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The area is named after St. Catherine, who lived in Alexandria during the persecution of Christians in the reign of Maximinus and for her adherence to the Christianity; she was tortured by the Romans and strapped to spiked wheel to rip her body. Finally, she was beheaded in 307 A.D.
Later, after five centuries, a monk saw a vision in which St. Catherine`s body was carried by angels and placed on a peak of a mountain in Sinai. Therefore, the monks took her relics to the Church of Transfiguration which named for her beside the monastery, formerly called the Virgin.
St. Catherine is situated in an area sacred to the three religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam as history has chosen Sinai to record there many memories and events, Sinai, the peninsula, has the magic, fascination and holiness and it is mentioned in the Pharaonic texts, the Bible and Quran.
It is famous for its turquoise, gold and copper mines, besides; it was the first military route in the ancient history and the pilgrims, way to Hejaz while Islam shone over the whole world.
During the early Christianity, south Sinai was a great attraction for the Christian monks. It was a refuge during the time of the escape from the Roman persecution, spread in the 4th century A.D., especially in Firan Valley, Al- Tur and Mount Moses and all are near the water sources.
Also the Bible mentioned that Hagar, Abraham`s wife (also known as Prophet Ibrahim) and her son stayed in a place in Firan Valley.
Mount Moses, 2242 m. above the sea level, has been a very special place not only for the Christians but also for Muslims. It is believed that it is the Mountain which Moses climbed and received the tablets of the law. |
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