Bibframe Instance
TitleGreek Orthodox priests at St. Catherine's Monastery in the SinaiNotePhysical details: glass, dry plate Applies To: Applies To: all Title from negative sleeve.Taken either by the American Colony Photo Department or its successor, the Matson Photo Service.Guide card: Sinai.Photograph taken from in front of the 6th century CE basilica, looking northeast and showing the triangle-shape western façade of the basilica from right to the centre, the northeastern wall 'northern wall for simplification' in the centre, the bell tower to the left, and Gebel El Dier (Selib-Baraka) and Gebel Meraja in the background in the centre, from a 0.9 km distance. (A. Shams, Sinai Peninsula Research, 2018)An estimate of 530 to 600 monks lived in the monastic settlements across the mountain range at the height of monasticism in 4th-7th centuries CE, where less than 100 monks lived inside Saint Catherine Monastery on its construction between 530 and 545 CE by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565 CE) (Uzi Dahari, 2000). John Climax the Syrian hermit of Mount Sinai and later Igumen (Abbot) of Saint Catherine Monastery, also known as John of the Ladder and John Sinaites (525-March 30, 606 CE), wrote the 'Ladder of the Divine Ascent' of the 30 steps around 600 CE [580-603 CE (?)]. The number of monks ranged between 300 and 400 monks in 1000-1336 CE and has remained below 50 monks since 1700 CE (Joseph Hobbs), and is around 25 monks in early 21st century CE. The monks dress the full ceremonial garments in major feasts, e.g. Easter, Saint Catherine on November the 25th, etc. The roof of the basilica consists of two layers of wooden beams made of cypress or pine. Justinian's roof of 6th century CE was made out of eight wooden beams, and another layer was added in 18th century CE. Several inscriptions were found on Justinian's wooden beams from 6th century (547-565 CE). Napoleon's commander in Egypt re-built the northern wall of the monastery in 1801 CE, after it had partially collapsed due to a flashflood following heavy rain in 1798 CE. The monastery's bell tower was constructed in 1871 CE next to the 6th century CE basilica. (A. Shams, Sinai Peninsula Research, 2018)General information about the G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection is available at:Could not render: bf:electronicLocatorDimensions4 x 5 in.Extent1 negativeProvision ActivityPublication: United States 1898/1946 Publication: [between 1898 and 1946] Usage And Access PolicyNo known restrictions on publication. For information see: "G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection,"Could not render: bf:electronicLocatorAcquisition SourceDLC Stock Number:LC-DIG-matpc-09671 (digital file from original) 