August 31, 2002

The day we have waited for for two years, and the day our friend Firas has waited for for eight years: his ordination as a deacon (the step before priesthood) in the Melkite Church of Zababdeh.

For seventeen years, the church has been vacant, ever since Firas' grandfather died. In the intervening years, it fell between two bishops' responsibilities as well as what some have called neglect of the Northern West Bank communities by the church hierarchies. The Melkite Bishop of Haifa along with his entourage of priests arrived today to rectify that history, where the small Melkite community is recognized for their uniqueness rather than farmed out to the responsibilities of either the Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox parishes.

Firas, Fr. Thomas (Orthodox priest), and Bishop Ma’alim survey the Melkite compound.

They first arrived to visit the Melkite convent, which Firas has been diligently cleaning for weeks now. Two decades of neglect have left the place in great disrepair, and so Firas has had to clean up from the Palestinian police who had taken refuge in there when their station was being targeted at the edge of town, not to mention the neighbors who had used the convent as their garbage dump and their septic tanks. After the group said some prayers there, Firas told the bishop it was the first time in seventeen years that anyone had prayed in that church.

Newly ordained Deacon Firas receives his liturgical garments.

The ordination itself was in the Latin Church of Visitation, the Melkite church not being fit for hosting a bishop quite yet. Fr. Aktham took the role of host, giving the Melkites the space to shape the service. As such, it was unclear what role Marthame should play. Firas was insistent that Marthame be part of the clergy represented up front, since we have played a part in all of this finally coming to pass, and so told him to just dress and get up front, with Father Thomas, Father Aktham, and the Melkite bishop's entourage.

Deacon Firas receives the Bishop’s blessing.

Firas’ father (right) as his son is ordained.

When Bishop Ma'alim spoke and gave his thanks, he also thanked Marthame - and when it came time for the passing of the peace (in the Melkite church, the priests greet the bishop before the congregation shares the peace), the Bishop invited Marthame forward with the others. It was a wonderful moment, exemplifying ecumenism at its best: Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant clergy, representing the three families of Christendom, sharing the peace and celebrating an ordination together. In a time when the hierarchy is being forced to close many churches, one is being reopened and a dear friend's gifts for ministry are being recognized. Marthame was almost in tears.

Melkite Bishop Ma’alim presiding over Firas’ diaconate ordination.

The music of the liturgy was exquisite, helped by the "ringers" of the bishop's entourage. Now that Firas is a deacon (he was doubly-ordained today, first to the office of "Apostolic Deacon" then "Gospel Deacon"), he is able to celebrate the Melkite mass - all except for the consecration. But since the Melkites are in communion with Rome, Father Aktham can consecrate host for him so that he can celebrate. His ordained name is Stephen in honor of his grandfather, the last Melkite priest of Zababdeh.

We then gathered at Firas' - um, Stephen's - parents' house for another celebratory meal, msakhan, made from bread cooked in olive oil, then coated with sauteed onions, toasted almonds, and sumac, served with chicken. Eaten with the hands. A messy, delicious banquet.

Firas has made many friends in his time in Ibillin in the Galilee, among them a Scottish Presbyterian couple who have become friends of ours. As the bishop's caravan left for Israel, they stayed behind to visit with us - we hadn't gotten to see much of them since last April when we spent a great deal of time in the Galilee, so it was good to reconnect.