In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands in the inner courtyard of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. Above the doorway is a painting of Lot planting the Holy tree at this site and watering it with waters he fetched from the Jordan River. The monastery was traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, and enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands before the altar in the church of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

A small hole within a decorated bronze plate marks the place where the holy tree once grew and stood in the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

A stone stairway leads to the roof of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands in the living room, where a grand ceremonial chair is reserved for the visiting Greek Patriarch, in the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands on the roof of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

A German Shepherd watches over the roof of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

A parrot in the outer courtyard of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. Consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, the monastery enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands before the altar in the church of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

The old kitchen in the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

The 18th century bell tower of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

The 18th century bell tower of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

The 18th century bell tower of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS walks into the inner courtyard of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. Consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, the monastery enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands in the outer courtyard of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. Consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, the monastery enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

The old dining room in the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands on the roof of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

The 18th century bell tower of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Old books and manuscripts serve as a reminder of a better time in the library of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands in the church of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

A chandelier hangs from the ceiling in the church of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

The 18th century bell tower of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands at the entrance to the Father Superior's residence in the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

Father Superior CLAUDIO PEPPAS ELEFERIOS stands on the roof of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.

In Pictures: Jerusalem's Monastery of the Holy Cross

The 18th century bell tower of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Cross as viewed from a second story window. The monastery, consecrated in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, built in the 11th century, traditionally erected on the burial spot of Adam's head, enshrines an ancient tradition that pine, fir and cypress branches planted by Lot, grew miraculously into one tree (Isaiah 60:13). It is this tree from which the cross of Jesus was made.