Our destination was the town of Burqin to visit the Church of St. George, also known as the Church of The a Ten Lepers - the site of the Gospel story in Luke 17. Unfortunately we arrived just as liturgy was beginning but for what feast day I do not know though I would guess the Forefeast of The Presentation of Christ (Old Calendar).
We were unable to enter the church for any period of time as it was very small, and we did not want to intrude. Yet, we were able to join many others in the courtyard, along with many scouts preparing for the feast day, and many altar servers cutting up the blessed bread.
We moved on from there to our next stop, the city of Sebaste It was here where Herod Antipas celebrated that infamous birthday where he granted Salome‘s wish of John the Baptist‘s head on a platter. Not only are there many rooms from that period of time but they include a 5th/6th century church built on the spot where St. John’s head was found. We were blessed to meet the caretaker of that church who was the last Christian man in the area. He spoke to us of his concerns regarding his wife and children and what their future will be.
We also enjoyed a marvelous multicourse meal prepared by a wonderful Muslim man with great pride and joy. Our group expressed that this was perhaps the best meal they had ever experienced flavored wonderfully with spices and yet more wonderfully with the obvious love and warmth of the restaurant owner. Oh yes and there were camels!
Next was a visit to Nablus and The Church of Jacobs Well. Before entering the church we read the Gospel story of St. Photini and after entering we went to St. Philomenos’ relics and read the synaxarion. I was able to reverence the relics and the icons and see the icon of his martyrdom. Though we did not meet Fr. Ioustinos the man who was taking care of the gift shop took us under the altar where we drew water and drank from the well (and I was blessed to receive a small container of water and oil to bring back home).
The theme of this day was perhaps “real”. We felt like we had a real glimpse of real people living real lives of real faith under difficult conditions. Like all of us. And it was a real and even emotional experience for in it we saw struggle, trust, joy, love and a commitment to Jesus Christ.
Face for coming to worship at the church of 10 lepers
Amphitheater ruins at Sebaste
Deacon Mike with Sami at The Church of The Beheading of St. John
The Church of The Beheading of St. John.
Deacon Mike with Sami at The Church of The Beheading of St. John
The Church of The Beheading of St. John.
The cave where the head was found
St. Philomenos’ relics
Nave of the Church of Jacob’s Well
Jacob’s Well
the Well
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