December 9, 2001 — Mudeif Productions

*Fr. Tom’ie prepares for the liturgy in St. George’s Orthodox Church in Zababdeh, Palestine*

Today we worshiped at St. George's Orthodox Church. Marthame visited Abuna To'mie last night, and he invited him to join him at 8:00 - a full hour before worship started - as he prepared the "sacrifice". There is a great deal of liturgy that takes place before the communal service begins.

*The central piece of the eucharistic bread is cut with a spear, calling to mind the piercing of Christ’s side on the cross*

Marthame sat behind the iconostasis in the tabernacle for both the Sacrifice and the Mass. As the priest puts on each item of liturgical clothing, a special prayer is said. Large, round pieces of bread are baked for the eucharist. The priest takes one piece, cutting out the center (representing Christ) and piercing it with the knife, cutting another piece from an inner circle (representing the patriarchs), another piece (representing the angels), and then finally crumbs from outer pieces (representing us and our prayers). All of these are placed on a plate together, then eventually mixed in with wine and spoon-fed to the congregation as communion. As the liturgy moves from the Sacrifice to the communal worship, there is a swelling of the bells, the incense, and the prayers.

*Candles, crosses, icons, and more are an essential part of the Orthodox liturgy*

There is something very mystical and moving about it all. The liturgy is so rich and detailed that one Sunday isn't nearly enough to get one's mind around it all. But there was something very powerful about having our intercessions mixed with those representing others in the parish, then combined with body and blood to be shared and internalized by all - very welcoming, affirming, embracing.

We then paid visits to a few folks, including a family that owns a couple of peacocks as pets. Their house is full of the feathers on display. Quite a contrast all with what is happening around here - several killed in Jenin, another bomb in Haifa, promises of a harsher clamp-down. It's going to be a long year.