A major tourism development featuring a five-star hotel and luxury chalets is reshaping the landscape…
Tag: Sinai Monastery
The election of Symeon Papadopoulos as St. Catherine’s new abbot and archbishop has spotlighted Greece’s influence, amid a contentious dispute over the monastery’s assets and autonomy. The unanimous vote followed the ouster of Archbishop Damianos, who backed a Greek law transferring control of the monastery’s holdings to Athens, raising questions about foreign involvement in the historic Sinai monastery.
Archbishop Damianos of Sinai has initiated his succession process while sharply criticizing Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem for contributing to an “ecclesiastical coup” and deepening Orthodox divisions. Blaming the Moscow Patriarchate for global Orthodox discord, he calls for unity to protect the Sinai Monastery’s autonomy and sacred status amid an existential crisis.
The historic Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, Egypt, is at the heart of a growing ecclesiastical dispute that could strain Greece-Egypt relations. Greece’s General Secretary of Religious Affairs, Giorgos Kalantzis, arrived in Cairo yesterday to mediate between Abbot Archbishop Damian and dissenting monks. Following an emergency meeting at Athens’ Maximos Mansion, fears mount that the monastery could face a schism similar to Mount Athos’ Esfigmenou Monastery. With the monastery closed to pilgrims and Egyptian authorities pressing for a resolution, the next 24 hours are critical for finding a compromise to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site and bilateral ties.
Greek authorities express alarm over Israeli settler encroachments on Greek Orthodox Church property in the West Bank, particularly near the historic Monastery of Saint Gerasimos near Jericho. Tensions rise as new settler outposts emerge following the 2023 Gaza conflict, while Greece and Egypt reaffirm cooperation and the safety of the Sinai Monastery.
In a move to restore peace at the Holy Monastery of Sinai, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem has announced the Patriarchate’s intervention. Responding to Archbishop Kyrillos Damianos’ appeal, a three-member delegation will mediate to resolve the ongoing dispute among the monks, emphasizing reconciliation and the spiritual authority of the Orthodox Church.
Athens, July 31, 2025 – A dramatic power struggle is unfolding at the historic Saint…
In his weekly Sunday Facebook post, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis commented on key issues, including the Sinai Monastery case, university safety measures, the tense Greek Basket League finals, public servant evaluations, and Greece’s economic progress.
