Orthodox pilgrims celebrate Christmas on Mount Sinai
Published: 06 January, 2008, 23:52
Christmas in the West may have become more of a commercial venture, but its Orthodox equivalent is still very much rooted in religion. Many Russians see it as a time for pilgrimages.
A lot of them travel to Mount Sinai in Egypt, where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments from God.
The top of the mountain is 3700 steps from the bottom. Part of the way can be covered on camels, but the last 730 steps, which are the hardest, have to be completed on foot.
When the pilgrims reach the top, the spectacle of the first rays of light coming over the horizon lasts just a few seconds.
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