Archbishop of Sinai Initiates Succession Process with Strong Critique of Jerusalem Patriarch

In a bold statement, Archbishop Damianos of Sinai has launched the process for his succession while sharply criticizing Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, accusing him of contributing to an “ecclesiastical coup” and deepening divisions within the Orthodox world. Damianos attributes the current discord in Orthodoxy primarily to the Moscow Patriarchate, asserting that its actions have caused widespread consequences for the global Orthodox community. He claims that entities linked to Russia’s efforts to undermine Orthodoxy were quick to exploit internal rifts within the Sinaitic Brotherhood.

Damianos specifically condemns Patriarch Theophilos for his role in past ecclesiastical controversies, notably the treatment of his predecessor, Patriarch Irenaios. He accuses Theophilos of denying Irenaios a proper burial, leaving the Greek Government and the Church of Greece to uphold the late patriarch’s dignity. “The Holy Monastery of Sinai has no tradition of staging coups, defrocking Patriarchs, or confining them to break them spiritually, mentally, and physically,” Damianos declares, emphasizing Sinai’s commitment to avoiding such actions.

Addressing recent letters from Patriarch Theophilos and the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Damianos dismisses them as canonically baseless, aimed at asserting “imperialistic” control over the Sinai Monastery and reducing it to a subordinate entity. He stresses the monastery’s autonomy, as affirmed by the 1782 Sigillion of Ecumenical Patriarch Gabriel IV, and rejects Theophilos’ attempts to intervene in Sinai’s affairs.

In his statement, issued on September 4, 2025, the feast of Prophet Moses, Damianos outlines a path forward for the monastery amid an existential crisis triggered by a May 28, 2025, Court of Appeal decision threatening its centuries-old status. He calls for unity among the Sinaitic Brotherhood and proposes a tripartite agreement with the Egyptian and Greek governments to secure the monastery’s future. Key demands include legal recognition of the monastery as a unique religious entity, Egyptian citizenship for its archbishop, residence permits for its monks, and protection of its relics and manuscripts.

Damianos also acknowledges the support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Churches of Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and others, while criticizing the silence of some Orthodox bodies and the “painful” neutrality of the Patriarch of Alexandria. He reaffirms the monastery’s ties to Greece, citing Law 5224/2025 as a protective shield and praising Greece’s commitment to Orthodox Christians in the Middle East.

At 91, Damianos acknowledges the inevitability of his succession, noting that the crisis has been exacerbated by internal divisions and external pressures. He announces the immediate start of succession procedures, to be conducted with the support of Egyptian authorities, the Greek government, and the Church of Greece. Emphasizing forgiveness, he calls for unity to address the monastery’s challenges and safeguard its sacred legacy.