The Holy Synod of the Hellenic Orthodox Church calls for support for the Sinai Monastery and the Holy Sepulchre

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Hellas addressed the Holy Archdiocese of Athens and all the Holy Metropolises of the country, reminding them of their continuing obligation to support the historic Patriarchal and Sinai institutions. Special attention is given to the support of the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai and the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Special fundraisers are planned for this purpose during Lent 2026.

According to Orthodox Times, with a deep sense of ecclesial responsibility and fraternal concern for the sacred institutions of Orthodoxy, the Synod emphasizes that the care of these shrines is a tangible profession of faith and unity in the Orthodox Church. These centers of Orthodoxy are a witness to the living presence of the Church in the Holy Lands and the Sinai Peninsula.

According to the Synodal Decision adopted at the meeting of February 4, 2026, the Holy Synod decided to remind the clergy and faithful of their obligation to show solidarity with these venerable centers. In this regard, the hierarchs of the Church of Greece were asked to instruct the parish priests of their dioceses to organize special collections on the dates set.

Specifically, a fundraiser in support of the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai is to be held on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 22, 2026. The funds collected will be deposited in a special account of the National Bank of Greece. Similarly, a collection in support of the Holy Sepulchre will be held on the evening of Holy Thursday, April 9, 2026, and the proceeds will also be deposited in the appropriate account of the National Bank of Greece.

As a reminder, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem announced the successful resolution of recent pastoral and organizational difficulties in the life of the Orthodox community at Mount Sinai. The statement was made on November 19, 2025 during a meeting with representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Orthodoxy, who are in the Holy Land on a pilgrimage visit.