MEPs ask EU to support Sinai Monastery ahead of court ruling in Egypt

Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr

Four Members of the European Parliament from the Greek party PASOK have submitted a written query to the European Commission in connection with a court hearing in Egypt concerning the case of the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Sinai, reports orthodoxianewsagency.gr.

The parliamentary query was submitted by Yannis Maniatis, Nikos Papandreou, Sakis Arnautoglou, and Nicolas Farandouris. The initiative coincides with the upcoming final hearing on the legal status of the monastery at the Egyptian Court of Cassation on August 23, 2026.

The MEPs expressed concern over the non-recognition of the monastery's legal personality, as well as the fact that Egyptian authorities have still not officially recognized the canonically elected Archbishop and Abbot of the monastery, which deprives the monastery of the ability to effectively defend its rights in court.

The authors of the query demand that the European Commission clarify whether these circumstances were taken into account during the recent positive assessment of Egypt and the decision to continue European funding for the country, and whether the actions of the Egyptian authorities are in compliance with international obligations on the protection of religious freedom.

"The European Union must be consistent with the principles it proclaims. Any partnership presupposes respect for fundamental rights, religious freedom, and European – and indeed world – cultural heritage," the MEPs stated.

As the UOJ reported, the Church of Greece previously launched a fundraising campaign for the Sinai Monastery and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

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