The intellectual prowess of Father John Whiteford’s disciples on full display.

“Nothing good comes from talking to female liberaldox ‘journalists’  with hyphenated last names”*

(Marjorie Kunch, Owner, Pascha Press)

From Merriam-Webster:

sect noun

1 a : a dissenting or schismatic religious body
   especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical

3 a : a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader
   b : PARTY
   c : FACTION

The April 2024 edition of Texas Monthly features a report by Meagan Saliashvili on Father Whiteford’s sectarian activities, Inspired by the Confederacy and Czarist Russia, “Ortho Bros” Are on the Rise. We recommend that Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s worldwide audience take the time to give Saliashvili’s article an attentive reading. She reports that Metropolitan Nicholas’ office declined to comment for her article and Archbishop Peter’s office did not return her calls or emails.  The purpose of our article today is to make a reasonable request in our global forum for comment and clarification from His Beatitude and His Eminence. Read More

The following annoucement was posted earlier today on the official Facebook page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. It has also been posted on the website of the Antiochian Archdiocese. While Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s reporting initiated the chain of events that have culminated in the Holy Synod’s decision to return Mr. Al-Zehlaoui to lay status, I take little pleasure in this outcome. I am sitting here shaken and weeping—weeping for the Church, for the faithful hierachy, clergy, and laity of the Antiochian Archdiocese, for Al-Zehlaoui’s known and unknown victims, and yes, for Mr. Al-Zehlaoui himself. Justice may have been served, except for meaningful pastoral outreach to his known victim (which must be rectified), but this is a dark day for all of us. May God have mercy on us all.

Giacomo Sanfilippo, Editor

Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East

(Centre)

The Holy Synod was informed of the results of the Synodal Committee formed by the Patriarch regarding the events surrounding the resignation of Metropolitan Joseph Zehlaoui, formerly Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of North America.

To the dismay of the Synod Fathers, following his retirement, retired Metropolitan Joseph Zehlaoui wrongfully claimed rights over Archdiocesan property; through his attorneys, he demanded from the Archdiocese a large sum of money and threatened legal action and public conflict with the Church, reflecting through his demands an improper attitude as a bishop with regard to monetary matters; and he ultimately filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese in U.S. civil court. These actions contravene Holy Scripture and the Holy Canons. Therefore, the Holy Synod found retired Metropolitan Joseph Zehlaoui guilty of canonical violations related to: Read More

The following article is reprinted from Dr. Andreja Bogdanovski’s new Substack, Divine Diplomacy. Created in January 2024, it describes itself as a free publication offering timely, in-depth analysis and coverage of (Orthodox) church politics impacting the security and stability of the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia and beyond. Orthodoxy in Dialogue recommends it as an important resource for up-to-the-minute news and commentary on church politics in traditionally Orthodox nations.

The Head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Met. Epifaniy appealed for much-needed unity that would help repel Russia in its efforts to destroy Ukraine’s independence and democracy at the Yalta European Strategy Forum in Kyiv, which took place on the second anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

[N]ow we need so much unity in our common struggle. After all, we pay a very high price for our state, for democracy, for freedom today…If we allow internal contradictions and quarrels to divide us, then in the future we can pay an even higher price. A million times higher.

Unity is indeed a special glue that binds Ukraine’s society, especially amid the relentless war waged by Vladimir Putin. Ukraine’s President Zelensky has managed to keep the nation together in the most challenging times and instil confidence that Ukraine will be victorious. Read More

For context, see the Metropolitan Joseph: The Scandal section in our archives linked above.

The Patriarchate of Antioch posted the following announcement on its Facebook page on February 28.

Patriarch John of Antioch (centre)

The Synodal Committee formed by His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X held a meeting to discuss the developments taking place in the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. This committee consists of Metropolitans: Elias Audé (Beirut), Antonios Souri (Zahlé and Baalbek), Nicolas Baalbaki (Hama), and Athanasius Fahd (Latakia). Its first meeting which took place in Balamand was chaired by His Beatitude and attended by the Metropolitans, members of the Committee. It examined the ecclesiastical transgressions committed by the former Metropolitan of the Archdiocese Joseph Zehlaoui. It decided to hold several meetings for further investigation and deliberation, in order to prepare a detailed report to be submitted to the upcoming Holy Synod meeting on March 13, 2024, where the appropriate decision will be taken. Read More