#BreakingNews World's Oldest Christian Monastery Seized by the Government - Christians Raise an Outcry
The World's oldest Christian monastery in Egypt, has been overtaken by the government. An Egyptian court allowed the state to seize Saint Catherine of Alexandria's monastery in Sinai. The monastery, a UNESCO heritage site, which is still inhabited by monks, and its surrounding properties are the target. The President of Egypt, Al-Sisi said that the structure would be “preserved”, but Christians are not in agreement with the decision. Plans to seize the monastery were first laid down when the Muslim Brotherhood was in power. The goal is to turn it into a museum. For Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, it is a matter of “profound concern and deep sorrow”.
Egyptian authorities plan to close the Monastery and seize all the assets attached to it, transferring them to the state.
Therefore, all the monks inside have been ordered to vacate the site.
It was founded about 1,500 years ago by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and after surviving major historical and religious challenges, the famous monastery is set to become a museum by the Egyptian government, the Orthodox church reports.
This has plunged Egypt’s Christian community into despair, despite the reassurances recently made by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mītsotakīs on the use of the facility. Local sources say that the goal is of turning the now-vacant buildings into a tourist attraction much like the pyramids.
Last night, Egyptian authorities released a statement to defuse the situation and calm the anger and concerns among Christians.
They wrote, “The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt reiterates its full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery and preventing its violation, ” reads the official statement. “The Presidency affirms that the recent court ruling consolidates this status, aligning with the points President El-Sisi emphasized during his recent visit to Athens on May 7th. ”
For centuries, “this spiritual institution has maintained harmonious relations with various administrations and regional authorities, who have consistently confirmed and protected its traditional order and sacred character. Its walls have witnessed centuries of devotion and peace among Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike. The monastery’s significance transcends religious boundaries, symbolizing a shared heritage of humanity. ”
"The Ecumenical Patriarchate appeals to the Egyptian Government, based on yesterday's statements by the President of the country, His Excellency Mr Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, to find the appropriate way to maintain the status quo of the Holy Monastery, which has been particularly respected and has been preferentially secured for centuries by Islam, and to implement its recent agreement with the Monastery , " states the announcement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which directly requests the implementation of the out-of-court agreement.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, located at the foot of Mount Sinai, bears witness to the enduring legacy of faith, scholarship and interfaith harmony. Founded in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, it is the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world and stands on the site where God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and under the mountain of the Decalogue, and where he entrusted him with the Tablets of the Law.
It preserves some of Christianity’s most precious archaeological and spiritual heritage; among the many examples, we have the famous Sinai Library with its ancient manuscripts and the most important collection in the world of pre-iconoclastic icons on wood. About 50,000 and 100,00 visitors visit the monastery and the museums annually.
The decision to turn the monastery into a museum was made official on May 29th, following a court ruling, ends a long-running legal case that pitted the monks against the Egyptian state.
Now ownership of the site and all its assets belong to the state and the monks must vacate the place, which will remain inaccessible in the future. In other words, the monks “are allowed to remain in the monastery to fulfil their religious duties only for as long as the new owner – the Egyptian state – permits. ”
In the past, the Greek government backed the monks' struggle. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had raised the issue at the highest levels, repeatedly urging President al-Sisi to intervene on behalf of the monks.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America noted, “The recent judicial actions which threaten to confiscate the monastery’s property and disrupt its spiritual mission are deeply troubling. Such measures not only violate religious freedoms but also endanger a site of immense historical and cultural importance. It is imperative that the Egyptian government honours its previous commitments to protect the monastery’s autonomy and heritage. ”
Sources:
https://orthodoxia.info/news/fanari-pros-kairo-tiriste-ti-symfonia/
https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Egyptian-court-allows-the-state-to-seize-Saint-Catherine's,-the-world's-oldest-monastery-63195.html
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