After three years of repair, an ancient Egyptian library that houses some of the oldest writings in the world has reopened.
The second-largest library in the world, located at St. Catherine Monastery in South Sinai, has a handwritten copy of the New Testament.
There are hundreds of antiquated books and scrolls in the sixth-century church that are over 700 years old.
Officials from Egypt and other countries attended the recent ceremony to open the UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Sinai.
Monk Damyanos, the monastery’s archbishop, claims that the newly renovated east half of the library houses the world’s second-largest collection of early codices and manuscripts, behind the Vatican Library.
The archbishop’s adviser, Tony Kazamias, said “the library is now open to the public and scholars.” No completion date has been specified, however restoration work is currently underway.
The monastery has texts in several languages, including Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Georgian, and Slavonic, that include centuries-old texts, the majority of which are Christian in origin.
The ‘father of modern medicine’ Hippocrates’ long-lost, secret formulas are included.
The old, handwritten copy of the New Testament is referred to as “the most precious manuscript in the world.”
Additionally, the library had several old artworks that are now on exhibit at the monastery museum.
The manuscripts have exquisite artwork. There is a burst of color and gold when you turn the pages. “It’s a living piece of art,” Reverend Justin said.
In addition to restoring the historic library, the officials also dedicated the Transfiguration Mosaic.
The mosaic, which is located in the eastern apse of the monastery’s great basilica, is almost 500 square feet (46 square meters) in size.
The public may now view the artwork, which was created using a mix of glass paste, glass, stone, and gold and silver tesserae.
Between the prophets Elias and Moses, Jesus Christ is shown in the center.
The Byzantine Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of the monastery and the creation of the mosaic in the sixth century.
The monastery is situated in St. Catherine’s, an area that is highly regarded by adherents of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and the Abrahamic faiths.
It has grown to be a well-liked travel destination and attraction for pilgrims as well as visitors from all over the world, much like Jerusalem’s Old City.
There are a few monks living in the sixth-century monastery who continue to perform daily rites and prayers that haven’t altered in centuries.
The study of Byzantine architecture greatly benefits from its well-preserved walls and structures.
It is located at the base of Mount Sinai, often referred to as Jebel Musa or Mount Horeb, the location of the alleged Ten Commandments given to Moses.
Earlier this year, image technology that put together phrases that had been previously cleaned out was used to unearth ancient works concealed beneath monastic scriptures.
Using a technique that enables scientists to repair old papers that were written so long ago in order to save money on costly parchment, they discovered a number of lost passages.
According to the experts who conducted the study, the findings at Saint Catherine’s convent heralded a “new golden age of discovery.”
Because parchment used to be so precious, it was frequently recycled.
As Michael Phelps of the Early Manuscripts Electronic Library in California told the Times, “the material the manuscript was on became more valuable at some point than what was written on it.” “Therefore, it was judged deserving of recycling.”
Because monks often overwrote Bible copies, many early texts have been lost.
SAINT CATHERINE MONASTERY
Nestled at the base of Mount Sinai, a mountain with profound spiritual and historical significance, in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula is the magnificent ancient gem known as Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Constructed during the Byzantine Emperor Justinian’s rule in the sixth century, it is regarded as one of the oldest surviving Christian monasteries worldwide. Saint Catherine’s Monastery is so special because of its rich collection of rare religious texts and artifacts, its location, and its age.
For more than 1,400 years, this monastery has been a center of learning and faith, and its monks faithfully uphold this age-old custom. It bears the name of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr who was supposedly condemned to die on a spiked wheel because of her faith. According to legend, her body was miraculously carried to Mount Sinai by angels, where a monastery now stands in her honor.
This monastery has been a center of learning and faith for over 1,400 years, and its monks continue to faithfully follow this ancient tradition. Because of her faith, a Christian martyr named Saint Catherine of Alexandria is said to have been sentenced to die on a spiked wheel. Legend has it that angels miraculously carried her body to Mount Sinai, where a monastery now stands in her honor.
Another well-known feature of Saint Catherine’s Monastery is its library, which is home to one of the biggest and oldest manuscript collections in the world, second only to the Vatican. These consist of religious manuscripts, ancient scrolls, and codices, some of which are written in Arabic, Latin, Greek, and Aramaic. One of these is the Codex Sinaiticus, an old Bible that was found at the monastery in the 1800s and is currently divided among multiple locations.
When visitors arrive at Saint Catherine’s Monastery, they are frequently astounded by the sanctity and tranquility that surround it in addition to the depth of its history. Many Christians, Muslims, and Jews visit it as a place of pilgrimage because they all identify with Mount Sinai. Few locations have been able to preserve early Christian art over the centuries, but the intricate artwork, mosaics, and icons inside offer a glimpse.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a living example of tenacity, faith, and the Middle East’s rich spiritual legacy. Whether viewed as a historical landmark, a place of religious sanctuary, or just a place of profound peace, it remains one of the most timeless representations of human devotion and preservation in the world.