Saint Panteleimon 2024

On Friday, Father Michael and I went to the Chapel of Saint Panteleimon for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

We rode camels to the last camel stand. All I could see was an expanse of black, but the Bedouin and the camels could see the path in the dark. The first light of day was shining on the horizon as we reached the end of the camel trail.

The mountains became more visible as we descended to the Basin of the Prophet Elijah.

New cedar trees take the place of the old one that had stood there for centuries.

The chapel at the summit of Mount Sinai visible in the distance.

The path to the chapel.

The peak of Mount Saint Catherine in the morning sunlight.

Father Michael celebrated the Divine Liturgy. This was especially meaningful for him, since his father was named Panteleimon.

Afterwards we visited the olive groves at the Chapel of the Forty Martyrs. Father Michael knows the names of all the varieties, and how to cultivate each tree so that it bears the best quality olives. Sometimes gazelles leap over the wall and jump into the lower branches of the tree to eat the tender shoots. The Bedouin who care for the trees must be on their guard.