Free Republic

Statement of the Holy Synod of Antioch Balamand, 14 March 2024 The Holy Antiochian Synod, presided by His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X (Yazigi), held its eighteenth extraordinary session in Balamand from March 13 to March 14, 2024, in the presence of Their Eminences: Elias (Archdiocese of Beirut and dependencies); Elias (Archdiocese of Tyre, Sidon and dependencies); Saba (Archdiocese of New York and All North America); Silouan (Archdiocese of Byblos, Botrys and dependencies); Basilios (Archdiocese of Akkar and dependencies); Ephrem (Archdiocese of Tripoli, Koura and dependencies); Ignatius (Archdiocese of France, Western and Southern Europe); Isaac (Archdiocese of Germany and Central Europe);...

For the first time since the Coronavirus pandemic took hold of the world, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph returned to doing what he loves most – celebrating the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy among his clergy and laity. He had been worshipping God from his chapel at the Archdiocesan headquarters for months, praying for the world and its healing. On Sunday, August 2, 2020, the leader of the Antiochian Archdiocese led worship at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York. Following the reading of the epistle and gospel, Sayidna Joseph addressed the entire Archdiocese via live video (go to 2:06:00). He acknowledged the...

Today we commemorate our great father among the saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra, the patron of this holy Cathedral. Howgreatly loved he is throughout the Christian world! He is even honored in popular culture, a fact well known to you all. Let us focus for a moment on the Troparion for St. Nicholas: Thy works of justice did reveal Thee to Thy community as a canon of faith, the likeness of humility and the teacher of abstinence. O, Thou Father and great Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore by humility thou didst achieve exaltation, and by Thy meekness wealth, Intercede therefore, intercede...

A Message from Metropolitan Joseph Venerable Hierarchs, Brother Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Board of Trustees: Christ is in our Midst! It is with joy that we confirm the election of Archbishop Joseph by the Holy Synod of Antioch to be the new Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of New York and all North America. His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph asked me to convey to all of you his love and prayers. He said that he stands ready to lead this Archdiocese with the support and assistance from each and every one of you, and looks forward to working together for the...