By Orthodox Times –
The issue of ownership of the Monastery of Sinai’s places of worship, according to reliable sources, constitutes the outstanding matter that must be resolved for the agreement between the Egyptian government and the monastery to be finalized and signed.
Indeed, sources close to the negotiations report that about ten days ago, a breakthrough appeared to have been made, as “the discussion was focused on a clear ownership right over the places of worship” – a picture that later seemed to change. The question is whether this change was influenced by the revolt of a group of monks seeking the removal of Archbishop Damianos from his position as abbot of the monastery.
The same sources note that it has already been agreed to grant the monastery legal personality and to secure the protection of its relics, which will receive the status of a private collection belonging to the monastery in Egypt.
In response to the actions of the rebellious monks, Archbishop Damianos took two steps. The first concerns a letter addressed to Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, who, a few days ago, appeared to be seeking to act as though he had jurisdiction over the monastery. Archbishop Damianos moves to set the record straight, describing the Patriarch of Jerusalem’s statements as a “clear misunderstanding.” He refers, moreover, to the Sigillion (patriarchal decree) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which stipulates, among other things, about the Monastery of Sinai: “…the Monastery, together with its Archbishopric, has never been subject to the obedience, subjugation, enslavement, union, or taxation of any Patriarchal Throne – neither that of Alexandria, nor of Antioch, nor of Jerusalem, nor of any other – but from the very beginning it has been and has remained autonomous, self-governing, free, unenslaved, and inviolate, and subject to no Throne …”
Archbishop Damianos makes it clear that he has never invited or appealed to the judgment of the Patriarch of Jerusalem; on the contrary, in his first letter, he had stressed the baseless and unfounded nature of the rebellious monks’ appeal to that Patriarch’s judgment. Finally, he emphasizes that any attempt by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to examine the matter is “for us unacceptable and an intrusion into our Autonomous and Self-governing Holy Monastery, which has long been a Royal foundation endowed with exceptional privileges, and will compel us to proceed to the highest level of final adjudication.”
The Archbishop’s second step concerns the summons to submit a written defense addressed to 14 of the 15 monks who signed the petition for his removal as abbot. The fifteenth monk, Pamphilos, left the Monastery of Sinai years ago and moved to a monastery on Mount Athos. The charges leveled against the 14 monks called to account are particularly grave, including, among other things, the canonical offenses of factionalism, unlawful assembly, conspiracy against the abbot and archbishop, usurpation of the authority of the abbot and archbishop, sedition, rebellion, impersonation of authority, and more.
Through these actions, Archbishop Damianos seeks to bring a definitive close to the dispute sparked by the rebellious monks’ actions – a dispute believed, to a greater or lesser extent, to be influencing the course of the negotiations aimed at resolving the issues relating to the monastery’s status.
On other developments, concern is reported to be growing in Athens over the stance of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in negotiations on the status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai.
Greek officials say a recent patriarchate statement signals an intent to secure a role as a central interlocutor in all decisions affecting the monastery’s future.
The statement followed meetings by a three-member delegation sent by the patriarchate to Archbishop Damianos of Sinai and to rebel monks at the monastery.
An extraordinary meeting was held in Athens Monday to assess the situation with officials involved in talks with Egypt aimed at finalizing an agreement.
Sources familiar with the talks said the patriarch of Jerusalem had been urged to refrain from action until the deal with Egypt was complete – advice that was ignored.
They noted the statement omitted any mention of the rebellion against Archbishop Damianos, despite his request that the patriarchate condemn the rebels.
Quoting the patriarchate’s communique, the statement emphasized “coordinated cooperation with the competent political authorities to maintain all traditionally recognized statuses and special arrangements” of the monastery, along with a readiness to “re-examine, as necessary, actions to preserve or claim legal rights in a spirit of calm conciliation.”
In a separate move, Archbishop Damianos announced penalties of excommunication for the rebel monks, adding suspension from duties for clergy among them, and urged them to repent.
Athens fears the developments could derail the agreement and strengthen outside actors seeking to expand their influence over the monastery’s governance.
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