847

Dec. 25 1168 - Dec. 24 1169. Jerusalem. Patriarch Amalric of Jerusalem writes a general letter to the clergy and laity of the Church. He dilates on the misery of the Church in the East, on the death of Prince Raymond of Antioch at the hands of the Turci, the imprisonment of his successor Prince Rainald, the defeat of King Baldwin III by the Turci and his flight to the gates of Acre [Adcharon], the defeat and capture of Prince Bohemond III of Antioch, Count Raymond III of Tripoli and many brothers of the Hospital and the Temple, who were with them, and the loss of Cesarea Philippi, commonly called Belinas, crucial to the defence of the land of Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem is itself threatened. He describes the strength of the Turci and the weakness of the Christians, and he appeals for assistance. He and King Amalric are sending his dear friend Gibertus magister sancti Hospitalis Iherusalem, together with other messengers, overseas [to Europe] to plead for help. Those who take the road to the Holy Sepulchre [iter Sancti Sepulcri] will share in the prayers and benefits of the Church in Jerusalem and the East, as will those who die on the way. He offers remission of all their sins.