Egypt has ordered the closure of the world's oldest continuously functioning Christian monastery, much to the fury of Christian groups.
The Egyptian government has decided to shut down Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sina and expel the 20 Greek Orthodox monks serving there.
The monastery was founded by Byzantine Emperor Justinian 15 centuries ago and has been described as "the world's oldest Orthodox Christian monument".
Despite surviving numerous historical upheavals throughout its existence, the sacred site now faces what Orthodox Archbishop Ieronymos II called "a period of great trial—one that evokes memories of darker times in history".
Saint Catherine's Monastery, an 1,500-year-old monastery located on the Sinai Peninsula, at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt
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The decision has been characterised as "unprecedented and unacceptable" by religious leaders.
The move by Egyptian authorities contradicts the expressed personal assurances given by President al-Sisi to Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakos during their recent meeting in Athens.
The decision has sparked bewilderment within the Greek government, given that the issue had reportedly been addressed during discussions between the two leaders earlier this month.
During President al-Sisi's official visit to Athens in early May, the fate of the monastery was a central point of discussion between the two delegations.
An agreement was reportedly reached to halt the "unjust judicial attacks" on the monastery, allowing it to continue its historical mission undisturbed.
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Saint Catherine's Monastery is set to close
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The Greek Foreign Minister immediately contacted his Egyptian counterpart following the decision, making clear there is no room for diverging from the mutual understanding reached by both sides.
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece issued an unequivocal condemnation of the decision, expressing his "immense sorrow and his justifiable anger".
In a damning statement, he called upon "the responsible Greek government, and personally upon Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to take immediate and appropriate action to restore lawful order and ensure that the Holy Monastery is not effectively abolished".
The Archbishop called for immediate mobilisation from "every Greek and every international authority", stressing that "the property of the monastery is being seized and confiscated, and this spiritual Lighthouse of Orthodoxy and Hellenism is now facing a question of real survival".
He declared: "I unequivocally condemn any attempt to alter the longstanding status that has prevailed in this region for fifteen centuries."
Saint Catherine's Monastery, an 1,500-year-old monastery located on the Sinai Peninsula
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The monastery is now set to be converted into a museum, while its property holdings in Egypt will be transferred to state control.
Egyptian archaeological authorities claim the appropriation of the site falls under domestic antiquities law, insisting the decision was beneficial for the monastery.
The monastery's monks outrightly dispute this assertion, accusing the authorities of violating their religious freedoms.
It follows an Egyptian court ruling that brings to a troubling conclusion what sources describe as a protracted legal offensive by the Egyptian state against the monastic community.
The monks are now mobilising for a global campaign to inform and rally support from all Christian Churches and other monotheistic religions worldwide.
GB News has approached the Egyptian Embassy in London for comment.
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