An ancient Christian monastery has been discovered north of Kiryat Gat, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced in a press release.
“The monastery is dated to the Byzantine period (5th-6th centuries CE), and it is part of an ancient site that already existed during the Roman period and continued for approximately 600 years,” the IAA said.
In addition to the monastery, the excavation uncovered remains of a wine press, a warehouse and several other ancient structures.
On the floor of the monastery ruins is an intricate mosaic that includes “crosses, lions, doves, an amphora (a ceramic maritime shipping jug), flowers and geometric patterns.”
At the center of the mosaic is a passage from the Torah written in Greek: “Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out” (Deut. 28:6). […]
— Read More: allisrael.com
