Negotiations between the Sinai Brotherhood and the Egyptian authorities over the future of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai, and above all, over the legal framework that will govern its presence and operation going forward, have reached a particularly critical stage.
The postponement of the announcement of the Egyptian Supreme Court’s ruling on the appeals against the Ismailia Court of Appeal’s decision of May 29, 2025, is seen by observers as a sign of greater flexibility on the Egyptian side. At the same time, however, it severely narrows the time available to complete the talks.
Ownership is the key issue
The Monastery’s property status is at the center of the behind-the-scenes discussions, according to tanea.gr. Church and diplomatic sources in Athens regard it as the main point of disagreement, but also as the element on which a compromise could be built.
The proposal currently under consideration moves in the direction of a composite arrangement that could satisfy both the Sinai Brotherhood and the Egyptian side.
Under the formula on the table, the Brotherhood would retain in perpetuity the right of religious possession, use, and operation of the monastery’s real estate and movable property. However, it would not have the ability to transfer or sell these assets, nor to change the use of the historic properties.
A similar framework is envisioned for the Monastery’s archaeological and Byzantine treasures. In the new arrangement being sought, the Egyptian Antiquities Authority is expected to play a significant role, both because of the archaeological nature of these relics and because of Egyptian law.
An important element of the discussions is the effort to avoid any wording that would grant exclusive ownership to either side. Instead, a more flexible legal formula is being sought that would allow for a mutually acceptable solution.
Usufruct and bare ownership
Within this framework, the most likely scenario currently under examination is the creation of a “conditional usufruct” arrangement for the Sinai Brotherhood.
This solution would guarantee the Brotherhood’s uninterrupted religious use and operation of the Monastery, while excluding any transfers, sales, or changes of use. Egypt, for its part, would retain bare ownership.
This is, according to the report, the scenario currently gathering the most support, though that does not mean it has been finalized.
At the same time, the Sinai Brotherhood is seeking to include as many as possible of the properties in the wider area connected to the Monastery in the overall settlement. These include monastic seats (metochia), cells, gardens (bostania), and other properties, the income from which supports the operation and livelihood of the monastic community.
The undertaking is described as especially complex, since it marks the first attempt, after more than 15 centuries of the Monastery’s history, to translate into a modern legal form a system that would be functional, mutually acceptable, and would secure the Sinai Brotherhood’s presence both in Egypt and beyond.
The Presidential Decree on Archbishop Symeon
The final text of the agreement is expected to include the issuance of an Egyptian Presidential Decree recognizing the Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raithou, Symeon, as the lawful abbot of the Monastery.
This measure is considered significant, as it is linked to the Archbishop’s ability to obtain Egyptian citizenship, to hold signing and representation rights, and to allow the process for the agreement’s approval by the general assembly of the Sinai Brotherhood to move forward.
The same framework is expected to address the issue of the citizenship of the Brotherhood’s members or the legality of their presence in Egypt. According to the sources cited in the report, these matters are moving toward a favorable resolution.
It has not yet been clarified, however, whether the current phase will also include legal recognition of the Monastery’s Fundamental Regulations (Θεμελιώδεις Κανονισμοί).
The American dimension and the role of Archbishop Symeon of Sinai
At the same time, the growing interest of the United States in the Monastery’s case is gaining particular significance.
Diplomatic and church sources in Athens attribute part of this development to the new Archbishop of Sinai, Symeon. His approach, marked by a mild and conciliatory tone, is said to have contributed to reviving American interest following his visit to the United States.
This development is reported to have been received positively by the Egyptian side as well, given the current geopolitical circumstances.
Michael Rigas’s visit
Part of this American interest includes the planned visit of Greek-American Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Michael Rigas.
The American official is expected at the Monastery on Friday, August 28, the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary according to the Old (Julian) Calendar, to venerate the site and attend a liturgy.
Michael Rigas had also attended Symeon’s episcopal consecration as Archbishop of Sinai in Jerusalem in October of last year.
In addition, Archbishop Symeon recently welcomed Massad Boulos, senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Sinai Monastery’s metochion in Cairo.
Boulos had publicly referred to the U.S. president’s personal interest in Sinai and in preserving the Monastery’s “historic” status quo.
This reference was considered especially significant, as it highlights the Monastery’s presence in the region as part of a historical continuity dating back to the era of Justinian.
Concerns in Athens
Beyond the negotiations themselves, concern is also being expressed in Athens over the timing of the final agreement’s public announcement.
Government, church, and academic circles fear that the announcement could come at a time when the country is already in a quasi-pre-election environment.
At the same time, according to the report, certain legal-ecclesiastical and monastic circles with party affiliations are waiting for the final text to launch strong criticism and attempt to dominate the public conversation surrounding the agreement.
These circles reportedly include Russophile lawyers in Athens and Thessaloniki with clear political leanings, monastic circles in Athens said to be involved in the internal balance of power within the Sinai Brotherhood, and individual monks from Thessaloniki with ties to Mount Athos monasteries and informal contacts with Brotherhood members.
The case of the Sinai Monastery therefore stands at a particularly sensitive juncture. The coming days or weeks are expected to determine whether the agreement under negotiation will be completed, or whether the Egyptian court ruling will come first and shape the case’s outcome.
Source: tanea.gr
