The alleged involvement of a laywoman in the internal affairs of the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai is at the center of a confidential letter issued by the monastery’s dissenting monks, who recently announced their decision to oppose Archbishop Damianos.

According to the memo, a woman identified as “A.K.” had access to records, minutes, and other sensitive documents, thereby influencing the monastery’s administration.

That woman, revealed to be Ms. Katerina Spyropoulou, has now spoken publicly for the first time. In a letter to orthodoxia.info, the 70-year-old retired teacher and mother of four rejects the accusations, calling them “gossipy filth,” “man-eating,” and “cannibalism.” She insists she was drawn into the controversy unfairly and states that she is speaking out mainly to defend her children, who she says have also been falsely defamed.

Spyropoulou explains that her closeness to Archbishop Damianos stems from the spiritual support he offered her during her late daughter Christina’s decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis, which ultimately claimed her life. Out of gratitude, she says, she devoted herself to assisting the Archbishop after a serious accident in 2018, during which he was hospitalized for months in Egypt. She recounts staying by his side for more than six months, helping with his care and recovery.

In her letter, she stresses that she has no personal ambitions within the monastery but is acting out of faith, loyalty, and maternal instinct:

“I fight as a mother, as a woman, as someone committed to high ideals, because I dedicated my last years to accompanying my spiritual father.”

Spyropoulou also warns that she will pursue legal action against those who, she claims, have slandered her and damaged her reputation, adding that any compensation awarded would be donated to the monastery itself.

Excerpts from Katerina Spyropoulou’s Letter

• She identifies herself openly: “I am ‘A.K.’ or ‘A.S.’ — Katerina Spyropoulou, a philologist, retired teacher, mother of four, and grandmother. The only pride of my life is my children.”
• On her daughter Christina: “She endured 42 years of suffering, confined to a wheelchair, and the only word she managed to say consciously was ‘ma-ma.’ Serving her taught me patience, love, and the practice of nursing.”
• On Archbishop Damianos: “In my greatest trials, his comforting word gave me the strength to endure. After his accident in 2018, I remained by his side during his hospitalization and recovery.”
• On the accusations: “Until now, I endured in silence so as not to be dragged into this swamp of gossip. But after this man-eating and cannibalism, I owe it to my children to speak.”
• On her intentions: “I reserve my legal rights. The damages will be returned to the Monastery of Sinai. Forgive me, brothers, for having been used in your mischief.”