- Address: 20 km from Jerusalem on the road to Jericho, Israel;
- Built: in the IV century;
- Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 8:00 - 11:00 and 15:00 - 17:00., Sat: 9:00 - 12:00.
The monastery of St. George Hosevit is one of the most picturesque and exotic places in Israel . The oldest monastery in the world is in the lower part of the Celtic Valley, 5 km from Jericho. The old road leads to the monastery, which branches off from the modern highway. Pilgrims and ordinary tourists will have something to see on this stretch of the road, because here and there there are remnants of the ancient Roman aqueduct.
Unfortunately, the water pipe is not working now, but the Byzantines and the Crusaders regularly restored it. In return, a canal was built with running water in the gorge itself. Another feature of the area is the ruins of the Arabian tank (Beth Jaber al-Fukani), which is located in front of the pedestrian descent to the monastery, near the parking lot.
The history of the monastery
Buildings, ancient chapels and gardens of the 6th century are like swallows' nests, which are huddled on almost vertical rocks. Once they were all inhabited by hermits, but now some of them are inhabited by Greek monks. The monastery is known not only as St. George Hozevit (Koziba), but also under the Arabic name - Deir Mar Jiris.
In the latter case, we mean another George - the Victorious. The building is also called Deir el-Kelt, in accordance with the name of the gorge. The monastery of George Hosevit in the Judean Desert appeared in the 4th century, when five Syrian monks settled in a cave where the prophet Elijah lived for three years and six months. During this time, the food was brought to him by crows.
In 480, St. John Khozevit from Egypt arrived in the gorge and began to expand the territory. Soon the monastery turned into a dormitory hostel type. His heyday came in the 6th century, when monks of other nationalities began to come here. Among them were the Greeks, Syrians, Armenians, Georgians and Russians.
From this moment the glory of the monastery begins to spread throughout the Holy Land. The peak of its heyday was at the end of the 6th and the beginning of the 7th centuries, when Georges Khozevit becomes the rector. His name is still in the monastery. Hermits or monks flocking to the monastery from all over the Christian world, preferring a civic way of life.
Monastery for tourists
The cell and other rooms are simply hollowed out in the wall. To see their inner part, you should climb a narrow ladder. Tourists are shown a cave where St. Elijah the Prophet. The complex consists of three levels:
- the upper - the cave church of Elijah;
- middle - the main buildings, including the church of St. John and Georgy Khozevitov, Nativity of the Virgin;
- lower - warehouses and ancient burials.
Pilgrims are actively visiting the monastery to see and attach themselves to the relics. For them, tables are laid with refreshments on the terrace of the archondarik. In the monastery are relics of St. John and George Hozevitov, John of Romanian. In the monastery chapel are stored the bones and skulls of monks killed during the Persian invasion. Another interesting exhibit is a samovar, donated by Denis Davydov, who distinguished himself in the war of 1812.
To the inhabitants of the monastery can be considered a dog, which is loved here. They respond to people with reciprocity and are very kind to tourists. Of interesting exhibits is the iconostasis erected in the 20th century, but the royal gates date back to the 12th century when the Byzantine emperor Alexei II ruled.
The visit time is somewhat limited - from Sunday to Friday - from 08:00 to 11:00, and 15:00 to 17:00, and on Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00.
How to get to the monastery?
Tourists who come to Jerusalem , should use public transport. From the central bus station the bus number 125 leaves regularly, on it it is necessary to reach the settlement of Mizpe-Jericho.
From the gate of the settlement it is necessary to turn twice to the right and walk about 5 km along the asphalt path. The sign of the end of the way is a parking lot and an arch signifying the entrance to the monastery, then you should go down. It will not be possible to get lost even with a great desire - crosses are installed all the way around.
This way - along a narrow mountain path winding ribbon along the mountains over the gorge, not everyone can stand, so tourists can rent a donkey. Not to see and hear the owners of animals is simply impossible, because they shout loudly: "Taxi", "Taxi".
Another way is by car on Highway 1 Jerusalem-Jericho, before turning to the above-mentioned settlement of Mitzpe Jericho. Do not enter the gate, turn left, and then turn to the first turn to the right.