Egypt Seizes St. Catherine’s Monastery – Monks Face Eviction

In a move described as one of the most severe violations of religious and individual freedoms in recent centuries, Egypt has seized control of St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai. The monastery, considered the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monastery, along with all its immovable property in Egypt, now falls under Egyptian state control. Established nearly fifteen centuries ago by Emperor Justinian, this globally recognized and revered monastery is now facing transformation into a museum. Despite promises from Egyptian President Sisi to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Egyptian government pressed forward with evicting monks to repurpose the buildings as tourist attractions akin to the Pyramids. Yesterday (May 28, 2025), an Egyptian court finalized this decision, ending years of legal battles against the monks. Ownership of the monastery and its assets now belongs to the Egyptian state, leaving monks with limited access solely for religious purposes at the discretion of the state. Efforts were made by the Greek government, including direct appeals by Prime Minister Mitsotakis to President Sisi, emphasizing the preservation of the monastery’s character. However, the recent judicial ruling raises questions about Egypt’s true intentions, echoing past pressures from extremist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. Egyptian archaeologists argue that the seizure aligns with heritage laws and benefits the monastery, a claim disputed by the monks who plan global mobilization efforts, warning it could be the worst action against the monastery in its 15-century history.