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Archbishop of Sinai met the U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs

July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos met with Archbishop Symeon of Sinai the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine, on Saturday, July 18.

In a post on X, Boulos referred to St. Catherine’s Monastery as “one of Christianity’s oldest and most sacred sites,” emphasizing its unique religious and historical significance.

Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, the monastery “holds profound significance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike and stands as a living symbol of our shared Abrahamic heritage,” he wrote.

The U.S. official also commended Egypt for its longstanding commitment to preserving its religious heritage and safeguarding the historic monastery.

“I commend Egypt’s longstanding commitment to preserving its rich religious legacy and safeguarding this remarkable place of worship,” Boulos stated.

He concluded his message by expressing his appreciation for serving under U.S. President Donald Trump, saying that the President’s leadership “continues to protect and champion religious freedom around the world.”

Today, I had the honor of meeting His Eminence Archbishop Symeon Papadopoulos of St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of Christianity’s oldest and…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (11) 🌐 Show original

Gjergj Dhima

Good that Massad Boulos named the monastery a holy place for all three Abrahamic religions. In fact, we Albanian Orthodox know how important it is for Egypt to protect that country since centuries. I wonder if the meeting brought any concrete help to the monastery.

Alexander Miller

Good to see the monastery getting some recognition — it's been quietly keeping those ancient manuscripts and the burning bush site safe for centuries. Egypt really has protected it through thick and thin. I wonder if the meeting led to any practical help for the monks there, like Gjergj asked.

Sophia Young

The manuscripts and the burning bush are the real treasures there – my uncle visited years ago and still talks about seeing the codex up close. Egypt has kept the site safe, that’s true. I wonder the same as Gjergj: did any funding or restoration help come out of the meeting?

Ольга Зайцева

I’m glad that you mentioned the manuscripts and the burning bush - this is truly the main treasure. Egypt has indeed maintained its monastery for centuries, no matter what. I wonder if the Americans gave any real help to the monastery or if they were just words.

Jiří Veselý

It's good that they mentioned the manuscripts and the fireproof kupina, they really are the greatest treasures. Egypt has been protecting the place for centuries, that's a fact. I wonder if any concrete help came out of that meeting or if it was just words.

Maria Nako

Yes, George, I agree that Egypt has carefully preserved the monastery for centuries, as we saw when we went there a few years ago with the church group. I wonder if Massad Boulos also talked about the recent problems with the many visitors damaging the old walls. Have you heard anything new about this?

Matthew Adams

Yeah, those manuscripts are the real heart of the place. My cousin drove a tour group out there back in '08 and said the monks still keep everything running on a shoestring. Wonder if Trump-era folks ever followed up with any grants for the library roof.

Elizabeth Parker

The manuscripts really are something special. My aunt saw a few of them during a pilgrimage in the late '90s and said the monks handle them like they're still hot off the scriptorium. I hope the meeting brought some concrete help too, maybe for the water system they always seem to be patching.

Pavel Černý

I agree, the manuscripts and the burning bush are the main things that immediately come to mind there. Egypt has really guarded the place for a long time, I remember our priest telling us after the pilgrimage years ago. I wonder if the Americans promised any financial support for the repairs or if it was just a courtesy meeting.

Eva Svobodová

Yes, the manuscripts and the sunproof kupina are indeed the most valuable things there. Egypt protects the place really well, I remember how my husband and I walked there from the desert and saw the Bedouins guarding the area. I wonder if there is any new restoration work planned on the library there now.

Vangjel Kristo

Yes, Maria, I too remember how well the outer masonry was preserved when we went with the church group. I haven't heard anything new about problems with visitors, but maybe they should put more restrictions like they do in other old monasteries. Do you have any idea how they could solve it without closing it to believers?