Sources We know about his
vita from the 6th-century "Life of Chariton", written by an anonymous monk, which holds elements supported by modern archaeological excavations.
Early life Chariton was a native of
Iconium in the
Byzantine province of
Lycaonia. Under the reign of
Emperor Aurelian (270–275) he was tortured during a persecution against Christians. Released from prison after Aurelian's death, he regretted not having died as a martyr.
Pharan near Jerusalem After his release in 275, during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and other holy places, Chariton was abducted by bandits and brought to a cave in the Pharan Valley (upper
Wadi Qelt). The traditional account states that his abductors died by drinking wine that was poisoned by a snake. the first one of the
lavra type.
Douka near Jericho Later he moved to the
Mount of Temptation near
Jericho, where he established the lavra of Douka on the ruins of the
Hasmonean and
Herodian Dok Fortress. At an even later date, apparently after the
Muslim conquest when the remains of Chariton were
translated to the Old
Lavra from the laura of Pharan, it became known as the monastery of Chariton, this name being preserved until this day in the Arabic name of the
wadi (valley of a seasonal stream),
Wadi Khureitun." and whose remains have been discovered by Israeli archaeologist
Yizhar Hirschfeld. ==Legacy==