Constantine’s Temple at Golgotha and Its Dedication

The temple called the Great Martyrium, which had been built at the Place of the Skull in Jerusalem, was finished about the thirtieth year of Constantine’s reign. Marianus, an official who was one of the emperor’s shorthand writers, came to Tyre and delivered a letter from the emperor to the council, ordering them to go quickly to Jerusalem to consecrate the temple. This had been decided beforehand. Even so, the emperor thought it necessary that the disputes among the bishops gathered at Tyre should be settled first, so that they would be cleansed of all discord and grief before they went to the consecration of the temple. For at such a festival it is fitting that the priests be of one mind. So when the bishops arrived at Jerusalem, the temple was consecrated, and so were the many ornaments and gifts the emperor had sent. They are still kept in that sacred building, and they are so costly and magnificent that no one can look at them without wonder. Ever since then, the church of Jerusalem has celebrated the anniversary of the consecration with great ceremony. The festival lasts eight days, baptism is given to those being initiated, and people from every region under the sun come to Jerusalem during the festival and visit the holy places. [a]