Mount Sinai Monastery Reopens Its Doors to Pilgrims – Greek Delegation Heads to Egypt

Early Saturday morning (May 31, 2025), the monks of the historic Mount Sinai Monastery, who had withdrawn to their cells the previous day, reopened the gates of the Holy Monastery to welcome hundreds of devout pilgrims. After recent developments surrounding the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Egypt, the monks secluded themselves in prayer, with uncertainty looming over whether they would open the gates for the weekly influx of worshippers. However, they decided to reopen the monastery’s doors, as nearly every Saturday sees hundreds of visitors from around the world flocking to this sacred site. Government representative Pavlos Marinakis addressed the issue on ERT’s weekend broadcast, emphasizing the need to legally safeguard the Greek Orthodox and worship character of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai. The prime minister reiterated to his Egyptian counterpart the importance of preserving the monastery’s identity, highlighting an agreement reached on May 7 between both leaders to resolve the matter through institutional channels while respecting religious traditions. A delegation will travel to Egypt on Monday for final discussions, expressing optimism about a positive resolution. Marinakis criticized opposition parties for rushing to issue statements without fully understanding the decision and praised the government’s efforts over the past year to secure the monastery’s rights. He also acknowledged the monks’ concerns but assured that the government has worked methodically to find a legal solution, not merely for show. ‘This government stands firmly with the people of the Monastery,’ he stated, calling for all parties to approach the matter seriously.