SEXUAL PREDATOR AND “FORMER METROPOLITAN” FINALLY DITCHED FROM LITURGICAL COMMEMORATION

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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. We note that the website of the Antiochian Archdiocese announced the former Metropolitan’s “retirement” almost six hours after Orthodoxy in Dialogue reported it. We are told that Orthodoxy in Dialogue has become the main source for updates and commentary on the scandal for clergy and laity alike.
We look forward to the expeditious removal of all images, hagiography, and writings of the “former Metropolitan” from the Archdiocese’s website.
ADDENDUM 10/18/22: Except for news reports involving his work and travels around the Archdiocese over the years, the former Metropolitan has vanished from the website of the Archdiocese some time today after we called for his removal therefrom.

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His Grace Bishop John, chairman of the Temporary Operating Committee for the Oversight of the Archdiocesan Office, along with the committee members, writes:

Brother Bishops, reverend Clergy, and esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees,

Today, His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X of Antioch informed us that he and the Holy Synod of Antioch have accepted and ratified the retirement request of His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH, who is now retired with the title “Former Metropolitan.”

At the same meeting of the Holy Synod, the pending retirement request of His Grace Bishop BASIL was also approved.

Please find attached to this email three items in Arabic and English:

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THE GREATEST SCANDAL OF ALL COMES FROM THE HOLY SYNOD: ADULTEROUS, PREDATORY, FAMILY-DESTROYING METROPOLITAN FACES NO CONSEQUENCES FOR HIS ACTIONS, TREATED SAME AS OTHER RETIRED BISHOP

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

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The Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch

Shame on you, Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East. Shame on you, Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch. You have brought disgrace to the Church of Christ and compounded the current scandal a hundredfold. The faithful trusted you. You have let them down. Anaxios! Anaxios! Anaxios!

The Patriarchate posted the following two Decisions to its Facebook page at approximately noon local time today. The PDFs follow below. The adulterous, family-destroying sexual predator Joseph Al-Zehlaoui’s “request” for “retirement” has been accepted and treated no differently from that of the much beloved Bishop Basil (Essey), who has never caused any scandal or brought any shame to the Archdiocese, the Patriarchate, or the Church. As of this writing (8:30 a.m. Englewood time), these announcements have not been posted to the website of the Antiochian Archdiocese despite their having been issued yesterday. Read More

ANTIOCHIAN PARISHES CONSIDERING MOVE TO GREEK ARCHDIOCESE by a Layman of the Antiochian Archdiocese

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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. The following email was addressed to Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s editor personally with a request for comment. Upon discussion with the author, we have decided to make it available to the public. We are not in a position to confirm his statement that certain parishes of the Antiochian Archdiocese are considering a move to the Greek Archdiocese. It goes without saying that the author has divulged his identity to us. We should note that his email was cc’d to several prominent priests of the Archdiocese.

Advice on Prayer | A Russian Orthodox Church Website

Greetings, Mr. Sanfilippo:

For the past seven years, our family has found its solace and peace at a large Antiochian Orthodox church within the Archdiocese. Per my wife’s request, she has asked me to conceal our parish’s name.

Last Sunday, during our parish council meeting, our board voted to seek and to request that our entire parish join the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese under the spiritual care of His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros. Read More

LEAKED: UPDATE FROM THE HOLY SYNOD

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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.

Photo credit: Website of the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

The Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch convened its regular fall meeting on Wednesday, October 12. Under normal circumstances, the meeting would have concluded its work by Friday. However, it was extended to today (Monday the 17th) to adjudicate the status of the disgraced Metropolitan Joseph Al-Zehlaoui and the short- and long-term future of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Our source in Lebanon reports that the Synod was unable to reach a satisfactory solution, and will continue its deliberations tomorrow (Tuesday the 18th):

No update from the Synod yet except that it is under a lot pressure on the dilemma of what decision to take in regard of Joseph and the backlash it might cause and who to send as a patriarchal vicar.

We are waiting for their decision tomorrow [Tuesday the 18th].

Given the time difference between Lebanon and where most of our readers live, there’s time to write to Patriarch John at secretary@antiochpatriarchate.org to make your expectations known to him. Orthodox ecclesiology demands that all members of the body of the Church—hierarchs, priests, deacons, male and female monastics, and laity—have their say in all matters pertaining to the life of the Church and her governance. Read More