“We cannot permit this to happen,” emphasized Archbishop Ieronymos, conveying profound sorrow and rightful indignation. He urged both Greek and international authorities to take action, directly appealing to the Prime Minister to prevent the Monastery’s dissolution.
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece has vehemently opposed the Egyptian authorities’ decision to effectively “shut down” the historic Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai. He expressed his “deep sorrow and justified outrage,” calling on Greek and international entities to act swiftly, stating that “the Monastery’s property is being seized and expropriated, placing this spiritual beacon of Orthodoxy and Hellenism in grave jeopardy.”
“I refuse to believe—and cannot accept—that Hellenism and Orthodoxy are facing another historic ‘downfall’ today,” the Archbishop asserted, stressing that “this is something we must not allow.”
He accused the Egyptian government of contradicting the Egyptian President’s recent assurances to the Greek Prime Minister, claiming it “has obliterated any sense of justice and is essentially trying to erase the Monastery’s very existence—undermining its operations, worship, spiritual mission, and cultural significance.”
“I urge all Greek and international authorities to recognize the seriousness of the situation and to intervene immediately to protect the fundamental religious freedoms of the Holy Monastery of Sinai,” he stated, adding:
“I unequivocally condemn any attempt to alter the status quo that has prevailed for 15 centuries in this region, and I directly implore the Greek government—and specifically Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis—to take all necessary measures to restore legal and canonical order and prevent the effective abolishment of the Holy Monastery.”
Full Statement by Archbishop Ieronymos
“In light of yesterday’s outrageous decision—an act of severe violation of human and especially religious freedoms—issued by the Egyptian judicial authorities, the revered Orthodox Christian monument, the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai, now faces a dire ordeal reminiscent of darker times…”
Essentially, the Egyptian government has chosen to negate all sense of justice, aiming to erase the existence of the Monastery, despite recent commitments made by the Egyptian President to the Greek Prime Minister. It seeks to dismantle its operations, liturgical and spiritual mission, and cultural heritage.
The Monastery’s assets are being confiscated and expropriated, putting this spiritual beacon of Orthodoxy and Hellenism at risk of survival.
With great sorrow and rightful anger, I call on all Greek and international authorities to recognize the significant stakes and to take immediate action to protect the fundamental religious freedoms of the Holy Monastery of Sinai.
I categorically oppose any attempts to alter the longstanding status quo that has been in place for 15 centuries. I directly appeal to the Greek Government—and especially to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis—to act swiftly and appropriately to restore legal and canonical order and prevent the effective abolishment of the Holy Monastery.
I wholeheartedly express my support for the Brotherhood of the Monastery and its Abbot, His Eminence Archbishop Damianos of Sinai and Raitho, as well as for the Greek brethren serving sacrificially in the broader Sinai region.
Ultimately, I refuse to believe that Hellenism and Orthodoxy are facing yet another historic downfall today. We cannot allow this to happen.”
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