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State Department: US seeks to protect Sina Monasterytranslated

September 3, 2026 · 1 min read

The United States seeks to protect the historical and religious significance of the Monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai, the State Department underlines. In response to a question from APE-MPE, a representative of the US Department of State pointed out that "the United States recognizes the historical and religious importance of the Monastery of Saint Catherine, the oldest continuously operating monastery in the world, and seeks to protect it".

Washington's position comes while the question of the legal and ownership status of lands and properties connected to the Monastery remains open, following the court decision issued in Egypt on May 28, 2025.

In the same direction as the State Department's statement, on July 18, the US president's senior advisor for Arab and African affairs, Mashad Boulos, who had met with the Archbishop of Sinai Simeon at the monastery's stockade in Cairo, had moved.

According to the information, Mr. Boulos conveyed the personal interest of President Donald Trump, as well as his own, in maintaining the historical status quo of the Monastery. He also expressed his intention to support…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Васил Стефанов

It is good that the Americans intervened and recognized the importance of the monastery. The most important thing is not to touch the status quo and properties of St. Catherine, because it is the oldest operating place in the world. I wonder what exactly they will do after Massad Boulos' meeting with Archbishop Simeon in Cairo.

Dragan Milošević

It is good that the Americans recognize the importance of the monastery, but I am interested in what exactly they will do after that decision of the court in Egypt on May 28. The status quo is the most important thing, that St. Catherine's properties are not touched. By the way, Mashad Boulos met with Archbishop Simeon in Cairo, that is specific.

Παναγιώτης Νικολαΐδης

The article says the State Department wants to protect St. Catherine's Monastery and the historical status quo. This is good, but after the Egyptian court's decision on May 28, we still don't know what will happen to the properties. I hope that the shares and estates that have belonged to the Monastery for centuries will not be affected.

I agree Vasile, the status quo really needs to remain intact, especially after the May verdict in Egypt. I am interested in whether, after the meeting in Cairo, something concrete will follow from the American side, for example on the properties around the monastery. I hope it doesn't remain just words.