George Monastery in Wadi Qelt or simply the Monastery of Choziba, is a
monastery located in Wadi Qelt, in the eastern West Bank, in Area C of the
Palestinian Authority territories.
The cliff-hanging complex, which emerged from a lavra established in the 420s
and reorganised as a monastery around AD 500, with its ancient chapel and
irrigated gardens, is active and inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks.
It is reached by a pedestrian bridge across Wadi Qelt, which many believe to
be Psalm 23's "valley of the shadow of death". The valley parallels the old
Roman road to Jericho, the backdrop for the parable of the Good Samaritan
(Luke 10:29-37). The monastery is open to pilgrims and visitors.
The traditions attached to the monastery include a visit by Elijah en route to
the Sinai Peninsula, and St. Joachim, whose wife Anne was infertile, weeping
here when an angel announced to him the news of Mary's conception.
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Cross on the way to the monastery.
There is a 3-hour long hiking path through the wadi and other paths
above and along the wadi, or alternatively a parking lot across the wadi
from the monastery with an adjacent lookout point.
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From the parking lot, it's a fairly short hike, about 1 km, but very
steep going down to the monastery.
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Wadi Qelt.
Wadi Qelt is a valley, riverine gulch or stream in the West Bank,
originating near Jerusalem and running into the Jordan River near
Jericho, shortly before it flows into the Dead Sea.
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The wadi attracts with a number of natural, biblical, and
archaeological highlights: a well preserved natural environment with a
rich wild bird population.
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See more at
Wadi Qelt - Wikipedia.
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Saint George Monastery.
Monastic life at the future site of St. George's Monastery began around
420 CE as a lavra, with a few monks who sought the desert
experience of the prophets, and settled around a cave where they
believed Elijah was fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:5–6). Hermits living in
caves in nearby cliffs would meet in the lavra for a weekly mass
and communal meal.
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Between 480 and 520/530, the lavra was reorganised as a
monastery by John of Thebes, also known as Saint John of Choziba, who
had moved to Syria Palaestina from Egypt. In his time it was dedicated
to the Mother of God.
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The monastery became an important spiritual centre in the
sixth-seventh century under Saint George of Choziba (died c. 620). The
monastery was eventually renamed after him.
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See also
Source
Location
