St. Catherine's, Mt. Sinai, Elects New Abbot

SINAI — Archimandrite Symeon Papadopoulos, head of the Sinai Metochion in Alepochori, was elected the new Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai on September 14, 2025, securing 19 out of 20 votes during the General Assembly of the Sinai Brotherhood. Following ancient custom, Papadopoulos cast a blank ballot. The decision, reached without dispute, will be communicated to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for his ordination as Abbot and Archbishop of Sinai.

Archbishop Symeon is the 23rd Archbishop of Sinai. The first Archbishop of Sinai, Eugenios I, reigned from 1567 to 1583.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a congratulatory message, expressing joy and fraternal love for Papadopoulos’s “worthy election.” He wished him health and divine strength to guide the Brotherhood and advance the Monastery’s sacred goals. Bartholomew invoked God’s grace and mercy upon the new Abbot, emphasizing his role in providing spiritual leadership and promoting the historic Monastery’s mission.

The election follows the resignation of Archbishop Damianos on September 12, 2025, who urged unity in his farewell letter. The Monastery of Saint Catherine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, continues to be a vital spiritual center. Papadopoulos’s leadership marks a new chapter, fostering hope for the Monastery’s enduring legacy and unity.

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