The Fathers of the Holy Monastery of Sinai have sent a letter of gratitude to Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, following the recent visit of a delegation from the Patriarchate to the Monastery.
The delegation included His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Archimandrite Ieronymos, Archimandrite Christodoulos, and Professor Theodoros Giagkos, a Canon Law scholar from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
In their letter, the Fathers wrote:
“Your Beatitude Father and Master,
We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude both to Your Beatitude for Your truly paternal and spiritual interest, as well as to His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, along with the Committee under him, for his unfeigned and long-standing love towards us, who, despite his honourable age, nevertheless suffered this toil and conveyed to our hearts in confidence the information entrusted to him.
Likewise, for the honourable and untiring effort he has shown for our Brotherhood in this time of trial. Their sincere and unreserved presence here, in accordance with the canonical provision of Article 19 of the Foundational Statutes of the Holy Monastery of Sinai, after the canonical appeal of the ceased Archbishop of ours, and Your Beatitude’s immediate response, brought to us in Christ the genuine love of Your Patriarchal care, truly uplifting our hearts and the struggles of the Fathers of Sinai.”
The Fathers noted that the visit of the delegation brought them comfort and spiritual support during a time of difficulty:
“In truth and meekness, but also with deep pain, our Brotherhood was informed in detail by Your Eminence’s Exarch concerning all the dimensions of the ongoing issue, and we noted at the same time his wholehearted willingness for cooperation with the Governments of Egypt and Greece for the benefit and protection of the Holy Monastery.”
They concluded by affirming their commitment to move forward in unity and mutual respect:
“Thus, in patience and perseverance, and with our sincere respect towards His Eminence, the elderly Archbishop Damianos, we proceed towards the forthcoming General Assembly for further discussion.”
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
