Page:The travels of Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch - Volume I.djvu/58

30 God, the Trine, the Good; whereof an account is given in the Grecian History, which we have translated into Arabic—that they made it into a Patriarchal Palace, and afterwards into a Temple of the Holy Apostles. It is upon a hill, which is above the Fanar and the Patriarch's, and about midway between this district and the Mosque of Sultan Mahomet. It is now a handsome mosque, containing within it many ancient wells.

We had been informed by several persons, that behind the Odoun Charshi, or Wood Market, near the back of the Walidah Khan, was a small mosque, that had anciently been a church, with a high square cupola surmounted with a cross, which is sometimes seen, and at other times hidden from the Odoun Charshi. I did not cease, therefore, till I had found it out, and went to it. The church is still in its pristine state; and I saw the cross. There was with me a company of persons; and we returned much gratified.

 

Thursday, the Priests and Archons of Mahall Assamatah came to invite our Lord the Patriarch, by permission of the Constantinopolitan, and to request him that he would go and perform mass in their district. We therefore accompanied them, in a boat, about sixteen miles over water: for the circuit of the walls of Constantinople is said to be twelve miles. Mahall Assamatah is a neck of land stretching out into the sea, so that three-fourths of it are insular. The remaining fourth is contiguous to the gate of Adrianople, behind the Fanar. The whole of this territory is covered with vineyards and gardens, and grows a considerable number of pistachio-trees. The inhabitants met us in procession; and we arrived at their place at sun-set, on the eve of the first Sunday of the Fast of the Nativity. Early in the morning we celebrated mass in the Church of the Emperor Constantine the Great; which is very ancient and venerable,