The final chapter is expected to be written today for Archbishop Damianos, who has served as Abbot of the Monastery of Sinai for more than five decades.
As he announced in a letter a few days ago, he will submit his resignation from both the Abbotship and the Archdiocese of Sinai on Friday, September 12.
His main priority, as he emphasized, is the unity of the Brotherhood and the canonical regularity of the election of a new Abbot.
Archbishop Damianos has lifted the ecclesiastical sanctions and the expulsions of monks so that “all may participate in the General Assembly,” which will take place at the Monastery on Sunday, September 14, with the sole agenda being the election of a new Abbot and Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho.
He also made known that, for health reasons, he will not be present. The presidency of the General Assembly will be assumed by whomever the members of the Brotherhood present elect.
“The General Assembly must become a point of unity and also the starting point for a new chapter in the centuries-long life of our Monastery,” he remarked.
He further urged that, “for the good of the Holy Monastery of Sinai,” the era of mutual lawsuits and memoranda must come to an end through their withdrawal. “Otherwise, the lengthy legal battles will perpetuate a climate of division and negative publicity for the Monastery of Sinai. My successor bears the responsibility of ensuring that the necessary steps are taken.”
The Stance of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem had already deposed Archbishop Damianos of Sinai from his position on September 8, following his letter in which he announced his intention to resign.
However, it decided that, “for the normalization of the functioning of the Holy Monastery of Mount Sinai and for the canonical conduct of the election, as well as in view of his advanced age, and in a spirit of love and respect toward the departing Hierarch, the title ‘Former Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho’ will apply as of September 12.”
