A team from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has discovered a 5th-6th century Christian monastery near the city of Kiryat Gat. On the intricate mosaic floor, the researchers discovered a biblical verse in Greek that blesses all who read it: "Blessed are you when you come in, and blessed are you when you go out."

Scientists have called the monastery one of the most significant discoveries made in the region in recent years.
What did the researchers report?
The monastery building was built during the Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. During that time, Christianity was rapidly spreading, as evidenced by the construction of significant religious sites, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The recently discovered monastery is located on the site of an ancient settlement founded during the Roman rule.
"This is the most significant monument from the Roman and Byzantine periods found in this area," said excavation leaders Shira Lifshitz and Maayan Margulis.
“The mosaic discovered in Kiryat Gat is one of the most unique ever found in Israel,” said Mark Avraami, head of the IAA’s art restoration department, in a statement.
According to researchers, the unusualness of this mosaic lies in the fact that its geometric pattern was created by ancient craftsmen using small pebbles. In addition to the biblical verse, the floor also depicts crosses, lions, doves, an amphora, flowers and ornaments.
Scientists are planning to move soon mosaic to the restoration workshop, and after restoration, put on public display. “Moving a mosaic is a complex process that requires great skill and precision,” noted Mark Avraami.
What else did archaeologists find during the excavations?
In addition to the monastery, scientists also discovered ruins at least ten buildings, a grape press and a large storage room.
The researchers described the wine press as “very complex,” adding that its creation likely required “significant financial resources, time, and a whole range of professional work and effort.” According to the scientists, the site produced wine that was sold throughout Byzantium and across the Mediterranean.
The team also found a large number artifacts, including imported goods, marble fragments, metal and glass vessels. The excavations also uncovered extensive evidence of local pottery production. All of this points to “a wealthy and large community that lived here,” the researchers said.
The settlement was located at the central crossroads of roads connecting the mountainous region with the coastal plain, the publication said. Daily Mail.
The Byzantine Empire existed from 330 to 1453 AD. Its rule began when Emperor Constantine divided the Roman Empire into western and eastern parts. Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium, was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, marking the end of the empire's more than 1000-year rule.
“The discovery of this site highlights the historical richness of Kiryat Gat and its surroundings, shedding light on the area’s key place in antiquity,” noted Svitlana Talis, IAA’s Southern Region Director.