The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was convened in the Holy City of Jerusalem on Wednesday, the 1st of September 2025, under the Presidency of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, with the participation of its members.
Patriarch Theophilosand the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod discussed various matters concerning the administrative, ecclesiastical, and pastoral affairs of the Patriarchate, the ministry of the All-holy Shrines and Churches, and the pastoral care of the clergy and the people.
Patriarch Theophilos presented the developments regarding the Monastery of Saint Catherine of Sinai, according to the decisions of the previous Synod convened in Jerusalem on the 8th of September 2025. The Synod received and read the letters of the Brotherhood of Sinai, namely the Act of Election and the Holy Agreement of Archimandrite Symeon as the new Hegumen of the Monastery. Through these, the candidate requested the confirmation of his Hegumenship and his election to the Holy Archdiocese of Sinai, Faran, and Raitho. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he was confirmed as Hegumen of the Monastery of Saint Catherine through his election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem as Archbishop of Sinai, Faran, and Raitho. The Holy Synod further decided that his episcopal ordination be celebrated on Sunday, the 19th of October 2025, in the Most Holy Church of the Resurrection, according to the liturgical order and the Typikon of the Church of Jerusalem. His Beatitude and the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod addressed heartfelt wishes to the elected Archbishop for success and fruitfulness in his holy ministry, for the benefit of the Church, for the unity of the Brotherhood of Sinai, the continuation and development of the spiritual life there, and the safeguarding of its rights, privileges, and properties.
Patriarch Theophilos also informed the Holy and Sacred Synod concerning his visit to the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, highlighting the fruits that were reaped for the Church of Jerusalem, the Patriarchate, and its property.
Furthermore, Patriarch Theophilos referred to his recent visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan and the meetings that took place during his stay there.
In addition, Patriarch Theophilos communicated to the Synod the invitation of Metropolitan Ioannikios of Montenegro for his upcoming participation in a cultural event in his Metropolis and appointed Metropolitan Makarios of Ptolemais-Acre as his representative.
He also presented the letter of the Hegumen of the Russian Monastery of Hebron, by which he invited Him to preside over the festive celebrations for the centenary of the Monastery’s foundation. Consequently, Patriarch Theophilos will preside over these celebrations and the Divine Liturgy on the 22nd of October 2025.
The Holy Synod also decided to approve the request of Mr. Alexander Buchantsev to be ordained as a Priest, in order to minister to the Russian Community in the city of Ashdod, upon the recommendation of Archbishop Aristovoulos of Qatar.
At the conclusion of the work of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Patriarch Theophilos and the Holy Fathers offered supplication for the peace of the world, praying that the Lord may comfort the people of Gaza, who are suffering from the trials of war, and finally bring an end to the war. Moreover, they addressed fatherly wishes to the flock of the Church of Jerusalem in the Holy Land and throughout the world, for peace and serenity, by the divine power of the life-giving Cross, which bestows upon the world the transcendent joy of the Resurrection. Finally, they entreated the Lord to grant peace, stability, and security to the Middle East and to the Holy Land.
