The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate convened under the presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III to address key administrative, ecclesiastical, and pastoral matters affecting the life of the Patriarchate and its faithful communities across the Holy Land.

According to the official website of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, the Synod’s most significant decision was the elevation of Archimandrite Simeon to the rank of Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raithu. He will also serve as abbot of the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai — one of the oldest Christian monastic communities in the world. His episcopal consecration is scheduled for October 19 at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Synod extended its blessings, wishing Archbishop-elect Simeon fruitful ministry and steadfast preservation of the spiritual traditions of the Sinai Brotherhood.

The Synod also reviewed outcomes from its previous session on September 8, with particular focus on the current state of the monastery and the broader relationship with the Sinai monastic community. Petitions and documentation submitted by the Brotherhood were examined, and earlier decisions of the Synod were reassessed in light of this input.

In his address to the Synod, Patriarch Theophilos shared insights from his recent diplomatic visits, including meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and officials in Kazakhstan. He noted that these trips yielded positive results for the Patriarchate and strengthened its international standing.

Attention was also given to the Russian-speaking Orthodox communities in the Holy Land. The Synod approved the ordination of Alexander Bukhantsev to the priesthood, assigning him to serve the Russian Orthodox parish in the coastal city of Ashdod. Additionally, Patriarch Theophilos is set to take part in celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Russian Monastery in Hebron, scheduled for October 22.

The Synod concluded with a collective prayer for global peace, with special intercessions for the people of Gaza, who continue to suffer amid ongoing conflict. The bishops expressed their hope for an end to bloodshed in the Middle East and urged the faithful to remain steadfast in faith, recalling that the joy of Christ’s Resurrection triumphs over all sorrow and strife.