The New York Review of Books recently published Peter Brown's review of the current exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, 'Byzantium and Islam: Age of Transition (Seventh to Ninth Century)'. He is one of the most eminent scholars of the world of Late Antiquity. He touches on the sea change that has taken place, especially among younger scholars, in our reassessment of this world. He also mentions the important work of the exhibition in restoring the world of Islam as inheritor of the world of Late Antiquity, and as a conversation partner in this world.

The new website of the Saint Catherine Foundation is now live. Features include: Father Justin's blog, where you will find the latest updates on the conservation work at the monastery An online shop, where you will be able to buy Christmas cards and the Foundation's publications The ability to donate easily and securely online, to further conservation work at the monastery We'd love to know what you think, so please get in touch with your thoughts.

The Annual General Meeting of the Association suisse des Amis de la Fondation Sainte-Catherine took place at the Uni Mail campus of the University of Geneva on 8 May. Prof. Charles Méla, President of the Swiss association, presented the foundation's activities, and Alexandra Petalas, the Treasurer, reported on the accounts. The featured speaker was Professor Roberto Nardi of the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA) in Rome, who discussed his work to conserve the apse mosaic of the Transfiguration in the basilica at Saint Catherine's. See an earlier talk by Prof. Nardi at the Metropolitan Museum in New York here.