In response to concerns among the global Greek Orthodox community and Athens, the President of Egypt issued a statement late Thursday aiming to ease fears over the status of operations of the 6th-century Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai.
The monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most significant Christian landmarks in the world. Built between 548 and 565 AD, it holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery.

A court ruling issued in Egypt on May 28 aimed to clarify the legal status and operations of Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mt. Sinai. However, the decision sparked rumors that the monastery and its surrounding lands were at risk of confiscation by the Egyptian government, and that the resident monks could be evicted.

In response to the growing uproar over the news, and to quell the chances of a diplomatic spat with Greece, the Egyptian Presidency released a late-night statement on the country’s official website, stating, “The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt reiterates its full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery and preventing its violation. The Presidency affirms that the recent court ruling consolidates this status, aligning with the points President El-Sisi emphasized during his recent visit to Athens on May 7. The Presidency also affirms the importance of preserving the close and fraternal relations that bind the two countries and peoples and ensuring that they are not jeopardized.”