Archbishop of Cyprus on Sinai Monastery: Egypt must respect what the centuries have honoured

With a strong and clear voice, His Beatitude Archbishop George of Cyprus joins the Orthodox Church in defending the historical rights of the Holy Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai, which is currently facing serious challenges. As he pointedly states, “Is it possible, in the 21st century… for the self-evident to be questioned?”

In his statement, the Archbishop recalls that for fifteen centuries, various regimes and different religions have respected not only the monastic community but also the monastery’s unique cultural and spiritual heritage.

The Church of Cyprus, which maintains deep historical ties with the Sinai Monastery, calls on the Government of Egypt to “respect what the centuries have honoured” and to allow the uninterrupted operation of the Monastery, as well as to uphold the agreements it has made with the Sinai Brotherhood.

The Archbishop also expressed his deep sympathy and support for the embattled Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, and the monastic brotherhood, stating: “We pray to God for the swift restoration of the rights the Monastery has held through the ages.”