Where the Savior Appeared to Abraham

“She assures me, then, that the place called after the oak of Mamre, where we find that Abraham lived, is being defiled in every possible way by certain slaves of superstition. She reports that idols, which ought to be utterly destroyed, have been set up on the site of that tree; that an altar stands near the spot; and that unclean sacrifices are constantly offered there. Now since it is plain that these practices are out of keeping with the character of our times and unworthy of the holiness of the place itself, I want Your Reverences to know that our friend the illustrious Count Acacius has received instructions from me by letter: every idol found at the place mentioned is to be burned at once; the altar is to be utterly demolished; and anyone who, after this our order, is guilty of any kind of impiety at this place is to be punished as he deserves. We have ordered the place itself to be adorned with a pure building, I mean a church, so that it may become a fitting place of assembly for holy men. Meanwhile, should any breach of these our commands occur, it should be made known to our Clemency at once by letters from you, so that we may order the person caught to be dealt with in the severest way, as a lawbreaker. For you are well aware that it was at that place that the Supreme God first appeared to Abraham and spoke with him. There the keeping of the divine law first began. There the Savior himself, with the two angels, first granted Abraham the sight of his presence. There God first appeared to men. There he gave Abraham the promise about his future offspring, and at once fulfilled that promise. There he foretold that Abraham would be the father of a multitude of nations. For these reasons it seems right to me that this place should not only be kept pure of all defilement through your diligence, but also restored to its original holiness, so that nothing may be done there from now on except the fitting worship of him who is the Almighty God, and our Savior, and Lord of all. It is your duty to care for this worship with due attention, if Your Reverences are willing, as I am confident you are, to gratify my wishes, which are especially devoted to the worship of God. May he preserve you, beloved brothers!” [a]