The Sinai desert, rich in important shrines, has proved to be fruitful in its anchorites. Unceasing noetic prayer strengthens the anchorites’ spiritual struggle, while participation in common prayer and worship transforms the desert into a spiritual meadow.

In addition to Saint Catherine, whose relics were translated to Sinai, there have flourished numerous elders, martyrs, teachers. These include the righteous martyrs Galakteon and Episteme, and the ascetics Nilus, John Climacus, Hesychius, Philotheus, and the two saints named Anastasius. Saint Symeon Pentaglossos helped establish the veneration of Saint Catherine in the West, while Saint Gregory of Sinai transplanted the traditions of noetic prayer to the Slavic peoples.