The monks of the historic Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai have closed its gates to all visitors in protest of an Egyptian court ruling that threatens its ownership rights.
According to Protothema.gr, the monastic community of 20 monks has resolved to remain in seclusion, mourning and praying for the monastery’s protection, with no timeline for reopening provided.
This symbolic act follows a May 28 decision by an Egyptian court, which denied ownership rights to the Greek Orthodox monastery—granting only usage rights over its properties and surrounding lands.
Founded in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian I, Saint Catherine’s is the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruling has raised international concern over the future of the revered site.
In response, the monks plan to launch a global awareness campaign, appealing to Christian churches and other religious communities.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew described the court ruling as a “painful surprise” and urged Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to uphold the monastery’s traditional ownership, respected even under Islamic rule.
“The Ecumenical Patriarchate appeals to the Egyptian government to preserve the monastery’s ownership status — an arrangement that Islam itself has respected and safeguarded for centuries — and to implement the recent agreement reached with the monastery,” his statement read.
While Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the threat to the monastery as a “rumour,” it confirmed that contracts had been signed to designate surrounding areas as natural reserves.
Officials stated the monks retain access and usage rights, but the ruling implies the site is now considered state property—ending its autonomous legal status.
Greece has expressed serious concern. Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zohiou confirmed that diplomatic discussions are underway.
“There is no room for deviating from the common understanding,” she said, referring to prior agreements between Greece and Egypt reaffirming the monastery’s sacred character. A Greek delegation is expected in Cairo this week.
Previous negotiations between the monastery’s legal representative, Archbishop Damianos, and South Sinai Governor Khaled Bakri, had produced a draft agreement recognising the monastery’s ownership. However, the agreement was never signed, leaving the door open to the unfavourable ruling.
