On the eastern slopes of the Mount
of Olives, near the road connecting Jerusalem and Jericho,
a monastery dated to the Byzantine-Early Islamic period (5th to 8th centuries) was uncovered.
The building complex included a church, dining
hall, bathhouse, stables and an elaborate
water system. It may have served pilgrims
as a last way station before entering Jerusalem.
A mosaic inscription (in Greek) on the dining
room floor reads: In the days of Theodoros
the priest and father of the monastery, and
the monk Kiriakos this work was accomplished.