Mar Saba

This article is about the monastery in Palestine. For its namesake saint, see Sabbas the Sanctified. For the monastery in Rome, see San Saba, Rome.
"Sabaites" redirects here. For the legendary early Islamic sect, see Sabaʾiyya. For the ancient people, see Sabaeans.

31°42′18″N 35°19′52″E / 31.70500°N 35.33111°E / 31.70500; 35.33111

Mar Saba seen from the air
Tomb of Saint Sabbas

The Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas,[Note 1] known in Arabic and Syriac as Mar Saba (Syriac: ܕܝܪܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܣܒܐ, Arabic: دير مار سابا; Hebrew: מנזר מר סבא; Greek: Ἱερὰ Λαύρα τοῦ Ὁσίου Σάββα τοῦ Ἡγιασμένου) and historically as the Great Laura of Saint Sabas,[1] is a Greek Orthodox monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley in the Bethlehem Governorate of Palestine, in the West Bank,[2] at a point halfway between Bethlehem and the Dead Sea.[3] The monks of Mar Saba and those of subsidiary houses are known as Sabaites.

Mar Saba is considered to be one of the oldest (almost) continuously inhabited monasteries in the world, and it maintains many of its ancient traditions. One in particular is the restriction on women entering the main compound. The only building that women can enter is the Women's Tower, near the main entrance.


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  1. ^ Patrich, Joseph (2011). Studies in the Archaeology and History of Caesarea Maritima: Caput Judaeae, Metropolis Palaestinae. Volume 77 of Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity. BRILL. p. 147. ISBN 978-9004175112. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  2. ^ Melhem, Ahmad (9 May 2016). "Ancient Palestinian monastery under UNESCO consideration". Al Monitor. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Mar Saba Monastery". WysInfo.com. Retrieved 24 July 2016.