Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia sent a letter of congratulations to the newly elected Archbishop Simeon of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho, and Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine.
In his letter, the Patriarch expressed his paternal joy and blessing upon the election and consecration of the new Shepherd of Sinai, emphasizing the historic and spiritual bonds that have for centuries united Georgia with Mount Sinai and the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine.
At the same time, he expresses the hope that this age-old relationship will continue and be further strengthened during the new period of spiritual ministry of Metropolitan Simeon.
Below follows the full text of the congratulatory letter of Archbishop Patriarch Ilia II:
To
His Eminence
the Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho,
and Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai,
His Eminence Simeon,
Your Eminence,
Please accept our heartfelt congratulations on your election and episcopal consecration as Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho.
The all-good providence of God has deemed you worthy to become the Shepherd and Spiritual Father of a place holy and filled with grace — Mount Sinai and the venerable Monastery of Saint Catherine.
May the Lord strengthen you to bear, with humility and godly obedience unto the end, this honorable and grace-filled cross of your ministry.
Mount Sinai, the Church of Georgia, and the Georgian people have from ancient times been bound together by ties of spiritual kinship: for centuries, many Georgian monks and clerics labored here in a life of prayer and ascetic devotion, translating the Holy Scriptures as well as hagiographical and homiletic works, and composing ascetical and prayerful writings.
A living testimony to this spiritual relationship is still preserved today in the ancient Georgian manuscripts kept in the library of Sinai.
It is with joy that I note this spiritual bond continues in our own time, and I hope that during your archpastoral ministry it will be further consolidated and deepened in the spirit of brotherly love in Christ.
May the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — be your helper and protector.
Please convey our love and warmest greetings to the brotherhood of the Holy Monastery.
With respect and love in Christ,
† Ilia II
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia,
Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi,
Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia
October 28, 2025
