Patriarch of Jerusalem: Pastoral issues on Mount Sinai successfully resolved

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem at a meeting with the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy. Photo: Orthodoxia news agency.

On 19 November 2025, during a meeting with the Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Orthodoxy, which arrived in the Holy Land on a pilgrimage visit, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem reported that the recent difficulties within the Orthodox community on Mount Sinai had been successfully resolved, according to the Orthodoxia News Agency.

It was noted that the discussion centered on pastoral care and the internal administration of the ancient Sinai monastery. The Patriarch stated that the Monastery of Saint Catherine, which is under the special protection of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, periodically faces organizational and pastoral challenges. “These problems were overcome by the grace of the Lord,” he emphasized, adding that the brethren of the monastery continue their service in peace and unity.

Patriarch Theophilos III also recalled the significance of Sinai as a place closely linked with the history of Divine Revelation, where a unique spiritual heritage is preserved. He underscored that caring for the Monastery of Saint Catherine and providing it with pastoral oversight remain an integral part of the mission of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

The Patriarch also touched upon the broad, multinational jurisdiction of the Patriarchate and mentioned the recent visit of U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, expressing gratitude for his support of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the holy sites.

Representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee expressed appreciation for the Patriarchate’s ministry on Sinai, noting that preserving the monastery and maintaining the presence of Orthodox Christians in the region are of great importance for the entire Orthodox Church.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the enthronement of the Archbishop of Sinai took place at the Saint Catherine Monastery.

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