local traditions at Saint Sabbas. From there it spread to Constantinople, and thence throughout the Byzantine world. Although this Typicon has undergone further evolution, particularly at the Monastery of the Stoudion in Constantinople, it is still referred to as the Typicon of Saint Sabbas. A tradition states that this monastery will host the last Divine Liturgy on earth before the parousia of Jesus Christ, therefore the last pillar of true Christianity. Relics The monastery holds the relics of Saint Sabbas. The relics were seized by Latin crusaders in the 12th century and remained in Italy until Pope Paul VI returned them to the monastery in 1965 as a gesture of repentance and good will towards Orthodox Christians. Manuscripts Mar Saba is where Morton Smith purportedly found a copy of a letter ascribed to Clement of Alexandria containing excerpts of a so-called Secret Gospel of Mark, and was for several centuries home to the Archimedes Palimpsest. Access Women are only allowed to come to the main entrance, but without entering the walled compound. The monastery is closed for visitors on Wednesdays and Fridays (the fasting days of the week). Gallery List of abbots There are gaps in this list. Prior to the 18th century, dates are years when the abbot (or hegumen) is known to have held office and not the start and end dates. From the 18th century on, the dates indicate the start of an abbot's term, which usually lasted two years at first, longer later on. The official list goes back to 1704, but still has gaps. Notes See also War of Saint Sabas Serapheim Savvaitis Theodorus and Theophanes called the Grapti (770s–840s), monks educated at Mar Saba, opponents of iconoclasm Notes References Bibliography (pp. 219, 232) (pp. 92- 101) (pp. 14-19) (p. 347) (pp. 258-268) (pp. 26, 249) (Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 123) External links Survey of Western Palestine, Map 18: IAA, Wikimedia commons Photos of Mar Saba at the Manar al-Athar photo archive Ancient churches in the Holy Land Christian monasteries established in the 5th century 5th-century establishments in the Byzantine Empire 439 establishments Greek culture Greek Orthodox monasteries Church buildings in the Kingdom of Jerusalem Culture of Georgia (country) Christian monasteries in the West Bank Greek Orthodoxy in the State of Palestine Eastern Orthodox church buildings in the State of Palestine Tourist attractions in the State of Palestine Lavras