Monks of Sinai Monastery ask Patriarch Theophilos to dismiss abbot

St. Catherine's Monastery on Sinai. Photo: open sources

On July 30, 2025, a group of 15 monks sent an official letter to the Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos demanding the removal of Archbishop Damianos from his position. The monks cite the decision of the General Assembly of the monastery and express disagreement with the actions of the abbot in connection with the bill on the legal status of the monastery in Greece.

The conflict escalated against the backdrop of discussions in the Greek parliament regarding a bill recognizing the legal personality of the Sinai Monastery in Greece.

Archbishop Damianos considers the actions of the monks uncanonical, as the procedure provided for by Article 12 of the monastery's Statute, requiring the support of 2/3 of the monks of the brotherhood, was not followed.

In his statement, the archbishop accused the group of monks of "conspiring to violate the Divine and Sacred Canons and the Fundamental Regulations of the Holy Monastery of Sinai". According to him, their actions "scandalize the faithful people of God, undermine the unity of the Brotherhood, lead the Monastery into to 'Babylonian captivity'."

For its part, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem has not made any official statement to date. It is the Jerusalem Patriarch who traditionally ordains the Sinai archbishops and has the canonical authority to resolve the emerging crisis.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a legal entity representing the Catherine Monastery on Sinai was created in Greece.

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