Looking into the archive.

The Sinai Digital Archive brings together photographic collections of icons, manuscripts, and liturgical objects from Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai. Its materials support study, teaching, and research.

About the Sinai Digital Archive

I visited the archive at the University of Michigan where it is housed, meeting with the Head Archivist and learning about the expeditions and methods of preservation.

Sophia Fahim · Project notes

The burning bush

The burning bush is a point of connection between the monastery’s setting and the symbolism of Saint Mary. Sophia’s exploration pairs this imagery with the Coptic Burning Bush hymn.

Circular church icon of the prophet Moses holding a red burning bush, surrounded by a golden halo.
The burning bush as depicted at Holy Cross Coptic Orthodox Church, Michigan. A related study from Sophia’s local iconography project.

In the Coptic tradition, hymnology often complements iconography to utilize visual and auditory theology, pulling the attention towards heaven.

The Burning Bush hymn is sung during the Coptic month of Kiahk, or Advent, to celebrate the Virgin Mary carrying Jesus in her womb.

Listen to the Burning Bush hymn

Related images at Sinai.

These are the archive records selected in Sophia’s project notes.

01Virgin in the Burning Bush at Mount SinaiSinai Digital Archive · Record 2041602The Virgin of the Burning Bush over the Monastery of St. Catherine with Moses, Saint Catherine, and Saints Cosmas and DamianSinai Digital Archive · Record 1897003Virgin in the Burning Bush at Mount SinaiSinai Digital Archive · Record 20889

Beyond the archive

Sophia also travelled to Princeton University, where she visited iconography in the university’s art museum. Her notes highlight images of Saint Mary in the collection.