MOUNT SAINT EPISTEME

panorama
Mount Horeb (left), St. Catherine's Monastery and Mount St. Episteme (right)

The mountain to the north of the monastery derives its name from Saints Galakteon and Episteme, who lived in asceticism at Sinai before their subsequent martyrdom in the reign of the Emperor Decius (250-252 AC). The hermitage dedicated to their memory is a small complex with a chapel of that period, two cells, and a kitchen area, located some forty-five minutes from the monastery. From the complex, the pilgrim has a commanding view of the summit of Sinai opposite.