The following is a Google translation from the Arabic of the Antiochian Patriarchate’s Facebook post of about 8:00 p.m. local time today. We will post the official translation when it becomes available. As of this printing, nothing has been posted to the Archdiocesan website.*

There is no indication that the Metropolitan has been suspended. His posting of a note of condolence on today’s passing of former Metropolitan Herman of the OCA shows him continuing to act as the ruling hierarch of the Antiochian Archdiocese. His immediate suspension alone will convince the faithful of the seriousness of this investigation. The level of cynicism around the planet is running high.

For context see the Metropolitan Joseph: The Scandal section in our Archives 2020-22 linked at the top of this page.

Metropolitan Joseph (L) questioned by Patriarch John (R)

Patriarch John X meets with Bishop Joseph Zahlawi
Balamand, September 6, 2022

Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, met with Metropolitan Joseph Zahlawi, Metropolitan of New York and all North America, in light of the accusations against the bishop recently, and the turmoil that afflicted the diocese and the church. The meeting constituted a first session in which His Beatitude listened to His Excellency, inquiring from him about his position on the accusations leveled against him, provided that the Patriarch would return and meet with Bishop Joseph to complete the current session in order to clarify the facts of matters and take the appropriate measures.

+John X

*ADDENDUM 9/6/22: The Archdiocese posted a summary to its website rather than a translation of the full text about an hour and a half after Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s post:

His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East met today, September 6, 2022, with His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph at Balamand Seminary in Lebanon.

In sum, the announcement from the Patriarchate’s official Facebook page (Arabic original below) reports that the leaders discussed the accusations against His Eminence and the turmoil that has followed in the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. It also reports that His Beatitude listened to His Eminence regarding the accusations.

The leaders agreed to meet again in the future to examine and clarify facts so that appropriate actions may be taken.

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