Jerusalem delegation meets abbot of Sinai over the monastery issue
A Jerusalem delegation in Athens is seeking to address the St. Catherine’s Monastery conflict following an attempt by monks to remove the abbot.
On August 7, 2025, in Athens, a three-member delegation of the Jerusalem Patriarchate met with Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, the abbot of St. Catherine’s Monastery. The meeting was prompted by the actions of a group of monks demanding the removal of the 91-year-old abbot, who has led the monastery for more than half a century, Orthodox Times reported.
The delegation included Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantine, Archimandrite Ieronymos, Archimandrite Christodoulos, and Professor of Canon Law Theodoros Yangou. According to representatives of the Patriarchate, the mission’s goal is “reconciliation and healing of the sacred institution of the monastery, safeguarding the witness of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.”
The situation is further complicated by parallel negotiations between Egypt and the monastery concerning ownership rights to its religious buildings. Sources say a breakthrough in the dialogue was near, but the escalation within the brotherhood may have affected the talks. Agreements have already been reached to grant the monastery legal entity status and to protect its relics as a private collection.
In response to the revolt, Archbishop Damianos stated that any attempt to discuss his position “is unacceptable” and violates the autonomy of the Sinai monastery. He accused 14 monks of canonical offenses, including conspiracy, usurpation of authority, and incitement to rebellion, and demanded written explanations from them.
Amid the crisis, the foreign ministers of Greece and Egypt confirmed that the Greek Orthodox character and the uninterrupted liturgical life of the monastery would be preserved.
“I received the reassurance that the worship continuity and Greek Orthodox identity of the monastery – a hallmark of religious tolerance and respect for religious freedom that Egypt has always shown – will not be disrupted,” assured Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the monks of the Sinai Monastery had asked Patriarch Theophilos to dismiss the abbot.
