Father Justin's Blog

Sinai Greek 204 is a tenth century Lectionary containing the Gospel readings for the most important feast days. Every letter on every page is executed in gold leaf. The letters flash and gleam as the pages are turned. This seems especially appropriate for the Gospel readings appointed for the feast of the Holy Transfiguration.

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραλαμβάνει ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τὸν Ἰάκωβον καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην καὶ ἀναφέρει αὐτοὺς εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν κατ’ ἰδίαν μόνους καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν.

At that time, Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. (Mark 9:2)

This year, we left the monastery at 4:00 AM for the climb to the Chapel of Saint Anne, the most beautiful of all the chapels up in the mountains. Father Theophilos came to chant. Two pilgrims from Romania also joined us. We went up the ancient steps.

The sky had turned light by the time we passed the second arch.

We stopped at one plateau to watch the sunrise.

The chapel prepared for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. In these chapels we encounter the ancient Sinai.

The small garden just below the chapel provided us with three ripe apples and a plate of figs.

The stairs leading to the Chapel of Saint Anthony in late afternoon sun.

Sunrise in the middle of summertime.

Αἰνοῦμεν, ὑμνοῦμεν, εὐλογοῦμεν, καὶ εὐχαριστοῦμεν σοι, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, ὅτι παρήγαγες τὴν σκιὰν τῆς νυκτός, καὶ ἔδειξας ἡμῖν πάλιν τὸ φῶς τῆς ἡμέρας.

We praise thee, we hymn thee, we bless thee, and give thanks to thee, O God of our Fathers, for that thou hast brought us through the shadow of the night, and shewn us again the light of the day.

Twelfth Prayer of Matins