Glory to God in the Highest,
Peace on Earth, Good Will towards Men!
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Sinai iconostasis, holding the Christ Child, with four prophets foreshadowing Christ’s Incarnation around them (source: Fr. Justin’s Blog)
Dear Friends of Mount Sinai Monastery,
As we have chronicled on our Facebook page and in email messages, this has been a difficult year for the Monastery, but things are turning around, at least in some respects. In May, an Egyptian court ruled that the Monastery was public property, though the Fathers would retain the right to administer the area. It also ruled that they were not entitled to other parcels of land near the Monastery, which the Fathers have cultivated for centuries. Negotiations are underway between the Greek and Egyptian authorities for a smooth resolution of the issue, always in consultation with the Holy Monastery.
Ultimately, Archbishop (and Abbot) Damianos, who diligently served the Monastery in that role since 1974, resigned for the Fathers to come together in September and unanimously elect a new Abbot, Archimandrite Symeon Papadopoulos, long esteemed within the Sinai brotherhood as a force for objectivity and balance. In an interview after his election, the new Archbishop stated:
The newly elected Abbot Symeon and Sinai Fathers (source: Jerusalem Patriarchate)
“Throughout history, the Orthodox Church has followed the principle of synallagma (coexistence through dialogue). The monastery has done the same—not just for 1,500 years since its construction, but for at least 1,750 years, since the end of the second century when it first appeared here.
The monastery has the historical experience to engage in dialogue, endure, show forbearance, and respect the diversity of the people with whom it must coexist, such as the Bedouins, for centuries. …we hope for cooperation and dialogue with the local state. The Greek nation has had a long friendship with the local state, dating back to the time of the Pharaohs and continuing into the present despite difficulties.
…be certain that Saint Catherine will not abandon her place but will continue to be a beacon of the Orthodox faith while offering consolation to all—the Orthodox, the heterodox, and the non-Christians. Her doors are open to all, whether they are pilgrims to this God-trodden Mountain or admirers of its historic treasures.” (www.tovima.gr)
Consecration of Archbishop Symeon by Patriarch Theophilos III in Jerusalem (source: Studio Sami, Jerusalem Patriarchate)
In keeping with historic precedent, Abbot Symeon of Sinai was consecrated Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho on October 19 by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A number of Bishops and Priests attended the magnificent ceremony, as well as Greek, Cypriot, Jordanian, and Egyptian government officials.
Subsequently, Archbishop Symeon and former Archbishop Damianos concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Sinai Metochion in Athens. Emphasizing the blessings of spiritual continuity, Archbishop Symeon expressed deep gratitude to his predecessor with praise for Archbishop Damianos’ leadership in safeguarding and elevating the contribution of St. Catherine’s Monastery toward history, through its embodiment of the ecumenical culture of Orthodox Christianity.
After the enthronement of Archbishop/Abbot Symeon, with Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and other Church and government officials (from Greece, Egypt, and other countries; source: Jerusalem Patriarchate)
Finally, Archbishop Symeon was officially enthroned at St. Catherine’s Monastery on October 31 with Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem in attendance, together with representatives of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Churches of Greece and Cyprus, the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and other officials from Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and the United States.
By the prayers of the Virgin Mary whose approaching Childbirth was foreshadowed to Moses in the Bush Burning with divine Fire, of the Great-Martyr and Bride of Christ Saint Catherine, and of all the Saints, the difficult work of the new Archbishop begins….
FMSM YEAR 2025 IN DETAILS
Dear Friends, on behalf of the Sinai Fathers, thank you for all of your generous donations in 2025. As of December 13, 2025, FMSM has received $78,519 in funds, which includes $14,661 from the Icon Project with Legacy Icons.
Due to the changeover in leadership at the Monastery, with the need for a new Monastery council to establish current priorities, we have only sent a limited amount of funds in 2025. With stability once again allowing secure transfers of your donations in support of the Monastery needs, we look forward to working with the new council toward promotion of the stated goals and objectives of our charter on behalf of which you have entrusted your donations to St. Catherine’s through the Friends of Mount Sinai Monastery. We did send $11,300 for electricity bills at the Sinai Monastery, as well as $2,400 for medical expenses.
The Chapel of Saint Stephen in the Snow (source: Fr. Justin’s Blog)
OTHER INFORMATION
Donations to the Monastery, including those through online shopping, can be made through FMSM's support page:
- https://www.mountsinaimonastery.org/support
- through your online shopping. While Amazon Smile is no longer available, iGive has discounts for a number of common online stores (please see the support page link for instructions),
Another way to help is by forwarding this to afford others the opportunity to become contributing members of St. Catherine’s matchless spiritual and cultural legacy.
Many Blessings and thanks for your continuous support from the Fathers of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai!
And to All Friends, Best Wishes for a Blessed Nativity and a Happy, Peaceful New Year 2026!
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- You can do a museum tour of Saint Catherine's Monastery and explore and marvel at their famous ancient icons at: https://stcatherines.mused.org/en/tours/2/the-monastery-museum. This site also has virtual tours of a part of the Monastery and the Summit of Mount Sinai.
- Please visit FMSM's Facebook page to engage with the many facets of the Sinai Monastery’s fascinating history, daily life, and events: https://www.facebook.com/ForStCatherinesMonastery