However, we must say something about the very celebrated round
stone church in that city. According to the account of the holy Arculf,
who frequented it for a considerable time, it is triple in character,
rising up from the very foundations in three walls, and above them it is
rounded off on high by a single dome, exceedingly round and beautiful.
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This is borne upon great arches, and between each of the walls mentioned
above there is a wide space quite suitable for dwelling in, or even for
praying to the Lord. In the interior in the northern part a very large and
very beautiful repository is on view. It encloses a wooden chest, and that
in turn encloses a wooden reliquary, where the salutary wood of the
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cross is kept on which our Saviour was suspended and suffered for the
This fact, however, should be carefully observed. There are three,
not two, short beams, the transverse beam that is, and the long one which
is cut into two equal parts. From these three pieces of honoured wood,
when the chest is opened, there arises the fragrance of a wondrous odour,
as if the marvellous sweetness of all flowers were collected there. It
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sates and rejoices everyone who has a position in the space within the
interior walls of the church, for during this period people enter and take
their stand there. The knots in the three beams exude a fragrant liquid
somewhat like oil which makes all the crowds inside of various nations
perceive the most sweet fragrance that was mentioned. If even a small
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drop of the liquid be applied to sick people, whatever kind of disease or
illness they be troubled with, they recover full health. But let that description
of the matter suffice.