The Amazing Story of the Armenian Monastery, Jaffa Israel - Saint Nicholas

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• published: 03 Oct 2015
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המנזר הארמני ביפו. שווה צפייה The Armenian Monastery is located by the modern coastal promenade, near the harbor in Jaffa flanked by the Franciscan Casa Nova compound to the west and the Sea Mosque to the east. Founded during the late seventeenth century CE as a monastery and pilgrim hospice, it is one of Jaffa's oldest functioning building complexes. The monastery was used as a hospital in 1799 for the numerous soldiers of Napoleon's army, afflicted with the deadly plague that had spread throughout Jaffa shortly after their conquest of the city. During World War I, those Jewish residents of Jaffa and the young Tel Aviv who refused to become Ottoman citizens and join the Turkish army, were concentrated within the monastery compound before their deportation to Egypt. In recent years, as the resident monastic population dwindled and the church activity was reduced, the eastern segment of the building was leased to private investors who converted it into private apartments. The investors also renovated the monastery's church, which is located in the eastern end of an open courtyard on the first floor, as well as other central halls and rooms west of the yard that have remained active as part of the restored monastery. Zahi Shaked A tour guide in Israel and his camera zahigo25@walla.com +972-54-6905522 tel סיור עם מורה הדרך ומדריך הטיולים צחי שקד 0546905522 My name is Zahi Shaked In 2000 I became a registered liscenced tourist guide. My dedication in life is to pass on the ancient history of the Holy Land. Following upon many years of travel around the world, which was highlighted by a very exciting emotional and soul-searching meeting with the Dalai Lama, I realized that I had a mission. To pass on the the history of the Holy Land, its religions, and in particular, the birth and development of Christianity. In order to fulfill this "calling" in the best way possible, I studied in depth, visited, and personally experienced each and every important site of the ancient Christians. I studied for and received my first bachelors degree in the ancient history of the Holy Land, and am presently completing my studies for my second degree.(Masters) Parralel to my studies, and in order to earn a living, I was employed for many years in advertising. What I learned there was how to attract the publics attention, generate and, increase interest, and assimilate information. All this I use as tools to describe, explain and deepen the interest in the sites that we visit. From my experience, I have learned that in this way, the Holy Land becomes more than just history, and that the large stones that we see scattered about in dissaray, join together one by one until they become - a Byzantine Church. This also happens when I lead a group of Pilgrims in the Steps of Jesus. We climb to the peak of Mount Precipice, "glide" over the land to the Sea of Galilee, land on the water and "see" the miracle which enfolds before us. This is a many faceted experience. Not only history which you will remember and cherish, but an experience which I hope will be inplanted in your hearts and minds, and will accompany you all the days of your life.