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 Read More

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

Patriarch John X of Antioch

As the Antiochian Patriarchate’s formal investigation of the Metropolitan Joseph Scandal commences later today when Patriarch John and Metropolitan Joseph meet for preliminary discussions, a highly placed source within the Archdiocesan administration at Englewood has emailed Orthodoxy in Dialogue to insist that the following questions must be included on the agenda from start to completion of the Holy Synod’s work:

Thanks for your continuing coverage of the Metropolitan Joseph Scandal. 

Look at this more seriously and ask yourself who knew about the affair, when did they know about it, and how much was spent to keep it secret? Read More

The following was published earlier today on the Facebook page of the Patriarchate of Antioch and the website of the Antiochian Archdiocese. We trust that the Holy Synod’s commitment “to examine the substantiality of the facts and listen to the parties concerned” includes communicating directly with the women involved (Orthodoxy in Dialogue has the names of two, in case the synodal committee needs them) and giving full weight to their testimony. We note that the Patriarch says nothing of Al-Zehlaoui’s status for the duration of the investigation or how long it is anticipated to last. We continue to call for the Metropolitan’s full suspension from all episcopal duties and the appointment of a locum tenens until the matter at hand is resolved. Al-Zehlaoui has already lost all spiritual and moral authority in the eyes of his flock and of the entire Orthodox Church. 

It is gratifying to see Al-Zehlaoui summoned to the Patriarchate within two weeks of Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s initial reporting of what he had hoped to sweep under the carpet.

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

To our beloved in the Lord, the hierarchs, priests, deacons, and spiritual children of our Holy Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America,

During this difficult time that the Holy Archdiocese is facing, following the accusation that was put against the Metropolitan and the consequential turmoil, I feel it is my paternal duty to remain close to you as I mentioned in my previous letter. In the present letter, I wish to share with you some guidance that is based on the principles of the Church order that was handed over to us by the Holy Fathers, what characterizes our Orthodox Church.

I hereby put said guidance under two headings: Read More

Metropolitan Joseph (L) and Patriarch John of Antioch (R)

As Metropolitan Al-Zehlaoui announced in his letter of yesterday, he flies to Lebanon today for a meeting with Patriarch John of Antioch on Tuesday, September 6. The entire Orthodox world is placing its trust in the Patriarch’s pledge of August 28 to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently in the matter of the Metropolitan Joseph Scandal. (See the Metropolitan Joseph: The Scandal section in our Archives 2020-22 linked at the top of this page.) It was concerning to see the Metropolitan publish a pastoral message to the Antiochian Archdiocese as if nothing was amiss on September 2, a full five days after the Patriarch’s reassurances, when he should have been suspended from his duties immediately, pending the outcome of a legitimate investigation. Credible allegations of long-term affairs with married women under his spiritual care (we now have the names of two with whom Al-Zehlaoui co-owns properties; who will be surprised if more surface?), and the consequent destruction of marriages and families, would have gotten any lesser cleric suspended on the spot.  Why the delay with Al-Zehlaoui? Read More