Preserving a Sacred Legacy: Legacy Icons and St. Catherine’s Monastery

Nestled at the foot of Egypt’s majestic Mt. Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery is a timeless treasure trove of Christian history and art. Renowned for its collection of some of the world’s oldest and best-preserved icons, the monastery has safeguarded these priceless works for centuries. The arid desert climate and remote location have contributed to the preservation of these sacred images, which capture foundational Christian depictions of biblical scenes, saints, and the face of Christ.

At Legacy Icons, we have long admired the profound beauty and historical significance of St. Catherine’s iconography. This admiration fueled our support for the Friends of Mount Sinai for many years. Our commitment to this sacred heritage deepened in 2022 when we partnered with the Mount Sinai Foundation. Our goal was twofold: to assist the monastery in its preservation efforts and to create the most faithful reproductions available of these revered works for churches and homes worldwide.

This partnership reached an exciting milestone in November 2023, during the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit of North African Byzantine art in New York City. Legacy Icons staff had the honor of meeting with St. Catherine’s archivist and His Eminence Metropolitan Damianos. During this meeting, we presented reproductions of select Mount Sinai icons, including the iconic Christ Pantocrator. Their approval and admiration affirmed our commitment to bring these treasures to the world.

In the months that followed, St. Catherine’s granted Legacy Icons exclusive access to proprietary scans of their historic icons—a momentous step in our collaboration. In August 2024, we proudly launched the Mount Sinai Collection, featuring several of the monastery’s most renowned icons, with plans to expand the collection further. Importantly, a portion of the proceeds from these reproductions supports the monastery’s ongoing preservation efforts, ensuring that these treasures remain safeguarded for generations to come.

At Legacy Icons, we are humbled to play a role in preserving the legacy of St. Catherine’s Monastery. By bringing these faithful reproductions to the world, we honor the artistry, devotion, and history that these icons represent, allowing their beauty to inspire and uplift churches, homes, and individuals everywhere.