Mount Moses. Sinai. At 2 am, the ascent to Mount Moses begins. We will climb 4 km up, and then another 750 steps. I felt trained.
– Just think, 4 km and 750 steps.
At first it was. The road to the top is wide.
A cortege of three large buses and a dozen minibuses brought an impressive number of people who wanted to get to Mount Moses.
They say that whoever climbs to the top of the mountain will atone for all his sins or fulfill his desire.
While climbing, I met a woman who came here for the fifth time. For the first time on the mountain, she had an event on the verge of a miracle that changed her life. For her, this ascent is part of her spiritual world.
People of different religions and beliefs went upstairs. For some it was just tourism. For me, it was my spiritual pilgrimage and exploration of the planet’s place of power.
I have been planning to visit Mount Moses for two years now. Finally I did it and here I am. You need to climb to a height of 2,285 meters. At the foot of the mountain is the monastery of St. Catherine. This is one of the oldest Christian monasteries. The monastery is closed at 2 am. It is opened in the morning and not every day for a very short time. All people were given flashlights and the procession begins in total darkness.
In the first hour until about 3 am, everything was calm. Then it started to rain a little. thunder rumbled and lightning illuminated the procession of people with lanterns. Thunder and lightning are signs of activation of the channel of Moses. Then came the hail. A few minutes later it began to snow and everything around became white. My jacket was covered with snow, but the snow immediately melted.
The jacket was soaked through. On the road to the top there are several small sheds where you can sit and drink tea. Together with people, dozens of cameleers go upstairs. When someone gets tired, for $20 they can be given a ride on a tall gray-white or yellowish camel. With our group all the time there was a driver with a camel. He asked every 5 minutes: do you want a camel? – I definitely don’t want a camel -))
Somewhere in the middle of the way in one of the halts, our instructor or guide doubted whether we would be able to reach the top. It was snowing and raining like a solid wall and the coveted 750 steps were frozen over. After 20 minutes, he gave the go-ahead and we continued to move. Halt. Camels don’t go any further. There are 750 steps left. The higher I climb the mountain, the lower the temperature drops and the wind increases. 5 o’clock in the morning. Nothing is visible, except for the icy steps and the people walking in front.
The last and most difficult part of the journey remains. Steep and slippery stairs. In front of this section of the trail there are several wooden sheds. They are hung inside with woven wool rugs. My jacket is damp and cold. Here in the house you can take a wool blanket for $ 3 and keep warm. And then go upstairs in a blanket. At first I did not take a blanket.
Then when I wanted to start climbing, I realized that I would freeze. A strong icy wind and wet through clothes created the effect of no clothes. I ran and bought a blanket and started getting up. By the way, on this section of the path, many left it. in our group of eighteen people, only 6 people climbed to the very top. The last leg of the route became insurmountable for many people. So in life, the refusal to fight, as a rule, occurs 5 minutes before victory.
When I climbed, I compared my ascent with the path of life. At first, I was well prepared and tuned in. Around there are many people also striving to go up.
This gives confidence to move on. They can and I can. Wet through. I tell myself: don’t be afraid, you won’t get sick. It’s just fear. Trust the path.
At a height on the steps, I, unexpectedly for myself, began to remember all the dead relatives. They appeared before me like bright images. Then I realized that I was praying and asking to protect my homeland Ukraine. The answer came to me: I will have to fight and defend freedom and choice. On the very last leg of the journey, on slippery stone steps, I was in a blanket in the present moment. Stone. Leg. Step. Place your foot on this part of the step. Get stability. I said to the people who overtook me: You go quieter – you will continue. I felt an inner response for myself – right. Finally, I’m at the top of the mountain. Fingers froze in gloves and in a blanket. The top of the mountain is a large area enclosed by a stone fence and a chapel with a cave. Someone who has reached the top lights candles, someone finds a cave for himself and sits there. And I stand and look into the fog over the abyss. I close my eyes and see a bright green unusual light. Energy is formed into balls and creates a harmonious pattern. I was not tired, despite the four-hour night climb. It was for this breath of energy that I came here. Here people get through the ascent to the top a personal path, like a pilgrimage in a given segment of life and interaction with the upper light. The harder it is to achieve a goal, the more valuable it is.
After descending from Mount Moses, we go to the monastery of St. Catherine.
To the left of the entrance is the place of the Burning Bush, where God spoke to Moses through a burning bush.
To the right is a source of holy water and a well.
Directly is the entrance to the church with ancient icons. This is the space of faith. The church contains the relics of St. Catherine. Grace is immediately felt in the monastery, which is vigilantly guarded by the priests.
For tourist visitors, the monastery is open for a very short time, a few minutes per group. After returning home, I felt a surge of strength. I didn’t sleep for days and couldn’t sleep. Played tennis for a few hours. This is a strong mountain!
19.02.2022
Belena Travel Blog 