Sinai Monastery Awaits Key Ruling

After nearly a decade of legal battles, Saint Catherine's Monastery, the world's oldest continuously occupied Christian monastery, awaits a crucial court decision regarding ownership of its historic lands in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Monastery leaders express cautious optimism, buoyed by high-level Egyptian and Greek involvement.

Share

Leaders at Saint Catherine's Monastery, the world's oldest continuously occupied Christian monastery, located in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, are cautiously hopeful about a January 23rd court decision. This decision culminates a near-decade-long legal battle over ownership of the monastery's buildings and declared lands. Their optimism is fueled by the engagement of high-ranking Egyptian officials and increased diplomatic activity by Greece.

The dispute began in the 2000s during a period of rapid tourism growth and investment in the Sinai, prompting a push to formally register property ownership. Saint Catherine's meticulously documented 71 assets. However, these claims were contested by the South Sinai governor in November 2015. The monastery, situated at the base of Mount Sinai, was constructed between 548 and 565 AD under Emperor Justinian I.

Operated by the autonomous Church of Sinai, part of the Greek Orthodox Church, Saint Catherine's was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002 due to its extraordinary importance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Ads1

Ads1

Recent Posts

China hacked Trump's phone and wants nuclear first strike capability against US: ex-senior aide

A former senior aide to Donald Trump claimed China had tapped the president-elect’s phone, stolen…

Joanna Paliospirou Case: Perpetrator Withdraws Appeal, Bringing End to Shocking Trial

In a surprising turn of events, Efi Kakarantzoula, the woman responsible for the vitriol attack…

METLEN Announces €295.5 Million Investment for Bauxite, Alumina, and Gallium Production in Greece

METLEN Energy & Metals has announced a €295.5 million investment to develop an integrated production…

UN Security Council Adopts Greece and US-Backed Resolution on Red Sea Security

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution co-authored by Greece and the United States,…

Record-Breaking Application Rush for "My House II" (Σπίτι Μου 2) Program

My House II" (Σπίτι Μου 2) program has seen a remarkable influx of over 6,000…

Džumhur and Tsitsipas Advance to Second Round of Australian Open Doubles

Džumhur and Tsitsipas Advance to Second Round of Australian Open Doubles** In an intense and…

Copyright Greek City Times 2025