The Greek Orthodox monastery of St. George Koziba is located along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Situated in one of the most famous gorges of the Judas desert, Wadi Al - Qelt, it evokes the Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. The Laura of St. George from 476 is carved into the rock and forms a unique architectural icon. In 614, the monastery was destroyed by the Persians and almost all the religious who lived there were killed; their remains are still kept in the monastery. The entire complex is dedicated to the monk, George, who arrived at the end of the sixth century. Over the centuries, Orthodox monks chose to live in the reserved areas of the monastery, which is visited by tourists from all over the world, despite the many difficulties in accessing the complex. The Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of St. George on January 20th. Pilgrims arrive in the early evening on foot or on the back of a donkey. The following day, the celebration takes place at dawn, and it is presided over by Theofilos III, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, together with the monks and the clergy, in the presence of local and foreign pilgrims. Many women come here to ask for the blessing of motherhood. According to the apocryphal gospels, Joachim led his herd here, mourned his wife Anna's infertility for 40 days and in this place received the announcement of the Angel of the birth of the Virgin Mary. Read More