Archbishop Symeon announces agreement regarding Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai

On October 24, 2026, Archbishop Symeon announced a pending agreement with the Egyptian state concerning the legal and proprietary status of the historic Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula. This agreement aims to resolve long-standing diplomatic and judicial disputes that have persisted for months, following a significant ruling by the Ismailia Court of Appeal on May 28, 2025, which altered the legal status of the monastery’s facilities and properties.

The Archbishop confirmed that the deal has received unanimous support from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Alexandria, as well as the Churches of Greece and Cyprus. The signing ceremony is expected to take place in the near future, pending the Archbishop’s health recovery and coordination with Egyptian authorities. This development is crucial as it occurs near the expiration of a suspension period regarding a pending decision by Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court, which was reviewing the monastery's legal standing. The agreement is intended to provide long-term security and protection for the UNESCO World Heritage site, effectively settling the contestation between the monastery and the Egyptian state.