Ruins of an Ancient Hermitage

Ruins of an ancient hermitage on Mount Horeb, in the first light of day

Οὗτος [ὁ Χριστὸς] ὁ λίθος ὁ ἀκρογωνιαῖος, ὁ συνδέων ἡμᾶς ἑαυτῷ, καὶ ὁ πολύτιμος μαργαρίτης· ὃν ζητῶν ὁ εἰς τὸν βυθὸν τῆς ἡσυχίας εἰσδύων Μοναχός, πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτῷ θελήματα, πιπράσκει διὰ τῆς ὑπακοῆς τῶν ἐντολῶν, ἵνα ἀπ᾿ ἐντεῦθεν αὐτὸν κτήσηται.

Christ is the capstone uniting us with Himself. He is the pearl of great price: it is this for which the monk seeks when he plunges into the depths of stillness and it is this for which he sells all his own desires through obedience to the commandments, so that he may acquire it even in this life. (Saint Gregory of Sinai)