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

Antiochian Village. Approach to the chapel. October 4, 2022.

Today’s brief reflection comes from a priest on retreat at Antiochian Village this week. It follows upon Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s several continued objections to ubiquitous representations of the disgraced former metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese on official church websites and letterhead and in liturgical commemorations. Removing these should be a swift, simple matter for which further delay is inexcusable and a source of confusion to the faithful. (These comments are not meant to reflect poorly on the Village’s employees, but on their overlords in Englewood for their failure to order this and similar images removed from church institutions.)

Our correspondent-priest writes:

Antiochian Village in the fall.

Autumn is a beautiful time of the year to be in central Pennsylvania, at the Antiochian Village Retreat Center in Ligonier, with the leaves changing colors. It was good to be back in this beautiful place far removed from the distractions of the world.

My first evening, as I went to the chapel for evening prayer, I was greeted by the photos of the Antiochian hierarchs, with Metropolitan Joseph prominently displayed in the middle…as if nothing had happened or the news concerning him had not reached Antiochian Village.

I don’t know the reason for this display…but I felt ill. Was this a refusal or a challenge or just denial? Shouldn’t more prudent measures be considered in light of this abusive situation?

When does healing begin?

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