Greece and Egypt are currently holding discussions aimed at finalizing the legal status and rights of Saint Catherine’s Monastery within the Egyptian legal framework, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis announced during a press briefing.
“The goal is to preserve the sacred site and its surrounding environment unchanged, as it contains holy shrines of the highest significance and is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage,” Marinakis stated.
He added that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during his address to the Hellenic Parliament, had already announced a preliminary mutual understanding between the two sides. According to this agreement, the character of the Monastery will remain intact in perpetuity, any transformation of the Monastery or other places of worship will be strictly prohibited, and special provisions will ensure the continued presence of the monastic community.
“With this initiative,” Marinakis concluded, “Sinai becomes one of the key centers of Orthodoxy, with the Greek state actively present in a region of great significance for Hellenism worldwide.”
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
