To improve a sterile container, in particular, for receiving and storing surgical instruments or surgical material under sterile conditions, comprising a receiving space formed by a container bottom and container walls, a lid for closing the receiving space, a gas exchange opening for providing a fluid connection between the receiving space and an environment outside of the sterile container, a filter holding device including a first holding element and a second holding element, and a sterile filter, wherein, in a sterile position in which the sterile filter closes the gas exchange opening, the sterile filter is held between the first holding element and the second holding element, so that the design thereof is simplified and damage to the sterile filter is avoided, it is proposed that the sterile filter be constructed so as to have no openings, that the first holding element have at least one first holding surface, that the second holding element have at least one second holding surface, and that in the sterile position the sterile filter be held clamped between the first holding surface and the second holding surface.
