On June 4, 2025, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) announced that they join with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in expressing deep concern and sorrow over the recent judicial decision by Egyptian authorities that threatens the property and spiritual mission of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai:
“Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) joins with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, in expressing deep concern and sorrow over the recent judicial decision by Egyptian authorities that threatens the property and spiritual mission of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai.
We elevate the powerful statement made by Archbishop Elpidophoros who rightly described the Monastery as “a testament to the enduring legacy of faith, scholarship, and interreligious harmony.” For centuries, this sacred site, recognized as the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world, has stood as a profound symbol of peace and coexistence. Its unparalleled spiritual, historical, and cultural significance must not be jeopardized.
CMEP affirms the importance of protecting international religious freedom and preserving sacred sites throughout the Middle East. We call upon the Egyptian government to uphold its longstanding commitments to safeguard the autonomy and sacred mission of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine. We further urge faith leaders, policymakers, and international institutions to advocate for the protection of this unique and irreplaceable spiritual treasure.
Alongside Archbishop Elpidophoros we “call upon religious leaders, international organizations, and all people of faith, to join in advocating for the preservation of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine. Let us work collectively to ensure that this sacred institution continues to inspire and unite people of all faiths for generations to come.”
Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of more than 30 national church communions and organizations, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical traditions that works to encourage US policies that actively promote a comprehensive resolution to conflicts in the Middle East with a focus on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. CMEP works to mobilize US Christians to embrace a holistic perspective and to be advocates of equality, human rights, security, and justice for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people of the Middle East.
