The Reason Behind The Name: kindness and generosity

Al-Taybeh

Taybeh, meaning kindness and generosity, is located 18 km east of Ramallah on the eastern edge of the central mountainous region, overlooking the Jordan Valley. In the 4th century AD, Patriarch Eusebius referred to it as a town situated twenty miles from Jerusalem and five miles from Bethine. The town also appeared on the 6th-century map of Madaba, Jordan.

Taybeh is rich in antiquities. In 1941, archaeologist Schneider discovered Byzantine mosaic floors with Greek inscriptions and columns, particularly in the Greek Orthodox Church, along with numerous Roman and Byzantine tombs.

One of the most significant archaeological sites in Taybeh is Al-Khader Church, also known as St. George's Church, located on a high hill to the east of the town. Dating back to the Byzantine period, the church features a large complex (26 x 28 meters) with three halls. Parts of the church, especially in the middle and southern halls, are well-preserved, while another notable structure from the Middle Ages also stands on the site.

The church is dedicated to Saint George, a revered figure in both Christian and Muslim traditions. Following its discovery, a joint Palestinian-French team undertook cleaning and renovation efforts.

In 2009, the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities uncovered a tomb in the western courtyard of Al-Khader Church. This tomb, filled with hundreds of artifacts from the Byzantine period and the Middle Ages, provides evidence of the site's long history and continuous use over the centuries.