Mt. Athos Opposes Proposed 'Dual Ownership' of St. Catherine Monastery

MT. ATHOS — As first reported by UOJ-Athos, representatives of all 20 monasteries of Mt. Athos have addressed newly elected Abp. Symeon of Sinai, Faran, and Raitho over reports of a proposed change to the ownership status of the Monastery of St. Catherine.

The Holy Community’s letter combined congratulations to the new Archbishop with concern over reports that a “dual ownership” arrangement could transfer ownership of the monastery and its historic property to the Egyptian state while leaving the Sinai Brotherhood with rights of use.

The Athonite representatives stressed that ownership and use constitute different legal rights and warned that such an arrangement would alter the monastery’s existing status. They expressed particular concern about the implications of such a change for one of the ancient Christian monastic institutions of the East.

The letter also highlighted the longstanding spiritual relationship between Mt. Athos and Sinai. According to the Holy Community, both monastic centers have maintained self-government and property rights for centuries, making the preservation of the Sinai monastery’s established status a matter of particular importance.

The Athonite monks further pointed to historical precedents in Islamic and Ottoman legal systems, including firmans and waqf institutions, which they said repeatedly recognized the rights of the Sinai Brotherhood. They warned that overturning the existing arrangement could establish a dangerous precedent for the ancient Patriarchates and other holy sites of the East.

The Holy Community declared that it considers the difficulties facing the Monastery of St. Catherine to be its own concern and invoked the intercessions of St. Catherine to the newly elected Abp. Symeon.

In the days following the sending of the letter to Sinai, the Holy Community of Mt. Athos clarified its purpose following public discussion and commentary surrounding the document.

In a fresh statement, the Holy Community said the letter was sent solely to express “fraternal support in Christ” for the fathers of the historic monastery.

The Athonite representatives emphasized that they deliberately refrained from addressing the matter in greater detail, expressing hope that the issue would be resolved at the technical level.

“There was no other purpose or intention, nor can any further dimension be attributed to it,” the statement said.

The Holy Community added that, following its clarification, it considers that “there is no room for different interpretations, political exploitation or ulterior motives.”

Previously, the UOJ reported that negotiations over St. Catherine’s Monastery were reportedly near the final stage.