Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-03-27
MONKS AT MAR SABA.
A Grim Fortress Monastery on the
Dead Sea.

Dead Sea.
The most awesome, most repellant
dwelling place in the world is the grim
the Dead Sea, where thousands of
monks live in grim and melancholy
austerity.
These monks are the most rigorous
of aIy in the Greek Church. Their
lives are passed in penance, with no
hope of pleasure this side of the grave,
and not one cheerful incident to
brighten their existence Day after
day, amid gloomy surroundings that
would drive most men melancholy
mad, they go through the same I'M
varying routine, and yet surrounding
them are the remains of such true ro-
mances as only medieval times could
produce.
Mar Saba is at the end of the barren
Wady en- Nor, or Kedron Valley, near
the Dead Sea, and it's very location is
enough to send chill down ones
spine. 1t is the only oasis in the will
derness of this region, a destroyed
tomb of nomad chieftain, that of
Sheik Messiah The wearied traveller
is glad to behold the fortress-like pile
of the ancient monastery way down
in he dark valley, even though he ex-
periencss a presentiment of some hid
den danger lurking in that forbidden
place. 1t is the most Economically sit
uated monastery the Oldest and un-
doubtedly the most gruesome in The
world 1t is built on the abrupt terrace
of a dizzy gorge, at the bottom OF
which, 500 feet below, the torrent
Cedron seethes in winter The rock
falls away SO perpendicularly that
huge flying buttresses had to be con-
structed in order to afford the very
moderate space occupied by the mon
astery.
In the early part of the fifth century
it was inhabited by the Sabaltes. 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 439 in Cap
adocia, and at s years of age he en-
tered this monastery. which was
originally founded in Euthymius AS
the reputation of San Sabas FOR sane
tity increased he was joined by great
number of anchorites, all Of whom,
could not find shelter in his monastery,
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 side of
the mountain. many having mosaic
floors and decorations upon the walls,
and the story has every semblance of
truth. About 1000 monks inhabited
the monastery proper. and in the sew
enth century the Persian hordes of
Chrosroes routed them all and plum
dered the monastery. and for centuries
it's wealth attracted marauders of all
kinds. The last time it was pillaged
was in 1882 and 1884 by Bedouins
After the very first attack it was forti-
fed just as it is to-day Two castle
like towers which serve as battlements
are the first evidence the traveller has
of the existence of the living tomb.
One of the ponderous towers is of very
picturesque lines.
The fair Empress Eudoxia built
it in order to be close to her ideal of
manhood uthymius. Euthymius was
noted for his sanctity throughout
Palestine, and his learning and great
moral endowments attracted the En-
press. She loved him with great de-
votion. but Euthymius. true to his
trust. refused to see her. When her
devotion to him did not cease he fled
to the Moabite desert. beyond the
Jordan. The Empress watched daily
from the tower for his return. After
much persuasion he was dragged back
TO the monastery by his companion.
Theoctestus, and the Empress wept
with joy. She remained there a few
years longer. during which time she
caught only a casual and infrequent
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
Waterman is stationed there day ant
night, who scans the mountains and
valleys far and wide to see wether any
danger threatens the monasteIy.-Lon-
don Telegraph