FatherJustinsBlog

Cross Over the Chapel

The cross over the Chapel of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sinai and Raithou, in the early morning light.

The Porch Behind the Burning Bush

The porch behind the Burning Bush in late afternoon.

Copper Gold

The last rays of the sun turn the granite mountains a copper gold.

Chapel of the Five Martyrs

The chapel of the Five Martyrs of Greater Armenia, Saints Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugenius, Mardarius, and Orestes, whose memory is celebrated on December 13.

Storage Jars

Large ceramic storage jars in the courtyard outside the prosphora bakery.

In the Life of Saint Gregory of Sinai (1260s – 1346), we read that he worked in the kitchen and bakery for over three years. The ancient kitchen is still there, below the present kitchen and bakery.

In monasteries, at the end of meals on feast days, there is a special service in which a loaf is blessed and distributed to those present. At Sinai, these loaves are stamped with a seal depicting the Virgin Mary of the Burning Bush, the Prophet Moses, and Saint Catherine.

Wall at Midday

In the middle of the day, the sun’s rays cast a raking light across the wall outside the Chapel of the Twelve Apostles, highlighting the brushstrokes of whitewash, with earlier layers showing through in patches.

East Wall Kelli in the Morning Light

The kelli in the east wall just after sunrise.

At full resolution, you can see swallows darting about in the morning light.

East Wall Kelli at Sundown

The monastery is in shadow while the last sunlight still shines on the upper mountain ridges.

The Well of Moses

But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land. (Exodus 2:15-22)