One of Christianity’s Oldest Monasteries Is Under Threat. Let’s Stand Together.

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Let the world know that Saint Catherine’s Monastery is not a political asset—it is a spiritual sanctuary.

(Note: donations on this petition site go to the site itself, not the Monastery.)

🚨 What’s Happening?

On May 28, 2025, the Egyptian court announced a ruling, which disregarded the monastery’s long history and legal property documents, and the monks have effectively been reduced to tenants in their own monastery. 

Profoundly, the historic status is protected by the Prophet Muhammad (more below), who personally granted a covenant ensuring the monastery and its monks would be safeguarded by his followers. The original Covenant has the Prophet's handprint on it, and a certified copy is on display in the monastery. Throughout history, the protection from the decree continued under the Crusaders, the Mamluks, Napoleon Bonaparte, the Ottoman Empire, and all those who governed the region until the founding of the modern Egyptian state in 1922.

90-year-old Archbishop Damianos of Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt received heart-crushing news this spring. The monastery he has served for over half of his life is at risk of being taken from his Faith and the World. His days are now filled with the uncertainty that clouds over what he has the responsibility to protect. The de facto bad faith of the Egyptian state (as evidenced by the withdrawal from the out-of-court settlement) can at any time not renew the residence permits.

Saint Catherine’s Monastery, at the foot of Mount Sinai, Egypt, is one of the world’s oldest and most sacred Holy places. It has stood as a symbol of spiritual devotion, religious coexistence, and cultural preservation for over 1,500 years. The sacred ground of the monastery is a location of pilgrimage for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, because within it is what is believed to be the burning and unburnable bush of the prophet Moses and manuscripts of the Old and New Testament.

But today, it faces a looming and extremely grave threat from the Egyptian Government.

🚨The Egyptian court’s decision amounts to a judicial confiscation of the monastery’s property and contents. The monastery no longer holds legal ownership of even its own chapels, buildings, contents and structures originally commissioned by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.

🚨Is this part of the global precedent?

Apprehension continues to expand a pattern in the world regarding Christian Holy places. Examples like the conversion of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople to a functioning mosque and museum, by it’s government, the same fate was also handed down for the historic Chora Church in Istanbul, now also converted to a mosque.

There are concerns that this could also happen to the Monastery and its priceless collection next. Of note, some of the incredible antiquities came from Saint Catherine’s, such as the Codex Sinaiticus, other Original Manuscripts, and historic Byzantine Icons, including the most well-known Byzantine icon of Christ, the 6th-century icon, Pantocrator of Sinai.

This monastery represents the last freely functioning building of Emperor Justinian in the heart of the Arab world. It stands not only as a cultural landmark but as a spiritual outpost of Christianity and religious history in one of its earliest and most sacred homelands.

🚨That itself could certainly be seen as a soft sacking of the globally treasured antiquities that have been protected and preserved by not only the Orthodox Christian Monastery for over 1500 years. 

A Mosque in the Monastery?

Also, significant, there is a mosque located on the monastery grounds. “The mosque within St. Catherine's Monastery was built during the Fatimid Caliphate, specifically during the reign of Caliph al-Amir bi-Ahkam Allah, around 1106 AD (500 AH). It was constructed to accommodate the Muslims, guards, and residents of the monastery, as well as local Muslims who frequented the area, according to source: the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities(Egypt). 

🚨Saint Catherine’s Monastery had a long-standing tradition of interfaith diplomacy. The monastery has always lived in peace with the local Muslim population and Bedouin tribes as a global symbol of peace and unity.

What will happen to the Monks?

At the same time, the presence of the monks in the monastery is precarious since the monks remain in the monastery with an annual residence permit. The Monks residency is in question.  

Saint Catherine's Monastery has always and will always welcome all of the world's faiths and Nations to learn and enjoy what it houses.

🚨This isn't just a political issue—it’s a spiritual and historical crisis.

📜 A Sacred Promise from Islam’s Prophet
In the 7th century, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) granted the monks of Saint Catherine’s Monastery a charter of protection known as the Āshtīnāmeh. This remarkable document promised that:

“No one shall disturb them; no one shall harm them... Their churches shall not be inhabited by others... Their crosses shall not be removed... They shall not be oppressed.” (full text in graphic below)

This covenant remains a powerful symbol of interfaith respect and protection—a living testament to Islamic-Christian harmony.

The recent threat is that it would violate not only international heritage protections but also the 1,400-year-old pledge of religious tolerance and peace. Not only in person but with academics, scholars, and researchers who treasure all it contains.

🛑 Why It Matters
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastery houses the second-largest collection of ancient Christian manuscripts after the Vatican. To date, UNESCO has not responded to calls for help from the monastery.

A government takeover could:

Erode the monastery’s right to self-governance.
Place sacred Christian relics and manuscripts at risk.
Undermine centuries of spiritual integrity and peaceful interfaith coexistence.

🗣️ We Demand and Emplore:
-The Egyptian government honors the Āshtīnāmeh and respects the monastery’s spiritual independence.

-The content of the out-of-court settlement agreed by both sides (which Egypt cancelled at the last minute without ever justifying it) be shared.

-That UNESCO should investigate threats to the site’s autonomy and issue a protective declaration. 

-Religious, cultural, and civil society leaders worldwide speak out to defend this sacred trust.

✍️ Sign the Petition
Let the world know that Saint Catherine’s Monastery is not a political asset—it is a spiritual sanctuary.

It belongs not just to Egypt, not just to Christianity, but to all humanity.

🖊️ Add your name. Defend the covenant. Preserve the monastery.

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