The Mar Saba monastery near Bethlehem in the West Bank has been continuously inhabited since 483 AD, making it one of the oldest of its kind.

The stunning site overlooks the Kidron Valley between the Old City of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.

The Greek Orthodox monastery houses around 20 monks, known as Sabaites, and still maintains many of its ancient traditions.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Bethlehem, 27 Sebtember 2021. The Greek Orthodox monastery of Saint Sabbas (Mar Saba), overlooking the Kidron valley, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

0.1 SOUNDBITE(in Arabic) Nicole Rechmaoui

STORYLINE:

Is a Greek Orthodox monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley at a point halfway between the Old City of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, within the Bethlehem Governorate of the West Bank. The monks of Mar Saba and those of subsidiary houses are known as Sabaites.

The monastery was founded by Sabbas the Sanctified in 483, the complex houses around 20 monks.

It is considered to be one of the oldest inhabited monasteries in the world, and still maintains many of its ancient traditions.


Footage by / APAwire