Page:The travels of Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch - Volume I.djvu/47

Rh imitation of them in all the churches of Constantinople and its territory, as there is also of the Lavacrum just described. The Ἄμϐων, or pulpit, is on the north side, as we mentioned before; is very high; and looks over the throne, occupied, on the present occasion by the Patriarch of Antioch.

In one corner of this church, on the right-hand side as you enter, is a repository, with a grating of iron wire; containing the bodies of Saints, which we requested permission to kneel down to and to kiss. They therefore took us inside; and the Archons came, bringing with them the keys of the bolts. First they broke the seals, and then opened the several chests, which are three; the first containing the body of Saint Theophanu, the Empress, preserved entire, as she was in her clothes, with her (تاسومة probably تاصمه) spinning yarn at her feet. We took a blessing from her, and then from the body of Saint Ishmonita, mother of the Seven Macabites. She is an old woman, remaining entire, with her clothes upon her, buttoned in the manner of the Franks. In the third chest is Saint Euphemia, the Martyr, entire, except that the head is wanting. In a corner of this repository is an iron cage, within which is seen one half of the pillar to which they tied our Lord the Messiah, when they scourged him. Its colour inclines to green. Above it is a lamp, which burns night and day. Whilst we were taking a blessing from it, one of the persons present informed us that the other half of it is at Rome, and that he had paid his devotions to it. They now replaced the seals upon the reliques, and we went out. It is to be observed, that the whole of the treasure belonging to the Patriarchal Church is in the hands of its Vakeels or Attorneys, and not entrusted to the Patriarch. It is they, also, who pay all the pensions and other expenses attending the Patriarch's Court.

The Palace and Divan of the Patriarch are built upon an eminence outside the church inclosure; and command a view of Galata, of Scutari, of the Sea of Marmora, &c. At the upper part is a secret door, giving admission to the Monastery of the Resurrection: for between the Patriarch's palace and this monastery is the city gate from the inner wall; and whereas it is the custom, upon shutting up the gates of Constantinople in the evening, to take the keys to the Aga of the Janissaries, and, on account of the distance, not to open them again till morning, we occasionally came and knocked at this private gate, and, through it, went down into the church.