Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s ‘neutral stance’ deepens crisis at Sinai Monastery

The statement, issued from Jerusalem, seeks primarily to establish its canonical jurisdiction over the monastery and, keeping an equal distance, essentially did not disapprove of the coup against the monastery’s abbot, Archbishop Damianos.

The contents of the statement reveal the decision of the Patriarch of Jerusalem to achieve control of the Monastery, although traditionally the relationship with the Monastery was limited to the ordination of the new Abbot of the time and, indeed, if there was a refusal, then the ordination was carried out by the Ecumenical Patriarch. The communiqué is accompanied by a photo of the delegation with the monks of the Monastery, while a photo of the delegation’s meeting with Archbishop Damianos, Abbot of the Monastery, has been deliberately omitted.

These moves and the “Byzantine” backstory surrounding the ecclesiastical order at the monastery undermine any effort by Athens to promote the agreement with Egypt, which would secure the monastery’s ownership as a legal entity of the places of worship, leaving it hostage to the whims of the Egyptian administration of the day and controversial court decisions.

The intention of the Patriarch of Jerusalem to control the Monastery of Sinai creates other collateral consequences, as it is a given that Cairo does not want such an important and internationally renowned center as the Sinai Monastery to come under the full and absolute control of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, an institution that, although ecclesiastical, operates within the framework of the Israeli State.

Now the intervention of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which has so far maintained a wait-and-see attitude and has not publicly stated its position on the crisis in this most important center of Orthodoxy, now assumes weighty importance.

The developments, as they are taking shape after the visit of the delegation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, at the invitation of the “rebels” to the Holy Monastery, create reasonable suspicions that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was not uninvolved in encouraging the efforts to depose Abbot Damianos. It is no coincidence that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem has informally expressed its opposition to the legislation passed a few days ago by the Greek Parliament, which recognizes the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai as a legal entity, a move which strengthens its position. There were even specific references that it should be represented in Greece through the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulchre.

According to reports, Athens, through diplomatic channels, had conveyed to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem that there was no reason to send a delegation to Sinai, which would probably complicate the situation, while Archbishop Damian, under pressure, accepted the sending of the delegation, but as “pilgrims”, but who appeared to the Monastery as “higher authority”.

It is also significant that, contrary to what was expected, there is no clear reference in the statement of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to respect for order in the Monastery and Abbot Damianos,while decisions are referred to the long-determined meeting of the General Assembly of the Monastery in September.

The “rebel” monks have even sent letters to the Egyptian administration stating that Abbot Damianos no longer “exists”, thus wanting to prevent any legal capacity for him, and at the same time demanding that control of the monastery’s accounts be transferred to them. However, the way Archbishop Damianos had been managing the monastery’s finances in recent years had provoked much comment, especially for the involvement of closely associated extra-ecclesiastical persons, which is a “red line” for the monks.

Dealing with existing and non-existent problems in the Monastery, unfortunately becomes the object of exploitation of “external” factors and intra-church controversies, ultimately undermining the interests of the Monastery and the effort that has long been made to ensure the preservation of its existence and character as a global religious, Orthodox center of worship and a monument of world cultural heritage.

The controversial statement from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem:

At the Patriarchal initiative of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem and in response to a request, a three-member commission was sent from the Athonite Brotherhood, which since its arrival has been engaged in contacts and discussions in Sina.

The commission sent by His Beatitude, after its meeting with the Archbishop of Sina, Mr. Damian, went (as it was obliged to do in order to observe the ecclesiastical order and apply the sacred rules, which dictate the pastoral care of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the area of its spiritual jurisdiction) to the Holy Monastery, where it had an extensive conversation with the venerable Fathers, who have been living and ministering devoutly for a long series of years.

In a spirit of mutual respect, spiritual discernment and a profound understanding of the gravity of the issues, and with the grace of Saint Catherine, Protector and Curator of the Monastery, thorough discussions took place on the progress of the current and forthcoming affairs, appreciating the discrete and spiritual presence of the Committee and the excellent analysis it offered in dealing with the situation.

In view of the warm patristic interest and the concern of His Beatitude, as expressed by the Holy Father's envoys, who were received with willingness and gratitude on the part of the Fathers, the importance of coordinated cooperation with the competent Political Authorities for the preservation of all the traditionally recognized regimes and special arrangements was emphasized, which have accompanied the Monastery throughout its long-standing existence; and in this way, the willingness of all, in the wisdom of time, to reconsider, as and when required, the necessary actions for the preservation or assertion of legal rights, in a spirit of peaceful conciliation, became evident.

The Fathers also expressed their firm share and love for His Eminence Archbishop Sina, whose personality and ministry are an integral part of the life of the Fraternity.

The common will, as has been expressed, is to proceed in a spirit of unity and conscious responsibility towards the appointed date of the General Assembly, at which the matters that have been prejudiced will be considered, so that a decision may be taken for the benefit of the Monastery, in accordance with its canonical order and its Form, and in harmony with the rules that govern it.