Egypt has reopened an ancient library recently that's filled with a treasure trove of centuries-old religious and historical manuscripts at St Catherine Monastery in South Sinai.
The ceremony at the UNESCO World Heritage site, attended by Egyptian and Western officials, comes after three years of restoration on the east side of the library that houses the world's second-largest collection of early codices and manuscripts outside of the Vatican, Monk Damyanos, the monastery's archibishop, told the Associated Press.
"The library is now open to the public and scholars," Tony Kazamias, an adviser to the archbishop, said, adding that restoration work is still underway, according to a Fox News report.
The Associated Press reports that the ancient library holds around 3,300 manuscripts of mainly Christian texts in Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Georgian and Slavonic among other languages. It also contains thousands of books and scrolls dating to the fourth century.
During the library's renovation, archaeologists apparently found some of Hippocrates' centuries-old medical recipes. The ancient Greek physician is widely regarded as the ‘father of Western medicine’.
"The most valuable manuscript in the library is the Codex Sinaiticus, (which) dates back to the fourth century," the Rev Justin, an American monk working as the monastery's librarian, told the AP. "This is the most precious manuscript in the world," referring to the ancient, handwritten copy of the New Testament.
The library also held some ancient paintings which are currently on display in the monastery's museum.
"There are beautiful paintings in the manuscripts. When you turn the (pages) there is a flash of gold and colors. It is a living work of art," said Justin.
The officials also inaugurated the Mosaic of the Transfiguration situated in the eastern apse of the monastery's great basilica. Its mosaic covers 46 square metres and features a rich chromatic range of glass paste, glass, stone, gold and silver tesserae. Jesus Christ is depicted in its center between the prophets Elias and Moses. The sixth century mosaic was created at the behest of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, who also requested building the monastery.
St Catherine's, where the monastery is located, is an area revered by followers of the Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Like the Old City of Jerusalem, it has become a popular destination and an attraction not only for pilgrims, but also tourists from the world over.
The sixth century monastery, one of the oldest in the Christian Orthodox religion, is home to a small number of monks who observe prayers and daily rituals unchanged for centuries. Its well-preserved walls and buildings are of great significance to the studies Byzantine architecture. It's situated at the foot of Mount Sinai, also known as Jebel Musa or Mount Horeb, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.
