All eyes are on Cairo today as Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis leads the Greek delegation in a crucial meeting with his Egyptian counterpart regarding the ownership status of the Sinai Monastery.
The Greek delegation, accompanied by officials from various ministries, is set to address the recent court decision in Egypt that raises concerns about the monastery’s future, marking a significant infringement on religious and individual freedoms.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis reiterated Greece’s staunch support for preserving the monastery’s centuries-old status. The Greek mission aims to uphold the out-of-court agreement that recognizes property rights to the monastery, a commitment previously endorsed by both Greek and Egyptian leaders.
Despite Egypt’s recent court decision, which caught the Greek government off guard and contradicted earlier assurances, Athens remains resolute in seeking to overturn the ruling. The primary objective is to initiate negotiations based on the initial understanding, secure an out-of-court settlement, and reaffirm President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s pledge to maintain the monastery’s ownership status.
As diplomatic tensions escalate, Cairo’s stance on the ownership issue remains uncertain. Egypt has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the Monastery of Saint Catherine of Sinai, emphasizing that a recent court ruling has further solidified its protected status.
However, while affirming the monastery’s religious character, Egyptian authorities have refrained from addressing the crucial matter of ownership, which has raised concerns among diplomatic circles. It is anticipated that Cairo may seek modifications to existing agreements, citing the independence of the Judiciary.
The reported court’s decision was met with outrage from religious leaders in Greece and surprise within the Greek government, despite recent high-level diplomatic assurances.
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece reacted with palpable anger, lamenting in a statement, “Yet another historic Fall that Hellenism and Orthodoxy are experiencing.”
During President el-Sisi’s official visit to Athens in early May, the fate of the monastery was a central point of discussion between the two delegations. An agreement was reportedly reached to halt the “unjust judicial attacks” on the monastery, allowing it to continue its historical mission undisturbed. Joint public statements by Mitsotakis and el-Sisi explicitly referenced the need to preserve the monastery’s unique character.
The monastery, founded by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian 15 centuries ago, has long enjoyed global renown and respect. Despite numerous historical upheavals, it has miraculously endured.
Not only is it one of the oldest working Christian monasteries, but it also houses a library that preserves the second-largest collection of early codices and manuscripts in the world—outnumbered only by the Vatican Library.
The monastery, which is Orthodox, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Related: Egypt Plans Mega City for Spiritual Tourism Near Sinai’s St. Catherine Monastery
