For context see the extensive Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui): The Scandal section in our Archives 2020-23 linked at the top of this page.

Joseph Al-Zehlaoui (L) and Patriarch John X of Antioch (R)

On November 7, reporter Justin Rohrlich from The Daily Beast reached out to editor Giacomo Sanfilippo at Orthodoxy in Dialogue for comment on Joseph Al-Zehlaoui’s pending civil lawsuit against the Antiochian Archdiocese and individual members of the Board of Trustees. This was the first we heard of the lawsuit. Several hours after their telephone interview, Rohrlich’s Archbishop Accused of Lengthy Affair Sues Over His Stingy Severance (Unholy War) went live at The Daily Beast. Sanfilippo and Orthodoxy in Dialogue are cited a number of times. Our analytics show that other outlets around the globe picked up the story within the first few hours. 

You can read the summons and notice here. Although Sanfilippo is not named as a defendant, his and Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s role in Al-Zehlaoui’s downfall is summarized on pp. 2-3.

We offer the following highlights from, and commentary on, the contents of the summons and notice:

1. “The nature of this action includes various legal theories, including, defamation, false light, breach of contract, promissory estoppel, promissory fraud, conversion, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, negligent misrepresentation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.” (p. 1)
2. “From July 3, 2014 to September 17, 2022, Metropolitan Joseph was the Archbishop of the Defendant Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (the ‘Orthodox Church’), which is the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch in the United States and Canada. The Orthodox Church is domestic religious corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of New York.” (p. 2) It’s ludicrous in the extreme that Al-Zehlaoui should instruct his legal counsel to use “the Orthodox Church” as shorthand for the Antiochian Archdiocese, which is only one of several mainly ethnic jurisdictions of which the Orthodox Church in the US consists. “The Orthodox Church” is not a domestic religious corporation in New York State. Emile Sayegh is not the general counsel to “the Orthodox Church.” The Archdiocesan Board of Trustees is not an advisory board of “the Orthodox Church.” Al-Zehlaoui is not suing “the Orthodox Church.” One cannot help but wonder if this misleading designation feeds into Al-Zehlaoui’s narcissistic need for self-aggrandizement.
3. “The implication permitted by the term ‘resigned’ was that Metropolitan Joseph had in fact committed serious misconduct of a sexual nature—and the blog cynically made full use of that implication, naming Metropolitan Joseph as a ‘sexual predator’ when of course he is not. As of October 16, 2023, the blog post containing the defamatory statement has been viewed 1,724,862 times, which constitutes clear evidence of defamation and reputational damage caused by the Defendants.” (pp.2-3) First, Al-Zehlaoui’s victim, Helena Ditko (name used with her consent), tells a different story. Second, Al-Zehlaoui’s own voice confirms the adulterous affair, predatory or not, and his pursuit of Ms. Ditko after she had ended the relationship. Third, while the Al-Zehlaoui scandal accounts for more than a half million views worldwide, the article at issue has been viewed 4,600 times, not 1.7 million. Anyone who knows how to read a blog can see that 1.7 million views account for all of Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s articles over our entire 6-year history. Fourth, whether we quibble over the almost non-existent difference between “resign” and “retire,” our sources are clear that Al-Zehlaoui was summoned to the Patriarchate due to our relentless reporting, where Patriarch John gave him an ultimatum: resignation/retirement or deposal from holy orders (defrocking). Fifth, even non-predatory adultery constitutes “serious misconduct of a sexual nature” for an Orthodox bishop.
4. “This statement was made by the above three Defendants to Metropolitan Joseph in Metropolitan Joseph’s office at the Orthodox Church’s headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey and are evidenced by contemporaneous notes taken by Jasminka Gabrie, Metropolitan Joseph’s accountant, on September 8, 2022.” (p. 3) Jasminka Chenich Gabrie is Al-Zehlaoui’s accountant? This is news to us. What qualifications does an art gallery owner “of impeccable repute” possess to work as an accountant? Their multiple shared addresses and our sources paint a different picture. Does her work as his “accountant” explain her $4000/month salary from him?
5. Given Al-Zehlaoui’s flagrant disregard for 1 Cor 6:1-7, and the unrelenting scandal he brings upon the Church through his shameful actions, will the Patriarchate finally move to depose him from holy orders?