According to Kathimerini, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has held a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi regarding the recent developments surrounding the historic Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai. The call comes in the wake of an Egyptian court ruling that has raised concerns about the monastery’s ownership status and future.
During their discussion, Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of preserving the monastery’s Greek Orthodox character and resolving the issue through institutional means. Both leaders agreed that the solution lies in the mutual understanding previously established between the two countries, particularly during President al-Sisi’s visit to Athens on May 7th.
As a result of their conversation, a Greek delegation will travel to Egypt on Monday, June 2nd, to further develop and finalize the agreement promptly. This diplomatic initiative underscores the urgency of the situation and the commitment of both nations to find a resolution.
The controversy erupted when an Egyptian court issued a ruling on Wednesday that appeared to challenge the monastery’s long-standing property rights. Initial reports in Egyptian media suggested the ruling referred to the monastery grounds as state property, granting the monks only usage rights rather than ownership, with all areas considered archaeological sites under the supervision of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The Greek government has adopted a wait-and-see approach while emphasizing that official Egyptian statements are “moving in the right direction.” Government sources noted that both sides will continue discussions in the coming days to resolve the issue institutionally, in line with their shared understanding and previous agreements aimed at safeguarding the monastery’s Greek Orthodox character.
The Egyptian presidency issued a statement late Wednesday reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the monastery’s unique religious status. The statement assured that the recent court decision reinforces this status and aligns with President al-Sisi’s statements during his recent visit to Athens. Egypt also emphasized the importance of preserving the close fraternal relations between the two countries.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate has expressed “disappointment and sadness” over the developments, appealing to the Egyptian government to “find the appropriate way to maintain the monastery’s ownership status” and to implement the recent agreement between the two parties. The Patriarchate noted that the monastery has been respected for centuries, including by Islam, and called on Egypt to continue this tradition as “a civilized country that respects religious freedoms and human rights.”
Sources from the monastery described the court ruling as a “complete surprise,” as Archbishop Damianos and the monks had been expecting the imminent ratification of the agreement reached between the two sides. There are concerns that the ruling could transform the monastery from a religious site with centuries of tradition into a tourist attraction, especially as the ruling specifically mentions Archbishop Damianos, who is 91 years old and the only monk granted an Egyptian passport.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery, considered the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery in the world, has remained in operation uninterrupted since its founding in the 6th century CE. It houses invaluable spiritual and cultural treasures, symbolically connecting Christianity and Islam on Egyptian soil.
Photo: Kathimerini