President Sisi in call with Greek PM: Egypt commits to preserve Saint Catherine's Monastery, sacred religious status
CAIRO – 30 May 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call on Friday from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during which both leaders reaffirmed the strength of Egyptian-Greek relations and their shared commitment to expanding strategic cooperation across various fields.
According to Presidency Spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, the two leaders emphasized the historical depth of their bilateral ties and their alignment on mutual interests between the two friendly nations.
During the call, President Sisi addressed recent rumors regarding Saint Catherine's Monastery, emphasizing Egypt's unwavering commitment to preserving its sacred religious status. He underscored that no infringement upon the monastery's sanctity would occur, referencing a recent judicial ruling that reinforces the site's heritage and spiritual significance.
President Sisi's remarks came in response to rumors—reported by Al Arabiya Net—alleging that Saint Catherine's Monastery was being evacuated of its monks in preparation for its sale.
On May 28, 2025, the Ismailia Court of Appeal's Taba Sinai Mission ruled on a case concerning disputed land in South Sinai. The ruling, delivered by Judge Alaa Mustafa Abdel Razek, along with Counselors Hassanein Ahmed Al-Wasif and Amir Hassan Abu Al-Leil, affirmed the monks' rights to use and perform religious rites at the monastery and its affiliated archaeological sites. While these sites remain public property owned by the state, they are under the religious stewardship of the monastery's bishop, appointed by Presidential Decree No. 306 of 1974, and are supervised by the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The court further ruled that existing land use agreements between the monastery and local authorities remain valid, dismissing allegations of illegal land seizure. It also clarified that remaining disputed lands fall within protected nature reserves and cannot be claimed through prescription or ownership, as they are classified as public property.
The court concluded that the remaining disputed plots of land are nature reserves, all of which are public state property, and cannot be disposed of or owned by prescription. No contracts have been issued regarding them by the competent authority.
On May 29, 2025, Egypt's Presidency issued a statement to reiterate ts full commitment to preserving the 'unique and sacred religious status' of Saint Catherine's Monastery and preventing its violation.
The Presidency affirmed that the recent court ruling consolidates this status, aligning with the points President Abdel Fattah El Sisi emphasized during his recent visit to Athens on May 7.
The Presidency also affirmed the importance of preserving the close and fraternal relations that bind the two countries and peoples and ensuring that they are not jeopardized.
Egypt's foreign ministry's official spokesman also stressed on Thursday that rumors about seizing St. Catherine's Monastery and its affiliated land are completely unfounded.
The spokesperson made the remarks regarding a court ruling issued on May 28, concerning the land surrounding St. Catherine's Monastery.
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