Roberts, David; Croly, George: The Holy Land: Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia (Band 2) (London, 1842)

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This village, now known as Loud'h or Ludd, and once bearing the name of Diospolis, was originally of
considerable importance. Built by the Benjamites; and inhabited by them after their exile, it was
transferred by Demetrius Nicator from Samaria to Judea. In the period following the death of Julius
Caesar, the City was seized, and its inhabitants sold into slavery. In the history of the New Testament
it was the scene of a miracle.

"And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints
which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named ^Eneas, which had kept his bed eight
years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, iEneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole :
arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt in Lydda and Saron saw him,
and turned to the Lord."1

Lydda was laid in ashes by the Roman troops in their march under Cestius Gallus to Jerusalem.
On the conversion of the Empire it was a Bishopric of Palestina Prima, and in the Greek Ecclesiastical
Notitiae it stands as Diospolis, and in the Latin as Lydda. It was made memorable in later times by
the appearance of Pelagius before a Council (a.d. 415). But its chief legendary fame is due to a
tradition that the remains of St. George, who was born in Lydda, and martyred at Nicomedia in the third
century, were transferred to his native place. The ruins of a Church dedicated to the Saint, and evidently
once of great magnitude and beauty, lie in the eastern quarter of the village.2 " We saw," says Robinson,
" these noble ruins by the bright, yet mellow light of the full moon. The lofty remaining arch towered
in imposing majesty; and the effect of the whole, though mournful, was indescribably impressive. It
transported me back to the similar, though far more perfect, moonlight grandeur of the Coliseum."

1 Acts ix. 32, &c. s Roberts's Journal. G. Robinson's Travels, i. 178. 3 Bib. Res. iii. 5% &c.