Decision on the Holy Monastery of Sinai/Holy Synod, call for protection of status

2025-07-07 11:20:00, Aktualitet CNA

Decision on the Holy Monastery of Sinai/Holy Synod, call for protection of

The Holy Synod has issued a response regarding the debates and tensions following an Egyptian court decision regarding the expulsion of monks and the seizure of the property of the Holy Sinai Monastery.

The Holy Synod calls on the relevant authorities and international organizations to strive to protect the historical status of the Monastery and the unhindered continuation of the mission of the Holy Monastery of Sinai.

The response emphasizes that the historic Monastery of the Holy Mount Sinai constitutes a priceless treasure of Orthodox and world cultural heritage and spirituality, giving the Church a rich spiritual experience.

It is also underlined that the presence of Orthodox monks in the Monastery has been respected by all powers over the centuries, becoming a symbol of coexistence between Christianity and Islam.

Declaration of the Holy Synod

The historic monastery of the Holy Mount Sinai constitutes a priceless treasure trove of Orthodox and world cultural and spiritual heritage, providing the Church with a rich spiritual experience. Precious manuscripts and codices, including the famous Codex Sinaiticus, have been preserved there for centuries.

The presence of Orthodox monks in the Monastery has been respected by all powers over the centuries, becoming a symbol of coexistence between Christianity and Islam. The dissolution of the brotherhood or the return of the Monastery to a museum in the event of a change of ownership would be devastating with incalculable consequences.

The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania expresses its full support to the Brotherhood of the Monastery and His Grace, Archbishop of Sinai, Mr. Damian, in this difficult ordeal. It also calls on the relevant authorities and international organizations to strive to protect the historical status of the Monastery and the unhindered continuation of its holy mission.

We pray to God that peace, justice, and wisdom may prevail.

From the Holy Synod