Sinai Monks Thank Pat. of Jerusalem, Commit to Unity
"In patience and perseverance, and with our sincere respect towards His Eminence, the elderly Archbishop Damianos, we proceed towards the forthcoming General Assembly for further discussion.”
JERUSALEM — The Fathers of the Holy Monastery of Sinai have expressed profound gratitude to Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem following a recent visit by a delegation from the Patriarchate. The delegation, led by His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, included Archimandrite Ieronymos, Archimandrite Christodoulos, and Canon Law scholar Professor Theodoros Giagkos from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
In a heartfelt letter, the Fathers wrote, “Your Beatitude Father and Master, We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude both to Your Beatitude for Your truly paternal and spiritual interest, as well as to His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, along with the Committee under him, for his unfeigned and long-standing love towards us.” They praised Archbishop Aristarchos, noting that “despite his honourable age, [he] nevertheless suffered this toil and conveyed to our hearts in confidence the information entrusted to him.”
The Fathers praised the pastoral visit, highlighted its uplifting impact, stating, “Their sincere and unreserved presence here… brought to us in Christ the genuine love of Your Patriarchal care, truly uplifting our hearts and the struggles of the Fathers of Sinai.”
The delegation provided detailed updates on ongoing challenges, with the Fathers noting, “In truth and meekness, but also with deep pain, our Brotherhood was informed in detail by Your Eminence’s Exarch concerning all the dimensions of the ongoing issue.” They also commended the delegation’s “wholehearted willingness for cooperation with the Governments of Egypt and Greece for the benefit and protection of the Holy Monastery.”
Affirming their commitment to unity, the Fathers concluded, “Thus, in patience and perseverance, and with our sincere respect towards His Eminence, the elderly Archbishop Damianos, we proceed towards the forthcoming General Assembly for further discussion.”
The full text of the letter is available below.
Earlier today, the UOJ reported that the Jerusalem Patriarchate's intervention in the crisis at St. Catherine's has caused consternation among the Greek government. Many interpret Theophilus's actions as supporting the attepted ouster of St. Catherine's abbot, Archbishop Damianos.
Full Text of the Letter
SAINT CATHERINE’S MONASTERY AND ARCHBISHOPIC OF MOUNT SINAI
In Sinai, 13th August 2025
To His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III
Your Beatitude Father and Master,
We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude both to Your Beatitude for Your truly paternal and spiritual interest, as well as to His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, along with the Committee under him, for his unfeigned and long-standing love towards us, who suffered this toil despite his honourable age, and conveyed to our hearts in confidence the information entrusted to him. Likewise, for the honourable and untiring effort he has shown for our Brotherhood in this time of trial. Their sincere and unreserved presence here, in accordance with the canonical provision of Article 19 of the Foundational Statutes of the Holy Monastery of Sinai, after the canonical appeal of the ceased Archbishop of ours, and Your Beatitude’s immediate response, brought to us in Christ the genuine love of Your Patriarchal care, truly uplifting our hearts and the struggles of the Fathers of Sinai.
In truth and meekness, but also with deep pain, our Brotherhood was informed in detail by Your Eminence’s Exarch concerning all the dimensions of the ongoing issue, and we noted at the same time his wholehearted willingness for cooperation with the Governments of Egypt and Greece for the benefit and protection of the Holy Monastery.
Thus, in patience and perseverance, and with our sincere respect towards His Eminence, the elderly Archbishop Damianos, we proceed towards the forthcoming General Assembly for further discussion.
With profound respect,
Archbishop Niphon
Representative of the Fathers of Sinai
[via Orthodoxia News Agency]
