The long-standing question of the legal recognition of the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai in Greece is finally being resolved through a new bill introduced by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports. The bill, now under discussion by the Parliamentary Committee on Educational Affairs, addresses a historic gap in the legal framework.

“The Greek state is reaffirming its commitment to support the mission and work of the Holy Monastery and to safeguard its interests,” stated Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, during the committee’s session.

Support for Ecclesiastical Education and Foreign Students

The bill also includes provisions aimed at strengthening the Higher Ecclesiastical Academies and the Theological Schools of Greek universities by easing access for international students. Specifically, up to 10 candidates from the Patriarchate of Antioch—Syrian or Lebanese nationals—will be eligible for admission to any Greek Higher Education Institution (HEI), based on a proposal by the Patriarchate, and with the agreement of both the Church of Greece and the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“This initiative directly supports the Patriarchate of Antioch in enhancing the training of its clergy and restores a vital channel of communication with Greek Orthodox communities in Syria,” Zacharaki noted.

Recognition of the Bektashi Alevis of Thrace

Another significant step included in the bill concerns the religious minority of the Bektashi Alevis in Thrace. As Zacharaki highlighted:

“In 2021, for the first time, a charitable foundation of the Bektashi Alevis—part of the Muslim minority in Thrace—was officially licensed. Now, through Article 49 of the bill, the Bektashi Alevis of Thrace are formally recognized as a religious legal entity under Law 4301/2014. This marks the first time a Muslim religious legal entity is recognized in Greece, representing a crucial advancement in the protection of religious freedom.”

Additional Reforms

The bill also strengthens the Clergy Candidate Apprenticeship Schools and facilitates the enrollment of foreign students in model Ecclesiastical Schools. These students come from various Orthodox Patriarchates, including those of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.

Modernization of Worship Regulations

Furthermore, the legislation aims to significantly enhance the public benefit work of church institutions and replace the outdated regulatory framework for licensing places of worship, which dates back to the Metaxas era.

“As a state, we are ensuring the unimpeded right to religious worship for all communities by establishing a modern, comprehensive, and coherent legal framework for places of worship,” said Minister Zacharaki.