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

Disgraced Former Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Since August 26, four days after Orthodoxy in Dialogue first exposed Ms. Helena Ditko’s (full name used with her consent) allegations against then-Metropolitan Joseph Al-Zehlaoui of having conducted a 16-year predatory sexual relationship with her, we have repeatedly questioned the legitimacy, independence, and credibility of the investigation. We asked Al-Zehlaoui in an open letter at the time, “What is the name and address of the law firm investigating the allegations against you? Who retained their services? The Archdiocese? The Board of Trustees? The Patriarchate? You personally? Who is paying their fees? Is the aim of the investigation to prove your innocence or to get to the full, unvarnished truth of the matter?” We subsequently asked why a general call for victims to step forward was never issued.

On October 14, we published the secret report of the “investigation.” As attested by a priest of the Archdiocese, who we know speaks for an enormous number of clergy and laity, the contents and timing of the report, its reliance on interviewees beholden to Al-Zehlaoui, and the timing of its release to the Holy Synod confirmed everyone’s worst fears that said investigation would amount to little more than a farce, and an expensive farce at that, presumably paid for with the heartfelt contributions of the Archdiocese’s faithful who imagined their money would be spent on better things. Read More

For context see the Metropolitan Joseph: The Scandal section in our Archives 2020-22 linked at the top of this page. Although our editorial policy generally avoids anonymous articles, in some cases we are willing to consider exceptions. Reach out to us by email if you have something to contribute but require anonymity.

Yesterday Orthodoxy in Dialogue published a communication between the attorney of the Antiochian Archdiocese and the attorney tasked with investigating the claims of a long-term adulterous affair between Metropolitan Joseph and a laywoman. The letter summed up the “investigation” into these accusations. After reading it I felt like someone punched me in the gut. It was sickening. It was demoralizing. It was shameful. Especially since up until that point it appeared the Archdiocese Board of Trustees and the Patriarch of Antioch handled the scandal well. But, alas, such was not the case.

The extent of the “investigation” into the accusations made against His Eminence, according to the letter, was essentially three interviews, as well as a recognition that Metropolitan Joseph made a loan to the accuser for the purchase of a home over a decade ago. One interview was of the accuser. Two were of priests who are well-known supporters of Metropolitan Joseph. One of those priests was the accuser’s pastor during the time of the alleged affair. Even if the accuser confessed those affairs to him, how could he break the seal of confession and implicate the Metropolitan? There were also two other interviews, both of which seem to be of low value. Although one of them (of Charles Ajalat) likely revealed a previous sham investigation was undertaken on this same issue during the time of Metropolitan Philip. Read More

The present report appeared on Religion News Service on October 10. Our readers who follow the diabolical rhetoric of the Kremlin’s puppet patriarch, Kirill Gundiaev, in support of the invasion of Ukraine will note that he also demonizes LGBTQ people as necessitating the annihilation of an entire country.

Participants take part in a LGBTQ pride march in Podgorica, Montenegro, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Several hundred people joined an LGBTQ pride march in Montenegro, held amid strong opposition from the influential Serbian Orthodox Church in the small conservative Balkan country. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Several hundred people on Saturday joined an LGBTQ pride march in Montenegro, held amid strong opposition from the influential Serbian Orthodox Church in the small conservative Balkan country.

Montenegro’s 10th pride event was dubbed “No more buts,” reflecting demands that more be done to stem hate speech and harassment of LGBTQ community despite huge steps that have been made in the past years. Read More

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

Bishop John (Abdalah)

Diocese of Worcester and New England, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

Chairman of the Temporary Operating Committee

Clergy and laity who had joyfully anticipated the dawn of a new day in the life of the Antiochian Archdiocese—with the expulsion of the dictatorial, adulterous, predatory Metropolitan Joseph Al-Zehlaoui from office and the hope-filled promises of Patriarch John—now report themselves sinking deeper and deeper into a swirling vortex of skepticism, cynicism, anger, and even rage. We are now approaching eight weeks since Orthodoxy in Dialogue published Ms. Helena Ditko’s explosive email (her full name now used with her consent), over four weeks since the Patriarch forced Al-Zehlaoui to “request” “retirement,” one week since we published Al-Zehlaoui’s amorous voicemail referenced in Ms. Ditko’s email, and four days since we published previously widely circulated allegations that Al-Zehlaoui’s most zealous defender (and harshest critic of literally everyone else while dripping with piosity) and presumed paramour, Jasminka Chenich Gabrie, has received from Al-Zehlaoui hundreds of thousands of Archdiocesan dollars over the years through a “monthly salary” and work contracted to her art gallery and remodeling business.

The proverbial straw that threw many of the Archdiocese’s clergy and laity into a rage was the secret report from the farcical “investigation” into allegations against Al-Zehlaoui of sexual predation of women under his spiritual authority and/or in his paid employ. “Investigator” and attorney Paul Gaspari appears to have been instructed by Emile Sayegh, general legal counsel for the Archdiocese, first, to compose a report as explicitly or implicitly exculpatory of Al-Zehlaoui as possible; and second, to time the release of the report to the Holy Synod to coincide with its fall meeting a full four weeks after the “investigation” was ordered suspended.  Read More