Egyptian court postpones ruling on St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai

St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai. Photo: taNea

Egypt's Supreme Court has postponed the announcement of its verdict on the rights to the Sinai monastery. The latest judicial delay has opened a new window in negotiations between Archbishop Symeon and the Egyptian government over the future of the ancient St. Catherine's Monastery, reports taNea.

The judges postponed the case for the third time; this delay is expected to be the last and to last no more than one month. The parties plan to reach an agreement within the coming weeks. Negotiations between the Egyptian state and the Sinai Orthodox Archbishopric began secretly a year ago, immediately after Archbishop Symeon assumed the position of abbot.

The parties plan to leave the monastery under Egyptian state oversight as an archaeological site of international significance, while transferring its religious buildings into the perpetual use of the Sinaite Brotherhood. Negotiators are currently discussing the legal status of the monastery's property outside the monastery walls, which ensures its survival.

To conclude a comprehensive agreement, the negotiators must resolve several issues. First, the Egyptian government must issue a presidential decree recognizing Archbishop Symeon as the lawful abbot and authorizing him to sign the agreement. Second, the parties must recognize the Basic Statute of the Sinai Monastery as an official legal document. Third, the residency status of the Sinai monks must be settled. Additionally, the Sinaite brotherhood must convene a meeting to give final approval to the text of the document.

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

Read also