Patriarch of Jerusalem Summons Sinai Archbishop Over Monastery Scandal

In a formal letter, Patriarch Theophilos III called for the archbishop to appear before the synod on Sept. 8. The letter accuses Archbishop Damianos of unjustly expelling monks and demands that he "immediately reopen the gates of the Sinai Monastery" and remove any individuals causing disruption.

The official summons follows a failed attempt to reconcile a bitter dispute between the archbishop and a group of dissenting monks at the Sinai monastery. The controversy has also involved a woman, Katerina Spyropoulou, who wrote a letter condemning what she called "vicious attacks" from the monks.

The intervention by the Patriarchate is a significant step in the escalating crisis. The upcoming synod is seen as a crucial moment that could determine the future of the monastery's governance and the leadership of Archbishop Damianos.