![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2WKwemMwjg/T66f_ff-5WI/AAAAAAAAMS8/xFl658a6IQM/s400/IMG_0120_2.jpg)
And goats too.
They have some camels and donkeys, as well; oh, and aviaries and a talking parrot.
In short, a good place to find photos for Camera Critters meme.
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The Arabic name for the monastery is Deir Hajleh [literally, the monastery of the partridge].
The Arabic comes from the Hebrew name of the town that was here back in biblical days, Beth-Hogla [literally, house of the partridge].
The Book of Joshua 18:19-21 says " Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Beth-hoglah, and . . . "
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afVEbuYzRI8/T66f-86oWYI/AAAAAAAAMSk/3e0xbErVI70/s400/IMG_0116_1.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ybi67wlVtA/T66f-ScLnSI/AAAAAAAAMSY/bhXZeopoHSw/s400/IMG_0118_2.jpg)
His hard work and vision have turned the place into a beautiful oasis.
The kind monk is known as a holy man and pilgrims come from near and far to seek his blessing.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2seDTVKTlDI/T66f-J_oZXI/AAAAAAAAMSM/DTNS4F1t7Xw/s400/IMG_0119_1.jpg)
He is Yarden, or Jordanes, who became the faithful pet of St. Gerasimus after the monk saved him from injury.
But that story will come soon in a post of its own.
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I think it is unusual for a monastery to have more animals than people.
At last count there were six monks and five novices, plus some volunteers mostly from Greece and Cyprus.
I wish I could live there as a volunteer for a time. It is a very special place.
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Beautiful captures Dina.
ReplyDeleteRoses and Bunnies, please come and see. Your comment will be greatly appreciated. Have a lovely weekend!
Reads to be a kind of universe of its own. Thank you much for this journey and escape. Please have a good Sunday.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful, peaceful place.
ReplyDeleteNow there is a monastery that I would like to be at :-)
ReplyDeleteVisiting via Camera Critters
We just visited a monastery in Rome, but they only got monks...
ReplyDeleteThe monastery looks fantastic! Cute partrige. :-)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful and solemn place and cute animals too :-) Dropping by from Camera Critters
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