Archbishop Damianos has formally submitted his resignation today, September 12, from his position as Abbot of the Monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai, as he had previously announced in a letter a few days ago.
“I stand in spirit, kneeling and in tears before the sacred reliquary of my mother and nourisher, the Holy Great Martyr Catherine,” he wrote with emotion, recalling the moment of his monastic tonsure 64 years ago.
The Archbishop made special reference to the difficulties and threats the Monastery has faced throughout its long history: “Since then, we have endured many storms and tempests, we have faced many dangers… With steadfastness and persistence I kept beyond the walls of our Monastery all those who sought to harm it.”
In his letter, he expressed concern for the Monastery’s future, pointing to serious challenges: “The grave issue of judicial confiscation and seizure of our Monastery’s property, which has just begun, threatens its very existence and historical continuity. At the same time, our Monastery remains legally non-existent in Egypt.”
Archbishop Damianos stressed the need for unity around the new Abbot: “He will need the unity and support of all, far from personal ambitions and obsessions… If the new Archbishop calls for unity, I will stand by his side with my experience, love, and support.”
Concluding his message, he offered both apology and forgiveness: “If I have wronged anyone, I ask forgiveness… And all those who have humiliated me, I forgive them for what they were right about. For the rest, I await Heaven to speak.”
It should be noted that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem had already deposed Archbishop Damianos from his position as Archbishop of Sinai on September 8, following his earlier letter announcing his intention to resign.
However, in order to “ensure the smooth functioning of the Holy Monastery of Mount Sinai and the canonical conduct of the election, and in view of his advanced age, in a spirit of love and respect toward the retiring Hierarch, it has been decided that the title ‘Former Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan and Raitho’ will apply as of September 12.”
