Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: JerichoIdentification: The monastery was mentioned by Cyril of Scythopolis (V. Sab. 86) and by Moschus (Prat. 157).Monastery name: SOUBIBA OF THE BESSIANS (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Desert LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 248,879.00638,761.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 198,875.00138,760.00 Geographical region: Southern Jordan ValleyProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: Regio JerichoTopographical location: Level groundDistance from nearest bishop-seat: 5 km (Jericho)Distance from nearest settlement: 5 km (Jericho)Distance from Roman roads: Near the road connecting Jericho with the Jordan River Source of knowledgeHideLiterary sources Text number Summary 1 Justinian’s edict against Origenism and violent response of the Origenists in Jerusalem, AD 543. 2 A donation is given to three monasteries, among them Soubiba of the Bessians, from an early 7th cent. collection of anecdotes. Archaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Federlin1903 Bibliograpy: Federlin, L., 19047-10 Hirschfeld, Y., 199055 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Literarily definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The site was not excavated. Remains of a central structure surrounded by about 30 cells were identified in a survey. General descriptionCourtyards: A central courtyard was identified surrounded by cells. Dwellings: About 30 cells were identified. Small finds Detailed descriptionComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location No traces Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: The monastery is known from the writing of John Moschus.Dating material: Literary (see Literary Sources section). Phase dateCentury: 6th c. General outline: The site was probably abandoned in the early seventh century.Phase dateCentury: 7th c?Within century: First half
