An Evening for SAINT CATHERINE'S MONASTERY in SINAI at the Metropolitan Club in NYC -- By The National Herald, Jun 10, 2026.

 An Evening for SAINT CATHERINE'S MONASTERY in SINAI at the Metropolitan Club in NYC -- By The National Herald, Jun 10, 2026

NEW YORK – The Saint Catherine Foundation hosted a special evening at the Metropolitan Club in New York on May 20, entitled ‘Behind Closed Doors: A Visual Journey into Sinai’, bringing together supporters, clergy, diplomats, academics, and friends of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai for an evening dedicated to the life, legacy, and preservation of one of the world’s most extraordinary sacred sites.

Among those present were His Eminence Archbishop Symeon of Sinai, Pharan and Raitho, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, United States Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael Rigas, representatives of the Permanent Missions of Egypt, Greece, the Holy See, and Malta to the United Nations, together with senior clergy, representatives of other Christian Churches and communities, and distinguished guests from the worlds of academia, philanthropy, and public service.

The evening opened with remarks by Laura Georgas Carr, Vice President of the American Associates of the Saint Catherine Foundation, followed by an invocation from His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and representative of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, and an address by His Eminence Archbishop Symeon of Sinai, who traveled from Sinai for the occasion.

At the heart of the program was a conversation between photographer and author Lizy Manola and Rev. Archdeacon Dr. George Tsourous, anthropologist and Trustee of the Saint Catherine Foundation. Manola has spent years documenting the life of Saint Catherine’s Monastery with remarkable sensitivity and care, building bonds of trust within the Monastery and capturing aspects of its daily life rarely seen by outsiders. Her work has become an important visual testimony to the living reality of Saint Catherine’s Monastery and its community. Together, the speakers reflected on the patience, trust, and sensitivity required to enter such a world – and on the relationships that gradually made many of the photographs possible.

The discussion explored Saint Catherine’s not simply as a historic monument, but as a living place shaped by prayer, silence, hospitality, and continuity. Particular attention was given to the Monastery’s long-standing relationship with the local Bedouin community, the significance of its manuscripts and icons, and the importance of preserving this heritage for future generations.

Throughout the evening, guests were reminded that the treasures preserved at the Monastery are not solely of importance to Christianity alone, but form part of humanity’s shared cultural and spiritual inheritance. The Monastery’s manuscripts, icons, and traditions preserve centuries of memory and continuity which, once lost, cannot be recreated.

The Foundation also highlighted its ongoing work over the last three decades in supporting the preservation of the Monastery’s collections and infrastructure through conservation, digitization, fire protection, archival initiatives, and the safeguarding of its unique manuscript collection. Particular reference was made to the development of new library facilities, the creation of specialized conservation and digitization workshops, and the fabrication of individually designed stainless-steel archival cases for some of the Monastery’s most important manuscripts.

Guests also heard about wider efforts undertaken by the Foundation to strengthen the long-term protection of the Monastery’s treasures and infrastructure, including major fire prevention works, conservation projects, and improvements to facilities directly connected to the safeguarding of the Monastery’s collections.

The evening concluded with a warm expression of gratitude to all those who continue to support the safeguarding of Saint Catherine’s Monastery and the continuity of its life in the Sinai desert.

To learn more about the work of the Saint Catherine Foundation, please visit: www.saintcatherinefoundation.org.

From The National Herald: https://www.thenationalherald.com/an-evening-for-saint-catherines-monastery-in-sinai-at-the-metropolitan-club-in-nyc/

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Book ‘‘St. Catherine's Monastery: Behind Sacred Doors’’, by Lizzy Manola

From the Book Description: 

Stepping through the ancient Justinian door of St. Monastery at the base of Mount Sinai in Egypt is an unforgettable experience. This living UNESCO World Heritage site has stood for nearly fifteen centuries, embracing Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Originally built by Emperor Justinian in 545 CE, it safeguards the very spot where God appeared to Moses in the Burning Bush. Greek photographer Lizy Manola offers an exclusive glimpse into the monastery, capturing its inhabitants, daily life, and priceless relics. 

From: https://www.assouline.com/products/st-catherine-s-monastery-behind-sacred-doors