His gratitude to Greece and Egypt, which he described as the two homelands of the Sinaitic Brotherhood, was expressed by Archbishop Simeon of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine of Mount Sinai at an event organized by the Saint Catherine Foundation, dedicated to the historic monastery and the work of photographer 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 presence constitutes a tribute to Mount Sinai.

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

“We thank our two homelands, Greece and Egypt”

In his speech, Archbishop Simeon highlighted the strong ties between the monastery and both Greece and Egypt. “First and foremost, we, the Sinaitic monks, thank our two homelands: Greece, which gave birth to us, and Egypt, which hosts us,” he said.

Referring to the Arab Republic of Egypt and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, he noted that “we are confident they are making every effort so that Mount Sinai may continue its eternal course 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 on Mount Sinai, be with us all.”

Unwavering dedication to the preservation and support of Saint Catherine

The event also highlighted the work of the Saint Catherine Foundation and its supporters. Archbishop Simeon thanked the President of the Foundation, Dimitrios Dontas, along with his American associates and board members, for their “unwavering dedication” to the preservation and support of Saint Catherine over many years, noting that the gathering itself reflected this long-standing commitment.

The Foundation’s role was presented as essential to the preservation of the monastery. According to the organizers, it was established 30 years ago following an appeal made in 1995 by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, after his pilgrimage to Saint Catherine’s.

Over the decades, the Foundation has supported major conservation and preservation initiatives, including manuscript protection, fire safety systems, digitization projects, and the preservation of the monastery’s collections. Its mission, it was emphasized, extends beyond preserving Christian heritage to safeguarding the “shared cultural and religious heritage of humanity.”

Among the most remarkable and sacred historical sites

The significance of the monastery was further underlined by the organizers, who described Saint Catherine’s as one of the most remarkable and sacred historical sites in the world, and the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery.

Special mention was made of Lizzie Manola, whom Archbishop Simeon described as one of the “ambassadors of Mount Sinai.” Her photographic volume, the result of many years of work at the monastery, was presented as offering a “rare glimpse into a world usually hidden from view.”

Speaking about her approach, Manola explained that photographing the monastery required patience, discretion, and trust. Within the monastic context, permission is understood as a “blessing”—something greater than mere approval and a form of spiritual trust. Without this blessing, she said, she could never have captured the “deep spirituality” of the place as she experienced it.

“Distance turned into mutual recognition”

Manola also described how her relationship with the monastery developed gradually. “Access is granted once, but at Sinai it must be earned repeatedly,” she said, explaining that initial distance eventually evolved into “mutual recognition.”

She recalled conversations with the elders over coffee or tea, visits to the monastery’s most secluded areas, and witnessing rituals such as offerings, incense preparation, liturgies, and overnight services.

At times, she added, she deliberately put down her camera, because “the invisible is more present than the visible.”

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