A month-long internal crisis at the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai, often referred to as an “ecclesiastical coup,” has come to an end following the intervention of Archbishop Damianos of Sinai.
The dispute centered on a group of ten monks who attempted to hold an unauthorized assembly with the aim of altering the monastery’s internal regulations. According to Archbishop Damianos, the monks acted without his approval, even though by tradition and statute he presides over all such proceedings.
In a statement, the Archbishop said he sought reconciliation and dialogue but was met with hostility. He reported that the monks physically confronted him, repeating similar actions from his previous visits. Supporters of the Archbishop intervened, pushing the dissenting monks outside the monastery walls.
Following their removal, a General Assembly of the remaining monks was convened, during which a new leadership body was elected. Those involved in the attempted takeover have been excluded from participation and sanctioned with ecclesiastical penalties.
Archbishop Damianos declared that the monastery has now “returned to legality and normality,” while also offering an apology to the wider Church community for the scandal caused by internal divisions.
