A classic view of the monastery, from the slopes on the north side. Bedouin on camels have taken pilgrims up the path to see the sunrise, and now they are returning home.
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The Chapel of Saint Theodore is still in full sun after the bell tower and minaret have fallen into shadow.
Ancient structures on the parapet of the fortress wall at the end of the day. The wheel device was used to make wax tapers for reading in the church.
The west face of the Sinai basilica is decorated with a central cross and two flanking palm trees bearing clusters of dates. These were carved out of solid granite blocks in the middle of the sixth century.
Δίκαιος ὡς φοῖνιξ ἀνθήσει. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. (Psalm 91:13 LXX) After the sun has set, the monastery is still filled with reflected light in the gathering dusk.
The passageway under the trapeza to the bakery, where I make prosphora every week.
The Burning Bush, and above, the rampart along the top of the north wall.
The wall above the old stairway leading to the trapeza was whitewashed. It is slowly regaining its patina.
A little before sunset, the shadow of the bell tower is projected on the east wall, while the cross mounted at the west end of the basilica goes into silhouette.
The panels of coloured glass in the outer doors of the basilica create patterns of colour on the inlaid marble floor of the narthex.
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