Greek Minister Discusses with Egypt the Status of the Monastery of Saint Catherine

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis held a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, in Cairo, where they discussed issues related to the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai. Both Greek and Egyptian sides agreed to work on securing the monastery’s rights and legal status, considering its significance for the Greek Orthodox community, according to the Greek source Kathimerini.

The Greek delegation included officials and experts from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Culture, and Education. Both sides will continue negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution that satisfies both parties.

The visit of Gerapetritis took place against the backdrop of a recent Egyptian court ruling, which declared the land around the monastery as state property of Egypt. Athens has expressed concern that this could lead to the monastery being transformed into a museum and the expulsion of monks, with the exception of Archbishop Damian, who is the only Egyptian citizen at the monastery. The Egyptian side assured that the status of the monastery would remain unchanged and its religious significance would be preserved.

Earlier, it was reported that the Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Daniel, sent a letter of support to the abbot and the brethren of the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, which is under threat of closure due to the actions of the Egyptian authorities. The Patriarch expressed his concern over the situation, offering support and hope that the status of the monastery would not change and that the Sinai monastery would continue its 1500-year history.