Power Struggle Decided: Abbot of Mount Sinai Escorted to Athens by Government

The power struggle at the historic Greek Orthodox St Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai, Egypt, appears to be decided. Abbot Damianos, 90, has apparently agreed to step down and was accompanied to Athens on Saturday by a Greek government delegation. This was announced by the Foreign Ministry.

The move followed months of tension and even violent clashes at the monastery.

The situation preoccupied the governments of Greece and Egypt, and put a strain on relations between the Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Constantinople.

According to the Greek government, a special plane brought Abbot Damianos and nine monks from South Sinai to Athens on Saturday.

The mission was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou and Secretary of State for Religious Affairs Giorgos Kalantzis. The aim was to ensure the “safe reception” of the archbishop and Greek citizens.

It was further stated that the succession process is to be initiated in the coming days.

In a statement on 4 September, Damianos said that "many inside and outside the monastery are preoccupied with the inevitability of my succession". He added: "This very thought has been the true cause of the internal crisis that erupted within the Sinai Monastery."

He confirmed that he had informed the Greek government of his decision and that his plans were in line with those of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece.

Picture: Damianos © wikipedia, CC BY-SA, #newsKphqlqelci