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:

Read More

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

ADDENDUM 10/4/22: This new petition has been closed after only 164 signatures pursuant to Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s reporting. Two sources inform us that it was reported to Change(.)Org for violating community standards pertaining to individuals accused of sexual misconduct.

Father Michael Habib aka “Son of Antioch”

St. Ignatius of Antioch Orthodox Christian Church (Twin Falls ID)

Earlier today, Orthodoxy in Dialogue reported that the disgraced ex-metropolitan Joseph Al-Zehlaoui of the Antiochian Archdiocese likely directed the launch of a petition for the reversal of his resignation. Within an hour of our report, the petition was taken down. This evening, a reliable insider source in Englewood informs us that the petition was removed by order of an infuriated Bishop John of the Temporary Operating Committee.

Shortly after the petition’s removal, it was reposted at Change(.)Org by one “Son of Antioch.” Several of our sources concur that Son of Antioch is none other than the sycophantic Father Michael Habib of Twin Falls ID. This stands to reason, as his Khouriya Maria and reader Hilber Nelson were second and third signatory after the reader’s wife Pam to leave a comment. We are told that Son of Antioch aka Father Habib has been busy sending his defense of adulterer Al-Zehlaoui from the cowardice of his anonymous email account sonofantioch2022@gmail.com, not only to clergy throughout the US but as far afield as Antiochian priests in the UK. Perhaps our readers might flood his inbox with their views on the matter.

Read More

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

ADDENDUM 10/3/22: Within an hour of our publishing the following report, the petition was taken down. A diligent reader obtained the deleted petition in Google Cache: Home _ The Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West

Disgraced Former Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Early this morning, October 3, a website with the deceptive appearance of being the official organ of the Antiochian Archdiocese’s  Diocese of Los Angeles and the West — Al-Zehlaoui’s own diocese as a diocesan bishop and for the duration of his metropolitanate — and created in 2005 with his “support, encouragement, and trust,” launched a petition to reverse Al-Zehlaoui’s retirement. The website legitimizes itself by claiming in December 2020 that it “finds new life on Antiochian.org and the Archdiocesan Facebook page” (where there is actually no trace of it).

It seems entirely plausible that Al-Zehlaoui himself is steering this shameless initiative. The Holy Synod of Antioch under the presidency of Patriarch John, the Temporary Operating Committee under the presidency of Bishop John, and the “independent investigating committee” of mysterious identity must include this new development in their deliberations on Al-Zehlaoui’s final fate. Read More

TOTAL AS OF 10/27/22

$978 of $1500

23 Donations

Visit GoFundMe to help out today!

I’ve befriended a homeless gay married couple here in Toronto, Bobby and Lawrence (not them in the photo), and their dogs Parker and Ritz. I buy them coffee and a sandwich as my limited resources allow. I’ve offered, once the weather turns cold, to have them stay over once a week, do their laundry, shower and shave, enjoy a home-cooked supper, sleep in my queen-size bed while I sleep on the daybed in the living room, and start the next day with a hot breakfast in the morning.

My reason for turning to you with yet another GoFundMe is that my friends are approaching our frigid Canadian winter months wearing little more than spring jackets and crocs. I need your help getting them into boots, parkas, mittens, toques, and sleeping bags of a quality as good as we more fortunate people buy for ourselves. Any money left over after we provide these basic needs will be handed to them as cash to be used at their discretion. Read More