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St. Catherine's Monastry |
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As part of the tour we also had the opportunity to visit St. Catherine's monastry which is built at the base of Mt. SInai. This is the oldest Monastry in the World (4th century) and has stood the test of time and change in rulers and religions, only becuase of the fact that this place has special attachments for all three major religions viz. Jew, Christianity and Islam. This monstry was built around the site of the place where legend has it is the well from which Moses drew water for his future wife as well as the burning bush where God appeared to Moses. |
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Nestled at the base of the Mt., one can see the Monastry from up the montains.
On our way down we were taken on a different route from the one we took to climp up and this route took us via 3,700 steps that have been made by the monks to climb up and down the mount. Steps meaing, just stones placed together to give a step effect and not masonry.
This monstry was named (so legend has) after a very dovout lady called Catherine, who was killed by the Romans for her faith. ThIt was built by the Byzantine rulers and the Greek Orthodox Church has the oversight over this monastry.
On the right one can see the reason for this monastry lasting even with the advent of Islam. Prophet Mohammed had given a written edict protecting the place and also a moque has been built next to the Chruch tower (the minaret is visible behind) |
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The bush that is seen in the picutre of the left is supposedly the bush that burnt, but did not burn, when God appeared to Moses.
Also next to this is a well which legend has is the well where Moses met his future wife. |
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The steps and the gate that leads up from the monastry to the summit of Mt. Sinai. |
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