From the website of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. We note that Metropolitan-elect Nicholas is one of ROCOR’s youngest and most recently ordained bishops. Orthodoxy in Dialogue wishes His Beatitude many long years of faithful primatial ministry in the Lord’s vineyard. We pray that he use his influence to help end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Εἰς πολλὰ ἔτη, Δέσποτα!

Metropolitan-Elect Nicholas (Olhovsky) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

NEW YORK: 13 September 2022
His Grace Bishop Nicholas is elected First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

On Tuesday, 13 September, 2022, the election of the new Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia by its Council of Bishops took place. In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion, signed on 17 May, 2007, the Council will send the Act of the election, drafted by the counting committee to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with a request to bless the electee to assume the duties of the First Hierarch entrusted to him by his brethren archpastors, and for confirmation of the election by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. Read More

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

Metropolitan Joseph (L), Patriarch John (R)

Today marks three full weeks since Orthodoxy in Dialogue began exposing Joseph Al-Zehlaoui’s long-term adulterous relationships and co-ownership of expensive homes with two married Orthodox women under his spiritual care—women deeply involved in Archdiocesan and local parish activities—and two full weeks since Patriarch John of Antioch issued a personal response with assurances of public transparency, followed by a promise of  “direct contact with the people,”  in his handling of the scandal. Six days ago His Beatitude and Al-Zehlaoui sat down in Lebanon for two long days of questioning. Al-Zehlaoui was apparently given the opportunity to resign, to which we objected as inadequate and which he is said to have refused anyway. It has been four days since informants told us that his days as Metropolitan were already over. 

While we encouraged our readers to give the Patriarch the benefit of the doubt and to trust his promises, with every passing day of inaction and noncommunication growing numbers of our readers contact us asking where is the transparency and why the silence and delays. Read More

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

Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui)

While some of Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s readers around the world place their hope in Patriarch John’s promise of transparency in his handling of the Metropolitan Joseph Scandal, cynicism is running high among others. They ask what the Patriarch can spend two whole days, all day long, discussing with Metropolitan Joseph, and why there was no report from September 7, the second day of talks, either on the Patriarchate’s Facebook page or the Archdiocese’s website.

It goes without saying that today (September 8) has been devoted to celebrating the Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos. A most joyous and blessed Feast to everyone! Read More

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