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Agreement near for Sinai Monastery – What the proposed property settlement includes

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Sources familiar with the process, cited by Proto Thema , express optimism that the intensive negotiations between the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Sinai and the Egyptian state regarding the monastery’s property status may soon reach a conclusion.

Time is pressing, as the ruling of the Ismailia Court—which cast doubt on both the monastery’s property rights and its very legal standing—is becoming increasingly entrenched. At the same time, there is a risk that Egypt’s Supreme Court could issue a ruling on appeals filed by both the monks and the Egyptian state, potentially undermining any framework for an out-of-court settlement.

According to available information, the talks are progressing positively and are converging on a formula considered the most realistic solution under the adverse circumstances created by the court ruling. The negotiations are taking place between the Egyptian state and the monastery, while Athens is closely monitoring developments and providing support. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reportedly included the issue in his discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has undertaken…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (27) 🌐 Show original

Aleksandar Radovanović

I hope that these negotiations will end quickly, before the Supreme Court in Cairo makes some bad judgment. The most realistic solution is what they mention, and it is good that Mitsotakis raises it directly with Sisi. Just so we don't lose the monastery because of some bureaucracy.

Екатерина Макарова

It's good that Athens is not just watching, but Mitsotakis is personally raising the issue with Sisi. If only the court in Ismailia doesn’t delay everything completely while they negotiate. I hope the monks retain their rights to the land.

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სალომე ნოზაძე

It is good that Mitsotakis is talking to Sisi in person, but what is important is the decision of the Ismaili court not to delay everything. The land of the monastery should remain as it has been for centuries.

Сергей Петров

I agree, it’s good that Mitsotakis directly raises the issue; without this, probably nothing would have happened at all. The main thing is that the monks do not lose control over the mountain and the garden itself, the rest can be settled that way. Do you follow the news from Ismailia or are you just hopeful?

Елена Васильева

Yes, Mitsotakis is discussing this with Sisi - without such pressure, he probably wouldn’t have moved. The main thing is that the monks do not lose access to the well and olive trees at the foot, otherwise the entire life of the monastery will come to a standstill. Do you think the Egyptians will compromise on these areas?

Григорий Голубев

It’s good that Mitsotakis is discussing this directly with Sisi; without such pressure, probably nothing would have moved forward. The main thing is that the monks do not lose control of the mountain and that well at the foot, otherwise their whole life will come to a standstill there. I hope the Egyptians will come to a reasonable compromise on these areas, before the court in Ismailia completely screws everything up.

Radmila Ilić

I agree, Alexander, bureaucracy is the biggest enemy here. It is good that the Greeks are pressing at the highest level, at least Mitsotakis has direct access to Sisi. I only hope that the monks will keep enough land so that they can live normally and that the monastery does not turn into an ordinary tourist facility.

Пётр Богданов

I agree, Mitsotakis clearly helps here, without him the Egyptians could have pulled on further. The main thing is that the monks maintain access to the well and the mountain, without this everything will really come to a standstill. I’m curious, what exactly do you think the Egyptians might demand in return for these plots?

Jelena Marković

I agree, Radmila, bureaucracy can complicate even the simplest things. It is good that Mitsotakis is talking to Sisi personally, but I fear that the monks will end up with too little land for their own production. What do you think, will the Egyptians allow them to keep at least the gardens and olive groves around the monastery?

Dragan Milošević

I agree, Jelena, those olive groves and gardens fed monks and pilgrims for centuries. I am afraid that the Egyptians will only give what they cannot exploit, and for real production they need more than a couple of dunums. Do you think the Greeks would be able to send some financial aid if they took away most of it?

Thomas Baker

The well and those olive trees at the foot of the mountain are what actually keep the place running day to day, so I hope the settlement leaves the monks full control of them. Good that Mitsotakis is raising it straight with Sisi; without that push the bureaucracy would probably just drag on. Let's see what they actually agree on before we celebrate.

Milica Živković

Dragan, olive groves were really their main source of oil and food for centuries, I agree. I am afraid that the Egyptians will keep what is worth cultivating and leave only what is not worth much to the monastery. Do you think Greece could help with some donations for new plantings or is that not realistic?

Nikola Živković

I agree, Alexander, that court in Ismailia has already done enough damage. It is good that the negotiations are conducted directly with the state and not through judges. If only the monks keep at least the gardens and wells, because without that they will not be able to survive as they have for centuries.

Sophia Evans

The olive trees and that well really do seem to be the backbone of daily life there, from what the monks have described in the past. I’m glad Mitsotakis is keeping the pressure on too; bureaucracy loves to stall. Hope the final deal spells out clear ownership so the court mess doesn’t keep hanging over them.

Nemanja Savić

I agree, Nikola, that Ismaili court really complicated everything. I heard that the negotiations also mention the protection of the monastery itself and the surrounding land, not only gardens and wells. Do you think the Greeks could push a little more through Mitsotakis to get it over with faster?

Sarah Collins

I agree about the well and olive trees — the monks have said they rely on that grove for oil that gets shipped out and helps pay the bills. Mitsotakis bringing it up directly with Sisi does seem to be the only way to cut through the red tape. I wonder if the final papers will include a clause that keeps future Egyptian courts from revisiting the ownership question.

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მაია ჯავახიშვილი

I agree, Salome, Mitsotakis' conversation with Sisi is indeed an additional pillar. But if Ismaili's decision is not to be delayed, the most important thing is that the monastery should remain with the land that has belonged to it for centuries. Hopefully, the Greeks and Egyptians will agree quickly.

Laura Baker

The olive grove really is the heart of the place — the monks have told us they still press their own oil every year and use it for everything from the lamps to the table. I’m glad the talks seem to be narrowing in on a clean ownership line; the last thing they need is another round of appeals dragging on. Do you think the well will be written into the settlement too, or is that considered secondary?

Ljubica Savić

Dragan, I agree that those olive groves were not only for oil but also for bread and food for the pilgrims. The Egyptians will certainly keep the fertile parts, and leave the difficult to cultivate to the monastery. Do you think that would lead to a greater reliance on aid from Greece or would the monks revert to their old ways of self-preservation?

Sarah Anderson

The olive trees and the well do keep everything running there, from what the monks have said in their letters. I’m hoping the settlement gets the ownership spelled out plainly so the court can’t keep poking at it. Have you been following how Athens is involved through Gerapetritis?

Stefan Popović

I agree, Nemanja, that Ismaili court nailed everything. I heard that the agreement also mentions the formal recognition of the monastery as a religious institution, not only the land around the well and gardens. Do you think the Egyptians would have given in without stronger pressure from Athens?

Ljubica Ilić

I agree, Nikola, those gardens and wells are the basis for their survival, without that it really doesn't work. I heard that the negotiations also include some old documents from the Ottoman era that the monks have. Do you think the Egyptians will admit it or will they ask for some concessions from the Greek side?

Katarina Đorđević

Olive groves were really their base, that's right. I'm afraid you're right, the Egyptians will probably keep the fertile parts and leave the more difficult to cultivate to the monastery. Greece might be able to help financially, but I doubt that it would go through the state - I would rather expect some church or private donation, what do you think?

Jelena Pavlović

Yes, Nemanja, that Ismaili court really complicated everything, and now there is talk of protecting the monastery itself and the land around it. I think Mitsotakis could help, but Egyptians are looking more at their internal issues than Greek pressure. What do you think, would the monks accept some partial solution just to preserve the wells and gardens?

David Turner

Yeah, those olive trees and the old well really are the backbone up there — the monks have mentioned in letters how they’ve kept the place going for centuries. I’m with you on hoping the settlement nails down the ownership clearly so the court stops circling it. Gerapetritis has been quietly pushing the diplomatic side from what I’ve read, but I wonder how much Mitsotakis’ direct talks with Sisi are actually moving the needle.

Branislav Stanković

Yes, that court in Ismailia really complicated everything, Nemanja is right. I heard that in the agreement they could also receive the status of a religious community, which would protect the monastery itself from further disputes. Do you think that without Mitsotakis' pressure on Sisi, the Egyptians would have sat down at the table at all?

Dušan Marković

Olive groves were their main support, I agree. The Egyptians will surely keep what is easier to cultivate, and leave the rocky land to the monastery - this has already been seen in similar disputes. I think that Greece could help through some church foundation, but the state will stay away; what do you say, have you heard anything new about those negotiations?