Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the Sinai Monastery as a long-standing stronghold of Orthodoxy and a bridge of friendship with Egypt, who attended on Friday the enthronement ceremony of the new Archbishop of Sinai, Faran and Raithos and Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine of Mount Sinai, Mr. Simeon.

The enthronement ceremony took place in the presence of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Mr. Theophilos and representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Churches of Greece and Cyprus.

In his objection during the ceremony, the Prime Minister said:

“His Beatitude, His Eminence the Archbishop of Sinai, Faran and Raitho and Professors of the Greek Orthodox Holy Royal Autonomous Monastery of Saint Catherine of the Holy and Divine Mount Sinai, respected representatives of Patriarchates and Churches, respected Sinaitic Fathers, honorable Minister of Culture of the Arab Republic of of Egypt, Mr. Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, distinguished guests,

It is a special honor for me to be here today as the Prime Minister of Greece, participating in the glorious enthronement of the Archbishop of Sinai and the new Guide of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, also conveying the respect, the love, the wishes, Your Excellency, of the entire Greek people, but above all giving the “present” to ensure that Greece will continue to be present in every step that will follow in front of her and your helper in each level.

The Holy Monastery of Agia Ekaterini, founded on Mount Sinai for more than fifteen centuries, is the oldest Christian monastery in the world. It thus constitutes a “stronghold” of Orthodoxy, a “beacon” of spiritual virtue, a historical symbol of our identity, a living testimony of the Greek and Christian spirit and, at the same time, a bridge of friendship between Greece and Egypt.

It is a national duty, therefore, our constant interest in the significant spiritual and cultural mission of the Monastery and our reasonable debt of any help to those who keep our traditions in the end of this peninsula.

We know that the last period has not been clear, as various events have caused temporary unrest in the body of the Church. But, as is the case in its long history, the Holy Sinaitic Brotherhood showed patience, spiritual prudence and unwavering faith. She thus emerged unscathed from the ordeal, renewing the spirit of unity.

Your unanimous election, Your Eminence, as well as your enthronement today, mark the beginning of a new period of unity and brotherhood within the community of the Fathers. While the efforts of the Greek and Egyptian states have already paved the way for the religious character of the Monastery to be preserved in perpetuity, so are its rights, as well as the protection of the monks who serve it.

The agreed directions and principles will certainly be brought to the attention of the Sinaitic Brotherhood, which, Your Excellency, will have the final say.

In particular, I would like to express, on behalf of the Greek Government, our sincere respect and gratitude for His Beatitude, the Patriarch of Jerusalem Mr. Theophilos, whose presence today confers spiritual splendor and blessing.

But also to you, Your Eminence, new leaders, allow me my warm congratulations and my best wishes for the assumption of your high duties.

It is everyone’s expectation that the Monastery of Saint Catherine will continue to be a “lighthouse” of Orthodoxy, keeping its ascetic and monastic tradition intact, with Greece always at its side, always at your side as a helper and supporter.

I wish, therefore, from the bottom of my heart, a long life, illumination and a fruitful ministry. Your honor, many years to you, worthy.”

After the enthronement ceremony, the Prime Minister had the opportunity to venerate the Holy Relics and take a guided tour of the Vault and the premises of the Holy Monastery, while he had successive one-on-one meetings with the Patriarch of Jerusalem His Excellency. Theofilos, Archbishop Simeon and US Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas.

Then, in his statement, the Prime Minister noted:

“With great emotion and with a feeling of honor and gratitude I represent the Greek Government, on this extremely important day of the official enthronement of the new Archbishop of Sinai, Mr. Simeon, in this place which for 1,500 years has continuously kept the flame of Orthodoxy burning.

I want to assure once again that the Greek Government will always stand by the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, it will support it, so as to preserve in eternity this special and special status that was bequeathed to us by our ancestors.

I wish the new Archbishop good strength in his new duties and to know that he can always count on the support of Greece, which, having developed an excellent relationship with the government of Egypt, is always here to resolve any outstanding issues that may arise.”