New Archbishop of Sinai consecrated at Holy Sepulchre (+VIDEO)

Jerusalem, October 20, 2025

Photo: romfea.gr Photo: romfea.gr   

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem consecrated Archimandrite Symeon as the new Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan and Raitho at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre yesterday, October 19.

The consecration followed the formal announcement of Archimandrite Symeon’s election the previous day. Upon receiving news of his election by the Holy Synod, the newly-elected Archbishop expressed his acceptance, stating: “With feelings of deep emotion and heaviness of heart, I approach Your Beatitude to receive your God-inspired prayers and holy blessing for what is being accomplished concerning me,” reports Romfea.

During the consecration, Pat. Theophilos welcomed the new Archbishop, saying: “Today, at this holy and solemn hour, the Mother Church of Jerusalem offers thanksgiving to the Lord, who has deemed us worthy to see a new hierarch of the ancient Patriarchate of Jerusalem elevated among us and abbot of the Holy Monastery of the God-trodden Mt. Sinai.”

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In his response, Abp. Symeon acknowledged the critical circumstances under which he assumes leadership of the monastery and reaffirmed his connection to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

A reception followed at the Patriarchate, attended by representatives of various Orthodox and other Christian Churches.

The service was also attended by Greek, Cypriot, Jordanian, and Egyptian government figures.

At the festive meal that followed, Pat. Theophilos addressed Abp. Symeon: “Today we witness with joy the harmony and unbreakable communion in the Holy Spirit between the autonomous Monastery of the God-trodden Mount Sinai and our venerable Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre.”

The consecration brings to a close the succession process that began with the resignation of Archbishop Damianos after 52 years of leadership. Archimandrite Symeon was unanimously elected as abbot by the Sinaitic Brotherhood on September 14, 2025, receiving 19 votes with his own left blank according to ancient custom. His election ended a turbulent period for the historic monastery.

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10/20/2025

See also
Jerusalem Synod accepts Archbishop Damianos’ resignation from Mt. Sinai Jerusalem Synod accepts Archbishop Damianos’ resignation from Mt. Sinai Jerusalem Synod accepts Archbishop Damianos’ resignation from Mt. Sinai Jerusalem Synod accepts Archbishop Damianos’ resignation from Mt. Sinai
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s Holy Synod has accepted Abp. Damianos’ resignation from St. Catherine’s Monastery, following months of internal conflict and a legal crisis threatening the monastery’s religious status. Crisis at St. Catherine’s Monastery: conflicting accounts of leadership dispute Crisis at St. Catherine’s Monastery: conflicting accounts of leadership dispute Crisis at St. Catherine’s Monastery: conflicting accounts of leadership dispute Crisis at St. Catherine’s Monastery: conflicting accounts of leadership dispute
A serious leadership crisis has erupted at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mt. Sinai, with two opposing factions presenting dramatically different accounts of recent events at the historic site. Patriarch of Jerusalem promises mediation in Sinai monastery crisis Patriarch of Jerusalem promises mediation in Sinai monastery crisis Patriarch of Jerusalem promises mediation in Sinai monastery crisis Patriarch of Jerusalem promises mediation in Sinai monastery crisis
The Patriarch’s intervention comes after 15 monks at the ancient monastery voted to depose the 91-year-old Abp. Damianos, who has served as abbot for over five decades.

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