The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-22
"a Lucrative Business. y

The most awesome, most repellent
dwelling place In the world is the grim
fortress monastery Of Mar Saba, near the
Dead Sea, where thousands of monks live
in grim and melancholy austerity.
These monks are the most rigorous OF
any in the Greek church Their lives are
passed in penance. with no hope of pleas
ure this side OF the grave, and not one
cheerful incident to brighten their ex-
istence. Day after day. amid gloomy sur
roundings that would drive most men
melancholy mad, they go through the
same unyarying routine, and yet sur
rounding them are the remains OF such
true romances as only mediaeyal times
could produce.
Mar Saba Is at the end of the barren
Wady en Nor. or Kedron valley, near the
Dead sea, and its very location is
enough to send a chill down ones spine.
1T is the only oasis in the wilderness OF
this region. destroyed stronghold OF the
Crusaders, and the tomb of q nomad
chieftain, that of Sheik Messiah. The
wearied traveller is glad TO behold the
fortress-like pile OF the ancient monas-
terry way down in the dark valley, even
though he experiences a presentiment of
some hidden danger lurking In that for
hidden place. IT is the most romantieally
situated monastery, the Oldest and un-
doubtedly the most gruesome, in the
world. 1t is built on the abrupt ter
race OF a ulzZy gorge, at the DOltOm OF
which, GOO feet below, the torrent Cedron
seethes in winter. The rock falls away
so perpendicularly that huge flying but
tresses had to be constructed in order
To afford the very moderate space occu-
pied by the monastery.
In the early part OF the fifth century
IL was Inhabited by the Sabaites, an order
of monks of whom San Sabas was the
superior. and who also built the greater
portion OF the monastery. San Sabas was
born about f39 in Cappadocia. and at s
years OF age he entered this monastery,
which was originally founded by Euthy-
MUS. AS the reputation Of San Sabas
for sanctity Increased he was joined by
a great number of anchorites, all of
whom could not find shelter in his monas-
terry, and it is said that 10000 of these
holy men were living in rock caves in the
mountain opposite.
Thousands Of caves once inhabited by
these hermits look from the mosaic floors
and decorations upon the walls and the
story has every semblance OF truth.
About 1900 monks inhabited the monas-
terry proper. and i'm the seventh century
the Persian hordes of Chosroes rouped
them all and plundered the monastery.
and for centuries its wealth attracted
marauderrs OF all kinds The last time IL
was pilaged was In 1892 and 1884 by Be-
douins After the very first attack II
Two castle-like towers which serve as
battlements are the first evidence the
traveller Of the existence OF the living
tomb. One OF the ponderous towers Is
of very picturesque lines.
The fair Empresss Eudoxia built II ~
order to be close 20 her IDEAL of man
hood-Euthymlus Euthymius was noted
for his sanctity throughout Palestine. and
his learning and great moral cndowments
attracted the empress she loved him
with great devotion. but Euthymlus, true
TO his trust, refused to see her. When
her devotion to him did not cease he fed
to the Moabite desert, beyond the Jordan.
The empress watched daily from the
tower for his return. After much per-
suaslon he was dragged back to the
monastery by his companion. Theoctes-
tus, and the empress wept with Joy. She
remained there a few years longer. dur
Ing which time she caught only casual
and infrcquent glimpse OF the object Of
her love Finally she left the place with
her court attendants. never To return
Now the tower Is used as a lookout"
and a watchman Is stationed there day
and night who scans the mountains and
valleys far and wide 10 sec whether any
danger threatens the monastory.--London
Telegraph.