Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem has issued an official response to Archbishop Damianos of Sinai amid escalating tensions at the historic St. Catherine’s Monastery, following a land dispute and internal division within the monastic community.

The conflict erupted after an Egyptian court ruled to transfer surrounding lands of the monastery to the state — a move that sparked fears over the monastery’s long-standing autonomy and triggered a rift within its ranks. Earlier this week, the monastic brotherhood announced the removal of Archbishop Damianos from his role as abbot of the monastery. In response, the Archbishop hinted at possible canonical sanctions against the monks involved.

Though the Sinai Archdiocese enjoys a measure of autonomy, it remains under the spiritual and canonical jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church — a connection Archbishop Damianos reaffirmed in his recent correspondence with the Patriarch.

In his reply, Patriarch Theophilos emphasized that a peaceful resolution is only possible within the framework of Orthodox tradition and canonical order, guided by the pastoral authority of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. To address the crisis, he announced the dispatch of a three-member delegation to the monastery to assess the situation and facilitate reconciliation.

“We are responding to your invitation and will send a delegation to you, so that in a spirit of truth, reconciliation, and cooperation with the Sinai brotherhood, we may apply every effort toward the desired and peaceful resolution of the issue,” the Patriarch wrote in a letter published on the official website of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

Patriarch Theophilos also expressed his prayerful support for Archbishop Damianos and urged all parties to act with humility and unity. He called for renewed commitment to preserving Sinai as a sacred witness to Orthodox faith, sanctified by the legacy of prophets and ascetics alike.

St. Catherine’s Monastery, situated at the foot of Mount Sinai, is one of the oldest and most revered monastic institutions in Christianity. The unfolding crisis represents a rare and delicate challenge within the Orthodox world, as Church authorities seek to navigate legal, spiritual, and communal tensions.