Sinai Monastery: Archbishop Damian Claims He Is Being Held 'Hostage'

Archbishop Damian of Sinai Monastery claims he is being held 'hostage' by mutineers who are preventing him from receiving his medication and other essential items. According to him, food intended for him was thrown to cats.

The Greek Ambassador to Cairo, Nikolaos Papageorgiou, visited the Monastery in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. However, Archbishop Damian states that he remains trapped.

In a statement, Archbishop Damian calls for police intervention to be able to receive the necessary medicines and personal items. He also alleges that the police in the area, in collaboration with some Greeks, such as Mr. Kazamias, are not allowing him to make even this small move.

Sources close to the Archbishop report that the group seeking his replacement is led by Monk Hesychius and the Greek-Cypriot businessman Antonis Kazamias.