An Egyptian court ruled on May 28 that St. Catherine’s Monastery—a 6th-century UNESCO World Heritage site at Mount Sinai’s biblical burning bush—sits on state-owned land.
While affirming the monks’ right to use the property, the decision declares the land "public property," igniting fierce backlash from Greek Orthodox leaders.
Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens condemned it as a "scandalous violation of religious freedoms," warning the ruling thrusts Christianity’s oldest continuously operating monastery into a "period of severe trial reminiscent of darker historical times".
Egypt’s Diplomatic Reassurances
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi moved swiftly to defuse tensions, telling Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a May 30 call that Egypt remains "fully committed to preserving the monastery’s unique and sacred status" 27. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry dismissed rumors of confiscation as "unfounded," insisting the ruling "consolidates the site’s sanctity" and only designates remote, uninhabited areas as state land. A Greek delegation will visit Cairo next week to seek clarity.
Development Project Fuels Fears
The ruling coincides with Egypt’s controversial tourism megaproject around St. Catherine’s, aiming to boost visitor numbers. Critics allege the development has already damaged the area’s ecosystem and threatens the monastery’s integrity. Archbishop Ieronymos accused Egypt of reneging on promises, citing Sisi’s May 7 pledge in Athens to protect the site. Observers warn the project could commercialize the sacred landscape, with one noting, "The monastery and local Bedouin communities face existential pressure".
Historical Stakes and Global Backlash
Founded in AD 546, the monastery holds profound significance: it safeguards ancient manuscripts and icons and once received a 7th-century protection decree from Prophet Muhammad, later reaffirmed by Ottoman sultans. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople joined Greece in condemning the ruling, urging Egypt to honor "centuries-old agreements". Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis warned Cairo there is "no room for deviation" from bilateral accords.
Path Forward
While Egypt frames the ruling as bureaucratic clarification, Greece demands binding guarantees. The monastery’s fate now hinges on whether diplomatic talks can reconcile Egypt’s land claims with the Orthodox Church’s historical stewardship—a test for interfaith coexistence in a region already strained by conflict.