Greek Delegation to Discuss Future of Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt

Greece has sent a high-level delegation to Cairo to address growing concerns surrounding Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai. The visit, which took place on June 2, 2025, is a response to recent legal actions in Egypt that may threaten the monastery’s historical land rights. This was reported by Orthodoxia News Agency.

The delegation includes representatives from several key ministries — Foreign Affairs, Education, Culture, Sports, and Religious Affairs. At the center of the discussions is a recent court ruling that casts doubt on the monastery’s long-standing property ownership.

According to sources within the delegation, the legal challenge appears to have been initiated by former regional officials with ties to the Islamist group «Muslim Brotherhood,» which is known for its antagonistic stance toward Christian communities and non-Muslim religious heritage.

“Let us not forget that it was precisely retired officials affiliated with the ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ who were behind the legal pressure on the monastery,” said Archimandrite Porphyrios Frakakos, the representative of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Greece.

Officials in Athens consider this issue to transcend Egypt’s internal affairs, pointing to the monastery’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. They argue that questions concerning its property rights are of international concern and should not be left to local authorities alone.

A key meeting between the Greek delegation and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty is scheduled for June 4. The Greek side hopes that Cairo will reaffirm its commitment to protecting cultural and spiritual heritage and that the monastery will retain both its historical rights and international status.

It should be recalled that the sacred monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai — one of the oldest Christian sanctuaries in the world — is now at risk due to a court decision in Egypt that may lead to its closure. This was stated by Archbishop Damian of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho, who has overseen the monastery for over 25 years.