Mar Saba Monastery

#postandearn #mar Saba Monastery Mar Saba Monastery, also known as the Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas, is a Greek Orthodox monastery located in the West Bank, approximately 15 km east of Bethlehem, overlooking the Kidron Valley in the Judean Desert.  Historical Significance Founded in 483 AD by Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, Mar Saba is one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the world. Saint Sabbas established the monastery as a communal monastic community, known as a “laura,” which became a model for Eastern Orthodox monasticism.   The monastery has been home to several notable figures, including St. John of Damascus (676–749), a prominent theologian and hymnographer who defended the use of icons during the Iconoclastic Controversy. His tomb lies in a cave beneath the monastery.  Architecture and Layout Mar Saba is built into the side of a rocky cliff, blending seamlessly with the surrounding desert landscape. The complex includes several chapels, monks’ cells, and communal areas, all enclosed within fortified walls. Notable structures within the monastery include:  • Church of the Theotokos: The main church, built in 502 AD, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. • Church of Saint Nicholas: Originally the Church of Theoktistos, built in 486 AD and later rededicated. Getting There - Attractions - Hotels - Food & Restaurants - Shopping -