Monastery of Protopope George Hozevita
located in the Wadi Celt Gorge, in the Judean Desert
Description:
The monastery of St. George Hozevit in Israel is considered not only the oldest Orthodox monastery in the world, but also one of the most extraordinary and amazing architectural structures. Located in the Judean desert, it was as if glued, akin to the surrounding rocks, fearing to be thrown into the abyss.
In the distant 5th century, Syrian monks first settled in this place, intending to gain the experience and knowledge of ancient prophets in solitude. The place was chosen not by chance, because it was here that the prophet Elijah lived in the cave for three and a half years, it was here that the angel brought the news of the future birth of the Virgin Mary.
The strongest flowering and vital activity of the monastery came at the end of the 6th, the beginning of the 7th century under the abbot of St. George Josevite, that is why this shrine deserves his name.
The monastery was destroyed several times and restored again, the last restoration was completed in 1901.
The whole complex can be divided into three levels:
1 A church built on the site of a "holy" cave.
2 Houses, three smaller churches and a bell tower.
3.Monastic warehouses and tombs of monks.
This amazing place conquers with its bizarre beauty and uniqueness.
To get to the monastery, you can move along Highway 1, between Maale Adumim and the Dead Sea, turn towards the settlement of Mitzpe Jericho and continue following the signs on Wadi Celt and the monastery.