Jerusalem Patriarchate urges Egypt to preserve Sinai Monastery

St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai. Photo: Jerusalem Patriarchate Press Office

The Jerusalem Patriarchate has issued an official statement regarding an Egyptian court ruling affecting the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, according to the website of the Jerusalem Church. The Patriarchate expressed deep concern over attempts to confiscate land surrounding the ancient monastery.

“The Patriarchate of Jerusalem was deeply troubled to hear of moves by the Egyptian Court Order to seize lands surrounding our monastery of St Catherine on Mount Sinai,” the statement reads.

The Patriarchate firmly reaffirmed its ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the monastery: “The Patriarchate of Jerusalem asserts our ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the Monastery, as it firmly falls under our protection. It is our sacred obligation to ensure that Christian worship continues on this holy ground, as it has done for 17 centuries.”

It strongly condemned “any infringement on the physical or jurisdictional status of our places of worship.”

The statement emphasized the monastery’s significance as the site “where God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and home to the protected relics of St Catherine of Alexandria.” It called the monastery “the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery and a profound sacred space for all Christians.”

The Jerusalem Church reminded the public of the monastery’s historical guarantees of protection: “The Monastery of St Catherine has been visited and revered by pilgrims for millennia. Granted a Letter of Protection, or Ashtiname, by Prophet Mohammed PBUH in 623 – and reaffirmed by Sultan Selim I in 1517 – the Monastery is an enshrinement of peace between Christians and Muslims, and a refuge of hope for a world mired by conflict.”

“We call on the Egyptian Authorities to follow this most esteemed tradition and ensure the freedom of worship and access to our monastery. Let our monastery continue this embodiment of peaceful Christian witness, education, and welcome,” the statement declares.

At the same time, the Jerusalem Patriarchate acknowledged the official clarifications released by the Egyptian authorities the previous day, which affirmed the sanctity and integrity of the monastery and denied any intention to encroach upon it.

The Patriarchate concluded by stating its intent to “monitor the situation closely and thoroughly look into the said court decision, and if needed, the Patriarchate will condemn and act upon any encroachment on the Monastery or infringement over access to this holy site.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Egyptian authorities had been accused of closing Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Sinai.

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