“We feel like tourists” and “I have come to Jerusalem many times but never knew about this” were among the feedback we heard during Sabeel’s joint Jerusalem-Nazareth youth trip on May 23rd. It’s ironic how we live in a place so rich with history, diversity, and spirituality, yet we have minimal knowledge about it, or perhaps take it for granted. This educational trip showed that this is unfortunately the case!

We felt it was important to have such a trip within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, the city of ongoing conflict and power struggles between nationalities. Knowing the importance of our city and its importance, we set out on a guided tour with 17 participants coming together from different locations, from Nazareth and Rene to Beit Sahour.

We started off at the Damascus gate, entering the market, and the stories were phenomenal: the chronology of time and civilizations that came and went through this small city. Walking through the narrow roads and tall walls and listening to our well informed guide, Mahmoud Abu-Eid, made us feel related to the stones and neighborhoods. Yet, we also felt so far away– how did we not know so many of these stories?

We had no idea that there were over 50 cuisines (and 50 nationalities) inside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. In the Indian community, its sheikh spoke about this community’s existence and affiliation to Jerusalem. Then, we went up the stairs through the gypsy quarter and the neighborhoods filled with this community’s history, and then to the Afghani and Pakistani corners, as well as Armenian. The African community is in the heart of the city, where there is a youth center. This community is very much aware of the political situation and plays a big role in activities and projects to educate the youth in the Old City.

We were then welcomed at a restaurant owned by a Palestinian Muslim family and ate a traditional Palestinian meal of Maklubeh (rice, cauliflower and chicken).

Next, we continued towards the Assyrian convent and met with the “mukhtar,” who explained how this community came here from Turkey because of the genocide and like many other communities, for pilgrimage. Two of our youth knew the Lord’s Prayer in the Assyrian language and we all prayed it together. It was an ecumenical moment indeed!

On our way to the Rosary sister’s convent in Mamilla, we stopped by the Holy Sepulcher Church to have our personal prayers and visit the church.

At the Rosary sister’s convent, the stories of Palestinian saints, Marie-Alphonsine and Mariam Al-Bawardy, were told to us. We also visited the burial place of Saint Marie- Alphonsineinside the church.

We ended the day spiritually recharged and full of knowledge that made us eager to learn more about our Jerusalem.

Twenty-three women joined Sabeel on an inter-faith day and educational trip to learn more about the Samaritan faith and to visit the communities in the north, including isolated villages with a small Christian population.

The women met with the head priest of the Samaritan community and learned about the faith and the traditions of the Samaritans in the Nablus area. The women were surprised to see how the Samaritian traditions have been preserved from ancient times until today.

The Samaritans are adherents of Samaritanism, an Abrahamic religion closely related to Judaism. They practice the religion of the ancient Israelites prior to the Babylonian Exile, preserved by those who remained in the Land of Israel. Judaism, on the other hand, is a related but altered and amended religion brought back by those returning from the Babylonian exile.

For Sabeel’s annual clergy trip, 20 clergy and their spouses met in Jericho to give their Easter greetings and network among each other. This year Sabeel took them to the new Russian museum where they toured excavation projects and learned about the history of how the Russian community came to the Holy Land. They were inspired by seeing pictures of Russians walking to the Holy Land with no shoes, carrying sometimes only their cooking supplies on their backs just to be able to pray there. It was an educational and ecumenical day that brought together clergy representing several denominations– the Syrian Orthodox, Franciscan, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Baptists.

How we live the joy of the resurrectio

On April 27th Sabeel held a community forum at its Jerusalem office with guest speaker Father Archimandrite Jack Noble Abed of the Melkite Church in Taybeh village. As many as 31 women joined for the event to learn about how to connect resurrection to their daily lives, and to death, which is actually resurrection and life.
In Palestinian culture, women often wear black for months and years while mourning a loved one who has passed away. However, Archimandrite Jack told the Sabeel women that we must have a different outlook on death, and see it as the beginning of another life (resurrection). The women listened to this liberating way of thinking about death and shared their stories about times of pain and grief in their lives when they experienced Jesus Christ.

It is important to strengthen the spiritually and hope of the Palestinian people living under occupation, especially the younger ones who are more likely to emigrate abroad. The joy of the resurrection gives us hope for the future, whatever obstacles we face.

In light of the post-Easter season, nineteen women gathered at St. Andrews in Jerusalem for a talk by Gloria Nassar, who teaches religion at St. Joseph’s in Bethlehem. She spoke about how to live the joy of the resurrection of our Lord. Women got a chance to share their experiences, learn from one another, and speak freely about their personal relationship with God. The women also shared a meal together during this blessed day.

On April 24th the Armenians commemorated the Armenian Genocide which was committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915.This year marked the 100th year since the Genocide, so it made a huge buzz around Jerusalem.
Around 10 Sabeel youths joined local Armenians on a march from the Armenian Convent in the Old City of Jerusalem to the German Colony where there is an Armenian church. Armenian flags and candles were everywhere we walked, not only to commemorate, but also to spread awareness about the Genocide and the need for its recognition after a century.
Each Armenian has a story that was passed through the generations. Here is one story:
“100 years ago, my great-grandmother from Anteb was a genocide survivor who was taken by an Ottoman Pasha and forced to be his slave by the age of 13! After her struggle to survive, she and a group of young Armenians decided to flee, and crossed the desert to reach the Syrian border where there were men, women and a priest who wed couples randomly so the women wouldn’t be taken again and would be protected by their husbands.My great-grandmother and her husband continued their way into Aleppo, Syria; then continued with theirchildren to Jaffa, and finally settled in Jerusalem.”

“My other great-grandmother was 8 years old when they were forced out of Lapach.All of her brothers were slaughtered and the rest of her family had to walk south where they reached Beirut.On their way she lost most of her family.Only she and her two sisters survived, and later she continued her journey to Haifa!”

Because of these strong men and women we still exist! And because of their willingness to survive we are here,raising generations that will be aware of their history, language and heritage. We remember and demand.” –NanorArakelian

Gospel: John 20:19-End

St. George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem
Gospel: John 20:19-end
Canon Naim Ateek

I am thankful for this opportunity to preach, and I would like to thank Dean Husam for inviting me. Today we wish our brothers and sisters in the Orthodox churches a Happy Easter.

Today’s Gospel has a special relevance to the life of our Palestinian community as well as to the Christian communities in the region, especially in Syria and Iraq and wherever Christians face dangers and difficulties.

Let us begin with a question. Why did Jesus die? Our usual response is Jesus died for our sins. We generally emphasize individualized and personalized faith. Christ died to save us. This is an essential part of our faith. The apostle Paul wrote, Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification. One of the earliest statements of faith written by Paul to the Church in Corinth: “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve…” (1Cor. 15)

In addition to this, we believe that Jesus Christ was crucified and killed because he dared to challenge the religious-political and socio-economic powers of his day. At the time of Jesus, Palestine was occupied by the Roman Empire. Many of the religious leaders in Jerusalem were collaborating with the occupiers. Jesus confronted the powers of evilin society when he drove all those who were corrupting and desecrating the temple. No wonder the religious leaders conspired against him.

More than that, Jesus heard the cry of the people when they were shouting “Hosanna” (Hosha’na). It is an Aramaic word that means, SAVE US NOW. It was a political statement. It was the cry of oppressed people seeking liberation. It is very similar to the slogans we see and hear daily on our TVs by our Palestinian people who are struggling to end the Israeli occupation of our country. We believe that Jesus was crucified because he challenged the structures of domination that were oppressing the people.

The crucifixion and death of Jesus shattered the hopes of the disciples. In the words of the two disappointed disciples on the way to Emmaus, “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.” (Luke 24)

Onthat first Sunday evening the disciples,with other friends, were meeting together in Jerusalem behind closed doors. Mary Magdalene was proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. Peter was witnessing that Jesus is alive. The other disciples were confused, bewildered, and afraid.

Tragically, this has become a familiar picture ofChristian communities in Iraq and Syria who have been targeted and live in fear. Christians have been recently killed in Libya and Kenya because they were Christians. Here in Palestineboth Christians and Muslims suffer injustice and their human and political rightsare violated by the Israeli government simply because they are Palestinians.

As the disciples were huddled together in fear and despair behind the closed doors,the risen Christ came and stood in their midst and greeted them with the salutation of peace. It is important to remember that Christ never leaves us. He always stands in the midst of the community of faith. He is with us in our joys and in our sorrows.

Jesus showed them his hands and his side. Jesus has a new identity. It isthe marks of his wounded hands. Death did not erase the marks of the nails.The clear lesson for us is that of nonviolence. Indeed Christ suffered the agony of torture and death but he did not inflict suffering on others. And Christ’s resurrection is the proof of his victory over evil and death.Indeed, through nonviolent struggle, we can overcome.

When we look perceptively at our situation in life here in Palestine and Israel and across the world, we need to take a stand against the structures that dominate and humiliateour brothers and sisters. We need to expand our understanding of salvation and liberation to include not only liberation from our sins, but equally from the injustices that dehumanize our fellow human beings everywhere. This is God’s world and God wills that all people live in freedom and dignity. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to give us life and life abundant – life in its fullness.

It is time for our church leaders in Palestine and Israel to become more involved. The creeping confiscation of Palestinian land continues,the oppressive Israeli occupation is more entrenched,and our people’s suffering is becoming unbearable. The church must be involved and must take a stand on the side of the oppressed and the marginalized.

Yet it seems that many of our church leaders areliving behind closed doors unwilling to confront the unjust powers. It is our mandate as Christians to speak truth to power.

Jesus was aware of the disciples’ human limitations as he is aware of ours — ourfears, frailties, and weaknesses. So he says to us as he said to the disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit. As the Father sent me, I send you.”You must not remain hiding behind closed doors. The power of the Holy Spirit will dispel your fears and will give you the courage toface and engage the powers so that justice will be done and peace and reconciliation will be achieved.

Today’s Gospel presents a challenge to all of us and especially to our religious leaders. I believe that our Bishop Suhail can play an important role because of his good relationship with the Orthodox Patriarch and other bishops. The Christian community of the land has a crucial role to play. It is important to articulate a nonviolent strategy in line with the spirit of our risen Lord. It is equally important to lift up the prophetic voice of liberation forall oppressed people.

I believe that when our Patriarchs and bishops take the lead many Christians and non-Christians both in Israel/Palestine and from around the world will take a stand with us and support us. This is the challenge before us.

May the Risen Lord give us the strength and courage to take such a stand for the achievement of justice and peace for all the people of our land! Amen.

Young women group

On April 3, 2014, thirteenyoung women gathered to visit the St. Vincent De Paul monastery in Jerusalem and had a tour with a social worker.He explained about the convent and the activities they do with children, elderly people, disabled people, and the girls and boys who live there.The women heard some sad stories, but also heard about the great work the convent does, and they were amazed at the amount of work and service the staff accomplishes for the whole community.
After finishing the tour, Samar Musarsa, one of the participants, gave a small devotion in the church about the scriptures used during Lent. Afterwards, the group gathered for a Lenten dinner in the Old City.

As a response to the women’s desire to have sessions on health issues, Sabeel held a young women’s program on Friday 27th of February. There were 30 young women, 13 of whom were new to Sabeel family, and all were from different church denominations. They came together to our Sabeel offices to hear our speaker, Dr. Rasha Khoury, the Associate Director of the new Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Saint Joseph Hospital. She spoke about “Applying new evidence to Menopause Management.”

We started our meeting over a cup of coffee and some snacks, which gave the women the opportunity to talk with each other and meet the new additions to the Sabeel family.

Dr. Khoury gave a very well-received lecture. It was a very informative presentation that gave answers to most of the concerns that the women had. A very good discussion took place and the women got the chance to talk to Dr. Khoury in private after the session.

The women expressed their appreciation for the work that Sabeel is doing in addressing such a topic because culturally speaking, it is not very common to talk about this issue in public. The women felt comfortable talking about their different experiences and health problems. Some women wanted us to have sessions for their young adult children. Dr. Khoury showed her willingness to give more sessions to the women.

The atmosphere was positive and we were very happy to have younger women joining our program, as they have great potential for more active participation.

The women urged us to have more sessions and gatherings for them.