Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Jerusalem (Mount of Olives)Monastery name: Armenian monasteryMonastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Para UrbanSource of sacredness: New Testament site LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 223,537.00631,825.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 173,533.00131,824.00 Geographical region: Jerusalem Mount of OlivesProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: Level ground on hilltopDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 0.8 km (Jerusalem)Distance from nearest settlement: ca. 0.8 km (Jerusalem)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 1 km south of the road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho Source of knowledgeHideLiterary sources Text number Summary 1 Mention of a shrine with the relics of John the Baptist erected ca. AD 383 by Innocent, priest of Mount Olivet, from a collection of anecdotes written 419-420. 2 Mention of the Armenian monastery of St John in the area of Mount Olivet, from an official report ordered in AD 808. EpigraphyArchaeological remainsExcavated siteExcavators: NameDate Russian mission1871-1873, 1877-1878 Bibliograpy: Tchekhanovets, Y., 2016 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: In the course of construction of a new Russian monastic complex in the nineteenth century, mosaic pavements, remains of chapels and burials, architectural elements and Armenian and Greek inscriptions were found. General descriptionChurche/s: The main church was a basilica, its measurements estimated at 20 x 12.3 m. It was lavishly decorated with gilded wall mosaics, marble pavements and carved marble architectural elements. The church had a single apse and two rows of columns. Funerary and memorial chapels were also found. Refectory: A large, elaborate hall was identified as a reception hall or a refectory. It was paved in a polychrome mosaic pavement. Burials: The eastern wing of the monastery consists of a funerary chapel and burial crypts. Burial inscriptions in Armenian were found. Cave/s: A natural cave in the eastern wing of the monastery was found to be full of human bones. Water installations: Cisterns were found in the northern wing of the complex. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription Inscription - see under epigraphy OtherTesserae Detailed descriptionDimensions: Size class Large StructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalGround floor single naveGround floor RefectoryTombs type: Burial chamberOssiligiumWater installations: Cisterns Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment Dating material: Based on a tombstone dated to 592 CE, the monastery was probably founded in the sixth century. Judging by the relaid mosaic pavements in some parts of the complex, its use was of an extended duration but no dating has been suggested. Phase dateCentury: 6th c.Within century: Late SubphasesSubphase A Date7th-8th c. Phase dateCentury: Unknown
