Negotiations between the monks of Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai and the Egyptian authorities over the monastery’s legal and property status have reached an impasse, with no timetable set for their resumption or for the signing of an agreement.

The talks began in early June. By the end of July, the two sides had reportedly agreed on the main elements of a future settlement. However, several issues concerning individual parcels of land remained unresolved after Egypt submitted its latest proposal in early August, according to the Greek newspaper Ta Nea.

As a result, the parties have not yet prepared a final unified text.

One of the central issues is ownership of the monastery’s property. A compromise formula previously under discussion would allow Egypt to retain legal ownership while granting the Sinai Brotherhood an indefinite right to religious possession, use and operation of the monastery.

The proposed arrangement would also include protections for the monastery’s historic buildings and cultural treasures.

The situation has been further complicated by the illness of Archbishop Simeon of Sinai, who has reportedly been in Athens for several weeks. Under the monastery’s internal regulations, its day-to-day administration is being handled by the brotherhood’s council, headed by Hieromonk Niphon.

Citing church and diplomatic sources, Ta Nea has also reported disagreements within the brotherhood. The newspaper said that outside groups attempted in August to influence the positions of some monks, although it provided no independent confirmation of those claims.

As the negotiations have stalled, representatives of Orthodox Churches have become more active in efforts to monitor the situation. A delegation from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem recently visited Athens, while Patriarch Theophilos III is continuing to follow developments surrounding Sinai closely. A visit by representatives of the patriarchate to the monastery itself has not been ruled out.

The Holy Community of Mount Athos has separately called for the preservation of the monastery’s historic and canonical status. The monks of Mount Athos have expressed opposition to any change in its legal position, including a formula that would grant the brotherhood only the right to use the monastery rather than preserve its existing historic status.

Saint Catherine’s Monastery is considered one of the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries. Its current status became the subject of a legal dispute following Egyptian court proceedings concerning ownership of land and buildings associated with the monastery.

In May 2025, the Ismailia Court of Appeal ruled that ownership of the disputed properties belonged to the Egyptian state. The subsequent appeal against that decision became one of the factors influencing negotiations over a new agreement.

According to the Greek press, the sides were close to finalizing talks in August 2026 and were discussing a “dual” arrangement under which Egypt would retain legal ownership while the monastery would receive indefinite rights for religious use. No final agreement was reached, however.

The negotiations are now effectively on hold. Athens and Cairo remain interested in preserving their bilateral relations, and discussions surrounding the future of Saint Catherine’s Monastery are therefore continuing cautiously.