The Ecumenical Patriarchate expressed deep disappointment and sorrow over the decision of an Egyptian court that challenges the long-standing ownership status of the historic Mount Sinai Monastery, limiting the monks strictly to the right of use of the monastery. This development has also caused serious concern within the Greek community of Australia.

In response to this issue, the Australian Hellenic Council has sent the following letter to the Ambassador of Egypt in Canberra:

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Australian Hellenic Council, we are reaching out to express our deep disappointment and concern regarding the recent decision of the Egyptian government to seize the historic Monastery of Saint Catherine of the God-trodden Mount Sinai and to confiscate its property.

The Monastery of Saint Catherine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has stood for more than 1,700 years as a beacon of Christian spirituality, scholarly tradition, and interfaith respect.

Its uninterrupted operation and the protection of its privileges over the centuries are a testament to Egypt’s commitment to religious tolerance and cultural preservation. It is noteworthy that the status and autonomy of the Monastery have been respected even since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, who is said to have issued a firman of protection to its monks — a remarkable and enduring symbol of coexistence.

The Greek community of Australia, as in the rest of the world, holds deep respect for the Monastery of Saint Catherine, not only for its religious significance but also for its role in promoting dialogue and understanding between the Christian and Muslim worlds.

Historically, the relationship between the Greek and Egyptian peoples has been based on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and lasting friendship. However, this recent action threatens to overshadow that cherished relationship.

We therefore respectfully call on the Egyptian government to reconsider its decision and to restore the historical autonomy and property of the Monastery, in accordance with the traditions of tolerance and protection that Egypt has long embraced.

We sincerely hope that this issue can be resolved in a spirit of dialogue, justice, and mutual respect. The Australian Hellenic Council remains committed to supporting efforts that preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage that unites our peoples.

With respect,

Panayiotis Stefanidis, President
Konstantinos Kalymnios, Secretary

Phone call between Mitsotakis and al-Sisi regarding the future of the Monastery of Saint Catherine
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a telephone conversation with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, with the main topic being developments surrounding the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai, following the recent court ruling in Egypt.

Government sources noted that the prime minister emphasised the importance of maintaining the pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox character of the Monastery, calling for the issue to be resolved through institutional processes.

The two leaders agreed that the solution lies in the shared understanding already established, as well as the commitments announced during President al-Sisi’s visit to Athens on 7 May.

It was also decided that on Monday, 2 June, a Greek delegation will travel to Egypt for further work on the agreement, with the goal of its swift conclusion.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate
In a written statement, the First Throne Church of Orthodoxy appeals to the Egyptian government to ensure the preservation of the ownership status of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine and to implement the recently agreed-upon solution.

The statement reminds the Egyptian government that this ownership status “was particularly respected and providentially safeguarded” for centuries also by Islam.

“The centuries have respected the Monastery of Sinai. Let Egypt respect it today as well,” states the announcement by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which also notes that the Monastery of Sinai is a treasured and established asset for the country of the Nile, “which honours it and symbolically and essentially links on its soil the two great religions of Christianity and Islam.”

Statements by Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Pavlos Marinakis
“What concerns us is the preservation of the Greek Orthodox and pilgrimage character of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai. This is something we want resolved institutionally between the two states,” emphasised government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis in an interview on ERT’s “Weekend from 5” program.

“Since 7 May this has been agreed between the two leaders, and we have every reason to believe — in good faith and looking ahead to the coming days — that it will be concluded after the final discussions between both sides. A delegation will travel to Egypt on Monday. This Monastery is one of the most emblematic Greek Orthodox monasteries in the world, and I think that reflects the views of every Greek,” he added.

Mr. Marinakis attacked the opposition, saying it acted hastily, emphasising:

“Before we even read a decision — and I refer to the opposition parties — before we saw a document or understood what was happening, they rushed, and I sadly refer to all parties, I cannot exclude any. They rushed to issue a statement only to do opposition — even on such a serious issue as the Holy Monastery of Sinai.”
He also pointed out that it is this government that has been addressing the matter, standing by these people for more than a year.

“I repeat, these are not just my words — they are the words of the people involved. Let us listen to the statements of both the attorney and the representatives,” he noted.

Velopoulos: The government is lying about the Sinai case
“Our government has truly accustomed us to lying, but in the Sinai case it proves it has no respect for anything,” said Kyriakos Velopoulos, president of the Greek Solution party.

He added:

“They continue to reassure Greeks that nothing is happening with the Monastery of Sinai, when they know the Monastery’s representative is clear: there is no room for complacency. The people are distraught, and the Foreign Ministry, along with the Prime Minister, continue to lie. Sadly, not only do they not fear God, not only are they blasphemous, not only are they failures — the worst part is they don’t even respect Orthodoxy.”

Message from Archbishop Elpidophoros
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America expressed his deep concern for the future of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai, following the recent judicial decision by the Egyptian authorities that threatens to confiscate its property and puts its sacred mission at risk.

In a relevant statement, he calls on the Egyptian government to respect its prior commitments to protect the autonomy and historical legacy of the monastery, stressing that such actions violate religious freedoms and endanger a site of great historical and cultural value.