The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-15)

 A couple week-ends ago, I headed up the Sinai Peninsula towards St. Catherine's Monastery in Mount Sinai; the site where Moses led the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt and where God revealed himself to Moses in the form of a burning bush. Moses was a respected man of God amongst the Jews, Christians, and Muslims. To take part in the pilgrimage of where Moses may have walked was so exciting! Regardless of the differing theories that have been debated by scientists and religious scholars about this site, my Christian beliefs acknowledge that Moses walked upon this land and spoke to God. This journey was both moving and spiritual for me, and I am grateful for having experienced it..

St. Catherine's Monastery is "the oldest working Christian monastery in the world," and is sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. It was built around 527 A.D. by order of Emperor Justinian I, a Roman (Byzantine) ruler. Its library contains the 2nd largest collection of early religious codices and manuscripts after the Vatican, and is the site of the burning bush --- which still garners debate amongst religious scholars today.

Entrance into the monastery.

St. Catherine's interior pathways were lined with stoned tiles.

 Guest accomodations were provided on a first come/first serve basis. The rooms were plain, but were clean and orderly. A dining room was also on the compound, which was convenient because the monastery was at a remote, an isolated location.

Steps by the reception office led to the lower back courtyard where some of the guest rooms were located.

My room was by the East wall, and like all sides of the monastery's walls had a view of Mount Sinai.

Bedouin guides and camel herders camped on the outskirts of the monastery.

These young bedouin boys caught my eye, as they were bringing camels back down from the top of the mountain.

The bell tower and the Church of the Transformation (Basilica).

The monastery was built to fortify the church which suffered desert raids throughout the centuries. The church was rebuilt several times, and was renamed the Church of Transformation. Unfortunately, no pics were allowed to be taken inside.

This was Moses' Well. While it was modernized over the centuries until it was finally closed off, it was said that Moses drank from this very same well.

The Chapel of the Burning Bush was built by Helena, mother of Constantine I. The chapel was supposedly built over the roots of the burning bush that God had transformed into when he spoke to Moses. This bush is supposed to have come from the very same roots! While this bush has stirred debates on its authenticity, it has been documented that root clippings removed from this bush and transplanted elsewhere have met with failed results. So far, only St. Catherine's site has been the only place where the bush has thrived. Understandably, the bush was barricaded off, so we could not get close enough to touch it. However, the thought that this could be the ACTUAL bush had my pulses racing!!! It was a fantastic first day, filled with amazing sights. However, the real exploration was the next day's early morning pilgrimage up "Moses' Mountain". Stay tune!