Reichert, F. Der Sinai als Pilgerziel, in: Proslogion: Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Social History and Culture. 2017. Vol. 3(2). P. 7–25.
Folker Reichert, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Stuttgart University (70174, Germany, Stuttgart, Keplerstraße, 7)
ihireich@po.hi.uni-stuttgart.de
Language: Deutsch
This article deals with the Christian Pilgrimage to Mount Sinai and its significance in the Later Middle Ages. It is shown that the journey was extremely difficult and even dangerous for Western (i. e. catholic) pilgrims. But finally they were rewarded with a series of spiritual experiences at one of the most important places for Christian faith. They were allowed to see the place where Godfather, hidden into a burning bush, appeared to the prophet Moses and the place where Moses delivered the laws of God to his people, in Saint Catherine’s Monastery they could touch the Holy relics of that highly venerated saint, and on top of Mount Sinai they could imagine the rest of the world and God’s omnipotence in it. After coming home, the pilgrims reported on their adventures and the noble ones added a special sign, St. Catherine’s wheel, to their arms. In many ways they made it visible how important the pilgrimage to Mount Sinai was for the medieval Christian world-view.
Key Words: Mount Sinai, pilgrimage, St Catherine’s Monastery, Saint Catherine’s wheel, Greek Monks, medieval world-view, medieval world map