Greece alarmed over Egypt's Mount Sinai monastery land ruling

A recent Egyptian court decision concerning the land surrounding the Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai peninsula has provoked concern from Greek ecclesiastical and political authorities, amid fears that the ruling may undermine the historic monastery’s autonomy.

According to The Times, the ruling by the South Sinai Court of First Instance allows for the registration of monastery land in the name of the Egyptian government. The outlet reports that the monastery had previously attempted to register its land independently in 2012 but was denied.

In response, the Egyptian General Authority for Land Survey applied in 2021 to register the land as government property - a request now upheld by the court.

The monastery had reportedly submitted documents showing ownership dating back centuries, including an Ottoman decree, but the court found the evidence insufficient.

Greek Orthodox leaders reacted with alarm.

In a strongly worded statement, Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens described the ruling as a "violent infringement of human and religious rights," adding: "The property of the monastery is being seized and confiscated, and this spiritual lighthouse of Orthodoxy and Hellenism is now facing a question of real survival."

The Egyptian government has firmly denied any change to the monastery’s legal or spiritual status. In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called media reports "completely unfounded", stating that the court decision "does not touch the monastery’s spiritual value, religious significance, or the cemeteries associated with it".

It added that this is "the first time that the legal status of the monastery has been regulated", and that the ruling "preserves the special and sacred status of the monastery".

The Egyptian presidency echoed this position, stating that the legal registration process was in line with the commitment made by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during his 7 May visit to Athens, where he affirmed Egypt’s intention to preserve the site’s unique religious character.

Nevertheless, the Greek government remains uneasy.

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis reportedly raised the issue with his Egyptian counterpart, saying that "there should be no room for deviation" from the shared understanding between the two nations regarding the monastery. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis added that Athens would respond officially once the details of the ruling were fully examined.

Saint Catherine’s Monastery, founded in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, is considered the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its ancient manuscripts and icons, and revered in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic tradition.

The monastery sits at the foot of the biblical Mount Sinai, where according to the three Abrahamic faiths Moses received the Ten Commandments. 

The monastery remains operational, but the legal dispute has reignited questions about the vulnerability of religious heritage sites in Egypt and religious freedom for both Muslims and Christians.