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

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