Agreement reached regarding the legal status of Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai

On October 24, 2026, Archbishop Symeon of Sinai, Pharan and Raitho announced a landmark agreement with the Egyptian state to formally resolve the long-standing legal and property disputes concerning the historic Saint Catherine’s Monastery. The agreement, which follows a contentious ruling by the Ismailia Court of Appeal in May 2025, provides a stable legal foundation for the monastery’s continued operation, residency permits for monks, and ownership of its associated lands. The Archbishop secured unanimous support from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchates of Alexandria and Jerusalem, and the Churches of Greece and Cyprus.

This development comes as the deadline approached for a ruling by Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court regarding the monastery’s status. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed the decision, describing it as an historic milestone that preserves the religious character of the 6th-century site. While the agreement has been announced, the final document is pending formal signing, which is expected to occur once the Archbishop's health permits and a mutually agreed date is set with Egyptian authorities. The monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will maintain its autonomy and religious significance under this new institutional framework.