A message of unity and conscious responsibility was conveyed by the monks of the Monastery of Sinai and the three-member delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, following the latter’s recent visit to the monastery’s facilities.
The delegation, appointed by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, arrived yesterday at the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai. After holding meetings last Thursday, August 7, 2025, in Athens, the delegation traveled to the Monastery of Sinai, in accordance with ecclesiastical order and in implementation of the sacred canons that prescribe the pastoral care of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem within its spiritual jurisdiction.
The purpose of the visit was to seek a conciliatory solution following the unrest that arose when a portion of the Sinai Brotherhood decided to suspend Archbishop Damianos from his duties.
Read the announcement of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
With the paternal concern of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, after responding to a relevant plead, a three member committee was sent from the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood, and since it arrived, it made a series of contacts and discussions in Sinai.
The committee that was sent by His Beatitude, after the meeting with the Archbishop of Sinai Mr. Damianos, went to the Holy Monastery of Sinai (as it was obliged following the ecclesiastical order and applying the holy rules, which dictate the pastoral concern of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the realm of its spiritual jurisdiction) and had a long talk with the respected Fathers who live and serve there for many years.
In spirit of mutual respect, spiritual discretion and deep awareness of the graveness of the issues, and with the grace of St. Aikaterini, protector of the Monastery, there were thorough discussions about the current and forthcoming matters, with a special appreciation for the discreet and spiritual presence of the committee, and the crucial analysis which it contributed in order to face the situation.
Due to the warm paternal interest and concern of His Beatitude, as it was expressed by the Hagiotaphite representatives, which was accepted with willingness and gratitude from the Fathers, the importance was stressed of a coordinated collaboration with the relevant political authorities and preserve all the traditionally established statuses and special regulations which accompany the Monastery in his life through the ages.
For that matter, it was obvious that all the parties have the readiness, through the wisdom of time, to re-examine, if necessary, the actions needed to keep and claim the legitimate rights, in spirit of peaceful reconciliation.
The Fathers also expressed their stable concern and love for the Reverend Archbishop of Sinai, as his figure and serving is a steady part of the life of the Brotherhood.
The common will, as it was declared, is to proceed in spirit of unity and conscious responsibility to the set date of the General Assembly, where all the predetermined matters will be examined, in order to reach a decision for the benefit of the Monastery, according to its canonic order, in harmony with the rules of its working.
Photos: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
