Old and New

The eighteenth century iconostasion is surmounted by a Cross that extends almost to the ceiling beams of the basilica. On the back wall, sixth century mosaics depict, on the left, Moses at the Bush that burned with fire without being consumed, and on the right, Moses receiving the Law from the hand of God. There, Moses is depicted standing in a cleft of the rock, from which he beheld the glory and the majesty of God.

Orthodox hymns and icons often make reference to this juxtaposition, the Old Testament foreshadowing the New, the New Testament fulfilling the Old. This is especially vivid at Sinai.