Archimandrite Ioustinos, longtime keeper of Jacob's Well, dies in Jordan

Archimandrite Ioustinos (Mamallos). Photo: Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Archimandrite Ioustinos (Mamallos), who for many years was the keeper of Jacob's Well, has died in Nablus on the West Bank of the Jordan River. According to the UOJ-USA, he reposed on October 1, 2026, after a prolonged illness.

Archimandrite Ioustinos belonged to the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre (a monastic community that serves at the shrines of the Jerusalem Church). He renovated the shrine of Jacob's Well and founded the Church of St. Photini the Samaritan at the site. Archimandrite Ioustinos became closely identified with the holy site and its preservation, dedicating much of his life to its care.

The departed devoted his strength and a significant part of his life to restoring, adorning, and preserving the monastery. He left behind a legacy that will preserve the memory of his labors.

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre have expressed their condolences on his passing. They said arrangements were being examined for his body to be returned to the Holy Land for his funeral and burial.

Father Ioustinos was a successor to the martyred St. Philoumenos as guardian of Jacob’s Well.

Jacob's Well is regarded as the site of Christ's Gospel conversation with the Samaritan woman. The Church venerates her memory as St. Photini the Samaritan.

As the UOJ reported, a crowd of Palestinians desecrated Joseph's Tomb in Nablus.

Read also