Archbishop Damian of Sinai has resigned

On September 12, 2025, Archbishop Damian, abbot of the Sinai Monastery of St. Catherine, officially resigned from his position as abbot. The 92-year-old bishop submitted his resignation in writing to the Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. This was reported by The Orthodox Times website.

“We have endured many storms and misfortunes, faced many dangers… With firmness and perseverance, I kept everyone who sought to harm our monastery behind its walls,” — Archbishop Damian wrote.

He noted that the new abbot, who will be elected in the near future, will face serious difficulties in connection with the challenges currently facing the Sinai monastery. At the end of his message, he offered apologies and forgiveness: “If I have offended anyone, I ask for forgiveness… And I forgive all those who have humiliated me for what they were right about. In other matters, I await the judgment of Heaven.”

It should be recalled that on September 8, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate removed Archbishop Damian of Sinai, the former abbot of the Sinai Monastery, from his position. This decision was made against the backdrop of a scandal surrounding the Sinai Monastery of St. Catherine, which had been going on for the past few months. It is noteworthy that Archbishop Damian himself, who had previously been summoned to the Synod, ignored the meeting.