December 14, 2002 — Mudeif Productions

Everyone welcomed Elizabeth back at school warmly, asking about Jerusalem and her health and the road and everything else. The Johnsons joined us at school briefly, getting a tour of the facilities, before the ordination festivities began.

*Fr. Firas uses the thurifer at his ordination service*

Bishop Boutros Ma'alim and his entourage arrived, having taken the bypass road and having navigated the area around Sweitat including the new metal gate that blocks the road. Fr. Elias Chacour arrived from Ibillin a bit later, having flown in that morning from France in order to be able to attend the service. It was quite the occasion, with some fifteen Melkite priests and monks in attendance. Marthame and Firas' brother, Fr. Fadi (an Anglican priest in Ramallah), made up the Protestant delegation. Fr. Thomas represented the Orthodox while Fr. Aktham and Deacon Homam were the Roman Catholic hosts in the Latin Church of Visitation.

*Fr. Firas preparing for the eucharist at his ordination*

*Fr. Firas serves the eucharist at his ordination*

Though Melkites and Roman Catholics are in communion, their style of liturgy is different. There is far more similarity between the Greek Orthodox and Melkite forms of worship, both being Byzantine in tradition. The organ remained silent, but with fifteen Melkite priests and monks, it wasn't missed. It is an elegant liturgy.

Deacon Firas, as in his ordination to the diaconate, took part in the service in particular moments, including the Intercessory Prayers and the Gospel reading, in particular the consecrating of the elements for communion. Fr. Thomas, his uncle, also took part in the liturgy, an ecumenical family affair - his aunt even traveled from Jerusalem to add her congratulations. His family stood with him to help his dress in his new priestly garments, tears flooding their proud eyes. It has been seventeen years since Fr. Stephen, the last Melkite priest, died, and now Stephen's son was able to witness the ordination of his oldest son. A proud moment too long in coming.

*A celebratory luncheon at Zababdeh’s Latin church following Fr. Firas’ ordination*

Following a great luncheon of mansaaf in the church hall (enough to feed five hundred - or perhaps five thousand would be more Biblical), the clergy went on a collective pastoral visit. The man who was shot in the liquor store looting has returned from his hospitalization in Haifa, Arafat (somehow) picking up the tab. His face is swollen, and he is unable to speak correctly - the doctors project that within six months he will be back to normal, though - praise God. The priests were as baffled by the tenuous state of law and order as the American visitors - and they are Palestinians, simply living on the other side of the Green Line in the Galilee! It's amazing how little is known about the situation here, even by those who live nearby.

*Fr. Firas shows Bishop Ma’alim around Zababdeh*

We then went down to the Melkite Convent to take a look at the situation there. Deacon (now Father - it'll take some getting used to!) Firas has been doing what he can with what little financial support he's received. But located on the main road, the church is well-situated.

*A tour of the long-abandoned Melkite Convent of Zababdeh*

Finally, it was to Fr. Firas' parents' house for dessert and coffee. The Bishop asked Zababdeh's mayor to donate land to the Melkite church. Some have guessed that he and his entourage were unaware that the situation is different in the West Bank. In Israel, there is "abandoned" land, land which once belonged to the Arab inhabitants who are now refugees and was not incorporated into one or another Jewish village. This is the situation in Muqeible, for example, but Zababdeh has no such land.

The Johnsons were able to catch a ride with some clergy heading back to the Galilee, and Fr. Firas' family was left to clean out a number of giant pots that cooked the rice, meat, and yogurt sauce. The ordination is over - now the work begins.