The Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Catherine’s at Sinai is danger. The government of Egypt has announced plans to expel the Monks and to convert the Monastery into a museum for tourists. This is a moral outrage and an attack on the Christian faith.
The Monastery was built under the auspices of Byzantine Emperor Justinian. The site where God spoke to Moses through the burning bush is on the Monastery grounds. The Monastery was originally named for the transfiguration of Christ. Following the discovery of the relics of Saint Catherine of Alexandria it was renamed in her honor..
This move comes as a surprise. Five years ago, when Turkish authorities converted Hagia Sophia into a Mosque, Egypt criticized the move. The Egyptian government even gave money to the Monastery for the upkeep.
The Monastery features a document believed to be signed by the Prophet Mohammed that guarantees the right of the Monastery to function and the monks to reside there. This is why this move by the Egyptian authorities is such a shock.
The Church of Greece and the Greek government have protested vociferously. In a recent meeting between the Greek Prime Minister and President of Egypt, assurances were given that the Monastery would be left in peace.
Careful diplomacy is needed here. Up to now, Egyptian authorities have protected the Monastery. Over a decade ago, ISIS attempted to attack the Monastery. One Egyptian Police Officer was killed and four were injured protecting the Monastery.
If Greek diplomacy fails to reverse this announcement, it will be an enormous failure for Athens. The Church of Greece must also reverse its stance on the Ukrainian Church. There are no shortages as to why Constantinople and Athens were wrong to recognize the Ukrainian fake Church. The isolation of the Greeks in Orthodoxy at such a time is further proof that recognizing the Ukrainian schismatics was a disastrous move. Anyone expect Zelensky and his thugs to help out here?