Negotiations over a new legal framework for the future of the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai have entered their final stage, with Cairo, Athens and the Sinai Brotherhood now working through the remaining details before a potential agreement and final signatures.
Sources familiar with the negotiations say the Brotherhood is preparing its response to the latest proposals that the Egyptian authorities sent to the monastery in early August. Once the Brotherhood submits its final views, the process is expected to move toward the signing of an agreement.
A source briefed on the negotiations said the Brotherhood now stands at the point where it must respond to Egypt’s latest positions. The source also attributed a recent delay to the August 15 religious celebrations observed under both the new and old calendars, saying Cairo and Athens had shown understanding.
A proposed “dual ownership” framework
Church sources say the central framework of the agreement now enjoys broad acceptance and would establish an unusual “dual ownership” arrangement.
Under the proposed framework, the Sinai Brotherhood would retain permanent and unrestricted religious possession, use and operation of the monastery’s movable and immovable property. However, it would not have the right to transfer, alter or commercially exploit the monastery’s historic properties or its unique archaeological and Byzantine treasures.
Egypt’s Antiquities Authority would also play an important role in decisions concerning the use, display or touring exhibition of the country’s religious treasures, as well as matters involving the monastery’s historic properties.
Legal circles describe the proposed arrangement as a modern combination of bare ownership on one side and conditional usufruct on the other. They say the model would seek to respect Egyptian domestic law while also protecting internationally recognised rights and principles concerning religious communities.
The Brotherhood is currently working on provisions covering dozens of smaller monastery properties, including land and buildings. A team of prominent experts has undertaken extensive work to document and catalogue those assets. The properties provide the Brotherhood with a modest source of income that supports its survival.
Brotherhood response expected soon
The Brotherhood is expected to send its response to Egypt’s latest proposals shortly after the departure of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael Rigas, who visited the monastery and attended a service there on the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary under the Old Calendar.
Rigas represents the second senior U.S. official to become directly involved in the issue. Earlier, U.S. presidential senior adviser Massad Boulos met with Sinai Archbishop Symeon and conveyed the U.S. president’s interest in the monastery’s future.
Egyptian authorities and the monastery began consultations around two months after the enthronement of Archbishop Symeon. The two sides have generally held one or two meetings each month.
Talks intensified in May, June and July as the Egyptian Court of Cassation approached a decision on the monastery’s case. The court subsequently postponed the ruling once again.
Throughout the negotiations, the two sides have exchanged views with what sources describe as full respect for Egypt’s constitution and laws, decisions by Egyptian courts and the monastery’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
They have also focused on preserving the monastery’s unique status quo, including its Greek Orthodox identity and its position as the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monastery, with a history spanning approximately 15 centuries.
Egypt expected to issue final response
Once the Egyptian authorities receive the Brotherhood’s final position in the coming days, attention will turn to Cairo’s definitive response.
Under the emerging framework, Egypt would also grant Egyptian citizenship to Archbishop Symeon and recognise him by presidential decree as the lawful abbot of the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai.
The authorities would also clarify the special residency arrangements that would apply to members of the Brotherhood.
The parties could potentially recognise the Brotherhood’s fundamental rules as part of the final arrangement, helping establish a clearer framework for its future dealings with the Egyptian state.
If negotiations conclude successfully, representatives of Egypt, Archbishop Symeon and a representative of the Greek Republic are expected to participate in the delegation that signs the agreement.
