In a narrow gorge in the Judean Desert near Jericho (West Bank) lies the St. George of Choziba Monastery. The cliff-hanging complex, with its ancient church and the vast green gardens against the sandy desert background, stands as one of the most beautiful and spectacular settings in the region. In the 5th century CE still a simple laura, it developed into a monastery in the 6th century. Thus, the monastery was active during a time in which we were able to proof occupation of Mitzpe Shivta.
Today the place is again inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks. The location of the monastery does not make it easy to reach. In the blazing summer sun and heat, we had to descend into the Wadi Qelt and then at the lowest point of the gorge climb back up to the monastery. As far as isolation and difficult accessibility are concerned, the Wadi Qelt fulfills all requirements for the perfect location of a laura.
Arrived at the monastery, we were welcomed by the monks with coffee and over-sugary fruit juices. We learned that just 10 monks inhabit and care for the monastery complex. Another one lives isolated as a hermit in one of the surrounding rock-cut caves. Given the size of the complex, we had expected more residents – however, many of the rooms fulfill a cultic function e.g. for the relics of St. George or the cave of Elijah. Almost all the monks come from Greece, some from Serbia, and some have been living in the desert for over 15 years. Often applications of men that wish to live as monks fail because of their requests for internet access in the caves – obviously against the concept of an isolated life in the desert. The monks live in hybrid spaces that are partly carved out of the rock and partly made of built elements. They subsist both from their own agricultural products, but also make purchases from the supermarket.
