(2.) St. Cyril. Fourth century.[[82]]
“The cleft (or entrance) which was at the door of the Salutary Sepulchre, was hewn out of the rock itself, as is customary here in the front of sepulchres. For now it appears not, the outer cave having been hewn away for the sake of the present adornment;[[83]] for before the sepulchre was decorated by royal seal, there was a cave in the face of the rock.”[[84]]
[82]. Taken from Williams’ ‘Holy City,’ vol. ii., p. 80, and p. 172.
[83]. Can this remark apply to the rock, rough and unshapen, in the Dome of the Rock? See Williams’ ‘Holy City,’ vol. ii.
[84]. It may be observed on this passage that the so-called Tomb of Absalom, as has been discovered by M. Clermont Ganneau, was originally a cave, but the rock has been cut away on all sides from it, so that it now stands out like a built monument.
(3.) Antoninus Martyrus gives the following facts:—
“From the monument to Golgotha is eighty paces,” i.e., about two hundred feet. But between Siloam and Golgotha is a distance of about a mile.
(4.) Antiochus the Monk. A.D. 630.
Modestus ... templa Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi, quæ quidem barbarico igni conflagrarunt, in sublime erigit omni prorsus digna veneratione, puta ædes Calvariæ ac Sanctæ Resurrectionis; domum insuper dignam omni honore venerandæ crucis, quæ mater ecclesiarum est.[[85]]
[85]. See Williams’ ‘Holy City,’ ii., 263.