11Dec2024
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History:
The monastery was established in the 5th century during the Byzantine era, in the year 484 AD, by Saint Saba. In the beginning, the isolated monastery attracted 70 hermits. Over the years, more hermits seeking a life of asceticism and devotion inhabited the monastery, reaching a total of 5,000 individuals. This made the monastery one of the oldest and most significant inhabited centers of monasticism in the Eastern Christian world.
About the Church and Its Name:
Saint Saba was born in Cappadocia (present-day Turkey) in 439 AD. At the tender age of eight, he abandoned his family life and embraced monasticism in Palestine, where he was mentored by Saints Euthymius and Theoktistos. In 478 AD, a divine vision guided him to the current site of the monastery, where he lived as a hermit until his passing in 532 AD. His remains were later transferred by the Crusaders to Venice, Italy, where they remained for over seven centuries before being returned to the monastery in 1965. His body, displayed unembalmed in a casket, serves as a testament to his significance in Orthodox tradition.
Throughout the centuries, the monastery has played a vital role in preserving Byzantine and religious heritage.. It contributed to the translation of Greek works into Arabic, making it an important cultural and intellectual center in the region. The monastery also established a life of asceticism, most notably the “Laura” style of monasticism, attracting monks from around the world. Among the notable monks who stayed there was Saint John of Damascus, who composed numerous hymns and chants that continue to enrich Orthodox liturgy today.
The monastery is governed by specific rules that reflect the austere monastic lifestyle embraced by its residents. It is dedicated to monks and men seeking a life of asceticism and spiritual solitude. Women are generally prohibited from entering most facilities, in adherence to long standing monastic traditions.. However, a designated tower near the main entrance allows female visitors, where Saint Saba once welcomed his mother. The monks live in complete isolation, with limited communication permitted only at specific times. Theyrely on candlelight and natural water springs surrounding the monastery. Today, Mar Saba Monastery remains a center for spiritual reflection and prayer, preserving the traditions established by its founder over the centuries.
Architectural Design:
Built as a Byzantine architectural masterpiece on the mountains of Palestine, the monastery is located a few kilometers from Bethlehem and includes two churches, as well as numerous caves (110 of which are carved into the mountain), along with towers, cells, and subterranean corridors:
• The First Church: Dedicated to Saint Nicholas, and established in 491 AD. It is believed that the location was chosen based on a vision seen by Saint Saba, in which he witnessed a pillar of light extending from the earth to the sky (or heaven??). The church houses the relics of martyrs killed by the Persians in 614 AD.
• The Main Church: Constructed during Saint Saba lifetime in 502 AD and dedicated to the Annunciation of the Theotokos. This church is regarded as the spiritual heart of the monastery. It contains the relics of Saint Saba and is the venue where major religious ceremonies are held.
Each year, the Orthodox Church commemorates the return of Saint Saba’s relics. in a grand celebration attended by pilgrims from all over, on October 26.
