The Church of Greece has unanimously backed Archbishop Symeon of Sinai in his efforts to reach an agreement with the Egyptian state over the status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery, following an emergency meeting of its Standing Holy Synod on Thursday, October 22.
The lengthy meeting focused on the monastery’s future and the urgent need to secure a settlement before an October 24 deadline for the publication of a ruling by Egypt’s Supreme Court of Cassation. The decision is expected to be unfavorable to the monastery, according to reports that have emerged in Egyptian media.
The Synod’s decision reflects the priority Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece has attached to the matter. His intervention is intended to reinforce Symeon’s position and strengthen his ability to pursue diplomatic efforts to safeguard the monastery’s status.
Synod holds video conference with Archbishop Symeon
During the meeting, the Synod held a video conference with Symeon, who briefed the metropolitan bishops on the latest developments. The bishops then expressed their unanimous support for his leadership.
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Symeon reportedly discussed the monastery’s weakened negotiating position following decisions by Egyptian courts. The meeting also considered the potential advantages of reaching an out-of-court agreement with the Egyptian state rather than waiting for a final ruling from the country’s Supreme Court of Cassation.
The goal is to resolve the dispute through an agreement that would clarify and protect the monastery’s status.
Greek government official briefs church leaders
Giorgos Kalantzis, secretary-general for religious affairs at Greece’s Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, attended the meeting and briefed the bishops on the latest developments and the Greek government’s handling of the case.
The government has been assisting efforts to find a settlement with Egypt, while the Church of Greece has sought to strengthen support for Symeon as the deadline approaches.
Orthodox leaders back Symeon as divisions persist
The meeting also addressed support for Symeon from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
At the same time, the Synod read a letter from Damianos, the former Archbishop of Sinai, addressed to Ieronymos and the Synod’s members. In the letter, Damianos objects to a possible agreement between the monastery and the Egyptian state.
The disagreement highlights divisions over how the monastery’s future should be secured, even as church leaders seek a common approach to the negotiations.
The meeting concluded with the Synod’s unanimous endorsement of Symeon taking the necessary steps toward an agreement with Egypt to resolve the dispute over the status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery.