Greece Grants Legal Status to St. Catherine's on Mount Sinai

ATHENS — In a landmark decision, the Hellenic Parliament passed a bill granting legal status under public law to the representation of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai in Greece. 

Archbishop Damianos, the monastery’s abbot, hailed the move as long overdue, emphasizing its significance for Hellenism and national unity.

“This bill should have been passed many years ago,” he declared, noting that while the Greek Constitution recognizes the monastery’s inalienable rights, it previously lacked legal personality in Greece.

The 5th-century monastery, built during Emperor Justinian’s era, is a global symbol of religious and cultural heritage.

Archbishop Damianos urged lawmakers to view the monastery as a sacred national matter, protecting its monks and priceless treasures. He also expressed hope that Egypt, where the central monastery resides, would recognize its legal status, benefiting both the monastery and Greece.

“This is a moment of unity and pride for Hellenism,” Damianos declared. He said the bill rectifies a longstanding injustice, ensuring the monastery’s legacy endures in Greece and beyond, safeguarding its spiritual and historical significance for future generations.

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