At the foot of Mount Sinai — where Moses is believed to have heard the voice of God — stands one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. For nearly 1,500 years, the monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery have kept watch over sacred ground, stewarding the faith through centuries of empire, conquest, and modern upheaval. Their presence is a living testimony, not just to history, but to holiness.
Now, that sacred presence is under threat.
On May 28, 2025, an Egyptian court ruled to transfer ownership of St. Catherine’s Monastery and its assets to the state. Though the government claims the ruling “preserves” the monastery’s religious status, those who know the region — and the track record of governments that feign protection while eroding autonomy — understand the danger. The Greek Orthodox Church and Greek government have sounded the alarm, warning that this move could lead to the eviction of the monastic community and the quiet conversion of the site into a museum. The monks may not be forcibly removed today, but the legal groundwork has been laid. The state now holds the keys.
This is not just a land dispute. This is a battle over spiritual sovereignty.
Founded in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian I, St. Catherine’s is one of the longest continually operating Christian institutions on earth. Its libraries contain ancient texts, including the Codex Sinaiticus — one of the earliest known biblical manuscripts. The monastery’s very existence links us to the early Church, to a time when the faith was forged through fire and perseverance. To reduce this holy sanctuary to a state-owned tourist site is not just a desecration — it’s a form of erasure.
And yet, much of the world is silent.
Adrien Egron
Jesus Christ is King
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