A deal has been reached between St Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai and the government of Egypt after more than a year of negotiations over its property rights and legal status.
In an announcement published on Saturday, Archbishop Symeon of Sinai, Pharan and Raitho declares his intention to sign an agreement with the Egyptian government to end the ongoing dispute over the monastery’s property rights and secure the unobstructed continuation of its operation.
The Sinai Archbishop cited the support of the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria and Jerusalem, as well as the support of the Churches of Cyprus and Greece, for the signing of the agreement which wiil be signed as soon as his health permits.
The announcement came a few hours before Egypt’s Supreme Court was expected to issue an important ruling concerning the property rights and legal status of the monastery at Mount.
“In this climate of deeply rooted trust between the Arab Republic of Egypt and Mount Sinai, we are confident that the reason for issuing the decision of the Supreme Court of Cassation of the Arab Republic of Egypt no longer exists, following today’s announcement,” Archbishop Symeon’s statement read.
St Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai will continue to welcome every visitor
The Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine in Mount Sinai in Egypt historically enjoys a special status of ecclesiastical autonomy which has allowed it to operate continuously for 15 centuries.
On May 28, 2025, the Ismailia Court of Appeal in Egypt issued a decision that created uncertainty about the status of specific properties associated with the monastery and raised concerns about the safeguarding of its property and the continuation of monastic life. The issue acquired great significance, as the monastery is an important religious and historical monument of Orthodox Christianity.
Diplomatic contacts between Athens and Cairo followed, with the aim of finding a compromise solution that would ensure the continuation of the religious function of the monastery and clarify its ownership status. Negotiations were hampered by disagreements within the Sinai Brotherhood, while the issuance of a ruling by Egypt’s Supreme Court of Cassation created additional pressure.
“We are confident that, during the implementation period of the Agreement, the climate of deeply rooted trust between the Arab Republic of Egypt and Mount Sinai will allow us to finalize any specific pending issues that may arise regarding the Agreement and its accompanying documents,” Archbishop Symeon’s announcement adds.
Addressing everyone, it concludes with asserting that “the God-passed Mount Sinai is, by the Grace of God, “in its place”, with the Fathers ministering to it, striving for it and welcoming every pilgrim, visitor and traveler.”
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