The ‘Monastery of Theodosius’ at Khirbet Te’ena

Abstract

Khirbet Te’ena is a small Byzantine-period rural monastery (coenobium) situated in the western foothills of Samaria, east of Migdal Afek, one of a series of monasteries and villages known from this time in the area. In recent years, the author has carried out extensive excavation of the site and its surroundings, uncovering a basilica church, oil press, stable and residential quarter extending over an area of approximately 5 dunams. The relatively large size of the church seemingly indicates that it served not only monks and local residents, but likely also passers-by. Based on the ceramic and numismatic evidence, the site was settled sometime during the 5th century and remained active until its apparent abandonment in the late 7th or early 8th century.