St Catherine Cathedral

St Catherine Cathedral: Popularly considered the beacon of faith in the desert wilderness, St. Catherine Cathedral is the Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai. It is one of the world’s oldest continuously functioning monastic societies in Christianity, a reflection of century-long dominance of contemplative existence amidst terrestrial conflict. Located at foot of Mount Sinai, this UNESCO World Heritage is a place of worship since the 6th century when it was ordered by Emperor Justinian as a fortress of the Soul. The Cathedral, and yet a monastery takes its name from St. Catherine of Alexandria, a virgin martyr whose body, according to sacred tradition, was miraculously transported there by angels.

Her incorrupt remains and is venerated by pilgrims who seek her intercession, on that rare visit to the Cathedral. The Cathedral, sets a spectacular, religious significance, that no strong Catholic believer, can under estimate. It houses one of the world’s most important collections of Christian manuscripts and the oldest surviving icon of Christ Pantocrator, not an artworks, per se, but window to heaven, through which a pilgrim/believer may glimpse divine mysteries. Pilgrims visiting this sacred site feel a deep sense of connection with the early Church, walking the same paths as monks who have preserved the faith for over 1,400 years with prayer, fasting, and devotion. It is home to the monastery library that contains ancient biblical manuscripts that predate even the Codex Sinaiticus; a treasure house for anyone interested in learning about Christian scripture origins, rich tradition of the Word of God from hand to hand across the ages.

Located about 3,500 feet above sea level in the Sinai Desert, the trek to St. Catherine Cathedral is itself a spiritual discipline, a pilgrimage that prepares the soul for sacred encounter. Though the monastery can be accessed by car from Cairo (6 hours) or Sharm El Sheikh (3 hours), the final pilgrimage is inward, since the desert landscape unfettered by earthly distraction welcomes the heart to divine presence. The mountains’ desert calls the monastery to a holy silence and contemplation environment, perfect for examen and spiritual consideration leading up to deepening of communion with God. Within the walls of the monastery, pilgrims can participate in Divine Office with the Greek Orthodox monks, their voices joined to eternal prayer of Church that rises like incense to heaven. The Psalm chanting, as usually is prayer, as has been prayed day-by-day for centuries. One can pay reverence to the Burning Bush believed to be the exact bush by and through which God spoke to Moses. That experience seems close as if you are speaking to God personally through the burning bush of your own life.

The Chapel of the Burning Bush invites the believer to come to terms that in life, we face God, and the awe before the mystery of God’s self-revelation, recalling the words of Moses: “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up” (Exodus 3:3).The Byzantine style of the monastery, with its heavy, fortified stone walls constructed to repel invaders, is a symbol of timelessness and safety a secure haven for the soul in a mad world. The walls have protected not only physical community but the spiritual treasures of faith, just as the Church has preserved the deposit of faith throughout centuries in the face of persecution and heresy. Apart from its religious significance, St. Catherine Cathedral also offers visitors a chance to experience the unique culture of Sinai Bedouin who have protected the monastery for centuries. Their hospitality is a testament to biblical mandate to welcome the stranger, and their intense love for this sacred land reminds us that God’s revelation is frequently mediated by those who the world has regarded as peripheral. The nearby guesthouse provides simple accommodation for traveler who wishes to stay on and soak up the monastic rhythm of prayer and reflection a special chance to connect with the ancient wisdom that centers life on God rather than the world’s concerns.