Greece’s Foreign Minister says an agreement with Egypt safeguards the historic Orthodox monastery’s religious character, ecclesiastical properties and the future of its monks.
Greece’s Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has described an agreement between the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai and the Egyptian state as a historic milestone for Hellenism and Orthodoxy.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, Gerapetritis said the agreement establishes a legal framework intended to protect the monastery’s religious character, preserve its ecclesiastical properties and ensure the continuation of monastic life at one of Christianity’s most important spiritual centres.
He also thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, crediting their involvement with helping bring the negotiations to this stage.
The agreement follows years of legal uncertainty surrounding the monastery’s status and properties in Egypt.
Agreement Seeks to Protect 1,500 Years of Orthodox Heritage
Gerapetritis said the arrangement provides long-term legal assurances for the monastery, including provisions for long-term residence permits for its monks.
“Today is a historic day for Hellenism and Orthodoxy,” the minister said, describing the monastery as a beacon of the Orthodox faith.
He added that the agreement seeks to secure the monastery’s religious identity and the continuity of its centuries-old traditions.
The Greek Foreign Minister also framed the development as evidence of the close relationship between Greece and Egypt, describing their ties as both strategic and rooted in a longstanding connection between the two peoples and their civilisations.
Gerapetritis said the Greek Government would continue supporting the Orthodox Patriarchates and the Monastery of Saint Catherine through practical action rather than words alone.
Orthodox Churches Back the Agreement
The agreement has received support from several major Orthodox institutions, according to Gerapetritis.
These include the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Church of Cyprus and the Church of Greece.
The minister described their unified support as a significant message of unity within global Orthodoxy.
The monastery holds particular importance in the Orthodox Christian world because of its extraordinary history, its spiritual traditions and its location at the foot of Mount Sinai, a site of profound significance in biblical history.
Its future has consequently attracted attention well beyond Greece and Egypt, with Orthodox Christians worldwide following developments concerning its legal status and the preservation of its historic properties.
Archbishop Symeon Moves Towards Signing
Earlier on Saturday, Archbishop Symeon of Sinai announced his intention to proceed with signing the agreement with the Egyptian state, following consultations and support from Orthodox Churches.
The Archbishop said the proposed arrangement had been under examination for more than a year, following a May 28, 2025, ruling by the Ismailia Court of Appeal that created significant legal complications for the monastery.
According to his statement, the monastery entered negotiations with Egypt while recognising Egyptian law and court decisions, seeking clarification of the ruling and arrangements that would allow monastic life to continue without disruption.
The monastery also requested additional time to examine the proposed agreement, submit amendments and compile detailed documentation concerning its historic legal status and properties.
Archbishop Symeon said the Egyptian Government had shown understanding during the negotiations, with discussions extending beyond a year. He also acknowledged the support of the Greek state and other individuals and institutions that assisted the monastery.
The Archbishop’s statement said the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Church of Greece and the Church of Cyprus had expressed their support for signing the agreement.
He said this backing had strengthened the Sinai Brotherhood’s resolve to proceed with the arrangement once his health permitted.
The specific signing date was to be determined in consultation with the monks and the Egyptian Government.
Legal Uncertainty and the Monastery’s Future
Archbishop Symeon also expressed confidence that the announcement of the agreement would remove the need for a decision expected from Egypt’s Court of Cassation on October 24 concerning the monastery’s legal dispute.
He said the monastery hoped that the atmosphere of trust established through negotiations would help resolve any outstanding questions arising during the agreement’s implementation.
The Archbishop emphasised that the monastery’s historic autonomy and its place within the wider Orthodox world remained central considerations throughout the process.
He also expressed gratitude to the leaders of the Orthodox Churches and their Holy Synods for their support, describing the agreement as an opportunity to reaffirm the unity of Eastern Orthodoxy.
Concluding his statement, Archbishop Symeon reassured the faithful that the monastery remained in place, with its monks continuing their religious duties and welcoming pilgrims and visitors.
For Greece, Egypt and the global Orthodox community, the agreement represents an important step towards securing the future of a monastery whose spiritual and historical significance has endured for approximately 1,500 years.
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