St. Gerassimos monastery

Founded by the 5th C Abbot Gerassimos of the Jordan, it is one of the earliest monasteries. Its Arabic name - Deir Hijla ("monastery of Hijla") - preserved the name of the nearby Biblical city of Beth-Hogla.

Map / Aerial View:

The site is located on the east side of road #90, 5.5KM north of the Dead Sea and KM west of the Jordan river, north of the Beth-Arabah junction. The area around St Gerassimos is shown in the aerial map below.

History:

Biblical period

Near the monastery (about 1 KM north-east) are the ruins of the Biblical city of Beth Hogla. This city, which was recently excavated and seen near the highway, was located on the border between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Joshua 15 1, 6:"This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families...And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah". And Joshua 18 19-20: "And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast. And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, according to their families".

Byzantine period

The monastery was founded in 455AD by Gerassimos (also spelled Gerasimos or Gerasimus), a monk from Lycia (Anatolia, Turkey). He was an Abbot (head of monastery) of a community of 70 monks in the area east of Jericho who maintained a strict rule of asceticism. The monastery was built in the form of a Lavra - a cluster of caves or cells for hermits with a common center. The monks met in the center on Saturdays and Sundays, while in the rest of the days they lived in seclusion. The monks' caves are located 1KM to the east (Ein Nukeil) and in the mountains around the site. This Lavra (Laura) form was also established in the Judean desert monastery of Mar Saba.

He attended the Fourth Ecumenical Synod at Chalcedon in 451. Gerassimos, also known as St. Gerasimus of the Jordan, died in 475. His burial place is unknown since the Byzantine structure was totally destroyed. The Saint's honor is celebrated on March 4.

Gerassimo's encounter with the lion is a central theme in the paintings and sculptures in the monastery. The Abbot met the lion near the Jordan river, roaring in pain because of a thorn was stuck in its pawn. After removing the thorn the lion became tamed and joined the community. The lion is often illustrated with a donkey and camel, its friends from the Monastery.

The original structure was built in 460, but was destroyed during the Persian conquest (614), and the monks were butchered. Their remains are on display in the crypt on the lower floor. It was repaired several times during the Arab period (7th-12th C). There are only few remains from the Byzantine structure.

Crusader period

The Crusaders rebuilt the monastery. Most of the existing structure dates to the 13th C, although the periodic earthquakes, including the severe earthquake of 1837, required frequent rebuilding.

Modern times

Recently (2009) the area around the monastery is undergoing restorations and hosting a pilgrimage center. It is open to the public and is easily accessed from the adjacent #90 highway just before arriving to the Beit-Ha'aravah junction.

Photos:

(a) General view:

A view of the monastery is shown below, as viewed from the east side.

Click on the photos to view in higher resolution...

The photo below is a closer view of the north-east side. The dome of the church, covered by metal, is seen in the center of the structure.

A view of the north-western side is seen below. The entrance to the monastery is on the right side.

(b) Entrance:

The entrance to the monastery is shown below. Most of the churches are entered from the west side, since the altar is always facing east.

The flags above the door are of Greece (blue and white) and the Orthodox church (red and white).

Between the flags is a picture of St. Gerassimos, with animals - donkey, camel and lion - and the Judean desert mountains in the background.

A closer view of the painting is seen below, with the monastery on the lower left background. On the right the Greek letters stand for "Gerasimos". The skull and crossbones, drawn on the lower center garment, symbolize Golgotha - place of the skull - the location of the crucifixion.

(c) External Yard

A display of ancient tools and stones is located in the external yard near the entrance. This is a common theme in Greek Orthodox churches.

Another interesting stone is used as a pot holder:

A statue of a lion stands near the entrance. The lion is associated with the story of St. Gerassimos encounter with the lion.

(d) Internal Yard

Through the small entrance gate is a short corridor that opens up to the yard. The picture below shows a view towards the exterior.

The entrance corridor leads to the inner yard.

The monastery is designed as a two level structure which is built around a small inner court yard. The bell tower is located on the east side of the yard.

A well is located in the center of the paved yard. The water is fetched from the underground cistern. The painting in the front of the cross shows Gerassimos with his friend the lion.

(e) Second floor - church:

The second floor hosts the large church and the rooms of the residents. This is a typical design of a Crusader monastery - a cloister (claustrum) which is a covered walk with an open colonnade on one side, running along the walls of the building.

Beyond the door on the north side of the staircase is the external narthex of the church, where self-made candles are sold to the visitors.

A painting of St. Gerassimos - with his faithful lion - stands in the narthex.

In the center of the church is a high dome. On the eastern side of the nave (hall) is the altar, hidden behind the decorated partition between the church hall and the main altar.

A closer view of the altar is seen below, which is a typical design of Greek-Orthodox and Byzantine churches. The "Templon", the decorated covered screen with icons and paintings (also called iconostasis), separates the hall and the hidden altar. The upper icons on the iconostasis illustrate 12 saints, with Mary and Jesus closest to the center. The lower icons illustrate Biblical scenes from the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan. In addition to the center door leading to the altar (called the "beautiful gate", seen below), there are two side doors that lead to the back.

The southern side of the nave is shown below, with one of the two side doors. The frescoes (wall paintings) and oil paintings include both ancient originals (from the Crusader period) and restored art of distinguished clergymen from the Jordan and Judean desert. The floor is decorated by mosaics with geometric patterns.

Some of the frescoes (wall paintings) are seen below. A huge crack on the wall is probably a result of the earthquakes that shocked the structure. The last major restoration (1890) repaired the major earthquake that shocked the area in 1837.

(f) First floor - the Crypt:

On the first floor, under the church, are rooms of the crypt. It is accessed on the left side of the entrance. The rooms in this section store some of the cherished antiquities and remains from clergymen who lived and served in the monastery. The entrance hall is seen below.

At the end of the entrance hall is a remarkable painting of Mary nursing Jesus.

Another section of the hall is seen below.

The crypt stores the remains of the victims of the Persian massacre (614) and the great earthquake (1837), which are stored and displayed in the cabinets.

A closer view of this cabinet is shown below.

Another set of remains are displayed in the cabinet below.

A painting of the last supper is shown below.

Under that painting is another set of remains.

Another section of the crypt is shown below.

(g) First floor - shop:

Outside of the crypt, near the entrance, is a small shop where you can buy souvenirs, such as scarves and necklaces. Also, a talking parrot with a surprising large lexicon, conducts interesting conversations.

(h) Pilgrimage center:

In the rear of the complex is a Greek-Orthodox pilgrimage center.

Etymology - behind the name:

Deir - Arabic: Monastery.

Hogla (Hoglah) - The Hebrew name of the partridge bird, which is a common bird found in this region.

BibleWalks.com - walks along the Jordan river

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