NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 2022

Sergei Troitsky: Memory Eternal ~ Вѣчная Память

Joseph Al-Zehlaoui’s Farewell Buried after Orthodoxy in Dialogue Objects

Patriarchal Vicar for Antiochian Archdiocese Condemns Sexual and Gender Diversity, Women’s Rights, Feminism, Etc. as Mental Illness, Satanic, Pagan

Responding to the Patriarchal Vicar on Sexuality & Gender

Inconsistencies between Orthodox Criticism of Israel and Support of Russia

Archbishop of Cyprus Falls Asleep; Hero to Ukrainian Church

A Question for Metropolitan Antonios

Patriarch John, Archdiocesan Delegates Meet; Just More Business as Usual?

On Living and Dying as a Gay Person in the Armenian Church

Giacomo Sanfilippo on the Asceticism of Same-Sex Love: A Podcast Interview Read More

Beloved brothers, sisters, siblings, and friends in Christ, our readers, writers, and followers, our Patrons and supporters, those who love us and those who hate us,

Orthodoxy in Dialogue greets you all with the joyous proclamation:

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Together with all of you we give thanks to God the Father for the gift of His Son become one of us, begotten of the Father in a timeless manner before all ages, born of the Holy Spirit and the Most-Pure Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary in our own time.

We also give thanks to God for the generosity of those who responded to our several appeals in rapid succession between July and now:

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For context see the Metropolitan Joseph: The Scandal section in our Archives 2020-22 linked at the top of this page. Ms. Ditko’s testimony requires an attentive reading. She confirms what Orthodoxy in Dialogue has been saying for weeks, i.e., that neither the Antiochian Patriarchate nor Archdiocese has expressed a trace of pastoral care for the victim of the adulterous former Metropolitan’s predatory advances. The Antiochian Church seems rather more concerned to protect itself from legal jeopardy.

Orthodoxy in Dialogue went public with Ms. Ditko’s story on August 22 in order to prevent its being swept under the carpet and to ensure that justice be served for her. By failing to name the reason for Joseph Al-Zehlaoui’s “retirement” and to depose him from holy orders, by its egregious pastoral neglect toward Ms. Ditko and Al-Zehlaoui’s other certain victims, and by the happy appearance of normality with the arrival of Metropolitan Antonios on the scene, the Antiochian Church has indeed shamefully swept the very person of Helena Ditko under the carpet.

The sometimes disjointed, stream-of-consciousness style of this letter reflects the difficulties for victims of sexual predation to commit their narrative to writing. Orthodoxy in Dialogue stands in awe of Ms. Ditko’s enormous courage.

Helena Ditko

Your Beatitude, Patriarch John of Antioch and All the East,

Your Eminence, Metropolitan Antonios, Patriarchal Vicar to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America,

Maybe I am just cynical, but I didn’t expect anything from the Church of Antioch. To date, I have heard nothing from the Archdiocese that the “investigation” was suspended, let alone that Mr. Gaspari wasn’t going to contact my witnesses. If it wasn’t for the reports on Orthodoxy in Dialogue, I would know nothing about the legal letter of concern from the lawyer to the Archdiocese. Cynical, pessimistic, and skeptical are not typically the way I look at challenges in life; but this, this is beyond anything conventional. Read More

Beloved brothers, sisters, and siblings in Christ, faithful readers, followers, supporters, writers, and Patrons,

Today, November 29, is Giving Tuesday. 

We know this day comes at a time when we already feel stretched thin and exhausted by charitable appeals bombarding us from all directions. Ours comes as one more. Consider ours a gentle appeal, with no pressure at all. We want you to respond, or not, as your heart prompts you in peace. If you can’t contribute financially to one of the following options, we cherish your prayers for us as much as your monetary offerings. Be assured of our unworthy prayers for each of you as we progress by slow degrees to Bethlehem at the Chalice and in our souls, transfigured by the joy of our Creator’s coming to be made one of us in human flesh. Read More