Page:The travels of Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch - Volume I.djvu/36

8 in Greek, "Who begot the Son?" on porphyry: and calculating its chronology, we found that it is five hundred years old at the present time. In like manner, upon the door of the church, its epoch is inscribed in Greek. All the rest of the churches are small. At a short distance outside the convent is an ancient cave, into which you descend by steps: in it the robbers confined the Saint, as their prisoner. Here is a large spring, which he caused to burst forth for them, and of which the water is delicious. We slept in the convent the night preceding Wednesday the fifteenth of Iloul, and in the morning returned to the city. The walls of it are large, and it contains surprising edifices, and many paintings, and portraits of persons, who are as it were speaking. We went to see the Establishment of the Mollakhanah of the holy Molla Khandkar, in which are some remarkably handsome buildings: the chandeliers of silver and gold, and the lamps, which have been selected from the treasuries of Kings and Emperors, are very numerous. One chandelier, shaped into every kind of flower-stalk, weighs ninety okas of gold and silver. The steps of ascent to his tomb are of silver. Near to it is the tomb of the Monk, his companion; upon which is a black garment, and a large black turban. The pavement of the steps consists of entire slabs of marble, cut thin, as though they were plates of silver. At the sight of these wonders, every person who enters this place is perfectly astonished. The Chief, and the rest of the Dervishes, entertain great love for Christians and Monks. They had admitted us, and shewed us about, whilst we on our parts were full of dread and apprehension. As to the tribe of Turkomans, there is a curse upon them, should they not admit them.

We now joined company with a Cadi of Aleppo, and the Caravan from that place; and setting out on Thursday, arrived the next morning at Ladak; which place, in the Συναξάρια (Martyrology), is named Litavernieh, and contains a magnificent church dedicated to Saint Michael, besides Roman edifices, and many other churches. We left it at the approach of evening; and arrived early the next day at a village called Algham, on the outside of which is a Hammam, or Bath, called Kibloujah, of hot water; and near to it is also one of cold water. In the evening we again departed; and came in the morning of the next day, which was Saturday the eighteenth of Iloul, to a village called Ak Shehr, celebrated for the tomb of Haja. After travelling again all night, the next day brought us to Sakla. It was the first Sunday after the Feast of the Cross. At midnight we again started, and in the morning reached Belaidon. The whole road from Sakla to Belaidon is furnished with bridges, and paved with stone. Setting off in