January 27, 2002

Fr. Tom’ie and the Orthodox faithful head from Zababdeh to Burqin.

The children in rapt attention during liturgy.

After an aborted attempt before Christmas, we have finally managed to get to worship at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Leper in Burqin. We've visited there several times before, but this is the first time we have prayed there. Some of Burqin's remnant Christian community were there, as well as a busload of folks from Zababdeh and a few cars from the Greek Consulate and Patriarchate (including Bishop Timotheus). This is the fourth oldest church in the world - the oldest three being Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Jifna (near Ramallah). Every year they try to have a special Sunday set aside for this church, in which the story of the Ten Lepers (Luke 17) is told.

Bishop Timotheus serves communion.

It was quite something to stand in the cave where the lepers are believed to have been when we heard the gospel lesson read. It was a beautiful service - prayers being mostly sung, and the Bishop serving the Orthodox communion by spoon to all the children and also to all adults who had fasted appropriately in preparation. Abuna To'mie gave a brief homily at the end of the service, focusing on the lepers' words to Jesus, "Lord, have mercy." "Today," Abuna said, "we are all lepers - in need of the Lord's mercy." How true - the news echoed that, with more tales of violence and reprisals.