Mar Saba

St. Sabbas founded this lavra in 483 in the cliffs of the Kidron gorge, between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. It has been lived in almost without a break for over 1,500 years. St. John of Damascus wrote his hymns here, and the monastery’s Typikon became the pattern for Orthodox services everywhere. St. Sabbas’ relics rest in its church. By old custom women may not enter, though they can see it from a tower across the gorge.

• Date: 483