The Lavra of Saint Chariton the Confessor is considered the first monastery in the Holy Land. Its history dates back to the late 3rd century. Following the example of Saint Chariton, many monks in ancient times settled in the caves of the desert gorge of Pharan, where natural springs of water can be found.
Today, on this holy site stands the Russian Orthodox Monastery of Saint Chariton, under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The monastery contains two small churches: the Church of Saint Chariton the Confessor, built in the cave where the saint labored in prayer and fasting, and the Church of Saint Nicholas, erected beside the tomb of the venerable Chariton.
On September 28 / October 11, the monastery solemnly celebrated the feast day of Saint Chariton. The celebration was marked by prayerful joy and spiritual unity. Clergy from both the Missions of the Russian Church Abroad and of the Moscow Patriarchate, as well as monastics from all Russian monasteries of the Holy Land, took part in the celebration. Among them were the sisters of the Gorny Convent in Ein Karem, headed by their abbess Mother Ekaterina, and sisters from the Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives, the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene, and Bethany.
This year, a large number of parishioners and pilgrims from various cities of the Holy Land came to join the feast. Two festive Divine Liturgies were celebrated in both churches of the monastery. The head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), presided at the Liturgy in the cave church of Saint Chariton.
After the services, all the faithful gathered at the tomb of Saint Chariton for a moleben (prayer service).
During the festive meal, Archimandrite Roman congratulated Monk Chariton (Burov), the builder of the monastery, on his name day, which he celebrated on this memorable occasion.
Today, on this holy site stands the Russian Orthodox Monastery of Saint Chariton, under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The monastery contains two small churches: the Church of Saint Chariton the Confessor, built in the cave where the saint labored in prayer and fasting, and the Church of Saint Nicholas, erected beside the tomb of the venerable Chariton.
On September 28 / October 11, the monastery solemnly celebrated the feast day of Saint Chariton. The celebration was marked by prayerful joy and spiritual unity. Clergy from both the Missions of the Russian Church Abroad and of the Moscow Patriarchate, as well as monastics from all Russian monasteries of the Holy Land, took part in the celebration. Among them were the sisters of the Gorny Convent in Ein Karem, headed by their abbess Mother Ekaterina, and sisters from the Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives, the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene, and Bethany.
This year, a large number of parishioners and pilgrims from various cities of the Holy Land came to join the feast. Two festive Divine Liturgies were celebrated in both churches of the monastery. The head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), presided at the Liturgy in the cave church of Saint Chariton.
After the services, all the faithful gathered at the tomb of Saint Chariton for a moleben (prayer service).
During the festive meal, Archimandrite Roman congratulated Monk Chariton (Burov), the builder of the monastery, on his name day, which he celebrated on this memorable occasion.
