Egypt reiterates commitment to preserving sacred religious status of St. Catherine's Monastery

CAIRO – 29 May 2025: Egypt has reiterated its full commitment to preserving the ‘unique and sacred religious status’ of Saint Catherine's Monastery and preventing its violation.

In a Thursday statement, 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.

Upon reviewing the full text of the ruling, the following facts have become clear:

"Firstly, there is absolutely no infringement on Saint Catherine's Monastery, its affiliated archaeological sites, its spiritual value, religious status, or its cemeteries," he stressed.

The spokesperson emphasized that this judicial ruling marks the first time the status of the monastery has been legalized while affirming the preservation of its sacred standing.

"Secondly, although there are some additional sites for which contracts were signed with local authorities — even though they are natural reserves — the ruling, out of respect for the monastery’s spiritual value and high religious standing, acknowledged continued monk access to the monastery, religious sites, and archaeological areas.

"Thirdly, the court ruling referred to certain remote areas within natural reserves that are completely distant from the monastery, uninhabited, and for which no ownership or possession documents exist. Therefore, these areas are considered state-owned land," he noted.

The spokesperson stressed the importance of verifying the accuracy of information and refraining from drawing premature or incorrect conclusions without reviewing the full judicial ruling.