The bell tower and minaret, with the west end of the sixth century basilica visible beside them.
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Bell Tower and Minaret in the Dark4 comments to Bell Tower and Minaret in the DarkLeave a Reply |
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Dear Father Justin,
I really enjoyed this photograph. It brings up a question. When did the monastery get electricity and is it a part of the local electric grid? Could you answer the same question in regards to water?
Sincerely Yours,
Richard
The first generator was installed in 1958. The fathers would turn it on at six o’clock in the evening, and turn it off at nine o’clock in the evening, to allow a little time for reading, but then not to have the noise of the generator through the night. Later, a larger generator was installed outside the monastery. Today, the monastery receives its power from the generators that supply electricity to the whole area, and ours is kept purely as a backup. Before the recent renovation, my room had a metal hook in the ceiling. This would support a chain, from which a kerosene lamp could be suspended. I have wondered what the monastery was like before it had electricity. The water comes from a spring nearby, and is piped into the monastery. In the past, when we had the first rains in the autumn, the herbs in the area would flavour the water. Now, the water is filtered, and it no longer tastes like herb tea after the first rains.
A beloved photo!
Thanks father Justin! An interesting answer, I also did not know that.
That is indeed fascinating. Thank you.