The Hellenic Parliament continues today with the second session of the plenary debate on the Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports Ministry’s new bill, which includes key provisions for the legal recognition of Saint Catherine’s Monastery of Sinai in Greece.
The bill proposes the establishment of a Legal Entity under Public Law (LEPL) under the official name:
“Greek Orthodox Royal Autonomous Monastery of the Holy and God-Trodden Mount Sinai in Greece.”
A roll-call vote on the bill is scheduled for 12:00 noon Greek time.
Legislative Action Amid Internal Monastery Turmoil
The legislative initiative comes during a period of intense internal crisis within the Sinai Brotherhood. According to a letter dated July 30 addressed to Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, a group of monks from the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai has announced the removal of Archbishop Damianos of Sinai from his role as abbot—a position he has held for 52 years.
The letter reports that a general assembly of the brotherhood was convened and claims a unanimous decision to dismiss the Archbishop.
Archbishop Damianos Responds
In response, Archbishop Damianos expressed deep concern over what he described as non-canonical actions taking place within the monastery, calling them a form of internal subversion. He emphasized that these developments violate ecclesiastical ethics and threaten the unity of the monastic community.
“These actions offend the spiritual integrity of the monastery and endanger its unity,” he stated, reaffirming his intention to act in accordance with the Holy Canons.
The Archbishop also called for national and ecclesiastical unity in protecting the historic continuity of the Monastery of Sinai, which he described as a global spiritual and cultural symbol.
Today’s debate in Parliament is expected to conclude with the formal vote, which may shape not only the legal recognition of the Monastery within Greek jurisdiction but also signal the government’s institutional support amid the unfolding ecclesiastical dispute.
Greek Education Minister: We will honor our promise to Archbishop Damianos
In a significant parliamentary session, Greek Minister of Education Sophia Zacharaki addressed concerns surrounding the newly introduced bill establishing a Legal Entity under Public Law in Greece for the Greek Orthodox Royal Autonomous Monastery of Saint Catherine of Sinai. The debate unfolded amid an internal crisis within the monastic brotherhood and growing public attention on the role of Archbishop Damianos, who has served as abbot for over five decades.
During the discussion yesterday, 31st of July, of the bill Geek Education Minister Sophia Zacharaki made a firm and public commitment: “We will remain faithful to the promise we gave to the Holy Sinai Brotherhood and to Archbishop Damianos.”
Archbishop Damianos was present in the parliamentary gallery during the session, following the proceedings with keen interest.
Responding to the recent turmoil within the monastic community, Zacharaki stressed the government’s position: “The official statement issued by His Eminence Archbishop Damianos is clear and leaves no room for doubt: he is the lawful and canonical Archbishop of Sinai and Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Sinai. From that point on, each of us must weigh our responsibilities before the 15 centuries of history this sacred institution represents.”
The minister emphasized that Parliament must not interfere in internal Church affairs: “The national legislature will in no way replace ecclesiastical courts or make rulings on the legality or canonicity of internal procedures within the Holy Monastery of Sinai.”
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
