St. Catherine's Monastery
Among the Sinai Peninsula, which connects Africa with Asia, there is an interesting tourist attraction, which is known as the Monastery of St. Catherine. It was built during the reign of Emperor Justinian sometime between 537 and 565. In order to protect the territory from the constant raids of nomads, over time the monastery was transformed into a powerful fortress.
After Islam was adopted in Egypt, a mosque was built near the monastery, which prevented destruction and ruin. During the existence of the monastery, it has never been captured or simply damaged. For many centuries, St. Catherine's Monastery served as the main place of pilgrimage for the Russian people. It contains many ancient Russian icons, valuable books, as well as various items of church use.
The real name of Saint Catherine is Dorothea, who was born in 294. This beautiful girl has been distinguished by her beauty since childhood, and was also very educated. One day, she learned the story of Jesus Christ from the mouth of a Syrian monk, after which she was martyred. After her death, for a long time the body could not be found, and only after three centuries, with the help of a vision of one of the monks, Catherine's remains were discovered among Mount Sinai. They were placed in a church, and the mountain itself began to be called in the name of St. Catherine. Soon, European residents learned about the difficult death from the Crusaders, who began to revere her as a saint.
Among the complex of sacred buildings stands out the basilica, which began to be built back in 542. An integral part of the church is the Chapel of the Burning Bush, which St. Helena ordered to be built.
The appearance of the church has been preserved since the time of Justinian, which is represented by magnificent columns, as well as the roof and inscriptions. The most ancient icons located in the basilica date back to the sixth century. There is an unusual image of Jesus Christ, which is made from mosaics. This mosaic belongs to the earliest and is one of the best similar works of that time.
Usually, without shoes, pilgrims visit the Chapel of the Burning Bush, which is located behind the altar of the main church. On the territory of the monastery of St. Catherine there is a unique gallery, the exhibits of which are ancient icons. Some of them date back to the sixth century and were painted with wax paints. The value of this collection can be second only to the Vatican collection.
It is possible to enter the monastery every day, but from 9 to 12 o'clock. Given the fact that the monastery itself is located at an altitude of 1,570 meters, there is not much heat there, but it is cooler here in winter. To visit him, you need to wear modest clothes, and women are required to cover their heads. But for those who came here in unsuitable clothes, there are special long shirts hanging on the hanger at the entrance.
The resort town of St. Catherine is located very close to the monastery, the main activity of its residents is serving foreign travelers. Here you can stay in a cozy hotel, taste a local restaurant, and also buy a souvenir.
