Judaism · Christianity · Islam
جبل موسى
Mount Sinai
“One summit lifted up by three faiths, where the covenant came down”
Scenes
Meaning
Peaks of red granite take the light of dawn, and within the low walls of the monastery an ancient bush still puts out green.
Hebrew tradition holds that Moses was called before a bush that burned without being consumed on this mountain (Horeb), and later received the covenant of the Ten Commandments amid cloud and fire. Saint Catherine's Monastery at its foot, founded in the 6th century under Justinian, is among the oldest monasteries in continuous use and keeps the traditional Burning Bush. Held sacred by three faiths, the mountain and monastery are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Field notes
- Location
- South Sinai · Egypt · N28.5° · E34.0°
- Best time
- Before dawn, to meet the sunrise from the summit
- Getting there
- From the village of Saint Catherine, ascend by the Path of Moses or the Steps of Repentance.
- Etiquette
- Within the monastery keep quiet and modest dress, and follow the pilgrim route.
Sources
- · UNESCO World Heritage
- · Encyclopaedia Britannica
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