AA. SS Aug 31)

Viri Galilaei. The 'Breviarius de Hierosolyma' (round 436) tells us that on Mount of Olives was the Galilee, where the Apostles have seen the apparition of the Risen Christ (Mt 28, 6) - Willibald mentions in the Shrine of the Ascension on Mount of Olives two columns: they recalled the two men in white garments, who said to the apostles: Viri Galilei, why are you (men of Galilee) standing here looking into the sky? (Acts 1, 11). The Greek Orthodox built on Mount of Olives in 1891 a chapel. It recalls the apparition of the Risen Jesus to the Apostles. (Compare: Pelagia on Mt of Olives)

Virillus of Catania. He was born in Antioch, and he became a disciple of the Apostle Peter. Virillus followed Peter to Rome and was consecrated bishop of Catania in Sicily. Greek liturgy, Jan 31.

Visconti. See: Theobald Visconti, later Pope Gregory X. 

Vision of the priest Zachariah and his muteness. Recalled in the Georgian calendar on Sept 27. St. Maximus, the Confessor, names Sept 27 as the date on which Zachariah received the vision in the temple. (Kekelidze, p. 274-275)

Vitalis et Stephanus, martyrs in Jerusalem, 1st/2nd cent. (AA.SS. Jan 2)

Vitalius, monk at Gaza. He lived under the abbot Serid(i)on near Gaza. Vitalius went to Alexandria, he was then about sixty years. John the Almoner was at that time bishop of Alexandria (610-619). Vitalius feigned a licentious life and he visited the house of the harlots to convert them. After his death in Alexandria, his innocence was proved; and his accuser converted and entered the monastery at Gaza under the abbot Serid(i)on, and he occupied the cell that was once occupied by Vitalius. The feast of Vitalius is on Jan 11 in the Greek synaxaria.

Vitalius of Rome, and an anonymous, his uncle. They were in PaIestine in the 6th/7th cent. (Miracula B. Mariae in Choziba, n. 2) (Analecta Bollandiana, VII, 363)

Viventius, Saint. He travelled from Samaria to Gaul, in the 4th century. (Vita S. Viv., c. 1-11) (AA.SS. Jan 13)

Vlaminck Benedict. This Franciscan lay brother was born on Jan 9, 1845 at Waasmunster (Belgium). He died at Eeklo (Belgium) on Dec 14, 1928. He discovered in 1892 the Byzantine remains and the plan of the Crusader Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. He also discovered at Nazareth the mosaic-inscription of Conon, deacon of Jerusalem.

Volta Carmelo, martyr. He was born at Real de Candia (Spain), in 1803. In 1831 he came to Palestine for the Custody of the Holy Land. He was parish priest at Ain-Karem, and afterwards at Damascus. There he was martyred by the Druses on July 10, 1860.

Walker. This Englishman died in 1840 before Acre. The combined fleets of England, Austria, Turkey bombarded Acre and brought to explosion the powder-storeroom, on Nov 3, 1840. Ibrahim Pascha of Egypt retreated from Acre. - The memorial tablet of Walker is in the St George's Convent of the Greek-Orthodox Community at Acre.

Walter (Gautier)

Walter-Arnott, Miss. She opened in 1863 for the Church of Scotland, the Tabitha School at Jaffa. The school was rebuilt in 1875.

Walter Guglingensis, German. He mentions in 1481 the belfry at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. On the summit is the cross.

Walter Hubert, bishop of Salisbury. In 1192 he obtained permission from Sultan Saladin for two priests and two deacons of the Latin rite and for a few catholic native priests to remain in Bethlehem. Jerusalem and Nazareth, but now a Moslem guard sat at the door the Basilica in Bethelem, collecting fees.

Walter of Brienne. (Walter IV) He was taken prisoner by the Kharesmians before Gaza in 1240. They brought him before the town of Jaffa, of which he was the count. They told him to exhort the besieged population of Jaffa to submission. Waiter called on the garrison to defend themselves. Waiter was sent to Cairo, where he was murdered in the prison before or in 1251. (See also: Gautier IV of Brienne)

Wandelende Jood (Wandering Jew). In the 19th century a sculptor of Mechelen (Belgium) sculpted a wooden figure (about 60 cms heighth). The stepping Jew bears the Streimel-hat, the kaftancloak, the suitcase. This sculpture was in 1979 since several years in possession of the Koninklijke Jonge Sebastiaan Schutters of Mechelen. If this champion-club is challenged and is defeated in the contest, then the figure 'Wandelende Jood' wanders to the victorious archers-club. Hence the name of the figure.

Warren Charles, Britain. The Palestine Exploration Fund sent Lieutenant Warren to Jerusalem in 1867. He explored Jerusalem by making shafts and by visiting the underground water-canals. The 'Warren shaft' is the shaft by which the Jebusites took water from the spring of Gihon. Warren explored the Ophel-hill in 1867.

Watchers at the Sepulchre of Christ. The Syriac 'Book of the Bee' names 5 watchers: Issachar, Gad, Matthias, Barnabas, and Simon. But others say there were fifteen, three centurions and their Roman and Jewish soldiers.

Watson. Anglican. He opened, not far from the Maronite Church, near Tariq Mar Botros, the Ophthalmic Clinic. Later it went to Hebron Road, and after 1948 to Sheikh Jarah, Nablus Road.

Watson H. D., Sir. Maj. Gen. C. A. in 1919.

Watzinger C, German archaeologist. He investigated, together with Kohl H. the site of Capharnaum in 1905. The Franciscans had bought the site in 1894.

Wauchope Arthur, Sir, High Commissioner for Palestine in 1932 - 1938.

Way of the Cross. Pilgrims follow the traditional Way of the Cross from Pilate's Judgment Hall to the hill of Calvary. At intervals they pause to remember some details. The Franciscan Community leads the Way of the Cross, every Friday at 3 p. m. The Way is divided into fourteen Stations. The first two stations are in the Praetorium. Then there are seven stations on the way to Calvary (Stations 3 till g). The five last stations (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are recalled in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

First Station: Jesus is condemned by Pilate (Mk 15, 15).
The official procession starts from the courtyard of the EI Omariyeh School. This school is very close to the site of the Fortress Antonia. From this fortress the Roman garrison controlled the Temple area. - When the courtyard of this Moslem school is not open for visitors, then pilgrims can remember the trial in the Chapel of the Flagellation. (Compare: Maximilian of Bavaria; Cambellotti; St. Paul; Pilate; Claudia, wife of Pilate.)

Second Station: Jesus takes op His Cross. (John I9, 17)
The official procession halts downstairs the staircase (or ramp) in the Via Dolorosa, at the outside wall of the Chapel of the lInd Station. The ramp reminds us of the Scala Sancta of Rome. And the Chapel of the 2nd Station, has the beginning of the Lithostrotos (pavement). Individual pilgrims very often meditate the second station, inside the Chapel. (Compare Hinterkeuser; Ecce Homo; Ratisbonne; Lithostrotos; Sisters of Sion)

Third Station: Jesus falls a first time.
The Via Dolorosa descends under the Arch Ecce Homo (Compare Sanuto), and along the Prison of Barabbas, to the valley EI Wad. Here at the left corner is~ the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate. A door in a iron railing leads to the Chapel where he First Fall is recalled. (Compare Menghetti; Polish Soldiers)

Fourth Station: Jesus meets His Mother Mary.
The fourth Station is in the Armenian property. The meeting is recalled by the Armenian Catholic Church of 'Our Lady of the Spasm'. (See: Hovag; Simeon, the Elder) Two sandals in a mosaic floor in the crypt of the Armenian Church remind us of the meeting. Because this parish church is not always open, the pilgrims recall the meeting at the small sanctuary, alongside the way. (Zieliensky; Seven Sorrows of Mary: the first sorrow was 'Simon in the Temple foretold the suffering of Mary'; the fourth sorrow was 'Mary meets Jesus as Crossbearer'.

Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene is made to carry the Cross. (Mk 15, 21)
(Compare: Alexander, the son of Simon; Rufus, the son of Simon; Simon; Buttadeus; Cartiphilus; Jerusalem Cross; Simon Rusticus; Ernoul; Ricold de Monte Croce)

Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
(Compare: Veronica; Woman, healed from issue of blood; Loupias; Cosmas, the unmercenary physician; Pierotti)

Seventh Station: Jesus falls a second time.
The Via Dolorosa ascends rapidly. At the top where is a crosspoint of streets, is recalled the Gate of Judgment. An inscription above the Franciscan chapel mentions Porta Judiciaria. Within the chapel is a column of red stone. On Sunday, Dec 2, 1978 the descending rainwater had damaged the foundations of this Chapel, and the arches above the crosspoint were broken. Sometimes, in Rome, a copy of the sentence of death was fixed up to the gate of the city, when the condemned person was lead outside the walls. Perhaps in Jerusalem a similar proclamation was done for the condemned Jesus. The seventh station reminds us the words of the Scripture 'Extra portam passus est. He suffered death outside the walls. Through a gate Jesus left the walled city and proceeded to the place of crucifixion.

Eighth Station: Jesus speaks to the Daughters of Jerusalem (Luke 23, 28.)
(Compare Charalambos) Opposite the convent of Charalambos, above the window of a shop is an incised text VIII Station In loco objacenti (i.e. to the opposite place). Here is a circular stone. It is the base of an horizontally laid column, which is connected with the altar in the chapel of Charalampos. The exposed base bears a Latin Cross and the Greek word NIKA. with the initials of Jesus Christ. The meaning is: Jesus Christus, victorious. - In reality Christ now went directly to the place of execution. But the pilgrims needs to descend his steps to the VIIth Station and then to continue to the right. After 150 meters, he ascends a stone stairway on his right, he follows a winding street, that brings him before the entrance of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. The upstanding shaft of a reddish column, which is enclosed in a pillar between two doors, marks the ninth station.

Ninth Station: Third (or last) fall of Jesus.
This station belongs exclusively to the Copts. No number, no inscription indicates that it is the ninth station. At the 9th Station ends for Jesus the carrying of the Cross. Indeed for this point (last fall, last haltpoint) Jesus is carried by the soldiers to the nearby skull of crucifixion. The ninth station recalls the words of Mk 'ferousin, they carry him to the place of execution'. Stations 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 were along the streets. The third and last part of the Way of the Cross is inside the Basilica.

Third part, inside the Basilica. 

The pilgrim returns on his steps, and continues to the Basilica. He passes along the Russian Hospice of Alexander. He descends to the Atrium before the Basilica. (Compare: Patriarch, burned to death; Juniper; Cosmas of San Damiano; Mary of Portugal; Ethiopian priest.) The pilgrim enters the Basilica. The official procession recalls the 10th Station (Jesus is stripped of His garments (Mk 15, 24) on the platform that is over or next to Calvary. The southern aisle (Latin part) has on the floor a mosaic that recalls the 

10th Station. The Armenians remember the Stripping of the garments by a chapel in the deambulatory. The stripping of the Rainment recalls us the Garment that is venerated in Trier. A tradition has it that Helena, who had lived at Trier, has donated this relic to the town of Trier.

11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the Cross (Mk 15, 24). About the question 'three or four nails' compare: Skelet of a crucified man; about the meaning of this sacrifice, compare: Abraham; Isaac, patriarch. The silver-plated bronze altar of the 11th Station, is the work of Fr. Dominic, a Dominican Father of St. Mark's in Florence. This altar was intended by Bonifacius of Ragusa for the Stone of the Anointing (1558).

12th Station: Jesus dies. Compare: Adam, grotto; Melchisedek; Dismas, the penitent thief; John, the Beloved disciple; Rindfleisch who mentions the hole of the cross; Gestas, the unpenitent thief; Longinus, the centurio; Mary as Mater Dolorosa, with the 5th sorrow 'Jesus is nailed'and the 6th sorrow 'Jesus dies'; Titulus Crucis (The inscription above the cross).

13th Station: Jesus'body is taken down from the Cross (Mk 15, 46). The 12th Station belongs to the Greek-Orthodox community. The statue of Mater Dolorosa indicates for the Latins the 13th Station. And also the last, the seventh of the seven sorrows: 'Jesus is laid in the arm of Mary'. But first the body had to be claimed free by Joseph of Arimathea. (Compare: Morsted; Second Calvary of the Armenians; Simeon, the Elder) The preparations for burial are recalled by the Stone of Unction. (Compare: Maries (Three) at the Funeral; Nicodemus; Shroud of Turin; Umberto, ex-king of Umberto, who is the owner of the Shroud., Pieta-sculpture; Stabat Mater Dolorosa-hymn)

14th Station: Jesus is laid into the Tomb. 'So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb (of Joseph of Arimathea) was close at hand, they laid Jesus there '(Joh 19. 42). (Compare: Watchers at the Tomb; Rindfleisch, who mentions the fissure in the marble slab in 1498; Maurus, who opened the Tomb in 1504; The Greek community who inspected the Tomb after the fire of 1808; Harmon Larry, a drug-indicted student who danced on the marble-plate on Feb 24, 1971 and who was killed on Nov 11, 1971; Mary Magdalen has found this tomb empty. Peter and the 'other, the unnamed disciple' have inspected the empty tomb. The Myrophores (Five Myrophores) brought ointment to the buried Jesus, but Jesus reveals Himself to Mary Magdalen. An altar, belonging to the Latins, recalls this apparition. And the apparition of Jesus to his own Mother Mary is remembered by the Chapel of the Franciscans. - Arculfus, round 670, mentions the traces of the cisels at the rock-hewn tomb; Daniel Abbas (1108) tells us that marble plates protected the rock, but by three circular openings, the rock could be touched and venerated; Willebrand of Oldenbourg in 1212 found the rock completely enclosed by a marble-mantle. Cyril of Jerusalem has seen the rolling stone that closed the Tomb, still unbroken. Arculfus, round 670, tells that the stone was divided in two parts for two altars. The part that is under the glass-cover in the pedestal which is before the tomb, recalls us of the stone that had been taken away from the tomb. (John 20, 1). In the tomb Jesus had been laid, with the head to the west and with the feet to the east. The unnamed disciple, stooping to look in, saw the linen cloths there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying like the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb f irst, also went in, and he saw and believed. The sun in the early morning gives the light from east toward west, so the two disciples could see and the linen clothings and the napkin. Then the disciples went back to their homes. (John 20, 4-10)

Weemarus. See: Weirnarus. 

Weill Raymond, French Archaeologist. One part of the Ophel-hill had been acquired by Baron Edmond do Rothschild to permit the excavations by Weill in 1913/14 for the Tomb of the Davidic Dynasty. Weill resumed the excavations in 1923/24. He discovered the 'Theodotos-inscription' (1st Cent BC). He published in 1920 'La Cité de David'.

Inscription. Weill found in a cistern a Greek inscription which was set up by Theodotos. This Theodotos came of a Jewish family of Roman Freedmen. The inscription may belong to the synagogue of 'Freedmen' that is mentioned in Acts 6, 9.

Weimarus (Weemarus), count of Campania. He visited Palestine, after 673, together with Bercharius, St., abbas Dervensis. (AA.SS. Oct 16)

Wolf IV of Bavaria. He declined to partake at the siege of Tortose (in Lebanon) at the end of 1101. Wolf, together with Renaud of Bourgogne, continued to Jerusalem.

Welter. He excavated at Shechem in 1928131.

Wendelinus of Walberberg (Germany) see: Glerlich Jacobus (born in 1876). 

Wendelinus of Menden (Germany) See: Hinterkeuser (born in 1851)

Wentworth Henri. He retired in 1853 for a time as a monk in the Agricultural Manual School near Urtas. (Compare: Minor Mrs).

Werner de Gray. This Crusader was a cousin of Godfrey of Bouillon. Werner was buried under the ancient portico (westside) of the Church above the Tomb of Mary.

Werro Sebastian. This parish priest of Freiburg (Switzerland) visited the Holy Land in 1581. He took the measures between the Stations (Seven Stations). These Stations are: 1) Pilate; 2) Pamoison (Collapse) of Mary 3)First Fall; 4) Simon helps; 5) Veronica wipes the face of Christ 6) Second Fall; 7) Calvary.

Wesro-Manen, queen of Ethiopia. She came as a pilgrim to Jerusalem, Sept 26, 1933. (Compare: Empress of Abyssinia)

Western Wall (Waiting Wall, Ha Kotel). When the area round the temple was occupied by the Dome of the Rock and El Aqsa mosque, the Jews went for prayer to the Western Wall. Above this remain of the Temple hovers the presence of God (shekinah). The Jews tried to change the site in a synagogue. This attempt caused trouble with the Moslems in 1929. An International Commission decided that the wall was Moslem property, but that the Jews had the right to pray there. Since the Six Days War, the narrow corridor before the Western Wall has been enlarged to a spacious square.

Way William of Eton (1456 or 1462). He mentions a (first) fall of Jesus, immediately after the descent of the Scala Sancta, when Jesus left the praetorium.

Weygand, General. (died 1965). This Frenchman was on service in the Middle East. On Feb 12, 1965, a Holy Mass for his soul was celebrated in the Basilica of St. Stephen.

Widow of Naim, whose son was raised. The Coptic Book of the Resurrection of Christ by Bartholomew, the Apostle, gives the name Lia (Leah) to this widow. In an Arabic tradition, however, she is called Barsa'ah, daughter of Jywail (Joel). - The Franciscans acquired a small sanctuary in Naim in 1878 and they built a chapel. The episode of Luke 7, 1 did never receive the same importance as the raising of Lazarus in Bethany (Jn 11, 1-54).

Wigger of Swabia. John of Würzburg (he visited Jerusalem round 1160-70) tells that the Franks have obliterated the epitaph on the famous Wigger, who stormed Jerusalem in 1099, and have written over it the epitaph of some French knight or other, as may be seen on the spot. For his coffin is still visible and still exists outside in a corner between the great Church (of the Holy Sepulchre) and the Chapel of St. John the Baptist, with the name struck out and another name written there.... The following epitaph may be read on the outer side of the monument: 'One thousand and one hundred years, save one, Since Blessed Mary bore her glorious Son; when rose upon July its fifteenth sun, by Frankish might Jerusalem was WO,,. ' In answer to which 1 (=John of Würzburg) have written: 'Not Franks - Franconians, warriors far more brave, From Pagan yoke Jerusalem did save; Franconian Wigger was, each Frank well knew, Franconian Guntram, and Duke Godfrey, too, and easy 't were to prove my words are true. ' Tobler (1848) mentions: The inscription now tells 'Here lies Philip d'Aubigny, may his soul rest in peace. Amen. '

Wilhelm II, Kaiser of Germany (ruled 1898-1918). He visited Palestine in Oct 1898, with his wife, Augusta Victoria. He then inaugurated the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. He donated a plot of land on Mount Sion to the Catholics of Germany. He bought the area for the Kaiserin Augusta Stiftung on the Mount of Olives. - On Mount Carmel, he exclaimed: 'It is hard to descend from this throne of Nature and to return to Berlin'.

Wilheima (now Benei Atarot). The former German Colony Wilhelma was founded in 1902. Wilhelma honoured Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Wilhelm of Boldenseel. He visited Palestine in 1333.

Wilhelmus, landigrave of Friesland. He came to Palestine in the 11th century. (Vita S. Hemmae, n. 6) (AA.SS. June 29)

Wilhelmus, sixth patriarch (1130-45) of the Latin Patriarchate. 

Wilhelmus de Sandwico, Carmelite of Acco (Acre), 12th/13th c. (AA.SS. May 26)

Will Anton. Round 1607, erected cross at Leutesdorf in 1609.

William de Sancto Johanne. This Templar was elected archbishop of Nazareth in 1288. He ruled till 1290. Pope Nicholas IV, in a letter from Rieti (June 14, 1288) confirmed 'Guillelmus de Sancto Johanne' as archbishop of Nazareth. Probably two parts of a stone slab, that were discovered in 1962 in the walled city of Acre, refer to this William. (Prawer J., Israel Expl. Journal, vol 24, 1974)

William of Castellammare of Stabia. This Franciscan was a missionary in Gaza. He was martyred in 1364. Memory on August 8.

William of England, Blessed. This Franciscan was martyred in Selmas, on June 5, 1342. In Franciscan Martyrologium: Jan 23.

William of Hedley, Franciscan Father, 1270. He followed the Crusade of prince Edward (the later Edward I). William died on sea and was buried in the Greek soil. (G13B 1 280; 11 413)

William of Ruisbroek (Ruysbroek). This Franciscan set out for Constantinople in 1253. He was accompanied by Bartholomew of Cremona. William presented a letter of King Louis IX of France at the court of Sartach on July 21, 1253. There he met Sergios, an Armenian monk from Palestine, who helped William. Then William and Bartholomew proceeded to the court of the great Khan Mangu at Karakorum (Dec 1253 - Jan 1254). William left Mongolia in 1254, and in May 1255, he was in Acre. From here he sent his report to King Louis [X. (Compare: Vartan, Armenian monk in Mongolia)

William of Tyre (Guillaume de Tyr), historian, perhaps 1127-1190. He tells us that in 1182 a ship with 1500 pilgrims for the Holy Land was shipwrecked.

William II, Emperor of Germany. See: Wilhelm II, Kaiser. 

Williams. During the British Mandate (1917-1948) he made experimental digs at Eilat.

Willibald, St. of England. This monk was in Palestine from 724 till 726. He died at Heydenheim in 786. Another monk wrote 'Vita seu Hodoeporicon S. Willibaldi' (AA.SS. July 7). Willibald saw two columns (of ordeal) against the north and the south walls in the church of the Ascension on the top of Mount of Olives. The columns are there in memory of the two men in white garments, who said to the Apostles: Viri Galilaei, etc... (Acts 1, 60); and who can creep between the wall and the columns will have remission of his sins.

Willibrand of Oldenbourg (1212). He saw near the Basilica of Mary on Mount Sion, the convent of Syrian monks. They showed the sanctuaries to the pilgrims. Willibrand saw the Tomb of Christ covered by slabs of white marble. (Compare Daniel hegumenos, who sees in 1107 the 3 circular apertures. Compare Rindfleisch, who mentions in 1496 the fissure in the horizontal marble slab).

Wilphagius, St. He came to Palestine round 650. (AA.SS. June 7)

Wilson Charles, pioneer archaeologist of Jerusalem. He made a survey of Jerusalem in 1864-65. He explored the giant arch to the left (north) of the Western Wall. The Arch is named Wilson's Arch. (Described by Tobler in 1848). Wilson in 1865166 identified Capharnaum. - The Wilson's Arch is a part (one arch) of the bridge that connected the Temple over the Valley of Tyropaeum with the Upper City (the western part).

Wingate Ode, General and grave. English since 1936. Wingate gave Haganah members in Palestine their first professional military training. Later he was in Ethiopia and in Burma. Wingate died in Burma in 1944. He is buried at Arlington (U.S.), because his death came about in the crash of a U.S. military plane. (Jerusalem Post, July 18, 1976). Wingate very often met Moshe Dayan at the Shimron-kibbutz.

Wingate Square. The Balfour Street begins at Terra Sancta College in West Jerusalem and ends at Wingate Square.

Winkler Alfred. His father was sacristan in Leipzig, and had hidden a Jewish family. He and his wife were therefore arrested and executed by the Nazis in a concentration camp on Dec 24, 1942. The orphan-boy Adolf, who at that time was 12 years, vowed: 'Later I will walk with a cross to Jerusalem for peace. ' On Jan 6, 1977 Adolf received from the Catholic parish-priest of Griesbach (Bayern) the habit of a pilgrim, with breastcross and a long rosary. Adolf walked with his own wooden cross of 7 kgr. to Jerusalem. He participated at the Procession Way of the Cross, on Friday Aug 5, 1977. Adolf Winkler returned via Amman, where he took the plane. He has legated his wooden cross of about 7 kgr to the Chapel of the 2nd Station, where Jesus took up His cross. The wooden pilgrim-cross of Winkler is very often carried by individual pilgrims or by groups in their devotional Way of the Cross with the 14 Stations.

Winkmar of Boulogne. He had as companions Siger of Bruges, Gerard of Kortrijk, Guinemer of Bouillon. The four crossed as pirats during 8 years before the coasts of Syria. They joined the first crusade, which conquered Laodicea in 1097. Winkmar was taken prisoner, but he was ransomed by Godfrey of Bouillon.

Winnid of Banestorp of Denmark, knight. With his wife he pilgrimated on foot to the Holy Land and to Santiago of Compostella (1190). He made the pilgrimage in order to expiate the murder of a child of seven years. By this murder he had tried to take vengeance for the accidental death of a member of his family.

Wintershoven. See: Gerbert of Wintershoven. 

Wiric the Flemish. At the death of Godfrey of Bouillon in 1100, Wiric was in favour of a lay kingdom at Jerusalem. He was opposed to an ecclesiastical (= patriarchal) rule in the Holy Land.

Wise Men. See: Three Kings. (Balthasar, Caspar, Melchior)

Wittenauer, Prelat. He died in the summer of 1979 in Germany. As chief of the 'Aussenamt für Deutschen-Seelsorge' (Pastoral of Germans abroad), he visited many times the Holy Land.

Woizero. See: Amaretch. 

Wolcott S. W. This American missionary in the 19th century climbed the rock of Masada from the west side. Wrongly he believed that his was 'the snake, the dangerous path, which is described by Josephus in Wars VII, 292-293.

Wolfe, Michael Solomon Alexander. This convert German Jew was the first Lutheran bishop in the Lutheran-Anglican bishopric of Jerusalem from 1841 to 1845. (See: Michael Alexander)

Wolfram of Heppeneert on the Maas. Count Wolfram, together with two other knights, was a crusader. Wolfram was the father of the 'Kaartridder of Heppeneert, the Knight with the Playcards'. Wolfram was married in Heppeneert to Herispiendis. He returned from the crusade with the bride Odilia. He had met his bride in Bessarabia. She was a pagan, but she converted to Christianity. Odilia had married Wolfram, because Wolfram during the Crusade had received a false information that his wife Herisplendis had died. And Herisplendis at home had received notice that Wolfram had been killed in the battle. The futur 'Kaartridder of Heppeneert' was the son of Wolfram and Odilia. Count Wolfram, when he started for the crusade at the age of 19, had planted a nut. The nut was from Jerusalem. Out of the nut grew a tree. A lightning cleft the tree, and a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary appeared in the cloven tree. By veneration of this miraculous statue the 'Kaartridder, Knight with the Playcards' who had become a furious card-player and has made a pact with the devil, was liberated and was saved. Therefore the veneration of the 'Virgin of Calmness, Rest' in the church at Heppeneert on the Maas in Belgium.

Wolley C. T. This Englishman made for the British Administration in 1947 a new survey on the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

Woman in the New Testament, who was healed from the issue of blood. (Mt 9, 18-26) Eusebius of Caesarea (260-339) mentions at Banjas (Caesarea Philippi) a bronze statue of this woman, kneeling before a statue of Christ. - Julian the Apostate (361-363) broke the statue of Christ and placed his own statue, but the lightning decapitated it. The local christians reassembled the broken statue of Jesus and located it in the church. - The name of the woman, who was healed by Jesus, was Mariosa. Some identify this healed woman with Veronica who wiped the face of Christ (6th Station).

Women of the Old Testament. Eva, the mother of mankind; Sarah, the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaae; Rebecca, the wife of Isaac., Leah, the first wife of Jacob; Rachel, the second wife of Jacob and mother of Benjamin; Aseneth, the wife of Joseph of Egypt; Miria(m), sister of Moses; Deborah, the woman who judged Israel, Ruth, who married the landowner Booz in Bethlehem; Hulda, the prophetess; the woman in Sarepta, who gave hospitality to the prophet Elijah; Judith, who killed Holofernes; Queen Esther, who saved the Jews; Anna, the mother of the prophet Samuel; Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary. - These woman are enumerated among the Just in the Old Testament. The feast of the Just in the Old Testament is held in the Eastern Church on the first Sunday of Advent.

Wonedalphus. He came to Palestine round 1004, together with Guido of Anderlecht. (AA.SS. Sept 12)

Wooley Leonard, Sir. He excavated the city of Ur in Mesopotamia, and he explored the Negev. He published, together with Laurence T. E. the book 'The Wilderness of Zin' (1915).

World Lutheran Federation. This society received in 1946, after the end of World War II (1939-1945) the German Lutheran properties.

World War I graves. There are 52 known World War I (1914-1918) German and Austrian graves in Jerusalem alone, while 15 residents of Jerusalem, among them one Arab, Wadia Kanaan, died while serving with the German and Austrian forces in the Middle East

Wormbser. He belonged to a German family of Palestina-pilgrims. He mentions in 1591 Beit-Sahur, the village of the Shepherds or the Vigilants, to the east of Bethlehem.

Wounded Franciscans in Bethlehem. Greek monks and Greek Orthodox civilians wounded on April 25, 1873, eight Franciscans at the Grotto of Nativity. Since then, by an order of the Sublime Porte of Constantinople, a policeman is on duty, day and night, at the Grotto of the Nativity. A painting of the Latins was burned by a candle, in the night of May 7, 1869 (Guida Nr 252). The amianthus tapestry was sent by Mac Mahon, president of France in 1874. For the cleaning of this tapestry, the Latins are controlled by the Greek Community.

Wright. This American archaeologist excavated Shechem in 1957-60.

Xenophon. Greek liturgy, on Jan 26. He served as imperial senator in Constantinople in the days of Justinian I (518-527). He was a pious man and after dividing his properties, Xenophon and his sons John and Arcadius entered the monastic life in the wilderness of Judaea. The three saints are highly venerated by the monks of the monastery of St. Sabas. - The Palestinian-Georgian calendar has the feast on Jan 26. The AA.SS. mention on Jan 26: Xenophon et Maria, Arcadius et Johannes. (Maria is perhaps the wife of Xenophon).

Xibiach Francesco (died 1771). Xibiach and Monton Antonio (died 1759) built very large organ systems, one for the church of St. John Baptist in Ain Karem, and the other for the old church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem.

Yahia of Antioch. He wrote in 'Annales': Moslems and Jews ravaged by fire in 966 the Church Saint Mary on Mount Sion. A patriarch of Jerusalem was burned to death in 966 in the atrium of St. Constantine (atrium before the Basilica of Holy Sepulchre).

Yared, father of Enoch (Gen 5, 15-18) in the Sethite genealogy. 

Yared, the poet and hymn writer. He was a kinsman of Abba Gideon, a priest of Aksum (Ethiopia). Yared is saluted in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on the 11th day of the month Genbot.

Yawicho. See: Ahadabul and Clamicho (Yamicho). 

Yelmadyos. See: Delmadius of Gaza, martyr. 

Yolande. She was the wife of Emperor Frederick II, and the daughter of John of Brienne. Yolande was heiress of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Her husband Frederick II had assumed the title of King of Jerusalem in right of his wife. Frederick II, who was under excommunication, crowned himself as King of Jerusalem, in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, in 1229.

Yonakir, the second name of Joachim. According to the Ethiopian Synaxarium (7th day of the month Miyazya) Joachim, the father of Our Lady Mary, was called by three names: Joachim, Yonakir, and Zadok.

Yonas: father of Eudokia Samaritana. 

Young W. T. He became British Consul in Jerusalem in 1841. Before he was vice-consul in Jerusalem. (Jan 31, 1839)

Yousef (Sidna) an Naddjar. Under the title Sidna Yousef en Naddjar which means Our Sir, Joseph the Carpenter, the Moslems venerate in an annexe of the mosque at Hebron the tomb of Joseph. (Joseph, the patriarch of Egypt or Joseph, the husband of Mary?)

Yudan, perhaps an Judaeo-christian. His name is written on the stone seat (Cathedra), which was found in the synagogue (3th cent.) at Corazin. Jesus blamed Corazin: 'Alas for you, Chorazin... ' (Mt 11, 21) Corazin (Chorazin) is north of Capharnaum.

Yuhan. Yuhan (Johannes) was the father of Dakima. According to the Arabic Apocryphal Gospel of John, Dakima was the bridegroom at the wedding of Cana. A name of the bride is not mentioned.

Yunan. The name of the son of the widow of Naim. Jesus raised him from the dead (Luke 7, 1) (Arabic apocryphal Gospel of John).

Yunis (Nebi Yunis, Prophet Jonas). The Moslems venerate his tomb in the mosque of Halhul, left on the way Bethlehem to Hebron. Rabbinical tradition places in Halhul the tomb of Gad the Prophet.

Yusha (Nebi Yusha, now Metsudat Yesh'a, Stronghold of the 28) at the Lebanon. frontier, about 12 Kms south of Kiryath Shemona. This Police Post was built by the British (compare Teggart) and named Nebi Yusha from the traditional tomb of Joshua, which is shown under a domed weli (= sanctuary).

Yve, circa 1326-1329. Yve succeeded in Italy to Peter I, who was the last metropolitan of Nazareth under the Crusaders. Yve died in Apulia in 1329 and was succeeded by a Dominican, Peter II.

Yvette (Judith) She was the youngest of the four daughters of King Baldwin II (1118-1131). Yvette entered the monastery of St. Anne in 1130. The Church St. Anne was consecrated in 1140. Yvette, under the name of Judith, was abbess of the Monastery of Benedictine Nuns in Bethany from 1157 to 1178. This abbey in Bethany was founded in 1134 by Queen Melisend.

Yvo, the Persian and his companions. They travelled to England, in the 7th century. (AA.SS. June 10) (Goscelinus, Vita S. W c. I, n. 2-4)

Yvo, Brito, Saint, 3rd Prior Provincialis Praedicatorum in Terra Sancta. He died circa 1260. (AA.SS. Nov 4)

Zabulon. See: Zebulon. 

Zacchaeus, chief tax collector at Jericho. Jesus invited Himself to the house of Zacchaeus for dinner. Zacchaeus was moved to make restitution of ill-gotten gains and to give aims to the poor. (Luke 19, 1-10) Tradition tells us that he accompanied St. Peter and became bishop of Caesarea, Palestine. Salomon of Bosra in his 'Book of the Bee' ch. 48 relates that Zacchaeus was killed in Hauran. A local tradition of Quercy (France) brings Zacchaeus to Gaul, where he preached under the name of Amator (Amadour?) The Copts have the feast of Zacchaeus on April 20; the Roman Martyrology on Aug 23.

Sycomore of Zacchaeus in Jericho. Facing the Franciscan property, on the right side of the way that goes from the centre of the modern Jericho to the northern Tell el-Sultan (the Jericho of the Old Testament), is a Greek Orthodox Church. Before the church is a sycomore. The old tree has fallen since 1967, but an off-shout had already been planted before. - In the Russian property, with its Byzantine oratory of St. George, is shown another sycomore.

Zacchaeus, 4th bishop of Jerusalem (112-119). His feast is on Aug 23 in Mart. Rom. The AA.SS. mention Zacchaeus-Zacharias.

Zacchaeus, priest in Jerusalem. He prayed in the atrium of the Church NEA in Jerusalem, and he predicted that the two sons of Procopios the scholar would not die in the epidemy of Caesarea, and that the plague would cease after two days. (Prat. Spir. 131)

Zacchaeus and Alphaeus. They served as deacons in Gadara, Palestine. After several tortures, they were beheaded in Caesarea, Palestine, in 303, the first year of the persecution of Diocletian.

Zacharias, 4th bishop of Jerusalem, 2nd cent. His feast is on Aug 23. The AA.SS. identify him with S. Zacchaeus.

Zacharias of Jerusalem. He followed Isaac (Isacius) on the patriarchal throne of Jerusalem in 609. During the invasion of the Persians under Chosroas II in 614, Zacharias was taken prisoner. In 628 he was freed by the troops of Emperor Heraclius and was enabled to return to Jerusalem. He died in 629 and was succeeded by Modestus (631-634). The Palestinian-Georgian calendar tells us that Zacharias died in captivity in Persia; and remembers his feast on Jan 31. The Greek liturgy recalls him on Feb 21. The AA.SS. place his death in 631, and have his feast on Feb 21.

Zacharias, the fighter. He is saluted in the Ethiopian Synaxarium on Takhshash 30. Zacharias went to the monastery of Abba Pachomius. On the day of Hosannah (Palmsunday), he went to the abbot and asked him to give him leave to go to Jerusalem. Afterwards Zacharias returned to his cell where he fed three serpents.

Zacharias, priest. Only in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar on May 23.

Zacharias, Saint (at Nazareth). The 'L’estat de la Citez de Ihérusalem' (Condition of the city of Jerusalem) of 1228 (PPTS, vol VI, p. 44) mentions: 'From Nazareth to the Leap of Our Lord is a league; and on this roadside is a chapel of Saint Zacharias, which is of the Armenians, and it is a fair place. ' (The Arabic name of the site is Jebel el Qafse).

Zachary, prophet in the postexilic period. Zachary is the 11th of the 12 minor prophets, to whom is named the Book of Zachary (Zechariah). This Zachary was of the tribe of Levi, he was born during the captivity of Babylon. The dates of his Book are between 520 and 518 BC, shortly before the dedication in 515 of the rebuilt temple. The Melkite liturgy venerates this Zachary on Feb 8.

Zadok. Third name of Joachim, the father of Our Lady Mary.

Zakariah, Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem. In 1843 he set up the Theological Seminary in Jerusalem.

Zamdas (or Zabdas), 37th bishop of Jerusalem, Saint. The AA.SS. have his feast on Sept 22, Feb 19, May 16; and have his death in 304.

Zamdo, St. bishop of Jerusalem. The Latin Patriarchate commemorates his death on Feb 19. He ruled as bishop of Jerusalem from 298 to 302. To be identified with Zamdas.

Zamnos. He built a church in Avdat, in the year 162 of the Nabataean era (= 268 CE, Christian Era).

Zanni da Bagnacavallo, Franciscan. Before 1273. It is related that he brought from Jerusalem an icon of the Holy Virgin. (GBB I, 290)

Zannos, monk in the Monastery of Zannos, which is about 3 Kms from the Great Laura (of St. Sabas) in Wadi en Nar.

Zanthius. See: Aurelius (in Timna). 

Zarephath. Zerephath (Sarepta) was a city of ancient Phoenicia, modern Sarafand, about 15 kms south of Sidon. Prophet Elijah sojourned at Zarephath during the famine in Israel, and he received hospitality from a woman. For this widow he provided oil, and he raised her son from illness (1 Kings 17, 8-24). Jesus alludes to this episode to illustrate the unbelief of the Jews as contrasted with the Gentiles (Luke 4, 26). The woman of Zarephath (Zerephath) is mentioned among the Just in the Old Testament, on the first Sunday of Advent in the Eastern Church.

Zebedee. Father of the apostles James and John, with whom they were mending their nets, when Jesus called them (Mt 4, 21; Mk 1, 19). Zebedee is mentioned otherwise only as father of these two apostles. A local tradition places the house of Zebedee and of his two sons in Yafa, southwest of Nazareth. The Franciscans pilgrimage on July 25 to Yafa and have there the Holy Mass.

House of Zebedee in Jerusalem. In David Street at the covered shops (bazars), two streets run south, three run north, and in an elbow of David Street is a structure called Kahwat el Umdan (Café of the Columns). There four roughly constructed arches rising from massive columns form a structure similar to that of a church. In medieval times, some suggested it to be a church, built over the site of the house of Zebedee, who had a fish-shop here. In reality the structure is a vaulted cross-point of streets.

Zebedee and Thaddee, companions of Saint Angel. They are mentioned in the 9th century. (AA.SS. May 13).

Zebennos, bishop of Eleutheropolis. The historian Sozomenos (died about 450) mentions that the relics of the prophets Habakkuk and Micah were found by bishop Zebennos in the year 385. The relics of Habakkuk were found at Celia; the relics of Habakkuk were discovered at Berathatia. Both places were in the bishopric of Eleutheropolis (Beit-Gebrin). (Sozomenos, PG 67, 1506)

Zebina. She was martyred in Beit-Gebrin in 308. (Eusebius)

Zebinus, St., together with Antonius and Germanus. They were decapitated in Caesarea, Palestine, in 308 by governor Firmilianus (Memory on Nov 13 in Mart. Rom.)

Zebulon. He was the son of Jacob and Leah, and one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Zebulon was the tribe of the Judge Elon (Jdges 12, 11); the tribe of Zebulon was summoned by the Judge Gideon (Jdg 6, 35). The emblem of the tribe of Zebulon is a ship. The tribe had relations with sea-faring towns. The Gospel of Matthew (4, 13) sees in the appearance of Jesus on the mountains of Zebulon and of Naphtali the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 8, 23, about the restoration of Zebulon. - A tomb of Nebi Sebalan (Zebulon) is venerated in Hurfeish, a Druse village, about 30 Kms east of Nahariyya in Galilee. - Zebulon (Zabulon) as locality is identified by some with Cabul. Cabul is about 15 kms southeast of Acre. The bishop of Cabul was at the Council of Nicaea in 325. Conder (round 1875) identified the village Zabulon with Nebi Sebalan (Sebalon); some identified Zebulon with Ibellin (or Abelin), about 6 Kms south of Cabul (Kabul).

Zechariah (Zachariah), priest and father of John the Baptist. (Feast Nov 5, Mart. Rom). In the temple Zechariah received the vision of the angel Gabriel, who announced the birth of a son through Elisabeth, who was barren and advanced in years. (Luke 1, 5-80). In the village of Ain Karem, the church in the valley recalls the birth of John the Baptist. In the northern aisle, a staircase descends to the grotto of the birth. - To the west of the church was discovered a mosaicfloor with an inscription: Hail, martyrs of God. The text means perhaps John the Baptist and his father Zechariah. Indeed, the apocryphal Protoevangelium (23, 1-3) says that Herod the Great slew Zechariah in the temple, because he refused to reveal the hiding-place of his son, who was under two years. - Near the Latin shrine of the Visitation, on top of the hill is the Russian Monastery Mar Zakariya (Saint Zechariah), and on the slope is the compound of the Russian hermitage for nuns.

Tomb of Zechariah (Zachariah) in the Valley of Kidron. The tomb is a monolith detached from the rock. The roof of the monument has the shape of a pyramid. The monument is locally known as Qabr Zoje Faraoun (Tomb of the wife of Pharaoh).

Zechariah, prophet of the postexilic time. This Zechariah returned as an old man from the Babylonian exile, shortly before the dedication (515 BC) of the rebuilt temple. Zechariah is called the son of Berechiah in the Book Zechariah 1, 1. Therefore Zechariah is sometimes identified with the prophet who was killed between the temple and the altar (Mt 23, 35; Luke 11, 51). The Greek liturgy has his feast on Feb 8; the Armenians mention him on May 16, May 26.

Book of Zechariah. It is the l lth in the series of the 12 minor prophets. The book contains 8 nocturnal visions in the first 8 chapters. In the chapters 9 - 14 it contains prophecies about the restoration of Jerusalem and the land. The Ethiopian Synaxarium relates on Yakatit 15: Zechariah prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord into Jerusalem, riding upon an ass. And concerning the forty (sic) pieces of silver, which Judas received for the betrayal.... And when the days of his prophesying were ended, Zechariah died in peace and was buried in the graves of the prophets.

Zechariah, (feast Sept 4), the father of the Forerunner, has been confused sometimes with Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, who was killed between the temple and the altar (Mt 23, 35). Therefore the monolith-monument with the pyramidical roof is ascribed by some scholars to the man who found the death between the temple and the altar, several centuries before Christ.

Zedeklah, last king of Judah (597-587). He was installed by King Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah was warned and rebuked by prophet Jeremiah, who perhaps did not regard him as a legitimate king. Zedekiah revolted against the Babylonian vassalage. He was taken captive and abducted to Babylon.

Cave(s) of Zedekiah. See: Solomon's Quarries (or Royal Cave(s).

Zenais. She was martyred in Caesarea, Palestine. Feast June 5.

Zenais, Cyria, Valeria, Marcia, SS., martyrs at Caesarea, Palestine. The feast is on June 5 in the Roman Martyrology.

Zenais and Philonilla. These two sisters were relatives of Paul, and accepted his teaching. Greek synaxaries and the Palestinian-Georgian calendar have their feast on Oct 11. The Martyrologium Romanum also on Oct 11.

Zenas, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Diospolis, according to the Greek list. The Rom. Mart. does not have this Zenas.

Zenas, the servant. Zenas, together with Zenon of Philadelphia in rabia (now Amman) presented himself before Maximus the Goveror. Both were beheaded in 303 under Diocletian (284-313). The reek liturgy has the feast on June 22.

Zeno, anchoret of Egypt. Feast on June 19. As a young man, he placed himself under the rule of Sylvanus at Scete (Egypt). Zeno went in pilgrimage to Palestine. He resisted to pick a melon in a field to appease his thirst. He returned to Scete, and died at the age of 62. Pelage, Vie des Peres. liv. V, libel. I, ch. 17).

Zeno, St., bishop of Majurna near Gaza. The AA.SS. have his death n 400; and his feast on Dec 25. The Mart. Rom. on Dec 26.

Zeno of Gaza, Martyr at Gaza, together with his brothers Nestabus and Eusebius. The three were martyred under Julian the Apostate 355-363). The Palestinian calendar has the feast on April 28; the Greek synaxaries on Sept 21, (or Sept 20, Sept 22). The Roman Martyrology has Eusebius, Nestabus and Zeno(n) on Sept 8. They were brothers, and were killed by the crowd.

Zenobius, architect for Emperor Constantine the Great at the bulding of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. (Compare: Eustachius)

Zenobius, priest and martyr. He witnessed the martyrdom of Egyptian Christians in Tyre (Phoenicia) and was, together with the bishops Tyrannio, Silvanus, Peleus and Nilus, executed during the persecution of Diocletian (284-313). (Euseb. Hist. Eccl. VIII, 7)

Zenon, one of the 70 disciples, bishop of Diospolis (Lydda), according to the Greek list. Not in the Roman Martyrology. (See: Zenas)

Zenon of Choziba. Monk in the monastery of SS. John and George in the Wadi Qilt. Martyred during the Persian invasion of 614.

Zenon of Philadelphia. He served in the Roman army and decided to suffer martyrdom. Together with Zenas, his servant, he presented himself before Maximus the Governor and suffered martyrdom in 303 or 304. The Greek synaxaries commemorate on June 22 or June 23 the martyrdom of Zenon and of Zenas.

Zenon (or Zenun), the wonderworker. He went into the sanctuary (i.e. the temple) of Jerusalem to pray, came out and went to Imahus (Emmaus? Amwas?), to a holy man. And there was in that city a certain believer, who used to visit the old holy man and to bring him bread and water. The son of the believer died. The believer wrapped him in cloth, on the top of which he placed the old man's food. The believer found Abba Zenon with the old man. Abba Zenon raised the dead son. And then Zenon returned to his own habitation. Salutation to Zenon. (Ethiopian Syri. Yakatit 3)

Zenun = the Ethiopian name for Zenon. 

Zephaniah, prophet. (Latin name Sofonias). The memory is on Dec 3 in the Rom. Mart. Zephaniah is the 9th in the 12 minor prophets. His book Zephaniah is dated in the first part of the reign of king Josiah (640-609 BC). His description of the day of Jahweh has influenced the popular image of 'Judgment Day' through the medieval hymn Dies lrae. The 'Vitae Prophetarum' tells us that Zephaniah was from the tribe of Simeon, and had lived and was buried in the field Sabaratha. This place is perhaps the village Birath Satia, where in 385 were discovered the remains of Prophet Micaiah. (Jerernias J. HeiligengrAber, S. 87) - Zephaniah (Saphonyas) is 'saluted' in the Eth. Syri. on Hamle 4.

Zeppelin, Graf von Zeppelin. This builder of the Zeppelin-dirigible, started from Friedrichshafen on March 25, 1929. He overflow Jerusalem on March 26, 1929, (Tuesday of the Holy Week) at 7, 15 in the afternoon. Paul Loebe, president of the Reichstag, was a passenger in the dirigible. - On Saturday, April 11, 1931, round 11 in the forenoon, the dirigible Zeppelin overflow Jerusalem and circled about the Holy Sepulchre, the Consulate of Germany and St. Saviour's Church.

Zerboni da Zelbio (Padre Mansueto), Italian. Ex-cleric. He assumed the habit of Penitence at Dongo on April 1644; he was ordained a priest. He went to the Holy Land. He died at Jerusalem on Oct 6, 1669. (According to the Necrology, Mansueto died on Oct 3, 1669)

Zerboni Eusebio, Franciscan. He was born at Veleso (Como), North Italy, in 1605. At the General Chapter of Toledo (Spain), he was elected 'Guardian of Mount Sion and Custos of the Holy Land' on June 8, 1658. He came to Jerusalem. He was nominated as bishop of Aquila in March 1662. Before he was consecrated a bishop, he died at Jerusalem on May 17, 1662. Father Arce mentions in a publication that the Zerboni emigrated from Spain to the region of the Lake Como in North Italy. - The grand-grandmother of Father Elpidius Pax (Wolfgang) had the name Zerboni. She emigrated in the 19th century from the region of Como to Silesia (then Austria-Hungary). Father Pax is the author of 'in the Footsteps of Christ' and 'in the Footsteps of Paul’and 'With Jesus in the Holy Land'.

Zieliensky-T. This Polish sculptor represented the Fall of Jesus under the Cross (3rd Station) and The Meeting of Jesus with His Mother (4th Station). The renovation at these two Chapels was done with offerings from the Polish people. (Compare Pietruszka Mgr.)

Zippori (Sepphoris; Roman-Byzantine Diocaesarea). It is not mentioned in the Bible, but tradition has it that it was the home of St. Anne. - The Franciscans bought the ruins of the Crusader Church in 1841, but got possession of them only in 1870.

Zoe, adulteress, Bethlehem, round 400. (AA.SS. Feb 13)

Zosimas, anchoret. He was a native of Palestine. At five he was sent to a monastery. At thirty-five he was ordained a priest. For many years he inhabited the monastery of John the Baptist at the River Jordan. In this monastery it was the custom at the beginning of the Lent for the monks to enter the wilderness of Judaea. It was on such an occasion that Zosimas met Mary the Egyptian. She received the sacraments from him in 422. Zosimas died in peace in 432. The Mart. Rom. mentions him on April 4; Greek liturgy also on April 4.

Zosimus. In the so-called Bath of Jesus at Bethlehem an inscription has: 'O Lord, remember your servants Zosimus, Theodosia and Kallis'. (See: Theodosia)

Zosimus-inscription at Beth-Shean. In the hall of the Monastery of Our Lady in Beth-Shean the entrance is paved with a Greek inscription: 'An offering (?) on behalf of the memory and perfect rest in Christ of Zosimus, Illustrious, and the preservation and succour of John, the most glorious ex-prefect, and of Peter and Anastasius, Christ-loving Counts, and of all their blessed house, through the prayers of the Saints. Amen'.

Zosimus, wonderworker, in Palestine. Blessed. He was famous for his miracles under Emperor Justinian. (Mart. Rom. memory Nov 30) He travelled from Tyre to Ptolemais (Acre). He came at Alexandroschene (Tent of Alexander) in Lebanon. There an lion devored the ass which transported the luggage. Zosimus orders the lion to carry the luggage. (Legend is told by Nicephore Callixt in the 14th cent.)

Zosimus. Memory of Zosimus and other naked saints, on April 6 in the Palestinian-Georgian calendar. Perhaps he is confused with Zosimas, who buried Mary, the Egyptian, and who is mentioned on April 3 or 4. 

Zoticus, martyr. Together with Severianus, Eusebius, and Victor, he witnessed the martyrdom of St. George of Lydda and was converted. Subsequently, Zoticus was beheaded during the Diocletian persecution (284-313). (in the Greek liturgy on April 22).

Zoticus, orphanotrophus, 4th cent. Rom. Mart. on Dec 30; in the Greek synaxaries and in the Palestinian-Georgian cal. on Dec 31.

Zovadzin. See: Hovagin, Armenian patriarch.

Zozimus from Cilicia, bishop of Babylon. He went to Gaza and to Mount Sinai in the 6th cent. (Vita ex Prato Spirituali Joh. Moschi) (AA.SS. Jan 26)

Zuallart Jan. He was judge in Ath (Belgium), he visited Palestine, and wrote about it in 1586.

Zuaze, martyr. Compare: Alexander John.






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