Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis held a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, on August 3, 2025, as part of their ongoing diplomatic dialogue. The conversation served as a prelude to their upcoming meeting in Athens on August 6, where a wide range of bilateral and regional issues will be on the agenda. At the center of the discussion will be the sensitive issue of the Monastery of Saint Catherine of Sinai.
The current controversy began after an Egyptian court ruling challenged the property rights of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, recognizing only usage rights for the monastic community and not full ownership of its assets.
The ruling sent shockwaves through the Orthodox world, as the monastery is the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery, founded nearly 1,500 years ago. Monks from the Monastery immediately protested the decision, claiming it violated their canonical and historical rights.
Shortly after the court decision, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke directly with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi. According to reports, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of:
“Preserving the pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox character of the Monastery and resolving the matter through institutional channels.”
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the joint understanding reached during El-Sisi’s state visit to Athens on May 7, which laid the foundation for continued cooperation on this and other issues.
Greek Parliament Passes Law Granting Legal Status in Greece
In parallel with diplomatic efforts, on Friday, August 1, 2025, the Greek Parliament passed legislation that formally recognizes the presence of the Monastery in Greece through the creation of a Legal Entity under Public Law.
The new body is officially named: “Greek Orthodox Royal Autonomous Monastery of the Holy and God-Trodden Mount Sinai in Greece.”
This move is seen as part of Greece’s broader effort to institutionally support the Monastery, protect its assets, and affirm its historical connection to the Greek Orthodox world.
Internal Crisis: Archbishop Damianos Dismissed by Part of the Brotherhood
Despite these efforts, the situation took a new turn when, on July 30, a group of monks from the Monastery sent a letter to Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, announcing the dismissal of Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, who had served as abbot for 52 years.
The letter claims that a general assembly of the brotherhood was convened and reached a unanimous decision to remove Archbishop Damianos from his post. The internal dispute adds further complexity to an already delicate situation.
Patriarchate of Jerusalem to send delegation to Sinai in pursuit of peaceful resolution
In an official letter addressed to Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, Pharan, and Raithou, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, affirmed the spiritual and canonical jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem over the Holy Monastery of Sinai.
The response follows Archbishop Damianos’ submission of a formal request to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, in which he expressed his desire for the Patriarchate to assume responsibility for a “pressing issue concerning the ecclesiastical status of the Holy Monastery of Sinai.”
In his reply, Patriarch Theophilos wrote: “This appeal constitutes a clear acknowledgment that, in accordance with the Holy Canons and the unshakable Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem bears the spiritual and canonical jurisdiction over the Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Sinai.”
The Patriarch emphasized that any resolution must proceed through the appropriate canonical process under the jurisdiction of the Church of Jerusalem: “Any honorable reconciliation sought can proceed only through the recognized canonical path and under the pastoral care of the Throne of the Church of Zion.”
In response to the Archbishop’s appeal, the Patriarchate confirmed its readiness to act: “We hereby affirm that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is prepared to initiate the appropriate ecclesiastical procedure.”
As part of this process, the Patriarch of Jerusalem announced that a delegation would be sent to Sinai: “A three-member delegation shall be sent to you so that, in a spirit of truth, reconciliation, and cooperation with the Brotherhood of Sinai, every possible effort may be made toward a desirable and peaceful resolution of the issue that has arisen.”
Patriarch Theophilos also noted that he had spoken with Archbishop Damianos by phone, offering assurance and spiritual support: “We have already communicated with Your Eminence by telephone to assure you that we remain watchful and prayerful, that ‘neither tribulation, nor distress’ (Romans 8:35) may overcome you.”
He concluded the letter with a prayer for peace and holiness in the region: “May the God-trodden land of Sinai continue to bear witness to holiness, humility, and a peaceful ascent toward God.”
