Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Jerusalem (Givat Hananya; Abu Tor)Monastery name: Monastery (?) St. ProcopiusMonastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 22,155.0063,035.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 171,647.00130,342.00 Geographical region: Jerusalem (Greater Jerusalem)Provincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: Slope Soils: Limestone and terra rosa.Distance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 1.5 (Jerusalem)Distance from nearest settlement: ca. 1.5 (Jerusalem)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 0.5 km east of the road connecting Jerusalem and Bethlehem Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Conder and Kitchener1871-1877 Montgomery1922 Schneider1932 Excavated siteExcavators: NameDate Sion2003 Bibliograpy: Montgomery, J. A., 1921-1922126-28 Schneider, A. M., 1933152-55 Ovadiah, A., 197080-81 Goldfus, H., 1997135-39 Sion, O., 2008 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 201248-49 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: An underground chapel was first noted in the early twentieth century. A basilica was later surveyed nearby, of which the western part did not survive, and in a salvage excavation a cistern and sections of a floor were uncovered. These components may have belonged to the same monastic complex. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionChurche/s: The basilica originally had an external rectangular apse. In the second phase, pastophoria were constructed on either side of the apse. A mosaic pavement featuring geometric designs survived in the southern aisle. A subterranean chapel, partially hewn and partially constructed was located beneath the northern aisle of the church. The system consisted of rock hewn steps that led down to a low passage, arched with white stone. The chapel itself is a vaulted chamber 16 x 7.6 m and 9.3 m high. Water installations: The large reservoir (10.79 x 8 m, 5.5 m high, capacity: 150 m3) was partially hewn and partially built The interior was coated with two coats of plaster. The reservoir was enclosed in a wall. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryBowls; jars; an amphora Comments, discussion and summary: Montgomery’s visit to the site in 1922 did not reveal any remains suggesting a monastery. In his opinion the subterranean chapel was a "Catacomb church". Schneider regarded the chapel as a burial chapel (Schneider 1933) and opined that it was constructed at an earlier date than the basilica, prior to the fourth century. Following a later excavation, Sion suggested that the reservoir and the floor segments belonged to a monastery. He also suggested that it is possible that the reservoir and its surrounding wall were built adjacent to the monastery at a later stage than the construction of the church, but still within the Byzantine period. Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): LimestoneMaterials applied (roofing): tiles ComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location single naveDiakonikonOther basilicalGround floor Water installations: CisternsWater capacity (minimal) (cubic m): 150 Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: A subterranean chapel and a reservoir, both dated to the Byzantine period (6th century). Schneider believed that the chapel was constructed at an earlier date than the basilica, in the fourth century.Dating material: Pottery Phase dateCentury: 4th-5th c. General outline: Early Islamic period, based on the pottery assemblage. Dating material: Pottery Phase dateCentury: 7th-8th c. Post conquest history comments: The monastery (if indeed it was such) may have continued to function for some time in the Early Islamic period.
