Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 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
fortress monastery of Mar Saba on
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
IlVes are passed in penance, with no
nope of pleasure this side of the grave,
ana not one cheerful incident to
orlghten 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 a chill down ones
spine 1t is the only oasis in the will
derness of this region,a a destroyed
stronghold of the Crusaders and the
tomb of a nomad chieftain, that OF
Sheik Messiah. The wearied traveller
is glad to behold the fortress-like pile
OF the ancient monastery way down
in the dark valley, even though he ex
perienceS a preSentiment of some hid
den danger lurking in that forbidden
place. 1t is the most Economically sit
uated monastery, the oldest and I'M
doubtedly the most grueSome in the
world. 1t is built on the abrupt terrace
Of a dizzy gorge, at the bottom OF
which 600 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 years of age he en-
tered this monastery, which was
originally founded in Euthymius. Az
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 plan
dcred the monastery, and for centuries
its wealth attracted marauders of all
kinds The last time it was pillaged
was in 1892 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 mas
of the existence of the living tomb
One of the ponderOus towers IS of very
IlllSS
The fair Empress EudoXia built
it in order to be close to her ideal OF
Observation-Disclosures 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 hel
devotion to him did not cease he fec
to the Moabite desert, beyond the
Jordan. The Empress watched daily
from the tower for his return. Aftel
much persuasion he was dragged bach
, to the monastery by his companion
TheOctestus, and the Empress wep
with joy. She remained there few
Iyears longer. during which time she
= caught only a casual and infrequen
:. glimpse of the object of her love
Finally she left the place with he
court attendants, never to return. Nov
=, the tower is used as a lookout" an'
a Waterman is stationed there day ar
night, who scans the mountains ant
valleys far and wide to see wethor an!
danger threatens the monasteTy.-lon
don Telegraph.