This is the most famous monastery in the Western world and one of the oldest. It is located at the foot of Mount Sinai. Because of its long history, it looks simple and vicissitudes of life.
Said to be at the foot of Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery is actually 1,570 meters above sea level. It is backed by Mount Sinai, which is regarded as the holy mountain by the three major religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
When the tripartite joint exploratory team arrived at St. Catherine’s Monastery, the sky was gradually lit up, and a touch of whiteness appeared in the east. This ancient monastery and Mount Sinai in the back were bathed in morning light.
When the joint exploration convoy drove along the road, Ye Tian saw this ancient Byzantine monastery a long way away, and also saw many believers and tourists who started from the monastery and climbed Mount Sinai.
Along the St. Catherine’s Monastery up to the top of Mount Sinai, many believers and tourists from all over the world are lining up to climb the sacred mountain of the three religions.
Due to the different climbing routes that people take, and the headlights worn by each person, two long dragons radiating dazzling light appeared on this sacred mountain of Sanjiao, winding and twisting, extending from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain.
Among the larger and more tortuous dragons, there seemed to be waves of melodious camel bells constantly coming, which was pleasing to the ears.
Some people who come to Mount Sinai for tourism who want to climb to the top of Mount Sinai to watch the spectacular sunrise scenery, but don't want to work hard to climb up the mountain, they can rent camels and take them up the mountain!
Because of this, this mountain road is also known as the ‘camel trail’, which is the route most tourists choose when climbing.
As for those devout believers, they don't bother with this kind of opportunistic climbing method. They often choose a route called the ‘Stairway of Repentance’ to climb the mountain to temper their physique and will.
The ‘Stairway of Repentance’ was made by a former monk who performed asceticism for the sake of atonement. There are 3750 steps, all of which are cut out of the rock wall, which is relatively steep.
While talking, the tripartite joint exploration convoy had arrived in front of St. Catherine's Monastery and stopped one after another.
At this time, at the door of this famous monastery, several clergymen wearing Orthodox costumes and two senior officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Culture were standing.
Since its establishment in the sixth century AD, St. Catherine’s Monastery has been one of the most important monastic centers in the Orthodox Church, and its status has never changed. Naturally, it is the Orthodox clergy who practice here.
As for the senior officials of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, they came for the tripartite joint exploration team, for the legendary treasures of Solomon and the Ark of the Covenant.
In addition to them, there were some devotees and tourists who came to Mount Sinai for pilgrimage!
These people were about to climb Mount Sinai, and saw the tripartite joint exploration team coming, so they stopped!
Looking at this joint exploration team, everyone on the scene was full of curiosity and excitement, including the priests of St. Catherine's Monastery!
When the convoy stopped, a large number of armed security personnel took the lead to get out of the car, and quickly dispersed and became vigilant.
After confirming the safety of the scene, Ye Tian and the Bishop of Kent got out of the car one after another and landed on the square in front of this ancient monastery.
The first time he got off the car, Ye Tian quickly scanned the surrounding situation, and then looked at the ancient monastery not far ahead, as well as the clergy and Egyptian officials.
This is not so much a monastery, as it is a strong castle.
This famous monastery is surrounded by a city wall, which is extremely thick and tall. It is all made of large blocks of granite. Although it is mottled, it is very strong!
There are many arrow stacks and many square shooting holes on the walls of the monastery. There are also towering towers and bell towers inside the monastery, which can be used for defense and attack.
In fact, in the sixth century AD, when Justinian the Great ordered the construction of this monastery, the purpose was to protect the monks practicing on Mount Sinai!
In the past thousand years, this monastery has been successively occupied by the ancient Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottoman Empire, Napoleon and other forces, but it has always stood at the foot of Mount Sinai and has not been destroyed!
Of course, the main reason why St. Catherine can stand to this day and survive intact is mainly because it is in Mount Sinai, the holy land of the three religions, and is protected by all forces.
In just a few moments, Ye Tian had already scanned the periphery of the monastery and had a general understanding of its external situation.
As for the internal situation of the monastery, only by walking into this monastery can you understand it!
In addition, Ye Tian also quickly scanned the surroundings, especially the rocks and trees in the shadows, the distant hillsides, etc., in case anyone was lying in ambush in those places!
Fortunately, he did not find any danger, the scene was very safe!
While talking, the Bishop of Kent and Joshua, as well as the Deputy Minister of Culture of Egypt, and others have walked over and joined Ye Tian and David.
Afterwards, everyone walked towards the gate of St. Catherine's Monastery.
At the same time, the Orthodox clergy and Egyptian officials waiting at the gate of the monastery also stepped down the steps and greeted them.
The meeting between the two parties was naturally a polite greeting and introduced each other.
Next, the two sides entered the topic.
Joshua came forward to introduce the purpose of the tripartite joint exploration team to Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery, and thanked the Egyptian government and the monastery for their cooperation.
Although the purpose of the tripartite joint exploratory team’s trip was already known, when Joshua personally said that the tripartite joint exploratory team came to find the legendary Solomon’s treasure and the Ark of the Covenant, several clergymen and several Egyptian officials from St. Catherine’s Monastery , Both eyes are bright, shine straight!
After Joshua's introduction was completed, an Orthodox priest continued to say:
"Gentlemen, according to the previous agreement we reached with the Israeli government and relevant people in Judaism, you can enter the St. Catherine's Monastery and start exploring, but only half a day!
Some areas around St. Catherine’s Monastery are also included. I don’t know where you plan to start, from the outside of the abbey or inside the abbey? I can take you there!
Another point is that St. Catherine’s Monastery is a place for spiritual practice. In some places, outsiders are not allowed to enter. There are many very precious antique cultural relics and works of art, as well as ancient books and documents.
In view of this, when you are exploring, the people of St. Catherine’s Monastery must be present to supervise the scene, and the representative of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture must also be present in order to be fair and transparent.
St. Catherine’s Monastery has never been affected by war for more than a thousand years since it was first built. It is a place of peace and a place where the three major religions coexist peacefully. You cannot enter with a gun! "
Hearing this, Joshua and the Bishop of Kent all turned to look at Ye Tian, waiting for his decision. He was the leader of the tripartite joint exploration operation.
Without any hesitation, Ye Tian immediately smiled and nodded and said:
"No problem, Father Harris, we can accept all of what you said, including the supervision of the monastery by Brother St. Catherine and the officials of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, and the inability to bring guns and ammunition into the monastery.
We will never enter the forbidden areas in the monastery that outsiders cannot enter. We are very clear about the historical and cultural value of this monastery, as well as its transcendent status in the religious world.
For the many ancient buildings in this monastery, every tree, brick and tile! We will do our best to protect them and will never destroy them. You can rest assured about this!
At this time, everyone can see the situation outside the monastery. There are still many believers and tourists climbing Mount Sinai. The situation outside is rather chaotic, so I decided to start exploring from the inside of the monastery!
One more point. When I found King Solomon's ring and the Holy Grail in Tomar, Portugal, the small white translucent cobra guarding the two holy objects was on my body at this moment.
May I ask, Father Harris, can I take this little cobra into St. Catherine’s Monastery? In order to avoid misunderstandings, after all, some people say that it is the incarnation of Lucifer or Raphael.
If you don't allow this little guy to enter St. Catherine's Monastery, I can leave it outside. If you allow it to enter the Monastery, I will take it with me. It will not take the initiative to hurt people! "
While saying this, Ye Tian shook his left hand slightly and whistled.
The next moment, the little fellow White Elf got out of his left cuff, wrapped it on his wrist, raised his small triangular head, and looked at him affectionately!
As for the other people on the scene, they were ignored by this little guy gorgeously, as if they hadn't seen it!
The moment he saw this little guy, there was an exclamation on the scene.
"Gosh! Lucifer, it really is that legendary white translucent little cobra!"
"Wow! What a terrible guy!"
In the exclamation, all the Egyptians at the scene took a half step back. Everyone’s eyes were full of horror, and they were on high alert Compared with them, Joshua and the Bishop of Kent, and The performance of David and others was much calmer. They had seen this terrifying little guy many times before and knew that it would not take the initiative to attack people!
Looking at the priests of St. Catherine's Monastery, each of them had their eyes shining, and they were very excited. They stared at the little guy, the white elf, and their eyes were a little crazy!
It is no wonder that they are a group of extremely pious monks, and the white elves have been guarding the Holy Grail for a long time, and they are veritable guardians of the Holy Grail. It can be said that they bring their own holy light!
When they saw such a guardian of the Holy Grail with the holy light, this kind of performance couldn't be more normal!
"Of course no problem, Mr. Steven, this little white cobra is the incarnation of an archangel and has always guarded the Holy Grail. It is too late for us to welcome it. Where can it be refused? Of course it can enter St. Catherine's Monastery!"
Father Harris said excitedly, but his eyes were always fixed on the white elf on Ye Tian's wrist!
At this time, he wished to directly replace Ye Tian and personally welcome the white-eyed snake incarnation of this archangel into St. Catherine's Monastery, and then enshrine it!