Egypt denies rumors of St. Catherine’s Monastery confiscation

St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai. Photo: Naftemporiki

The Egyptian authorities have categorically denied rumors about the confiscation of St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai or any restrictions placed on the monks’ rights to adjacent lands, Naftemporiki reports.

“The status of St. Catherine’s Monastery on Sinai remains unchanged,” the Egyptian presidential administration emphasized. The authorities reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the religious standing of the monastery.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a detailed clarification regarding the May 28 court ruling that sparked the spread of these rumors.

“The claims about the confiscation of the monastery or its land are completely false,” said a representative of the foreign ministry.

According to him, the court decision “not only does no harm to the monastery but, in fact, for the first time legally affirms its status.”

As clarified by the Egyptian authorities, the ruling establishes the following:

– Firstly, there is no damage whatsoever to St. Catherine’s Monastery, its archaeological monuments, spiritual value, religious importance, or cemeteries.

– Secondly, regarding certain surrounding lands covered by agreements with local authorities (despite being designated nature reserves), the ruling reaffirms that, out of respect for the monastery’s spiritual and religious significance, the monks retain the right to use these lands and access the religious and archaeological sites in the area.

– Thirdly, the ruling mentions the existence of some remote reserve areas far from the monastery for which no ownership or possession documents exist. These lands are therefore considered state property.

The Egyptian foreign ministry representative urged all parties to avoid premature or false conclusions without first reviewing the full text of the court decision.

He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding the “close, brotherly, and historic ties that unite Egypt with the friendly state of Greece – ties that date back centuries.”

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

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