The newly elected Archbishop of Sinai, Faran, and Raitho, and Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai, Symeon, arrived today in Jerusalem, where he is scheduled to meet privately this evening with Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The official meeting between the Patriarch and the new Archbishop will take place tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, 2025, followed by Symeon’s formal signing in the Codex of Memoranda at the Chief Secretariat of the Patriarchate. Later that afternoon, the Official announcement of his election (Mega Minima) will be held at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.
On Sunday, October 19, the ordination of Archbishop Symeon will take place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the presence of numerous hierarchs, clergy, and faithful. Before departing for Mount Sinai on Monday, Archbishop Symeon will have another meeting with Patriarch Theophilos.
Greece will be represented at a high level, as Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis will travel to Jerusalem to attend the ceremony and deliver an official address. Also present will be George Kalantzis, Secretary General for Religious Affairs.
It should be recalled that on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, presided over by Patriarch Theophilos III, convened in Jerusalem with the participation of all its members. The Synod, after receiving and reading the letters from the Brotherhood of Mount Sinai, officially confirmed the election of Archimandrite Symeon as the new Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine and Archbishop of Sinai, Faran, and Raitho.
Read the full program below:
Friday, 4/17 October 2025
14:30 – Arrival of His Grace, the elected Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho, Archimandrite Simeon, and his entourage at Ben Gurion Airport.
16:00 – Arrival at the Gloria Hotel.
18:30 – Private meeting of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, with His Grace Archimandrite Simeon, the elected Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho.
19:30 – Dinner in honour of His Eminence and his entourage at the Notre Dame Hotel.Saturday, 5/18 October 2025
10:00 – Meeting of His Eminence with His Beatitude.
11:00 – Handwritten completion by His Grace of the Patriarchate’s Record of Memoranda at the Patriarchate’s Secretariat.
15:30 – Great Vespers at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.
17:00 – Service of the Great Message by His Grace, the elected Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho, Archimandrite Simeon, at the aforementioned Church.
17:30 – Return to the Throne Hall. Address by His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III – reply by His Grace Archimandrite Simeon, the elected Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho.Sunday, 6/19 October 2025
08:00 – Marching in procession of the Patriarchal and Hierarchical entourage to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Vesting of the Hierarchs, commencement of the Ordination Service and the Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III.
12:30 – Return to the Throne Hall; addresses and replies. Address by His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III – reply by His Eminence Simeon, Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho. Greeting by His Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr Gerapetritis.
14:30 – Luncheon in honour of His Eminence Simeon, Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho, at the American Colony Hotel.Monday, 7/20 October 2025
10:00 – Meeting of His Eminence Simeon, Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho, with His Beatitude. Departure for Ben Gurion Airport.
