During an official visit to Athens, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty assured his Greek counterpart, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, that the continuity and Greek Orthodox religious character of Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai will remain undisturbed. This commitment, Gerapetritis noted, reflects Egypt’s longstanding tradition of religious tolerance and respect for religious rights.
“I received the reassurance that the worship continuity and Greek Orthodox identity of the monastery — a hallmark of religious tolerance and respect for religious freedom that Egypt has always shown — will not be disrupted,” Gerapetritis stated.
He further emphasized Greece’s appreciation for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s sensitivity and efforts regarding the monastery, saying:
“For Greece and for Orthodox Christians around the world, the Monastery is not only the oldest continuously operating place of worship, but also a unique symbol of universal culture.”
He also recalled that it was President Sisi himself who had spoken warmly about the Monastery’s legacy during his visit to Athens in the context of the Greece–Cyprus–Egypt Trilateral Summit.
The two ministers held productive discussions concerning both the legal status of the Monastery and efforts to highlight it as a global spiritual center.
“Our shared intention is for the Monastery to continue its unbroken journey under the 15-century-old status quo,” Gerapetritis underlined.
“I am convinced that Egypt will continue to honor its long-standing tradition of respect for all religions and denominations, which it has cultivated throughout history.”
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas, Photos: EUROKINISSI
