New abbot of Sinai Monastery elected
The new abbot of Sinai. Photo: parapolitika.gr
On September 14, 2025, the brethren of the St. Catherine Monastery in Sinai elected Archimandrite Symeon (Papadopoulos) as the new abbot and Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raithu.
In the official announcement of the Sinai Monastery, published on the website parapolitika.gr, it states: "Today, on the 1st (old calendar) / 14th of September of the year 2025, the Holy Sinai Brotherhood elected as its Father and Abbot of the Royal and Autonomous Holy Monastery of the Theobadist Mount Sinai one of its brothers, Archimandrite Symeon (Papadopoulos),” says the announcement of the Holy Monastery and Archdiocese of Sinai.
Archimandrite Symeon received 19 out of 20 votes, abstaining from voting according to ancient custom. His candidacy was supported by both supporters and opponents of the former abbot of Sinai, Bishop Damianos, which is seen as an important step towards reconciliation and establishing peace within the monastery.
Before his election, Archimandrite Symeon served at the Metochion of the Sinai Monastery in Alepochori and studied philology and theology.
The new abbot succeeded Archbishop Damianos, who led the monastery for 52 years and officially submitted his resignation on September 12. The last election of the abbot and Archbishop of Sinai took place in 1973.
According to the statute, the decision of the brethren must be sent to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, after which the procedure of ordination of the new archbishop will take place.
Additionally, an important task will be the recognition of the new abbot by the Egyptian authorities and granting him citizenship, which is necessary for the official representation of the monastery in relations with the state.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Archbishop Damianos of Sinai officially submitted his resignation.
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