Greece intends to defend Orthodox monastery in Sinai

St. Catherine's Monastery. Photo: tripzaza

On May 30, 2025, the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs contacted the Egyptian side to voice concern over a recent court ruling and to demand adherence to previously agreed terms laid out in the High Council of Cooperation in Athens, according to the Orthodoxia News Agency.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis confirmed that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ position remains unchanged – the monastery must retain its Greek Orthodox character. He noted that Athens was caught off guard by the ruling and is awaiting the official court decision before making a final statement. However, government sources report a prevailing sense of disappointment in Athens, as Egypt has yet to provide clear information on the ruling’s content.

The monks of the Sinai Monastery are also concerned, though they have not yet issued an official statement – they are waiting for the full text of the decision to be published. The monastery’s representative in Athens, Archimandrite Porphyrios Fragkou, stated that the situation is critical and that Sinai is, essentially, being lost. According to him, Egypt speaks of the site’s sanctity, but remains silent about property rights – and that is the source of their alarm.

Archbishop Ieronymos, who has voiced support for the monastery’s brotherhood, called the court ruling a “historic fall” and urged for collective prayer. “There should be no changes regarding the monastery,” he stated. “Justice must be restored after an attempt to evict the monks who have maintained an uninterrupted Orthodox presence and witness on Mount Sinai for 15 centuries.”

It is worth noting that the issue of property rights concerning St. Catherine’s Monastery has been under dispute for over a decade. Despite numerous court decisions, the parties had attempted to resolve the conflict peacefully.

Greece had proposed signing an agreement that would recognize the monastery’s right to the land. The project was agreed upon, endorsed by the monastic community, and received preliminary approval from the Egyptian side. However, the appeals court ruled in favor of the Egyptian state, effectively recognizing the monks as temporary residents. Further developments will only be possible after the full decision is published and negotiations resume.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Egyptian authorities were closing St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai.

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