The Egyptian Presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have categorically denied any change in the status of the historic Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula, following a court ruling earlier this week that sparked concern in Greece over the monastery’s religious and property rights.
In a statement issued late Thursday, the Office of the President reiterated Egypt’s unwavering commitment to preserving the “unique and sacred religious status” of the 1,500-year-old Greek Orthodox monastery, considered one of Christianity’s oldest and most revered sites.
“The Presidency of the Republic would like to affirm its full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of St Catherine’s Monastery and to ensuring that this status is not violated,” the statement read.
It added that the court ruling, issued on May 28, serves to consolidate the monastery’s legal and spiritual standing. The statement also recalled President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s remarks during his visit to Athens on May 7, in which he underscored the importance of upholding the site’s integrity.
The court ruling in question examined ownership and usage rights of lands surrounding the monastery, located in Egypt’s South Sinai Governorate. Speculation emerged in the Greek press and among religious authorities suggesting that the verdict might jeopardize the monastery’s autonomy or lead to confiscation of affiliated lands.
Addressing the issue, a spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to inquiries by the state-run Middle East News Agency (MENA), firmly rejecting these claims as “completely unfounded.”
He emphasized the need to refrain from premature judgments and stressed that a full reading of the court’s ruling reveals no threat to the monastery’s sacred character or associated rights.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the court ruling explicitly affirms the monastery’s spiritual, religious, and archaeological importance.
While some surrounding lands—classified as natural reserves—were discussed in the verdict, monks will retain usage rights in recognition of their religious significance. Only uninhabited and undocumented areas far from the monastery were confirmed as state property.
The Foreign Ministry’s statement also called for preserving Egypt’s longstanding bilateral ties with Greece. “It is paramount to avoid any harm to the close, fraternal, and historical relations that bind Egypt to the friendly Hellenic Republic,” the spokesperson said.
The Greek government has taken a cautious but firm stance. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis stated that Athens would wait to evaluate the full text of the decision before issuing a formal response.
Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis spoke directly with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, to affirm Greece’s position that “there is no room for deviation” from the countries’ mutual understanding on the monastery’s protected status.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery, built in the 6th century and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has long been a symbol of religious coexistence and cultural heritage.
The recent diplomatic exchanges reflect both countries’ shared interest in preserving its status and avoiding unnecessary tensions.
The court ruling and official clarifications mark the latest episode in the broader context of deepening Egyptian-Greek relations, particularly on matters of religious heritage and regional cooperation.