St. Theodosius Monastery

St. Theodosius Monastery, founded in 476, is about 12 km east of Bethlehem. This monastery was destroyed during the Persian invasion. The building that stands today was constructed by the Greek Orthodox Church and incorporates the remains of an old Crusader building and is inhabited by a dozen Greek Monks.

A white-walled cave marks the place where the founder; Saint Theodosius (Ibn Ubeid); who is a monk from Cappadocia is buried.

Tradition has it that Saint Theodosius was led by God to seek out a cave where the three Wise Men rested after paying homage to Infant Jesus, and after the angel had warned them to return to their country via another road "They were warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod; they departed into their country another way" (Matthew 2:12).