The Monastery of Saint John in the Wilderness is a Franciscan monastery situated on a wooded slope just north of Jerusalem, and a short distance from Ein Karem, the traditional birthplace of Saint John the Baptist. This serene site is place where John the Baptist spent his childhood in solitude, preparing for his public ministry. ⸻ 🏛️ Historical Significance The monastery commemorates the “wilderness” where John the Baptist lived as an orphaned child. According to tradition, John was born in Ei