The wonders in the library and treasury

Mary sitting in front of a 5th Century icon

The tiny door, entrance to the Monastery

On the day we were all to visit the treasure house and the newly refurbished library, Father Justin came down to the guest area of the Monastery and met us.  We felt incredibly lucky that this Monk who has so many calls on his time at the moment should give us the whole morning.  Although the essence of a Monastic calling is to be apart from the world, it seems that  he wants people to know about the Monastery and what it represents, its history, its treasures and its tradition of prayer and contemplation.  He feels it is important today that all this is made available and we felt encompassed by his welcome and kindness.  We set off for the Monastery, going through the tiny door which was opened up fairly recently (if your history goes back to the 4th and 5th Century, recent can be in the hundreds of years!).  When the Sisters from

The Burning Bush?

Scotland came to Sinai searching for early Christian manuscripts, the door wasn't there, the books were lowered down in a basket and presumably the Monks too went up and down in the basket.  Father Justin showed us in and pointed out Moses well, the Burning Bush (is it the same one?) and the Church.  He then took us to the treasury where icons from the 5th Century are waiting for you to meet them or else just to look at them with interest.  Here are manuscripts and embroidered garments, manuscripts and gifts from Russia, Greece and a signed protection order for Mohammed himself.  Father Justin then took us to the newly renovated library.  Now this is no ordinary library, this library represents a collection of liturgical works second only to the Vatican library.  The whole space has been renewed with beautiful wooden furniture made by Greek carpenters who are still finishing off the last pieces, it has been modernised too with state of the art fire protection, beautiful modern steelwork.  The most important and oldest manuscripts are wrapped up waiting for their specially designed boxes and it was from amongst these that we were able to see, touch and marvel at the illustrations and the feeling that these had been touched and read by generations of Monks seeking wisdom.   

Entrance to the Treasury

Beautiful chapel of the Burning Bush

Can you feel yourself wanting to visit?  Well, you can come with us next year in April if you contact Wind, Sand and Stars. They will send you details of the next visit to the Monastery.  If you want to find the place where heaven and earth meet, this is a good place to start looking.