Egypt: closure of the Katharinenkloster? Ministry contradicts!
Egypt: closure of the Katharinenkloster? Ministry contradicts!
Katharinenkloster, Sinai, Ägypten - The Katharinenkloster, one of the oldest and most important monastery systems in the world, is faced with the current discussion about its future with the support of the Egyptian state. On June 1, 2025, Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that the monastery in the Sinai does not threaten any closure. This statement came in response to media reports, which spoke of a possible expropriation and conversion of the historical monastery into a museum. These claims have been determined in a decisive time and a court confirmed that the Greek Orthodox monastery community keeps the right to use on the monastery. The Egyptian state also remains the owner of the monastery.
The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi emphasized that the planned tourist projects in the region will not endanger the holiness of the Catharin Monastery. The monastery has an immense cultural and religious meaning for both Jews and Christians. It is located in the place that is known as the burning Dornbusch, where God revealed to the moses. The facility, which goes back to the 5th century, was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2002, which underlines its international value, such as Culture reported.
history of the Katharinenkroster
The monastery has a long and eventful story that goes back to early Christianity. The first documented visit to a Christian pilgrim on the JaBal Musa took place in 363 by Julianos Saba. In the following centuries the region became an important monk landscape. Around 530, more than 600 hermits lived in the area and operated a subsistent industry. The stories of famous monks such as Johannes Klimakos and Anastasios Sinaites testify to the spiritual meaning of the monastery. In the Koran, the mountain Sinai is mentioned, which also illustrates the religious diversity of the place in the Islamic context, as in Bleiben Sie informiert: Jeden Abend senden wir Ihnen die Artikel des Tages aus der Kategorie Egypt – übersichtlich als Liste. The latest political developments and the focus on tourism arouse concern about the future orientation of the Katharinenkloster. Media reports of a planned renovation and possible expropriation were not only rejected by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also underpinned by judicial confirmations that the monastery remains under the administration of the Greek Orthodox community. The Katharinenkroster therefore remains a national legacy and a central element of the cultural memory of Egypt. The recent declarations of protection in the state and the connection to the UNESCO World Heritage Site illustrate that the Egyptian state strives to preserve the monastery and not to endanger its historical importance. The coming years will be decisive to ensure the balance between tourist developments and the preservation of the spiritual values of this unique place. Current situation and challenges
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Ort | Katharinenkloster, Sinai, Ägypten |
| Quellen | |