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Chronicle by Michael the Syrian

Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Chabot (1899-1910)

The Jews obtained permission to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and to make sacrifices there9. They brought about 3,000 modius (?) of lime. A strong wind blew through the air; the earth shook; the stones of the old foundations arose; fire came down from the sky and devoured the levers10, axes and all tools of the trade. The following night, a third miracle occurred. Radiant images of the cross seemed fixed on all their clothes; in the day they tried to make them disappear by washing it out, but they could not. — On the occasion of the reconstruction of the Temple, the image of the cross appeared on all the garments of the Jews, as well as of the pagans and Christians, not only in Jerusalem, but also in Antioch and its environs. — The cross, adorned with a crown of light, appeared from Golgotha ​​to the Mount of Olives. She was prettier and more brilliant than that which appeared in the time of Constantine the Great.
Footnotes

9. Socr., III, xx; Theod., III, xx.

10. greek text moxlo ?

French from Chabot (1899-1910)

Les Juifs obtinrent la permission de rebâtir le Temple de Jérusalem et d'y faire des sacrifices9. Ils amenèrent environ 3.000 modius de chaux. Un vent violent souffla dans l'air; la terre trembla; les pierres des anciens fondements surgirent; le feu descendit du ciel et dévora les leviers10, les haches et tous les instruments de travail. La nuit suivante, survint un troisième prodige. Des images rayonnantes de la croix paraissaient fixées sur tous leurs vêtements; au jour, ils essayèrent de les faire disparaître en lavant l'endroit, mais ils ne le purent. — A l'occasion de la reconstruction du Temple, l'image de la croix parut sur tous les vêtements des Juifs, aussi bien que des païens et des chrétiens, non seulement à Jérusalem, mais aussi à Antioche et dans leurs environs. — La croix, ornée d'une couronne de lumière, apparut depuis le Golgotha jusqu'au mont des Oliviers. Elle était plus belle et plus brillante que celle qui apparut du temps de Constantin le Grand.
Footnotes

9. Socr., III, xx; Theod., III, xx.

10. greek text moxlo ?

English Translation by Bedrosian (1870-1871) of an Armenian version of Michael the Syrian

Background

Michael the Syrian's Chronicle was also translated into Armenian twice in the first half of the 13th century. Over 60 Armenian manuscripts have survived. These manuscripts are, however, abridged and edited. The fact is we don't have an original copy of Michael the Syrian's Chronicle. We have multiple differing versions. The excerpt below was translated into English from Classical Armenian editions found in Jerusalem by Robert Bedrosian in the years 1870 and 1871.

[Julian] changed the names of cities: he renamed Caesarea to Mazaka (Bazke'), and Constantinople to Biwzandia. He deceitfully built hostels, poor houses, and places where orphans and widows could be cared for. He commanded that pagan legends be read and that the children of Christians not be excluded from secular learning. He left Antioch with threats about what would happen when he returned peacefully from Persia. He sent to Edessa to prepare for [receiving] him, but they refused. He then went to Harran, sacrificed to the demons, and honored the Jews there, commanding that they go to Jerusalem, [re]build the Temple, and make sacrifices according to [their] faith. [The Jews] took 3,000 measures of lime, gathered up those who had been dispersed, went and began to rebuild. A fierce wind scattered the lime and cement they wanted to build with, and fire descended and burned the structure and their tools. The Jews in Edessa arose against the Christians, and were killed by them [gl43].

English Translation by Bedrosian (1870-1871) of an Armenian version of Michael the Syrian - embedded



French translation by Chabot (1899-1910) - embedded



Syriac - embedded

  • manuscript copied for Chabot in Edessa at the end of the 19th century CE
  • from archive.org


Seismic Effects
  • the earth shook; the stones of the old foundations arose
Locations
  • Jerusalem
Fire
  • fire came down from the sky and devoured the levers, axes and all tools of the trade
Storms and other "events"
  • A strong wind blew through the air
  • The following night, a third miracle occurred. Radiant images of the cross seemed fixed on all their clothes; in the day they tried to make them disappear by washing it out, but they could not.
  • the image of the cross appeared on all the garments of the Jews, as well as of the pagans and Christians, not only in Jerusalem, but also in Antioch and its environs
  • The cross, adorned with a crown of light, appeared from Golgotha ​​to the Mount of Olives. She was prettier and more brilliant than that which appeared in the time of Constantine the Great.
Sources
Sources

Online Versions and Further Reading
References