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Preparing for the Liturgy at Prophet Elias

Preparing for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the cave of the Prophet Elias on his feast day

The Cave of the Prophet Elias

The holy table and the church have been built to enshrine the cave of the Prophet Elias.

And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged […]

The Double Church of the Prophets

At some distance below the peak of Sinai, there is a double church. The first church that you enter is dedicated to the Prophet Elisha (Ἐλισσαῖος, Elissaios). From there, you step into the smaller church to the right, dedicated to the Prophet Elijah (Ἠλίας, Elias). At the back of this church is the cave where […]

Saint Anne’s 2015

This year also we were able to make the climb to the chapel of Saint Anne on her feast day. Father Michael celebrated the Divine Liturgy. I chanted. We were joined by five pilgrims.

The preparation for the Divine Liturgy

Father Michael commemorating names

The light filled chapel

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The Second Granite Arch

Pilgrims who climb the traditional steps to the peak of Sinai will pass through two granite arches. A short distance beyond the second arch is the basin of the Prophet Elias, from where they begin the final ascent to the summit.

In the early morning, the arch is still in shadow, with the mountain […]

Chapel of the Holy Unmercenaries

The iconostasion of the chapel is adorned with both painted icons and paper icon prints.

It dates from 1734.

The holy table is covered with a beautiful example of cut work embroidery. The cover for the Holy Gospel is made of small patches of material in contrasting colours.

The carved candlestick has […]

Liturgy at the Holy Unmercenaries

Every year, on the feast day of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, we celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the small chapel dedicated to their memory.

Father Michael commemorating names in preparation for the Liturgy.

At the beginning of the Divine Liturgy.

Reading the holy Gospel. Πορευόμενοι δὲ κηρύσσετε λέγοντες ὅτι ἤγγικεν […]