NewsEdit Decision to confiscate lands and transform world’s oldest Christian monastery into tourist site triggers global concern
In a move that has sent shockwaves through religious and diplomatic circles, an Egyptian court has issued a ruling transferring ownership of properties surrounding the historic Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai to the Egyptian state, igniting a firestorm of criticism and raising fears for the future of the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monastery.
The ruling, which effectively paves the way for the monastery’s transformation into a tourist site under state control, has drawn strong condemnation from the Greek Orthodox Church and renewed diplomatic tensions between Egypt and Greece.
“This is a historic desecration, a violation of religious freedoms, and a blatant confiscation of sacred property,” declared Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece. “It undermines centuries of spiritual, cultural, and religious tradition.”
A Breach of Trust
The decision comes despite recent assurances by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that the monastery’s status and autonomy would be preserved. During his official visit to Athens earlier in May, President Sisi had publicly reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to religious diversity and the preservation of holy sites.
However, the court ruling contradicts those promises. The monastery’s buildings and lands—held for centuries by the Orthodox monastic community—are now slated for state appropriation. Reports suggest that monks may even be evicted to make way for tourism development projects, a move that has prompted a swift mobilization by the monastic brotherhood.
Monks from the monastery are reportedly preparing to appeal to Christian churches around the world, as well as leaders of other monotheistic faiths, warning that the court’s decision amounts to the virtual erasure of their religious presence in the Sinai.
A Legal Offensive with Political Overtones
The court’s verdict is the culmination of years of legal pressure, which began during the turbulent era of the Muslim Brotherhood. Analysts suggest that the ruling reflects a continued institutional hostility toward non-Islamic religious communities under the guise of heritage management.
Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Abdel Rahim Rihan, a member of the Supreme Council of Culture, has defended the ruling, arguing that the confiscated lands fall under antiquities protection laws. He claimed the decision benefits the monastery by “ensuring it remains part of the global cultural heritage.”
Monks, however, see things differently.
“This is not heritage protection—it is spiritual displacement,” one monk told orthodoxia.info, speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to Egyptian media outlet egypttelegraph, the court justified its decision by stating that lands surrounding the monastery are part of the national heritage and therefore state-owned. The court maintained that while the monastic community may continue religious practices within the monastery, the surrounding lands are not subject to private ownership.
A second Egyptian outlet, youm7.com, confirmed that while some monastery land use agreements will be respected, others—deemed “disputed”—are now classified as state-protected natural reserves.
International Response and Diplomatic Fallout
Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed serious concern following the ruling. Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochiou stated:
“The Greek and Egyptian governments have worked closely in recent months on a framework that would guarantee the sacred Greek Orthodox character of the area. We are now awaiting the official text of the court’s decision.”
Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has reportedly contacted his Egyptian counterpart, urging strict adherence to the bilateral understanding forged during the recent High-Level Cooperation Council in Athens.
A Sacred Legacy at Risk
Founded in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the Monastery of Saint Catherine has stood for 15 centuries as a beacon of Orthodoxy and a symbol of Christian endurance in a predominantly Muslim region. Despite centuries of political turmoil and external threats, it has remained operational, housing invaluable religious manuscripts, icons, and relics.
The Archbishop of Athens emphasized the broader implications of the decision:
“This is not merely a matter of land. It is an attack on religious identity, spiritual tradition, and international heritage. I urge global authorities to act before an irreplaceable treasure is lost.”
In his emotional statement, Archbishop Ieronymos concluded:
“We are witnessing an unprecedented challenge to religious freedoms. I call on the Greek government, international institutions, and all people of faith and conscience to intervene. The Monastery of Sinai must not be silenced after 15 centuries of uninterrupted witness.”
What Comes Next
As monks prepare for global advocacy and the Greek government seeks clarity from Cairo, the fate of Saint Catherine’s Monastery hangs in the balance. While Egyptian authorities insist the court ruling aligns with legal norms, its practical consequences—displacement, state control, and loss of autonomy—may mark a turning point in the monastery’s long and sacred history.
The world now watches closely to see whether a centuries-old spiritual haven will be preserved—or quietly dismantled in the name of national heritage and tourism development.