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Little of the life of Bp. Macarius is known. According to [[Eusebius of Caesarea]], he became [[bishop]] of Jerusalem in 312. Bp. Macarius took part in the [[First Ecumenical Council|Council at Nicea]] in 325 during which he took a strong stand against the Arian formula, a position noted abusively by Arius in a letter to [[Eusebius of Nicomedia]] <ref>Theodoret, Church History I.4</ref>. St. [[Athanasius of Alexandria|Athanasius]], in one of his speeches against Arianism, refers to Macarius as an example of "the honest and simple style of apostolical men."
Bp. Macarius' name appears first among the [[bishop]]s from Palestine who subscribed to the acts of the Council of Nicea; [[Eusebius of Caesarea]]'s name appears fifth. At the council Macarius apparently contended with Eusebius of [[Caesarea ]] concerning the rights of their respective [[see]]s as the seventh canon of the council noted, "As custom and ancient tradition show that the bishop of Aelia (Jerusalem) ought to be honored, he shall have precedence: without prejudice, however, to the dignity which belongs to the Metropolis," a vague statement that suggests a compromise.
St. Theophanes in his ''Chronography'' reported that, at the end of the Council at Nicea, the emperor [[Constantine the Great|Constantine I]] directed Bp. Macarius to search in Jerusalem for the sites of the Savior's [[Passion]] and [[Resurrection]] and for the [[True Cross]]. As confirmation of his direction, excavations in the city began shortly after the council and, contrary to expectations, the monument of our Savior's Resurrection was found under the remains of the temple of Venus. After hearing of the discovery, Constantine directed Macarius to erect a [[church]] (the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|Holy Sepulchre]]) on the site. Also about 325, St. [[Helen]], the mother of Constantine, was accompanied by Bp. Macarius on her journey to Jerusalem, during which time she discovered the True [[Cross]].
