Greece has expressed alarm over a recent Egyptian court ruling that transfers ownership of the land surrounding Saint Catherine’s Monastery—one of the world’s oldest Christian monastic communities—to the Egyptian government.
The South Sinai Court of First Instance upheld a government request to register the land as state property, rejecting monastery claims supported by centuries-old documents, including an Ottoman decree.
Greek Orthodox leaders reacted sharply, with Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens calling the ruling a “violent infringement of human and religious rights” and warning it threatens the monastery’s survival.
The Egyptian government has sought to ease concerns, saying the court decision does not affect the monastery’s spiritual or religious status. Egypt’s foreign ministry called the reports “completely unfounded,” while the presidency said the move aligns with commitments to protect the site’s unique character.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 6th century, is a key symbol of Orthodox Christianity and sits at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.
The ruling has reignited fears among Greek and Christian communities about the security of religious heritage sites in Egypt, particularly as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s administration tightens control over religious institutions across the country.
