Behind bell tower stands a mosque
built by Bedouins
during a time of persecution
in the middle ages
Guests wait to enter the church
while the monastery's guestmaster (in beard and back hat) gives instruction
to Bedouin workers who are carrying carpets
For many centuries a pulley
operated elevator was the
only way to enter the walled
fortress of St. Catherine Monastery (see box in photo above).
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Monks have lived near Mount
Sinai since the third century. In 330 AD Constantine's mother, the
Empress Helena, built a church at the site of the burning bush.
The emperor Justinian had
a church and walled fortress built in 527. At present some 25 Greek Orthodox
monks reside here. Many beautiful icons adorn the church, including a 6th
century Icon of Christ the Teacher (left above).A rare bush next to
the monastery church is believed by the Monks of St. Catherine (see above
photo far right) to be a shoot of the original burning bush which Moses
saw. A chapel on the right honors this spot as the place where God
told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground.
View of monastery looking towards
Mount Sinai (right)
See also | Mount
Sinai | Sunrise at Mountain | "Ecce
Homo" Group Pilgrimage |
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