Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Adamnan's De Locis Sanctis (Author: Adamnan of Iona)

Chapter/toc 3

CONCERNING THE CHURCH IN WHICH IS THE CROSS OF THE LORD


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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.
35] 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
40] cross is kept on which our Saviour was suspended and suffered for the


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salvation of the human race. Now, according to the holy Arculf, for three consecutive days after the lapse of a complete year this famous chest, together with its precious treasure, is set up on a golden altar. The altar is in the round church, and is two cubits in length and one in breadth.
5] It is only on three days each year, I say, three successive days, that the cross of the Lord is set up and placed on the altar, that is the day of the Lord's supper, on which the emperor and the soldiers of the army enter the church, approach the altar and kiss the salutary cross when the holy chest is opened. First of all the emperor of the world bows down
10] and kisses it, and then according to their various stations or ages, one after another, the rest approach and kiss the gibbet of honour. So too on the morrow, that is the sixth feria before the pasch, the royal ladies, matrons, and all the women of the people, observing the order mentioned above, approach and kiss it with all veneration. On the third day, that is
15] the paschal sabbath, the bishop and after him all the clergy approach in procession with fear and trembling and with every reverence to kiss the victorious wood as it lies in its chest. And when these holy and joyous kissings of the holy cross are finished, the venerable chest is closed and together with its honourable treasure carried back to its receptacle.


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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
25] 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
30] 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.