The cliff-hanging complex, which emerged from a lavra established in the 420s and reorganised as a monastery around AD 500,[1] with its ancient chapel and irrigated gardens, is active and inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks.

The monastery is reached by a pedestrian bridge across Wadi Qelt, which many believe to be Psalm 23's "valley of the shadow of death".

[3] The valley parallels the old Roman road to Jericho, the backdrop for the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29–37).

There are young men with donkeys who will give you a ride down to the monastery, or back up to the parking lot, for a negotiable fee.

Monastic life at the future site of St. George's Monastery began around 420 CE as a lavra,[1] with a few monks who sought the desert experience of the prophets, and settled around a cave where they believed Elijah was fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:5–6).

Hermits living in caves in nearby cliffs would meet in the monastery for a weekly mass and communal meal.

[1] The monastery became an important spiritual centre in the sixth-seventh century under Saint George of Choziba (died c.

At this time the monastery contained the original small chapel dedicated to Saint Stephen and a church of the Virgin Mary.

In the late eighth-century writings the monastery starts being associated with the parents of St Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne.

[18][19] The traditions attached to the monastery include a visit by Elijah en route to the Sinai Peninsula, and St. Joachim, whose wife Anne was infertile, weeping here when an angel announced to him the news of Mary's conception.