42) Greek Orthodox 'Monastery of the Cross', Nayot, Jerusalem. Legend has it the burial site of Adam's head from which grew the triplet tree (pine-cypress-cedar) that later supplied the wood to Christ's cross! The monastery has foundations from Byzantine era (5th century AD). See the legend explained in the first photograph.

Monastery of the Cross

Room of the Holy Tree

Bronze plate marking the spot where once the triplet tree stood.

Ancient mosiacs in the Church

Frescoes and paintings inside the Church (Originals from 13th Century)

The current monastery complex was built by the Georgian Orthodox community in 11th century and it remained a major center for the Georgians until 17th century. Since 1685, the monastery is controlled by the Greek Orthodox Church. The Crusaders also controlled the site in 13th century for a short period. The monastery however has a much earlier foundation. We know it was active at least from the Byzantine era (5th century). Traditions even attribute its establishment to Emperor Constantine or Queen Helena (4th Century). Of course the legend of the 'Holy Tree' was the reason why the place was revered so much among the Orthodox community. You can read the whole legend from the first photograph. The concept of the triplet tree in making the cross of Christ perhaps got evolved from Isaiah 60:13. The monastery was destroyed and the monks were murdered by the Persians (614) and Arabs (796). In the 13th century it was converted to a Mosque by the Mameluks, but was returned to the Christians in 1305.