Egypt and Greece are holding negotiations on a new legal framework for St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula, seeking to preserve the ancient Orthodox monastery’s special status while resolving disputes over ownership of its land and property.

The proposed arrangement would establish a legal formula recognizing the monastery’s historic and religious importance while regulating the rights of the Egyptian state and the Sinai monastic brotherhood, the Orthodoxia News Agency reported.

Tensions surrounding the monastery escalated in May 2025, when an Egyptian court ordered the release of certain parcels of land and buildings. Egypt and Greece subsequently began discussions on the monastery’s future legal status. Greece’s Foreign Ministry later announced that the two sides had reached a preliminary understanding, although no final agreement has yet been signed.

The monastery remains open and active. Services marking the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos were held there on August 27 under the leadership of Archbishop Simeon of Sinai, who was elected head of the monastery last year. Representatives of Egypt and the United States attended the service. The following day, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas visited the monastery.

The central issue in the negotiations is ownership of the monastery’s property. According to Greek media reports, one option under discussion would allow Egypt to retain formal ownership while granting the Sinai brotherhood an indefinite right to religious possession, use, and administration of the monastery’s buildings and grounds.

Under the proposed arrangement, the brotherhood would not be permitted to sell or transfer the property to third parties or change the purpose of the historic buildings. The status of the monastery’s archaeological and Byzantine treasures is also being discussed, with Egyptian antiquities authorities expected to play a role in their protection.

The formula would avoid granting exclusive ownership rights to either side. Instead, Egypt would retain legal title, while the monastery would receive guaranteed rights to use and manage the property and continue its religious life there.

Another possible element of the agreement would be formal recognition by Egyptian authorities of Archbishop Simeon as the monastery’s lawful abbot. Greek sources report that this could be established through an Egyptian presidential decree. The decree may also address the archbishop’s Egyptian citizenship, his authority to sign documents, and his right to officially represent the monastery.

The legal status of other members of the Sinai brotherhood is also under discussion, including questions concerning their citizenship and their right to remain in Egypt.

The negotiations are subject to a tight timetable. According to *Ta Nea*, Egypt’s Supreme Court has postponed announcing its decision on appeals related to the 2025 ruling. The parties are therefore seeking to reach an agreement in the coming weeks.

Founded in the sixth century under Byzantine Emperor Justinian, St. Catherine’s Monastery houses ancient manuscripts, icons, and other Christian relics. It is considered one of the oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries in the world.

The negotiations therefore concern more than property rights. Their broader aim is to translate the monastery’s unique status, developed over more than 1,500 years, into a modern legal arrangement acceptable to both the Egyptian authorities and the Sinai brotherhood.