Deir el-Muqalik - THEOCTISTUS

Vertical tabs

Source of knowledge
Literary sources
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors: 
NameDate
Drake
1874
Conder and Kitchener
1871-1877
Féderlin
1903
Chitty
1928
Hirschfeld
1987
Sion
1991
Excavated site
Excavators: 
NameDate
Chitty
1929
Blomme and Nodet
1979
History: 
According to Cyril of Scythopolis, the monastery was established in 411 CE by Euthymius and his friend Theoctistus in a "ravine south of the Jericho road, ten miles (14.8 km) from Jerusalem". They had originally intended to establish a laura but due to the rough terrain had eventually decided on a coenobium. Euthymius left to establish other monasteries while Theoctistus stayed and the monastery was named after him. The site was occupied up to the medieval period after which it was abandoned.
Discussion: 
Most of the effort of investigation of this monastery was concentrated on the elaborate cave church, while the rest of it was mostly ignored by the investigators. Goldfuss et al. noted massive masonry walls close by that are of an east-west and north-south orientation but no further investigations have been reported. We are therefore unable to ascertain the plan of the monastery at present.
State of certainty: 
Archaeologically and Literarily definitive
Architectural evolution
General outline: 
The massive retaining wall (ca. 95 m long) and the other structures have been dated to the Byzantine period. No excavations have taken place to enable more precise dating.
Dating material: 

The monastery was founded by Euthymius and Theoctistus in 411 CE based on the literary source.

Phase date
Century: 
5th c.
Within century: 
Early
General outline: 
According to a source (see Literary sources), in the eighth century the monastery was in ruins but occupied by some hermits.
Phase date
Century: 
8th c.
Iconoclastic evidence
Iconoclastic evidence: 
No
General outline: 
The two story tower was constructed and frescoes were added to the cave church.
Dating material: 

Medieval, based on the vaulted ceiling and the style of the wall paintings in the cave church.

Phase date
Century: 
12th c.
General outline: 
The monastery was occupied through the Middle Ages as testified by the tower and wall paintings. It was apparently abandoned sometime after that but no precise dating has been proposed.
Dating material: 

Tower and wall paintings.

Phase date
Century: 
Other
Post Arab conquest history: 
Still in use