St. George's Monastery

Monasteries can be some of the most lovely places to visit on Israel guided tours and St. George's Monastery is no exception. Located close to the Jerusalem-Dead Sea Highway, St. George's Monastery lies in an area where Christian monks are able to live in the ancient fashion they have for so long. St. George's Monastery has changed over the years, beginning in the 4th century with a few monks that wanted to experience what the prophets, John the Baptist and Jesus, did when they went out into the desert, settling near a cave where they thought that Elijah was fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:5-6). The complex that was built in the 6th century hangs on the side of the cliff and is still the residence of a handful of Greek Orthodox monks. You can reach the monastery by using a pedestrian bridge across the Qelt River Canyon, which many believe is the Valley of Shadow (Psalm 23) and also where shepherds watch their flocks as in Ezekiel 32 and John 10:1-16. The valley is located parallel to what was the old Roman road to Jericho where the Good Samaritan's story occurred. Surely, this is a great site to travel to while you travel in Israel.