The enthronement of the new Archbishop of Sinai took place at St. Catherine's Monastery

The enthronement of the new Archbishop Simeon of Sinai, Faran and Raifa took place at the historic Monastery of St. Catherine on the Theotokos Mount Sinai. The event, which opens a new chapter in the history of the ancient monastery after nearly half a century, was attended by dignitaries including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.

According to Orthodox Times, the Greek Prime Minister arrived to participate in the ceremony, during which he is scheduled to meet with the new Archbishop and Patriarch Theophilos. The following day, Saturday, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will participate in the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The enthronement was the final stage of an ecclesiastical process that began with the unanimous election of Archbishop Simeon by the brotherhood of the monastery and his formal approval by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The hierotony of the new Archbishop took place in the Cathedral Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The ceremony was presided over by the Patriarch of Jerusalem in the presence of hierarchs and representatives of churches from different countries. After the ordination, Archbishop Simeon expressed his gratitude and promised to devote himself to the duties entrusted to him.

A solemn ceremony at St. Catherine’s Monastery, the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery in the world, officially confirmed the new Primate in his historic position. The event, which gathered many believers and church representatives, symbolized the commitment to preserving the centuries-old traditions and spiritual life of the Sinai monastery.

As a reminder, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently announced a preliminary understanding with Egypt on the legal status of the historic St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula. This agreement is aimed at resolving a centuries-old problem, which recently escalated due to a court ruling, and at ensuring the protection of one of the key shrines of the Orthodox world.