The Patriarchate of Jerusalem responds with a particularly harsh statement to what Archbishop Sinai Damianos said in his statement about the role of the Patriarchate in this particular crisis.
In a clearly aggressive and ironic tone, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem states in the statement that it decides to…. disregard Damianos’ statement, so that the corresponding canonical penalties may temporarily be avoided, speaks of the anti-ecclesiastical spirit of the statement, offensive and false claims, even going so far as to boldly state that the statement was not written by the Archbishop.
It is also emphasized that Archbishop Sinai, through his actions, led “suspicious persons, who acted violently and expelled venerable members of the Sinai Brotherhood” into the Monastery.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem states once again that it is the one that has canonical and spiritual responsibility and that it has no intention of getting involved in the administration of the Monastery, and that the priority is the restoration of the normal functioning of the Holy Monastery.
Finally, he calls on the monks to proceed peacefully with the procedures of electing a successor to Archbishop Damianos.
Read the statement of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Concerning the lengthy statement attributed to the Archbishop of Sinai, Damianos, who has departed from the Monastery, a beloved brother in Christ and hierarch canonically subject to the Ancient Patriarchate of Jerusalem, it has been decided that its content be disregarded, so that the corresponding canonical penalties may temporarily be avoided.
The improper and anti-ecclesiastical spirit of the said statement, containing offensive and false claims divisive for Romiosyne, confirms numerous testimonies, according to which it is indisputably certified that it does not originate from the pen of the departing Archbishop.
Furthermore, it is noted that the departing Archbishop, through actions inconsistent with his personal course, introduced into the Monastery suspicious persons who acted violently and expelled venerable members of the Sinai Brotherhood, keeping the Holy Monastery closed for a long period of time — an act that aroused the gravest concern for its sacred relics and the historical treasures of its archive.
The venerable Hagiotaphite Brotherhood of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, honoring the history and long-standing contribution of the departing Archbishop and recognizing his human weakness, prays for his health, enlightenment, and repentance. It has also received with joy from the Hellenic Government the information concerning his peaceful and dignified withdrawal, which befits his age.
The Ancient Patriarchate, having canonical and spiritual responsibility over the Archdiocese of Sinai, without any intention of administrative interference in the affairs of the Monastery, contributed through mediation, exhortations, and paternal counsel to the easing of the crisis. Its priority remains the return to canonical order and the restoration of the normal functioning of the Holy Monastery.
The Patriarchate therefore calls upon the Fathers of Sinai to proceed peacefully with the procedures of election prescribed by the Fundamental Regulations, so that it may receive the newly to-be-elected Abbot of the Monastery and ordain him at the All-Holy and Life-giving Tomb of the Risen Lord, as a true son of the Church of Sion.
