St. Marcarius, Bishop of Jerusalem



St.Macarius of Jerusalem aided St. Helena in identifying the True Cross. He became the bishop of Jerusalem in 314 and was was known for his defense against the heresy of Arianism (denial of the divinity of Christ). He was also one of the signers at the Council of Nicaea and played a large roll in drafting the Creed.

Legend has it that Macarius was with Saint Helena when she discovered three crosses in Jerusalem. It was Macarius who suggested that a dying woman be touched with each of the crosses. When one of them instantly cured her, they determined that it was the true cross – the one on which our Lord was crucified.

The Emperor Constantine placed him in charge of the excavations for discovering the sites of the Passion and Resurrection. Under his supervision, the church of the Holy Sepulcher was built. Macarius died soon afterwards, around the year 335. His feast day is March 10.
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