Egypt Reaffirms Protection of St. Catherine’s Monastery During Athens Visit

Photo: Orthodox Times

ATHENS — During an official visit to Athens, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty assured Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis that the Greek Orthodox identity and uninterrupted religious life of Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai will remain fully respected and preserved.

“I received the reassurance that the worship continuity and Greek Orthodox identity of the monastery — a hallmark of religious tolerance and respect for religious freedom that Egypt has always shown — will not be disrupted,” Gerapetritis stated.

Gerapetritis praised President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s enduring sensitivity to the monastery’s spiritual and cultural significance, calling it “not only the oldest continuously operating place of worship, but also a unique symbol of universal culture.”

He also recalled President Sisi’s previous remarks in Athens during the Greece–Cyprus–Egypt Trilateral Summit, where he warmly recognized the monastery’s legacy.

The two ministers held substantive talks on the legal status of the historic monastery and future initiatives to further promote its global spiritual role. Gerapetritis stressed their “shared intention” to maintain the 15-century-old status quo, expressing confidence that Egypt “will continue to honor its long-standing tradition of respect for all religions and denominations.”

Previously, UOJ reported that Archbishop Damianos of Sinai had issued a statement regarding the latest developments concerning the Holy Monastery, as well as the matter of his suspension from the duties of abbot.

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