Update from Palestine in wake of Coronavirus Pandemic
A look in photos and comment at the challenges facing Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, this a look at the Christian Palestinian Community in Taybeh and also in Bethlehem, from correspondent Dr. Maria Khoury. Photos courtesy of Maria Khoury.
By Maria Khoury
May God protect you and keep you safe during these very challenging times on earth.
When my children keep saying wash your hands over and over, I want to remind them that during this Holy Great Lenten journey, we are suppose to ‘wash’ our hearts over and over. But, also it’s the first time I realize how many extra times I keep touching my face which they tell me not to with the coronavirus dictating our lives.
In one minute our whole life changed in Taybeh. We went from working 20-hour days/16-hour days to not having work at all. Obviously tourism came to a dead stop. No more three buses in front of Taybeh Golden Hotel. It has been the best year ever for tourism in Palestine with the Bethlehem hotels being completely full.
Christians surviving in Taybeh and Bethlehem in Occupied Palestine during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Photos courtesy of Dr. Maria Khoury
Christians surviving in Taybeh and Bethlehem in Occupied Palestine during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Photos courtesy of Dr. Maria Khoury
When all of the people around me say let’s hope the world will go back to normal or the way it was, l think we should pray for the world to focus on its original purpose in giving glory to God. We need to pray, pray, pray! I think we have forgotten about God…
Maybe Palestine was one of the first countries to announce a closure when they sealed Bethlehem from the world in the first week of March. The four cases of coronavirus in Bethlehem turned to 35 but controlled and contained temporarily while all hotels, schools and restaurants closed. In the beginning, I thought this was a crazy decision, but seeing the world shut down and in fear is beyond my understanding. I mean, me, personally, Iam used to living under complete closure in the West Bank (this is like normal life for us). But, Iam not use to seeing others under lock down.
Although I won’t be lighting my candles anymore at the 4th century ruins of St George Byzantine Church, I will be lighting as many candles as I can at the Holy Cross Chapel at Hellenic College. It’s my first day back in Boston and I will keep my faith and hope in Christ. “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Christians surviving in Taybeh and Bethlehem in Occupied Palestine during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Photos courtesy of Dr. Maria Khoury
Before leaving Palestine, I called Geronta Justin for his blessing and it was a great relief to know the team at Jacob’s Well had tested negative and passed their 14 days quarantine in good health. Glory be to God for all things!
(Taybeh 2019): not known this year if Christians will be allowed to celebrate Miracle of Holy Fire in public streets as is tradition in most ancient village of Taybeh (Biblical Ephraim). Photo courtesy of Dr. Maria Khoury.
4th century ruins of St. George Taybeh. Christians surviving in Taybeh and Bethlehem in Occupied Palestine during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Photos courtesy of Dr. Maria Khoury
Palestine Christian Writer, Blogger at St. George Greek Orthodox Church Maria (Kouremenou) Khoury is the author of Orthodox Christian children's books including Christina Goes to the Holy Land, walking the footsteps of Christ. She is a graduate of Hellenic College (1982), Harvard University (1985) and Boston University (1992) with a doctor of education degree. Born in Tripoli, Greece, she was raised in Denver, Colorado. On Dec 31, 2009 she was included on the top 4 Human Rights Champions list by DC Human Rights Examiner including the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Hilary Clinton.
Maria is the author of Witness in the Holy Land (distributed by www.HolyCrossBookstore.com), a publication reflecting personal experiences living under military occupation with her husband the former Mayor of Taybeh, David Canaan Khoury and three children Elena, Canaan, and Constantine. Her articles have been published world-wide in numerous newspapers and magazines and have been translated to various languages bringing awareness of the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
Maria Khoury has been the Taybeh Oktoberfest organizer since 2005.She divides her time between her homes in Boston and Taybeh, travels throughout the world promoting the Christina Books and making presentations about the dwindling Christian community in Palestine.She encourages people to stay at the new Taybeh Golden Hotel and experience rural life in Palestine.
