Greece and Egypt pledge to protect ancient St Catherine's Monastery

Greece and Egypt have committed to preserving the historic and spiritual status of St Catherine’s Monastery after a court ruling raised concerns about its future use and surrounding land.

Greece and Egypt have announced a joint commitment to protect the status of St Catherine's Monastery, one of the world's oldest Christian sites, following an Egyptian court decision that ordered Orthodox monks to vacate land near the monastery.

Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, St Catherine's Monastery dates back to the 6th century and remains in use for its original religious purpose. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the complex holds significant spiritual value for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Tradition holds that it stands at the site where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Tensions arose last week after a court ruling ordered the monks to leave adjacent vineyards and gardens, deemed to have been acquired unlawfully. The move triggered a diplomatic exchange between Cairo and Athens regarding the site's legal and religious protections.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, following a meeting with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo, confirmed the two countries’ agreement to uphold the monastery's rights and historic legal status. Gerapetritis emphasised the significance of the site’s Greek Orthodox identity.

Meanwhile, Abdelatty affirmed that the court decision does not affect the monastery's spiritual role. He confirmed that the monks would retain access to all religious and historical parts of the complex.

The monastery, which is also home to a vast collection of early Christian manuscripts, continues to symbolise a long-standing cultural and religious link between Egypt and Greece. Bilateral cooperation between the two nations has grown steadily in recent years.

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