A deepening crisis has unfolded at St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai after Archbishop Damianos refused to accept an agreement aimed at resolving internal disputes among the brotherhood. Despite more than 15 hours of negotiations and guarantees offered by Greek officials, the deal collapsed, leaving the future of the monastery’s administration uncertain.
Talks were led by Greece’s Secretary General for Religious Affairs, Giorgos Kalantzis, who sought to mediate between Damianos and a group of monks opposed to his leadership. While the dissenting monks eventually agreed to the proposed settlement, Damianos himself did not.
Sources say he was offered recognition for his decades of service, along with the option to convene a general assembly in early September to determine governance procedures and the continuity of the Greek Orthodox presence at Sinai. However, his close associates resisted the proposals, reportedly in an attempt to buy time.
Inside the monastery, Damianos remains with three monks and several Egyptian laymen said to have been provided by a private security company. Outside, Egyptian police forces led by a general are stationed, though high-level efforts are underway to prevent direct intervention.
Senior clerics described the situation as “tragic,” noting that Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Ambassador Nikos Papageorgiou also offered assurances, which Damianos did not accept. Eleven monks are known to oppose his decisions, raising fears of prolonged division.
Although speculation persists about the possible resignation of the 91-year-old archbishop, no clear indication has been given. He has reportedly scheduled a general assembly for September 7, though the agenda and whether it will proceed remain uncertain.
The crisis has prompted public support for Damianos from other church leaders. Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus issued a statement backing him and urging cooperation within the brotherhood, echoing earlier messages of solidarity from the Patriarch of Jerusalem and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
All sides stress that the primary goal is a peaceful resolution that safeguards the unity of the monastic community and preserves the authority of one of Christianity’s most revered monasteries.
