Greek Orthodox Monasteries in the Old City of Jerusalem / המנזרים היווניים-אורתודוקסיים בעיר העתיקה בירושלים
Greek Orthodox Monasteries in the Old City of Jerusalem / המנזרים היווניים-אורתודוקסיים בעיר העתיקה בירושלים
Bibliographic record
| Type | Journal Article |
| Publication year | 1983 |
| Author | Rubin, R. |
| Publication title | Eretz-Israel: Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies / ארץ-ישראל: מחקרים בידיעת הארץ ועתיקותיה |
| ISSN | 0071-108X |
| Abstract Note | Within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, there are many churches and convents belonging to various Christian communities. One of the most important communities is the Greek Orthodox, whose patriarchate owns much property inside and outside the Old City. Amongst this property are twenty buildings — monasteries, churches and convents of various sizes — the subject of this article. History of the Monasteries. A study of historical sources from Byzantine times till the late 19th century, shows that some of the monasteries were built in the Byzantine period, many were known to a 12th century traveller, and others were mentioned in a 16th century list. When the Georgians left Jerusalem in 1685, most their property was transferred to the Greek Orthodox. An 18th century map shows the location of seventeen Greek Orthodox monasteries. Many 19th century lists and sources describe the last stage in development of the monasteries. A few monasteries were built only at the end of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century, as part of the competition between the Greek Orthodox and the Catholics over possession of Holy Places. Spatial Distribution of the Monasteries. Analysis of the spatial distribution of these monasteries shows three different location patterns: (a) Many of the monasteries are in the Christian Quarter, encompassing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in two rings — an inner ring of five monasteries, and an outer ring of eight monasteries. These buildings form the Greek Orthodox sub-quarter within the Christian Quarter (see Maps 1 and 2). (b) A second group of three monasteries (St. Anne and Joachim, the 'Praetorium', and St. Caralombos) was built in late Turkish times and is located along the Via Dolorosa. (c) A third group is of monasteries isolated from the other Greek Orthodox institutions: St. George near the Jewish Quarter, St. Spiridon near Damascus Gate, St. John the Forerunner, and St. Nicodeme (Deir el-Adas). These monasteries are from an earlier period, retained despite the fact that the surrounding areas are no longer Greek Orthodox. |
| Pages | 109-116 |
| Volume | יז |
| Abbreviation | Eretz-Israel: Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies / ארץ-ישראל: מחקרים בידיעת הארץ ועתיקותיה |