Archbishop Simeon: We are confident that Egypt is making every effort to ensure that Mount Sinai continues its eternal course unhindered

His gratitude to Greece and Egypt, which helium described arsenic the 2 homelands of the Sinaitic Brotherhood, was expressed by Archbishop Simeon of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine of Mount Sinai astatine an lawsuit organized by the Saint Catherine Foundation, dedicated to the historical monastery and the enactment of lensman and writer Lizzie Manola.

Addressing representatives of Christian churches and communities, members of the diplomatic corps, and officials from Egypt, Greece, the Holy See, Malta, and the United Nations, Archbishop Simeon emphasized that their beingness constitutes a tribute to Mount Sinai.

He besides thanked the United States Under Secretary of State for Administration and Resources, Michael Rigas, for his beingness and for his “continued interest” successful the Monastery of Saint Catherine.

“We convey our 2 homelands, Greece and Egypt”

In his speech, Archbishop Simeon highlighted the beardown ties betwixt the monastery and some Greece and Egypt. “First and foremost, we, the Sinaitic monks, convey our 2 homelands: Greece, which gave commencement to us, and Egypt, which hosts us,” helium said.

Referring to the Arab Republic of Egypt and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, helium noted that “we are assured they are making each effort truthful that Mount Sinai whitethorn proceed its eternal people unhindered.”

Concluding his remarks, Archbishop Simeon paid tribute to Ms. Manola and offered a blessing to those present, saying: “May the grace of God, who revealed Himself connected Mount Sinai, beryllium with america all.”

Unwavering dedication to the preservation and enactment of Saint Catherine

The lawsuit besides highlighted the enactment of the Saint Catherine Foundation and its supporters. Archbishop Simeon thanked the President of the Foundation, Dimitrios Dontas, on with his American associates and committee members, for their “unwavering dedication” to the preservation and enactment of Saint Catherine implicit galore years, noting that the gathering itself reflected this long-standing commitment.

The Foundation’s relation was presented arsenic indispensable to the preservation of the monastery. According to the organizers, it was established 30 years agone pursuing an entreaty made successful 1995 by the past Prince of Wales, present King Charles III, aft his pilgrimage to Saint Catherine’s.

Over the decades, the Foundation has supported large conservation and preservation initiatives, including manuscript protection, occurrence information systems, digitization projects, and the preservation of the monastery’s collections. Its mission, it was emphasized, extends beyond preserving Christian practice to safeguarding the “shared taste and spiritual practice of humanity.”

Among the astir singular and ineffable humanities sites

The value of the monastery was further underlined by the organizers, who described Saint Catherine’s arsenic 1 of the astir singular and ineffable humanities sites successful the world, and the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery.

Special notation was made of Lizzie Manola, whom Archbishop Simeon described arsenic 1 of the “ambassadors of Mount Sinai.” Her photographic volume, the effect of galore years of enactment astatine the monastery, was presented arsenic offering a “rare glimpse into a satellite usually hidden from view.”

Speaking astir her approach, Manola explained that photographing the monastery required patience, discretion, and trust. Within the monastic context, support is understood arsenic a “blessing”—something greater than specified support and a signifier of spiritual trust. Without this blessing, she said, she could ne'er person captured the “deep spirituality” of the spot arsenic she experienced it.

“Distance turned into communal recognition”

Manola besides described however her narration with the monastery developed gradually. “Access is granted once, but astatine Sinai it indispensable beryllium earned repeatedly,” she said, explaining that archetypal region yet evolved into “mutual recognition.”

She recalled conversations with the elders implicit java oregon tea, visits to the monastery’s astir secluded areas, and witnessing rituals specified arsenic offerings, incense preparation, liturgies, and overnight services.

At times, she added, she deliberately enactment down her camera, due to the fact that “the invisible is much contiguous than the visible.”

The lawsuit was attended by Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Aglaia Balta, and Consul Petros Dorizas.