Bethany
Bethany. — The Arabic name is El-Azarîyeh, from Lazarus, or Lazarium, the Arabs having taken the L for an article. Bethany was a favourite resort of Jesus, who had friends here (John xi). At a very early period churches and monasteries were erected here, and spots of traditionary interest pointed out to pilgrims. The Roman lady Paula visited a church on the site of Lazarus' grave. In 1138 Milicent, wife of Fulke, fourth king of Jerusalem (p. 86), founded a nunnery by the church of St. Lazarus, and in 1159 the building came into the possession of the Hospitallers.