Father Justin's Blog

Liturgy at the Peak of Sinai

Every year, we celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the peak of Mount Sinai on the day after Pentecost, the Monday of the Holy Spirit. This year, we were joined by pilgrims from Greece and Russia. We made the ascent in the night, and began the Liturgy at 4:00 AM.

The Holy Table in the apse of the small chapel.

The lamp over the Holy Table, with frescoes on the wall depicting the Apostles.

The iconostasion of the chapel.

The Holy Table from the nave.

By the time we began our descent, the sun was rising into the sky.

The mountain peaks receding into the distance.

Icon by Candle Light

In the kelli at Saint Panteleimon’s, a candle shines before an icon print in the silence of the desert.

Saint Panteleimon’s in Spring

The Chapel of Saint Panteleimon in the springtime, with a small almond tree in bloom.

Distant Landscape

A photograph taken from much higher up in the mountains. The Chapel of Saint John the Forerunner is visible at the far left.

Weathered Granite Boulder

A granite boulder has been weathered by exposure to rain and winds and ice over the centuries.

View from Saint Anne’s

The view from the rock promontory at the Chapel of Saint Anne.

Reflecting Pool

Ὅτι ἐρράγη ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ὕδωρ καὶ φάραγξ ἐν γῇ διψώσῃ.

For water hath broken out in the desert, and a watercourse in a thirsty land. (Isaiah 35:6)

Some years ago, a small dam was constructed in the garden below the Chapel of Saint Anne, to catch the rainwater so that it would replenish the well. This spring, we had so much rain that the waters backed up behind the dam to form a reflecting pool.

Filled with Light

Νῦν πάντα πεπλήρωται φωτός, οὐρανός τε καὶ γῆ, καὶ τὰ καταχθόνια.

Now are all things filled with light; heaven and earth, and the nethermost regions of the earth.

Sunset with Clouds

Sunset with a light cloud cover from the Church of Saint Panteleimon.

Holy Pascha 2022

Εἰ γὰρ σύμφυτοι γεγόναμεν τῷ ὁμοιώματι τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως ἐσόμεθα·

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. (Romans 6:5)

Καθάπερ γὰρ τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ταφὲν ἐν τῇ γῇ, καρπὸν τῆς οἰκουμένης τὴν σωτηρίαν ἤνεγκεν, οὕτω καὶ τὸ ἡμέτερον ταφὲν ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι, καρπὸν ἤνηγκε τὴν δικαιοσύνην, τὸν ἁγιασμόν, τὴν υἱοθεσίαν, τὰ μυρία ἀγαθά, οἴσει δὲ καὶ τὸ τῆς ἀναστάσεως ὕστερον δῶρον.

For as His Body, by being buried in the earth, brought forth as the fruit of it the salvation of the world; thus ours also, being buried in baptism, bore as fruit righteousness, sanctification, adoption, countless blessings. And it will bear also hereafter the gift of the resurrection.

Saint John Chrysostom, Commentary on Romans