Egypt could close world’s oldest Christian monastery

Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery's grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo

ISTANBUL (RNS) — As news filtered out of Egypt on Thursday (May 29) that a court ruling had called for nationalizing an ancient Orthodox Christian Monastery in the Sinai Desert and the eviction of its monks to make way for a museum, disbelief turned to outrage, from the Middle East to Greece, where politicians blasted the decision. St. Catherine’s Monastery, which is inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks in Egypt, is considered to be the world’s old…

Egypt: St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai Passes Into the Hands of the Egyptian State - Concern and Reactions Grow

After fifteen centuries of autonomy, the Orthodox Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai has passed into the hands of the Egyptian State, according to a ruling issued by the Ismailia court. The measure has generated strong reactions and deep concern in the ecclesiastical and international spheres for the future of the monastery and its monastic community.

Egyptian court ruling on St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai sparks outcry

St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. / Credit: Joonas Plaan via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) ACI MENA, May 30, 2025 / 12:02 pm (CNA). An appeals court in the Egyptian city of Ismailia has ruled that the monks of St. Catheri... [...]

Egypt could close world’s oldest Christian monastery

St Catherine’s was built by the order of Justinian I between 548 and 565 but a court ruling could see it turned into a museum

An Egyptian court has given a blow to the religious freedom of the Middle East by allowing the closure, expulsion of the monks and expropriation of the oldest monastery in the world in uninterrupted service for 15 centuries ordered by the government of this country. The intention of the authorities is to make the building a museum. Read more]]>

Egypt closes world's OLDEST continuously functioning Christian monastery founded 15 centuries ago: 'Unprecedented and unacceptable!'

Egypt has ordered the closure of the world's oldest continuously functioning Christian monastery, much to the fury of Christian groups