Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a preliminary agreement with Egypt aimed at securing the legal and spiritual status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai — one of Christianity’s oldest and most revered monastic communities.

Speaking in the Hellenic Parliament, Mitsotakis stressed the significance of the agreement, which ensures the continued presence of Orthodox monks at the ancient site and guarantees the monastery’s religious and historical integrity.
"We have taken steps to ensure the permanent presence of monks on Sinai," he said, pushing back against recent speculation about the monastery’s status, which he described as "disregarding basic facts and reality."

According to the Prime Minister, the agreement prohibits any alteration of the monastery or other sites of worship and guarantees their spiritual and historical character “in perpetuity.”

As reported by Reuters, the forthcoming agreement will be an out-of-court settlement between Egyptian authorities and the monastic community, following a court ruling earlier this year that ordered the monks to vacate certain areas of land they had used for centuries. The deal is expected to be signed in the coming weeks.

The announcement comes at a critical time for the Sinai brotherhood. On October 19, a new Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raithu — Archimandrite Simeon — will be consecrated at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. His election follows the resignation of long-serving Archbishop Damian, who stepped down amid internal tensions and external legal pressures. Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis and Secretary General for Religious Affairs Georgios Kalantzis — both involved in the recent talks with Egypt — are expected to attend the enthronement ceremony.

Saint Catherine’s Monastery, located at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt, was founded in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Built around the site believed to be the location of the biblical Burning Bush, the monastery is one of the world’s oldest Christian institutions still in operation.

Although the monastery is autocephalous (self-governing), it maintains historical ties with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Renowned for its ancient manuscript library, sacred relics, and enduring architecture, Saint Catherine’s has also long stood as a symbol of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims.

In recent months, however, the monastery faced a period of unprecedented turmoil. A January 2025 Egyptian court decision challenged the monks’ long-held rights to certain lands and buildings, calling them “illegally acquired.” The ruling sparked protests from the monastic community and prompted diplomatic intervention from Greece, a historic supporter of the monastery.

Simultaneously, internal discord within the brotherhood came to light. Amid the external legal battles, several monks publicly criticized Archbishop Damian’s leadership, alleging canonical violations. Following weeks of tension, Damian voluntarily stepped down, and on September 14, the community elected Archimandrite Simeon as his successor.

The new agreement between Greece and Egypt is being hailed as a diplomatic success and a vital step toward stabilizing the situation at Saint Catherine’s. It not only reinforces the legal protections of the monastery but also affirms the commitment of both nations to preserving one of the most sacred sites in Christian tradition.

As the monastery prepares to welcome new leadership, many hope the settlement will mark the beginning of a renewed era of peace, unity, and protection for this ancient spiritual treasure — a beacon of faith at the crossroads of history, religion, and diplomacy.