Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Turmoil: Archbishop Damianos Faces Rebellion

Tensions remain high at the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai, Egypt, as a new chapter unfolds in the ongoing conflict involving Archbishop Damianos of Sinai.

On August 26, the Archbishop arrived at the monastery to restore order but faced confrontation from a group of monks who had previously challenged his leadership, demanding his removal.

In an official statement, Archbishop Damianos declared that the monastery has “returned to legality and normalcy.” He reported that, supported by loyal monks and local Bedouins integrated into the monastery’s community, he called on the ten dissenting monks to respect the established order and rules. However, he alleges that upon his late-night arrival, these “rebellious monks” attacked and harassed him, attempting to seize control of the monastery. With the Bedouins’ assistance, the Archbishop claims he successfully expelled the dissenters from the monastery’s premises.

Archbishop’s Statement

In his detailed statement, Archbishop Damianos recounted his arrival on August 26, aiming for reconciliation and dialogue with the dissenting monks. He accused them of organising an unauthorised assembly to amend the monastery’s regulations without his approval, despite his role as the presiding authority under the monastery’s rules.

The Archbishop stated that the dissenting monks attacked him, as they had during his previous visit. Loyal monks defended him and the monastery, forcing the rebels outside the monastery walls. A General Assembly was then convened with the present monks, excluding the dissenters, who were penalised with excommunication. A new Synaxis (monastic council) was elected, consisting of Hieromonk Porphyrios Kanavakis (Dikaios), Hieromonk Akakios Spanos (Skevophylax), and Monk Efraim Provatas (Oikonomos).

The Archbishop concluded, “The monastery has returned to legality and normalcy.” He expressed gratitude to Saint Catherine, the monastery’s patron, for her protection and issued a public apology for the scandal caused by the monks’ actions, acknowledging that their behaviour contradicted the monastic mission to be a light to the world.

Ongoing Division

The conflict stems from a group of 15 monks who voted to remove Archbishop Damianos. However, the validity of this assembly is questioned, as it lacked the presence of the Archbishop and the monastery’s Dikaios, raising concerns about its compliance with canonical rules. The monks cited articles 12 and 35 of the monastery’s internal regulations, but their numbers—either 14 or 15, as one monk reportedly relocated to Mount Athos—may not meet the required two-thirds majority for valid decisions.

The dissenting monks appealed to Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, reporting their assembly’s outcome. Archbishop Damianos also contacted the Patriarch, protesting the monks’ uncanonical actions. Notably, the Sinai Archbishopric is autonomous, with the Archbishop traditionally ordained by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. The roles of monastery abbot and Archbishop are distinct, with the latter carrying broader synodal responsibilities.

Patriarch Theophilos responded only to Damianos's letter, interpreting it as a call for the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to assume responsibility. He announced the dispatch of a three-member delegation, led by Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, to Athens for consultations with the Sinai Monastery.

The situation remains unresolved, with the monastery’s future hinging on these discussions and the restoration of canonical order.

(Source: To Vima)