St. Catherine’s Monastery Land Agreement Finalized as Greece and Orthodox Churches Hail Egypt Sinai Deal
-
The Arab Post
- . October 26, 2026
- . Update: October 26, 2026 4:04 pm
A central Middle East issue, both in the political and religious spheres, has come to an official end. Sinai land deal, The St. Catherine’s Monastery land agreement has been agreed upon, after years of complicated property rights issues, and is welcomed by Greek officials and Eastern Orthodox leaders.
After much mediation, the contract was approved by the official of the archbishop of Sinai, Symeon. The breakthrough spared Egypt’s Supreme Court of Cassation a high-stakes ruling and meant that the legal action was superfluous.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that the law will give full respect to Egyptian sovereignty and local laws, and that it is based on an earlier decision by the Ismailia Court of Appeal.
Securing a 1,500-Year Heritage – Sinai land deal
The decision ensures the continuous, uninterrupted life of the monastic community on Mount Sinai. St. Catherine’s monastery was built in the sixth century and is regarded as one of the oldest continually operating Christian monasteries in the world.
The new Egypt-Sinai agreement gives the monastic community stable legal conditions such as long-term residence permits for the monks and official stability for its monasteries’ surrounding ecological properties.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed Cairo’s high regard for the site, which it cherishes. The accord is a testament to the country’s historic efforts to safeguard humanity’s joint cultural heritage and interfaith coexistence, said the Egyptian authorities, which reiterated the government’s commitment to this.
Orthodox Churches Hail Egypt Deal as a Historic Triumph
The international response was immediate and very positive. The milestones of the Egypt deal are welcome by orthodox churches as a key sign of peace and harmony in the area.
Greece Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis publicly celebrated the settlement as “a historic day for Hellenism and Orthodoxy,” since it created a “stable basis” for the past centuries without any changes in the legal landscape. In particular, Gerapetritis thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his personal efforts in obtaining a balanced and protecting settlement.
Reports from Ahram Online say the consensus was unanimously adopted by the world’s Patriarchates, such as the Patriarchate of Alexandria and Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Church of Greece.
According to GreekReporter, the signed-up contract will take place in a future ceremony, once the Archbishop Symeon resumes his health after a medical procedure he had undergone recently.
In the end, it’s a land deal that puts St. Catherine’s Monastery to rest after months of legal wrangling. The Egypt Sinai agreement has been able to strike a balance between state sovereignty and the protection of original religious culture and customs, which has strengthened bilateral trust between the two cities, Cairo and Athens, and preserved the security of Mount Sinai as a center for global culture and heritage.
Top Picks For You
Explore best education systems worldwide?
Discover the top countries offering world-class education systems and global academic excellence for students.
Check best countries for Arabs 2026?
Explore the most welcoming destinations and immigration options for Arab students and professionals in 2026.
Discover top Saudi scholarships available?
Check the best fully funded Saudi Arabia scholarships open for international and Arab students.
Explore AI impact on Arab education?
Discover how AI is transforming education systems discussed at major Arab conferences.
Check Saudi universities global rankings?
Explore how Saudi universities perform in world academic rankings and global education standards.