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Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis held a meeting in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, regarding the issue of the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai.
Newsroom (06/06/2025 02:30 , Gaudium Press) Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo to address concerns over the legal status of the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai, following a controversial Egyptian court ruling.
Talks Focus on Protecting Monastery’s Rights
During the meeting, both ministers agreed to work toward safeguarding the monastery’s historical and religious status.
“Today, we discussed with the Egyptian foreign minister issues concerning the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai. We agreed to work in the immediate future toward securing the rights of the monastery, as well as its legal status,” Gerapetritis stated.
He emphasized that both countries intend to proceed based on the monastery’s centuries-old tradition and its established Greek Orthodox character.
The Greek delegation included officials and experts from the foreign affairs, culture, and education ministries, signaling the issue’s diplomatic and cultural significance. Negotiations are ongoing to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
Controversial Court Ruling Sparks Concerns
The talks follow an Egyptian court decision declaring the monastery’s surrounding lands—including arable fields and wells—as state property under the supervision of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Athens fears the ruling could convert the active religious site into a tourist museum, potentially endangering the monks’ presence. Currently, only the monastery’s head, Archbishop Damianos, holds Egyptian citizenship, raising concerns about the future of the Greek Orthodox monastic community.
Egypt’s Previous Assurances
During Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Athens in early May, Egyptian officials assured Greece that the monastery’s status would remain unchanged. However, the court ruling has since reignited tensions.
The 6th-century monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Christianity’s oldest continuously operating monastic communities and holds immense religious and historical significance for the Orthodox Church.
Next Steps
Both nations are expected to continue discussions to preserve the monastery’s religious function while addressing Egypt’s legal and administrative framework.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ekathimerini.com
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