New Archbishop of Sinai arrives in Jerusalem for ordination

New Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raithu Symeon. Photo: orthodoxia news agency

On October 17, 2025, the Archbishop Symeon of Sinai, Pharan, and Raithu arrived in Jerusalem, where a four-day cycle of official events began, culminating in his ordination on Sunday, October 19. This was reported by the Orthodoxia News Agency.

The ordination of the Archbishop of Sinai will take place for the first time in 52 years: the previous one was conducted on December 23, 1973, when Patriarch Benedict ordained Archimandrite Damianos.

The new Abbot of the Monastery, His Eminence Mr. Symeon, was elected on September 14, 2025 by the Brotherhood with 19 votes. The goal of both himself and the prevailing conditions for the Monastery is to lead it to a climate of unity in the coming day in order to continue the mission it has been carrying out for 17 centuries for Orthodoxy, in a place that is traditionally a meeting place of the three monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam).

On October 18, the official meeting of the Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem with the new Archbishop will take place, followed by the personal signature of His Eminence Mr. Symeon to the Code of Memoranda at the Patriarchate's Secretariat, while in the afternoon the Great Message will be given at the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. 

The main celebration will be held on October 19 at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the ordination will be led by Patriarch Theophilos III. The ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Georgios Gerapetritis, and the Secretary-General for Religious Affairs, Georgios Kalantzis, who previously participated in negotiations with Egypt regarding the status of the monastery.

After the visit concludes, Archbishop Symeon will meet with the Patriarch of Jerusalem and proceed to Sinai to begin his service at the Monastery of Saint Catherine.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Jerusalem Patriarchate expressed confidence that the new abbot will continue the sacred heritage of the monastery, strengthening the unity of the Brotherhood.

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