|
|
|
It may be referred to as the Monastery of Moses, the Monastery of
Feiran, the Seven Sisters Monastery, the Monastery of the Seven Nuns or even
Dir Za'ir Monastery) is located on a spring in the middle of the oasis where
it is thought that Joshua defeated the Amalekites while Moses and Aaron gave Old
paths lead to the top of Jabel Tehuna which overlooks the wadi, and passes
through the remains of ancient graves and buildings, including two Byzantine
churches. It is from this mountain that Moses supposedly observed the battle
with the Amelecites.
The Wadi
Feiran is a beautiful four kilometer area surrounded by palms, vines and
trees and is the Southern Sinai's largest oasis, often called the "
The
Oasis is also one of the first Christian centers in the Sinai. This was
once the seat of the archbishop of Sinai (from the 4th through the 6th
century) and the ruins of the archbishopric can be seen near the
convent. The convent itself was established in the fourth century, but
the oasis Christian community is mentioned as far back as the second century
and there are references to early Anchorites (the predecessors of monks) here
as early as 365 AD.
Near
the Oasis is also, according to legend as well as locals and some scholars,
the rock that Moses struck with his staff to bring forth a spring so his
people could drink.
|