Egypt Vows to Safeguard Historic Saint Catherine’s Monastery
Egypt has moved to reassure the Greek Orthodox Church after a court ruling cast uncertainty over the future of Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of Christianity’s oldest and holiest sites. The court deemed the land beneath the monastery state-owned, sparking concern among Greek Orthodox leaders in Jerusalem, Istanbul and Athens.
However, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaaty told Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis that the ruling does not threaten the monks’ presence or religious rights, and affirmed the site’s “spiritual and religious value.” Both sides pledged to protect the monastery’s rights and legal standing.
Founded in the 6th century at the foot of Mount Sinai, Saint Catherine’s is home to a vast collection of ancient manuscripts and is traditionally believed to house the biblical burning bush.
Tensions flared amid online rumours last year of an evacuation threat, but Wednesday’s diplomatic talks in Cairo suggest a mutual commitment to preserving the monastery’s heritage.
📰 Media Comparisons:
- Egypt Independent: Traced concerns back to social media rumours from 2024 about forced evacuation.
- DW & BBC: Focused on diplomatic reassurances and the monastery’s archaeological and spiritual significance.
- AFP: Reported reactions from Greek patriarchates and contextualised the court’s legal language.
🏛 Political Reactions:
- Egyptian FM Abdelaaty: Assured the site remains protected and the monks’ religious rights are intact.
- Greek FM Gerapetritis: Called for ongoing cooperation to defend the monastery’s legal and religious status.
- Greek Orthodox leaders (Jerusalem, Istanbul, Athens): Expressed concern over potential state confiscation of sacred land.