The process to elect a new archbishop for the historic St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, Egypt, has begun, following an announcement by Archbishop Damianos outlining the next steps for his succession.

The election is scheduled for this coming Sunday, aiming to resolve a “deep crisis” that has recently shaken the monastery.

Archbishop Damianos announced that he will resign from his position as abbot and archbishop of Sinai, Faran, and Raitho on Friday. He has invited the monastery’s fathers to a general assembly on Sunday at 11 a.m. for the sole purpose of electing a new leader.

Damianos stated he would not be present due to health reasons, leaving the assembly’s presidency to a member chosen by those in attendance. To ensure all monks can participate, Damianos also lifted canonical penalties and expulsions previously imposed on rebellious monks.

He hopes the assembly will “become a point of unity and a starting point for a new period in the long life of our monastery.” Damianos, who will retire to a monastery dependency in Greece, said he would be available to support his successor if needed.

Sources close to the situation believe Damianos’s announcement aims to ensure the legitimacy of the election process.