On Wednesday afternoon, Greece’s Ambassador to Cairo, was summoned to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be briefed on a recent court decision concerning the historic Greek Orthodox Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Mount Sinai. The court ruling of May 28 seemed to question the ownership status quo of the monastery, raising concerns that the historic religious site might be seized by the state and the monks evicted.
Back in Greece, however, a storm of reactions erupted over what many perceived as a “confiscation of property” and the potential “eviction of monks.” Within 24 hours, following continuous diplomatic communication between Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and his Egyptian counterpart, statements by both foreign ministries and the Egyptian presidency, and a phone call between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, tensions appeared to ease. Nonetheless, suspicion remains over what lies ahead.
An Egyptian appellate court ruling challenging the Greek Orthodox Monastery’s status caught Athens off guard, especially after President Sisi had recently dismissed such concerns as “malicious” during a warmly received visit to Greece. The decision has disrupted efforts to finalize the monastery’s legal status.
According to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the decision pertains to remote, uninhabited areas classified as protected natural reserves, far from the monastery itself and without valid ownership documents. “The monastery, its antiquities, spiritual heritage, religious status, and cemeteries remain completely untouched,” the statement emphasized.
A Long-Standing Legal Dispute
The monastery’s legal entanglements stretch back over two decades, intensifying during the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule in 2013. At the time, monks were reportedly pressured to lease the property for 30 years or face eviction. Since 2014, however, under Sisi’s leadership, Egypt has presented a more secular image, highlighting respect for religious minorities and a warm relationship with Greece.
Yet, a critical legal issue persists: Egyptian courts don’t recognize the monastery’s rights due to its archaeological status, despite its 1,500-year presence—highlighting a gap between government support and judicial rulings. This contradiction between the Egyptian government’s official friendliness and the judiciary’s stance raises further questions.
In response, a high-level Greek delegation, led by Foreign Minister Gerapetritis, will visit Cairo on Wednesday, with the hope of finalizing the monastery’s legal status, as Egypt reaffirms its commitment to protecting its sacred character.
A Glimmer of Hope
Archimandrite Porphyrios Fragkakos voiced cautious hope for a resolution but noted ongoing uncertainty after Egypt’s withdrawal from an agreement. In Greece, concerns grow over the possible nationalization of an active Greek Orthodox monastery.
