Page 42 - Holyland Magazine - 2020 Edition

t’s almost like a canvas painted in pastoral 1890, its monks took a vow of silence which, stand still in the east. The sun blinded the
colors, with soft brushstrokes which reveal in keeping with the rules of the Trappist Canaanite armies as they made their way up
the spirit of biblical nature and the joy of order to which they belong, meant avoiding the mountains to do battle with Joshua and,
being outdoors, surrounded by Scripture- secular or unnecessary conversation to focus as the Bible famously tells it, gave the victory
Irich scenery. That’s why people love to visit on their spiritual lives. Prior to the arrival of to the Israelites (Joshua 10:13-14).
the Judean lowlands – the region where Israel’s the Trappists, the site had been an inn that
pleasant plains meet the dramatic slopes of served pilgrims on the three-day journey from
the mountains that climb toward Jerusalem. the port of Jaffa to Jerusalem. Centuries Not far from Latrun is Mini Israel, an
before that, it had been a Crusader fortress. attraction that’s a treat for locals and foreign
It’s not a desert – where perhaps we are more Some say Latrun is named after that fortress visitors alike. The park features hundreds of
used to picturing monasteries – but it was and comes from the French word for tower. meticulously executed scale models of Israel’s
far enough from the big cities for a number Others say it comes from the name of the most famous historical and sacred buildings,
of monastic orders to plant themselves here “good thief” (in Latin, latronis means thief) – as well as scenic sites.
long ago. Latrun, Emmaus, Beit Jimal and who was crucified near Jesus (Luke 23:39-
Deir Raf’at – the names are exotic, but they 43) and whom tradition says is buried here. Emmaus
blend in beautifully with the scenery, evoking Emmaus is the site of an ancient church
both biblical and modern history. Today, the monastery, surrounded by olive and village built where tradition said Jesus
groves and grape arbors, houses a magnificent
church inviting a tranquil amble, and a modest dined with his disciples after the resurrection
The Latrun Monastery collection of archaeological items. A real treat (Luke 24:13-33). It has been settled almost
Not far from the busy highway linking Tel Aviv awaits you after the climb up the hill behind continuously for thousands of years, because
and Jerusalem, the Latrun Monastery nestles the complex. There, you can see the Ayalon of both its location on the main road to
on the green slopes rising above the biblical Valley where Joshua made the moon stand Jerusalem and the fact that its now-vanished
Valley of Ayalon. When it was established in still in the west (Joshua 10:12), and the sun warm springs were once famous far and wide.
Havens

It seems like they’ve always been there, as if they have taken root
in the heart of the rolling Judean foothills: close to the biblical and
modern city of Beit Shemesh are four monasteries, where time seems
to have stood still. These are their stories

By Eyal Shapira
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