U.S. reaffirmed commitment to support St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai

U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle, in a meeting with Archbishop Simeon of Sinai, Faran and Raifa, reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting St. Catherine’s Monastery. During the meeting, it was stated that the U.S. will continue to help preserve the unique cultural heritage of this ancient shrine and protect religious freedom.

According to the Orthodox Times portal, the meeting was held the day before in Athens. During the conversation, the two sides discussed issues related to St. Catherine’s Monastery, which is the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery in the world.

Ambassador Guilfoyle reiterated that the American side has and will continue to support the holy site. “The United States has been and will remain committed to religious freedom and the preservation of the monastery’s rich cultural heritage,” she emphasized.

Recall, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem announced the successful resolution of recent pastoral and organizational difficulties in the life of the Orthodox community at Mount Sinai. The statement was made on November 19, 2025 during a meeting with representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Orthodoxy, who are in the Holy Land on a pilgrimage visit.