The daily life at the Monastery of Sinai is a balance between times of private prayer, and common prayer, between times of activity, and times of solitude in one’s cell. Every opportunity is given to cultivate the life of prayer, and to participate in the Divine Liturgy and the feast days of the year, all celebrated in the sixth century basilica, which is adorned with icons and lamps, and crowned by the incomparable mosaic of the Transfiguration.

The responsibilities of each monk will depend on his abilities and experience. Each task contributes to the furtherance of the venerable traditions of Sinai. The fathers at Sinai must know how to balance the quiet prayer life, with the obligation to minister to the pilgrims who come to the site. Both traditions extend to the earliest times.

The complete canonical office is celebrated at Sinai. The day begins at four o’clock in the morning, with the celebration of Mesonyktikon, Orthros, and the Divine Liturgy. At noon there is the reading of the Third and Sixth Hours. At four o’clock in the afternoon we have the Ninth Hour, Vespers, and Small Compline. This schedule will differ for Great Lent, and for feast day vigils.

The Offices

Life within the monastery follows that of coenobitic communities, but at Sinai, this is influenced by the earlier more heremetic monasticism. The Archbishop is also the Hegoumenos of the community. The senior fathers hold the various offices that comprise the Holy Council of the Fathers. Each task is undertaken in humility and obedience, and in responsibility to the Hegoumenos and the community as a whole.