What is The Monastery?

Located east of Lake Genesseret in an unspecified area and given no name, the monastery is a place where men dressed in white pray ceaselessly to God and abstain from meat, wine, and women. They are versed in herbal medicines and secret charms for expelling demons from people. Jesus' uncle, Rabbi Simeon of Nazareth, speaks of them often, having spent eleven years among them before being "tempted" to marry and father Mary Magdalene. In crisis after being reviled at the Zealot's crucifixion, Jesus steals away from home unseen and heads there to the monastery. It is built of huge, ash-red rocks in a circular design, paved with flagstones, and utterly without trees, flowers, or birds. The monks' cells are carved into rock-like tombs.