Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai: Egypt shuts it down, confiscates its property, and evicts monks

Almost 15 centuries after its foundation, the oldest Christian monastery in operation puts “lock” and even in a period of peace – After a court decision, it is expected to be turned into a museum – The monks are preparing a global mobilization

Nearly 15 centuries after its founding, the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monastery is being shut down—remarkably, not due to war, but in peacetime. Following a court ruling, it is expected to be converted into a museum. The monks are organizing a global campaign to protest the move.

Egypt has made an unprecedented and controversial decision to close Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai—the oldest functioning Christian monastery in the world. The reaction has been swift and furious: Archbishop Ieronymos condemned the action in a statement, describing it as another historical “Fall” suffered by Hellenism and Orthodoxy. Government officials in Athens are reportedly stunned, especially since the issue had been raised earlier this month during a meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs is handling the matter, which is being treated as a top-priority issue.

According to orthodoxia.info, the monastery was established by Byzantine Emperor Justinian 15 centuries ago and is widely revered and respected. Despite surviving numerous historical challenges, Egyptian authorities have now decided—during peacetime—to halt its operations, a move that violates religious freedoms. The property of Saint Catherine’s Monastery will be nationalized, and the monastery itself is expected to become a museum.

This decision comes in direct contradiction to the promises made by President Sisi to Prime Minister Mitsotakis during his recent visit to Greece. In addition to the confiscation of property, the Egyptian government is evicting the monks, with plans to convert the monastery buildings into a tourist attraction similar to the Pyramids.

The monks view this as a blatant violation of their rights and are preparing a global awareness campaign, reaching out to Christian churches and other monotheistic religions worldwide.

Archbishop Ieronymos: Hellenism and Orthodoxy Face Another Historical “Fall”

His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece issued a strong condemnation, expressing “deep sorrow and justifiable anger.” He called on every Greek and international authority to act swiftly to protect the monastery, describing it as a spiritual beacon of Orthodoxy and Hellenism now facing a real threat to its survival.

“I do not want, nor can I believe, that today Hellenism and Orthodoxy are experiencing yet another historical ‘fall,’” said the Archbishop. “We cannot allow this to happen.”

He accused the Egyptian government of breaking its recent promises and acting to dismantle the legal, spiritual, and cultural framework that has surrounded the monastery for 15 centuries. He called on the Greek government and Prime Minister Mitsotakis personally to take immediate action to restore legal and religious order and prevent the effective abolition of the monastery.

Full Statement by Archbishop Ieronymos

“In light of yesterday’s scandalous ruling by the Egyptian judiciary—an act of violent infringement upon human and religious rights—Saint Catherine’s Monastery of Mount Sinai, the world’s oldest Orthodox Christian monument, is entering a great trial reminiscent of darker times.

Despite the recent assurances by President Sisi to the Greek Prime Minister, the Egyptian government has decided to nullify all sense of justice and, essentially, erase the very existence of the monastery, eliminating its liturgical, spiritual, and cultural mission.

Its property is being seized, and this spiritual lighthouse of Orthodoxy and Hellenism now faces a struggle for actual survival.

With profound sadness and justifiable indignation, I call on every Greek and international authority to grasp the gravity of this matter and act immediately to safeguard the fundamental religious freedoms of Saint Catherine’s Monastery.

I categorically condemn any attempt to alter the status that has prevailed in the region for 15 centuries and appeal to the Greek government and Prime Minister Mitsotakis to act decisively to restore legal order and prevent the abolition of the monastery.

I express my heartfelt solidarity with the monastic brotherhood and its abbot, Archbishop Damianos of Sinai and Raithu, as well as with the Greek brothers selflessly serving in the broader Sinai region.

Finally, I cannot and do not want to believe that today Hellenism and Orthodoxy are facing another historical ‘fall.’ This must not be allowed to happen.”

Greek Foreign Ministry: No Room for Deviation from Agreements Between Mitsotakis and Sisi

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis immediately contacted his Egyptian counterpart, reiterating that there is no room to diverge from what was agreed between Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Sisi regarding Saint Catherine’s Monastery.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochiou emphasized: “The Greek and Egyptian governments have recently worked systematically toward an agreement that would safeguard the sacred Greek Orthodox character of the area. We are awaiting the official text of the court ruling issued yesterday.”

Zochiou added that Minister Gerapetritis made it clear during his communication with Egypt’s foreign minister that both sides must adhere to the mutual understanding reached during the recent High Council of Cooperation in Athens.

A Suspicious Judicial Ruling

The ruling by an Egyptian court appears to be the culmination of a long-standing legal assault against the monks by the Egyptian state—a campaign dating back to the era of the Muslim Brotherhood. Despite public assurances and international diplomatic efforts, Egypt seems to be continuing policies that threaten the monastery’s existence.

The Greek government has supported the monks’ struggle, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis raising the issue personally with President Sisi on multiple occasions. During Sisi’s official visit to Athens earlier this month, both delegations reportedly agreed to halt unjust legal actions against the monastery so it could continue its historical mission in peace. In joint statements, both leaders acknowledged the importance of preserving the monastery’s unique character.

Yet, in contradiction to those commitments, yesterday’s court ruling has upended expectations and raised serious questions about the true intentions of Egyptian authorities—suggesting a continuation of the policies once promoted by the extremist Muslim Brotherhood.

Source: en.protothema.gr