St. Katherine’s is an ancient sacred site, a very important place of devotion and pilgrimage. There is a small village called St. Katherine that is located between the mountains.
The Greek Orthodox Monastery can be found at the base of Mount Sinai, near the village of St. Katherine. Positioned in a narrow valley on the northern side of Mount Musa, in Arabic is “Gebel Musa” which means the Mount of Moses. The Monastery was commissioned by Byzantine Emperor Justinian the I. The monastery was built around the burning bush seen by the Prophet Moses.
It is considered a holy place of great significance for Christians, Jewish and Moslems. Mount Sinai is a holy mountain of revelation, a place of spiritual wealth.
St. Catherine is the Patron Saint of the Holy Monastery of Sinai
St. Catherine was born in Alexandria at the end of the third century between 200 and 300 AD (After Christ). She originated from the upper class aristocracy, receiving a thorough education in fields like astrology, medicine, mathematics, music, poetry and philosophy. Reports also suggest that she possessed exceptional natural beauty. She decided not to marry and took Christianity as her faith and love. She was a brilliant lady, very convincing in her faith, and she was able to convert many people to Christianity. She was beheaded for her faith but her body is at the Monastery and it is said to be the center of many miracles and blessings to this day. Her day is commemorated on November 25.
The monastery is still protected by fortified walls that kept it safe and preserved.
According to the bible, God appeared to Moses in the Burning Bush. In the bible, the story of the “Burning Bush” describes a supernatural phenomenon. The Burning Bush was a sacred site where the Bush was in flames but it was never consumed. An angel of God appeared to Moses in Mt. Sinai in the form of a flame in the bush and called Moses by his name, the angel asked him to take the Israelites into safety because they were being oppressed by the Egyptians. Shortly after Moses was instructed by God to come up to the mountain where he would receive the tablets of stone containing the law and commandments.
According to the scriptures, God gave Moses here the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5). It is a fascinating place of spiritual significance to Christians, Moslems, and Jewish alike.
There was a chapel built over burning Bush’s roots by Empress Helena for the Hermits (who lived a monastic life) and in honor of the sacred place. Helena was the mother of Emperor Constantine, she used to go on pilgrimages to search for holy sites and relics of the Christian faith. At the same site, around 330 A.D., the current Monastery of St. Katherine’s was built which is the oldest functioning monastery in the world. The Christian Orthodox Monastery has never been destroyed and it is a UNESCO heritage site.
DID YOU KNOW?? The vertical post that supports a beam inside the monastery is the oldest roof thrust in the world!!!
The monastery has always had a library and is still active today. Since the monastery was somehow hidden and protected, it was able to collect and protect plenty of incredible documents. The library is the world’s largest operating library, it has the second largest collection of manuscripts and codices in the entire world!
The Monastery houses a valuable historical artifact: the Codex Sinaiticus, the earliest manuscript of the Bible dating back to the 4th Century. This manuscript contains the oldest complete copy of the New Testament. Regrettably, the manuscript was gifted to the Tzar of Russia and later sold to the British Museum by the Soviet Government in 1933. It is disheartening to see such a significant historical treasure in the possession of those it does not rightfully belong to. All artifacts should be returned to their rightful place. The library also boasts an impressive collection, including the oldest-known recipe attributed to Hippocrates, the Greek physician. This discovery is truly remarkable for researchers and history enthusiasts alike.
Those who have visited can attest to the unique atmosphere that permeates the entire location, making it difficult to put into words. Undoubtedly, it is a destination worth exploring. Unfortunately, I was unable to book a stay at the Guesthouse as it had been closed for an extended period due to Covid-19. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to stay there in the future, as it promises to be a truly memorable experience.
Hiking and trekking Mount Moses is a favorite activity, and very popular. Many people around the world come to this sacred place to hike a trail. Some people hike as a sport, for religious reasons, or as a tribute. There are several trails to hike in the area that covers 7 km/6.8 miles that can be covered in around 6/7 hours it all depends on a person’s fitness level.
I prefer to skip organized tours whenever I can and in this case tours are loud and crowded. Instead, you can independently enter the site and you have to pay for a guide’s feel. This not only supports the local community by providing jobs but also ensures safety. I find tour groups to be too large and crowded, and I believe that this place is meant for quiet reflection, regardless of one’s religious beliefs.
Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Moses, is considered a holy site by numerous individuals. It is believed to be an energy hub where people often visit to meditate and seek blessings over time. Mount Sinai in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula is considered a holy site for meditation and has great spiritual and historical significance to the world’s three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Outside the Monastery, Bedouin sells crystals, bags, and ornaments. but it also has mineral specimens, including quartz crystals. The Sinai region also contains other minerals, such as calcite, dolomite, hematite, halite, and gypsum. These crystals are wanted by many because they are taken from the Mount and from the area and they are believed to hold some magical powers.
