From July 6th to 8th, a delegation of the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr was solemnly received within the hallowed walls of Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Sinai — one of Christianity’s most sacred and enduring sanctuaries — at the gracious invitation of the brotherhood.
This visit occurred at a critical and historic juncture, as the monastery confronts intensifying threats to its property, its ancient lands, and its centuries-old mission. Yet, as it has for more than fifteen centuries, Saint Catherine’s remains unshaken — a rock of faith, sacrifice, and the eternal presence of God amidst the wilderness.
At the foot of Mount Sinai — where Moses stood before the Burning Bush — stands Saint Catherine’s, among the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world. Commissioned by Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, it has endured as a sanctuary of prayer, scholarship, and mercy. Its venerable walls enclose some of humanity’s most priceless treasures — icons, manuscripts, and relics — safeguarded by generations of monks whose steadfast devotion has preserved this sacred inheritance against the ravages of time and turmoil. The monastery is not merely a relic of history, but a radiant beacon of peace, memory, and divine light shining into our world.
During the pilgrimage, the delegation was granted privileged access to the monastery’s innermost sanctuaries — beholding ancient icons, including three of the oldest known in Christendom, and manuscripts of immeasurable spiritual and cultural worth. These treasures, lovingly guarded by the brotherhood, stand as a testament to the monastery’s profound significance for all humanity and a stark reminder of what stands to be lost if vigilance falters.
In resolute recognition of the monastery’s urgent needs, the Order pledged a financial gift of $10,000 to sustain its mission and defend its rights. Further, the Order announced the imminent launch of a global fundraising campaign, summoning Christians and all people of goodwill to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the monks of Sinai — guardians of a heritage entrusted to them by God and hallowed by centuries of sacrifice.
The delegation, led by Grand Knight Konstantine Pandolfi, included Father Jeremiah Burke and His Excellency Dr. Miceál O’Hurley. Dr. O’Hurley joined the mission as part of a fact-finding initiative to assist the monks in defending their historic claims and rightful stewardship of their lands.
During the visit, Dr. O’Hurley examined the Ahd al-Nabi (العهد النبوي) — the fabled covenant granted by the Prophet Muhammad himself in the second year of the Hijra (623 CE), guaranteeing the monks and their monastery perpetual protection, freedom to practice their faith, and exemption from taxation. This covenant, revered and honored by Muslim rulers across the centuries, was reaffirmed by President Anwar Sadat through a presidential decree during his own visit to the monastery.
Nevertheless, the monastery now faces grave legal and political challenges. A recent ruling by the Ismailia Court of Appeals threatens to strip the monastery of part of its rightful property, awarding it instead to the Egyptian government. With the full support of the Order, Dr. O’Hurley is spearheading efforts alongside a legal and diplomatic team to contest this unjust decision — documenting the monastery’s historic rights and the solemn promises Egypt itself made when Saint Catherine’s was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dr. O’Hurley declared:
“Thanks to the Order’s decisive support, the monks of Sinai are now better equipped to defend the sacred trust they have carried for fifteen centuries. Protecting Saint Catherine’s and the 47 Christian Sinai sites under its care is not only an obligation to our past but a defense of the Christian future in the Levant. Should this holy sanctuary fall, it would imperil Christian communities throughout the region and deal a grievous blow to the heritage of all mankind.”
In this decisive hour, the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr stands firmly with the monks of Sinai — in prayer, in solidarity, and in action — to ensure that this jewel of Christendom remains an unbroken witness to faith for generations to come.
The Order remains steadfast in its commitment to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and to all Christians who live and breathe across Gaza, the Holy Land, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and the wider Middle East.
To make a charitable contribution to the Order and its efforts for Saint Catherine’s Monastery, please use the yellow [Donate button] in the top menu and put in the memo “Sinai”. If you are interested in joining the Order as a member, please click on the menu item entitled Join the Order.
