Monastic cells in caves were identified within the precinct of the coenobium including those of Syrian monks identified as such by inscriptions. The remains of fourteen cells were surveyed in the lauritic part of the monastery, three of which are on the southern bank of the gorge, while most are on the northern bank. The cells are complex, mostly consisting of a cave with a built up space in front of it. Each of the caves possessed an oven and its own water supply. Some had direct access while others could only be reached by the use of a ladder. Cells 6,7,8,14 and 19 were constructed in wide natural caves, their floors having been leveled with fill and the walls coated with a thick layer of lime plaster (In cell 9, a basin, showing traces of slaked lime that was probably used for the plaster, was found). In some, terraces were constructed supporting graded ascents and forming small courtyards. Cell no. 5 consisted of poorly built remains inside the cave, but no additional construction on the outside. It was suggested by Patrich (1990: 209) that this cell represents an earlier, short stage in the development of the monastic settlement. Cell no. 9 is the best preserved. The cave in this cell was transformed into a private chapel. It is about 8.5 m long and 3.75 m wide with an apse 2.35 in diameter and 1.4 m deep. A cubic, built altar and a section of polychrome mosaic have been preserved. Koikylides observed two Greek inscriptions and murals on the walls depicting the images of the apostles and those of saints Panteleemon, Talalaios, Antonios and Hilarion (Koikylides: 81). To the west of the entrance there is a 5 m deep cistern and the remains of the dwelling are to the east of the chapel’s entrance. In the courtyard was a little basin paved in a course white mosaic and a domed oven. Cell 10 is located along the same rock-shelf as cell 9, about 20-30 m to the east of the chapel. It is entered through an arched gate (1.15 x 0.70 m). In front of the gate there was a reddish plaster floor. The complex consists of a cave (about 6 x 3 m) in front of which there is a balcony. A built bench and a cistern are located near the entrance. Cell no 11 is on the southern bank of the gorge and is composed of three small natural caves which encompass a dwelling space, a private chapel, a water cistern and an oven. Cell no 12 probably consisted of a built exterior in front of a natural cave, however, the outer walls have collapsed. The cave walls show remains of plaster coating. Cell no 13 is constructed above the path. At the entrance there is a small courtyard containing an oven (ca. 1m diameter) on its western side, and the elongated rectangular basin mentioned above. Beyond the courtyard there is an arched gateway and the rock face. In order to reach the cell one has to climb a 4 m ladder to a ledge, and then a second, 2 m ladder. The dwelling complex is 6.5 x 17 m. and is composed of several rooms, balconies and two cisterns. The internal walls have disappeared but the rock walls are still coated with lime plaster. The northeast corner served as a chapel. It had three niches, the central one serving as an apse. In the center there is a mosaic carrying an inscription: “For the salvation and deliverance of the past-donors and the present donors whose names the Lord knows”. A second inscription is found to the east: “The light of life, alpha and omega” (Jn. 8, 12 and Rev. 22, 13). Cell no 15 contains poor remains and is recognized by a broad wall with a door opening at its top. Cell no 16 was used in the 1960s and 1970s consecutively by two Romanian monks who renovated it. The renovated cell apparently followed the Byzantine plan of the complex and used the ancient foundations. The cell is reached via an arched gate followed by several steps, after which one must climb a six meter high ladder. The cell is composed of a small dwelling room and a larger roofed balcony. A cistern is located near the entrance and has a large red painted plaster cross which had been deliberately obliterated at some time after the Byzantine period. On a higher level, accessible from the western end of the balcony and over the roof of the dwelling, there is a cave that had been used by the last monk as a toilette, its use in the Byzantine period is unknown. Cell no 17 is only attested by the cistern located between cells 16 and 18. Cell no 18 is accessible only via a 10 m ladder. It had been inhabited between 1953- ca. 1966 by a Cypriot monk. The modern cell was constructed upon the ancient foundations. The complex is built along a broad rock-shelf that served as a balcony. A garden was arranged in the middle of this shelf. The cell consisted of two external rooms- one serving as a dwelling, the other as a study while an internal room served as a chapel and a mosaic floor with a geometric black and white design had survived from the Byzantine period. On the western side of the balcony there is a kitchen, a work room and a small cabin with a built bed and a cistern. A second cistern is found on the balcony itself and a third, larger cistern is located inside a cave about 10 m below the complex. This cistern is about 5 m long, 2.5-3 m wide and 3 m deep and can hold about 40 m3 of water. A channel collected runoff water from the cliff face.
