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JUC Students Study Early Monastic Traditions in the Judean Wilderness
JUC students visit monasteries in the Judean wilderness to study early Christian traditions with Dr. Petra Heldt.
Twelve Jerusalem University College students traveled into the Judean wilderness with Dr. Petra Heldt in September 2026 to study the history and practices of early Christian monastic communities.
The field study, recounted by M.A. student Moriah Summers, began with visits to the Monastery of Martyrius and the Monastery of Euthymius, both dating to the fifth century. Dr. Heldt discussed the lives of early monastics and the pilgrims who sought spiritual care and healing at their communities.
The group also hiked in hot weather toward a monastery on the Mount of Temptation near Jericho, a place traditionally associated with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The physical demands of the visit provided context for discussion of the desert as a setting for testing, retreat, and prayer.
During visits to active monasteries, students were welcomed by members of Coptic, Romanian, and Ethiopian Orthodox traditions. The day concluded with a blessing offered by Ethiopian Orthodox fathers.
The field study connected the history of Christianity in the East with the landscapes and living religious communities of the region, offering students direct encounters with traditions discussed in their coursework.