The Consecration of Archbishop Symeon

On Sunday, October 6/19, 2025, Hegoumenos Symeon of Sinai was consecrated Archbishop of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho, by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Many bishops and priests were present, to show their respect and support for the newly consecrated Archbishop.

He made his Confession of Faith, and promise to uphold the traditions and teachings of the Church. ‘And all those things, my bounden duty, which I have this day promised in word, I also promise to perform in deed unto my uttermost breath, for the sake of the covenanted good things to come. And may God, who seeth the heart, be the witness to my vow. And may our Saviour himself be my helper, in my sincere and zealous government and my performance thereof; and unto Him, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory and dominion, honour and worship, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.’

Following the Entrance with the Gospel, he made a personal address. ‘Called by the honourable and unanimous vote of the Venerable Sinai Brotherhood to take upon myself the burden of the cross of the Hegumenship of the ancient Imperial and Autonomous Monastery of Christ the Saviour and of the Holy Great-Martyr Catherine, and with it the Archiepiscopal protection of the God-trodden Archbishopric of Sinai, Pharan and Raitho, I was not able to refuse this new evangelical yoke of my ecclesiastical ministry in remote Arabia, despite my many inner hesitations and grave objections, and despite my relatively advanced age and certain problems with my bodily health. And this because, whereas I never coveted, desired, or in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, sought such a position, as all who know me well, and especially my Sinai brethren, can attest, I was found, alas! in a time of exceptionally great tempest and painful historical turmoil of Sinai affairs, useful as it seems and fit in the eyes of my Brethren to take up the sacred duties. . . .

‘I had not, therefore, the right to refuse the call and to desert my post! And so, having loosed the latchet of my shoes before the mystery of the burning bush in the midst of which I unexpectedly found myself, with bowings of neck and knees I spake, and again I say, unto the All-Holy God: Lord, I have not sought the honour! I have not desired nor have I pursued golden stoles of positions, glories, and pastoral responsibilities! My humble priestly ministry in Thy Church sufficed me! But I have been pressed into service! Thou hast pressed me into service!’

In concluding his personal address, he said, ‘Your Beatitude, the rest of the things which flood my soul at this sacred hour, honouring them with silence, I commit to God, entrusting now to You in compunction and sacred awe my right hand, for Your further actions concerning me! O Lord, save now! O Lord, prosper now! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!’

‘0 Master, Lord our God, who through thine all-laudable Apostle Paul hast established for us an ordinance of degrees and ranks, unto the service and divine celebration of thine august and all-spotless Mysteries upon thy holy Altar; first, Apostles, secondly, Prophets, thirdly, teachers: Do thou, the same Lord of all, who also hast graciously enabled this chosen person to come under the yoke of the Gospel and the dignity of a Bishop through the laying-on of hands of us, his fellow Bishops here present, strengthen him by the inspiration and power and grace of thy Holy Spirit, as thou didst strengthen thy holy Apostles and Prophets; as thou didst anoint Kings; as thou hast consecrated Bishops: And make his Bishopric to be blameless; and adorning him with all dignity, present thou him holy, that he may be worthy to ask those things which are for the salvation of the people, and that thou mayest give ear unto him. For blessed is thy Name, and glorified thy Kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.’