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

Our sister blog, Public Orthodoxy, has addressed an open letter to Ecumenical Patrriarch Bartholomew and the global leaders of other Christian churches and denominations, calling on them to “to actively and immediately engage with the appropriate international institutions to facilitate the establishment of an international task force dedicated to holding accountable, through sincere and impartial analysis, those bishops, priests, and laity within the Russian Orthodox Church whose statements, testimonials, sermons, communications, and fabrications have sanctioned and bestowed divine approval upon violence, war, and aggression against the people of Ukraine”—first among the offenders, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.

Orthodoxy in Dialogue stands with Ukraine and fully supports Public Orthodoxy’s initiative. We urge our readers around the planet to read the open and letter and sign it. You need not be Orthodox to sign.

We address your Excellencies, leaders of the major Christian Churches and confessions, to plead with you. We ask that you publicly address four acute problems that large-scale military conflicts in the modern world pose to all Christians:

• Using religion to justify violence
• Injustice
• Religious nationalism
• Outright lies emanating from church pulpits

These pressing issues are amplified within the context of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. From the very beginning, this conflict took on a distinctive character, in which Russia, a nation primarily identifying itself as Orthodox Christian, invaded Ukraine, another predominantly Christian nation, without any immediate provocation from the side of the latter. Ironically, citizens of both countries were, until recently, affiliated with one and the same Orthodox Church. Read More

Metropolitan Saba (Isper), Primate

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

Earlier today, on the official website of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Metropolitan Saba (Isper) published the most courageous statement to come from an American hierarch of any Orthodox jurisdiction in recent memory. We think it no exaggeration to compare His Eminence’s bravery to that of Archbishop Iakovos of thrice-blessed memory when he walked side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., almost sixty years ago. Metropolitan Saba places himself squarely in the crosshairs of the very priests and laypersons under his omophorion whose behaviour toward their Orthodox brothers, sisters, and siblings he decries as the “new Pharisaism.” 

His Eminence leaves little doubt as to whom he has in mind:

There is a negative trend in the Church these days, with certain people criticizing everything. […] The adherents of this trend tend to be aggressive in their attacks and fundamentalist in their opinions, denouncing as heretics all those who disagree with their opinions, views, and citations. Read More

He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.
Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead.
Matthew 28:6-7

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Sunday of Zacchaeus / Sunday of the Canaanite Woman
February 18

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Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
February 25

✠

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
March 3

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Sunday of the Last Judgment
(Meatfare Sunday)
March 10

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Sunday of Forgiveness / Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise
(Cheesefare Sunday)
March 17

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Clean Monday
Beginning of Great Lent
March 18

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Sunday of Orthodoxy
March 24

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Annunciation to the Most-Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
(Revised Julian Calendar)
March 25

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Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
March 31

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Sunday of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Annunciation to the Most-Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
(Julian Calendar)
April 7

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Sunday of St. John of the Ladder
April 14

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Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
April 21

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Saturday of Lazarus
April 27

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Entrance of Our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ into Jerusalem
Palm Sunday
April 28

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Great and Holy Friday
May 3

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Great and Holy Sabbath
May 4

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GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA
RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD, GOD, AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST
May 5

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Sunday of St. Thomas
May 12

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Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women
May 19

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Sunday of the Paralytic
26

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Mid-Pentecost
May 29

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Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
June 2

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Sunday of the Blind Man
June 9

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Ascension of Our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ
June 13

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Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
June 16

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HOLY PENTECOST
DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ~ TRINITY SUNDAY
June 23

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No Apostles Fast
(Revised Julian Calendar)

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Feast of SS. Peter and Paul
(Revised Julian Calendar)
June 29

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Sunday of All Saints
June 30

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Beginning of Apostles Fast / Peter and Paul Fast
(Julian Calendar)
July 1

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Sunday of All Local Saints
July 7

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Feast of SS. Peter and Paul
(Julian Calendar)
July 12

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!