A 1,500-year-old Byzantine monastery with a mosaic describing God's blessing found in Israel

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have discovered a 1,500-year-old monastery. The researchers call it one of the most important finds, as there was a mosaic with God's blessing inside the building.

The excavations are part of the Israel Land Authority's plans for the northern district of Karmei Gat. Here, experts have found a large monastery complex dating back to the V-VI centuries AD in the Byzantine period, HeritageDaily reports.

According to scientists, inside the monastery there is a large mosaic with a Greek inscription that reads, "Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out."

This is one of the blessings God promised the Israelites if they obeyed Him. This means that every aspect of their lives would be blessed, and wherever they went, His blessing would follow them, religious scholars say.

As described by the researchers, the mosaic contains intricate patterns made of small symbols depicting crosses, lions, doves, amphorae, and flowers.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said the monastery was strategically located along a major road connecting the mountains and the coastal plain, serving both travelers and local communities.

"This is the largest and most significant site discovered in the region from the Roman and Byzantine eras. The findings indicate a sequence of settlements, from the Early Roman period (1st century AD) to the end of the Byzantine period," the IAA said in a statement.

The excavations also revealed the foundations of at least ten monastery buildings, including gates, large warehouse buildings of the local ceramic industry and a winery.

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