Jerusalem, September 9, 2025
helleniscope.com
The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced yesterday that it has accepted the resignation of His Eminence Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, ending a tumultuous period of internal conflict at St. Catherine’s Monastery.
The 91-year-old Archbishop will formally step down on September 12. The Synod’s decision comes after he failed to appear at a hearing in Jerusalem on September 8, choosing instead to remain in Athens.
In its statement, the Holy Synod noted it had “taken into consideration the decision of July 30th of the present year by the Sinai Brotherhood regarding his removal from the abbacy, as well as the official petition of July 31st based on the canonical offenses into which he had fallen.” The Synod voted unanimously for his deposition.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, citing Abp. Damianos’ “latest declared letter … to resign on Friday, September 12th, 2025” and his advanced age, decided that the Archbishop will bear the title of “Former Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho” effective from the resignation date of September 12.
The Synod described the Patriarchate as showing “generosity, love, and understanding, even in moments of disturbance of ecclesiastical order” and called upon “the Sinai Brotherhood to proceed with what is required, in accordance with the canonical provisions and its venerable tradition.”
The resignation comes amid a severe crisis at the 6th-century monastery, including an Egyptian court decision from May that threatens to convert the site into a museum and internal divisions that saw 11 monks expelled last week. The conflict has drawn in major Orthodox Patriarchates, with Constantinople supporting Abp. Damianos while Jerusalem backed the expelled brotherhood members.
Read the Holy Synod’s full statement:
The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was convened today, September 8th 2025, in due canonical order, awaiting the presence of Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, as was previously demanded, according to his canonical rights and obligations. However, having already departed and residing in Athens, he did not appear.
The Holy and Sacred Synod, having taken into consideration the decision of July 30th of the present year by the Sinai Brotherhood regarding his removal from the abbacy, as well as the official petition of July 31st based on the canonical offenses into which he had fallen, unanimously resolved his deposition from the throne of Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho, determining that his designation henceforth shall be “Former Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho.”
His Beatitude, Our Father and Patriarch Theophilos III, having taken into consideration the latest declared letter of Archbishop Damianos of Sinai to resign on Friday, September 12th, 2025, in order to facilitate the procedures for the election of a new Archbishop, thereby practically demonstrating his disposition towards the normalization of the functioning of the Holy Monastery of Mount Sinai and the proper canonical conduct of the election, as well as his advanced age, in a spirit of love in Christ and respect towards the departing Hierarch, His Beatitude decided that the designation “Former Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho” shall take effect from September 12th, 2025.
The Patriarchate, as a loving mother and nurturer, has shown generosity, love, and understanding, even in moments of disturbance of ecclesiastical order. His Beatitude, as a compassionate Father and Patriarch, primarily cares for the safeguarding of the peace and unity of the Church.
Therefore, the Synod prays fervently for the departing Hierarch, that he may be granted long life and every blessing from the All-Holy and Life-Giving Tomb of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and calls upon the Sinai Brotherhood to proceed with what is required, in accordance with the canonical provisions and its venerable tradition.
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