The pastor, Abouna Firas Boutros Khoury Diab, is a Melkite Greek Catholic priest. The Arabic word “Abouna” or "Abuna" means “Our Father”. “Abouna” is the proper title for a Catholic priest. In English speaking countries, “Father” or “Reverend Father” is the proper title for a Catholic priest. Additionally, the pastor’s given name is Firas Boutros Diab. The Arabic word "Khoury" or "Khouri" is a title meaning “The Priest”. It is the custom for Catholic priests to add this title prior to their family name. Then, the English translation of the phrase “Abouna Firas Boutros Khoury Diab” is “Father Firas Boutros The Priest Diab”.

Finally, Melkite Greek Catholic priests are usually addressed and referred to as "Abouna" without the priest's given name. If in a situation, the word "Abouna" can refer to more than one priest, then "Abouna first name" is used, such as "Abouna Firas". Additionally, if in a situation, the words "Abouna first name" can refer to more than one priest, then "Abouna first name last name" is used, such as "Abouna Firas Boutros Khoury Diab". Priests are not called "Abouna last name" or "Father last name", such as "Abouna Khoury Diab"

The formal written title is "Abouna first name last name" or "Reverend Father first name last name", such as "Abouna Firas Boutros Khoury Diab".

Abouna Firas speaks, reads, and writes English. The Abouna’s residence is connected to the Church. Both the church and the residence are within one small building. He is the only church employee.

Abouna Firas was born in Zababdeh and is the grandson of the previous Melkite Greek Catholic Pastor, Abouna Stephanos (Stephen) Khoury Diab. Abouna grew up with the dream of serving as pastor in his grandfather’s parish.

Mon, 10 Mar 2003

Hi may name is f.firas khoury diab in zababdeh pelestine.i studied im beit sahiur semanery 2years filosofy and 4years theology .i finished my study in 1994 and wait for 8years for my ordenation,in 14dec2003sidna butros almoualem ordened my priest in zababdeh and for zababdeh,jenin ,jalama ,and mqebleh.zababdeh and jenin and jelameh in west bank[peletine].but mqebleh in israel its very complex region and poletic.iam palestinin some time i cant go to hifa to my mutrania to meet with my bishop.or to meet with the priests in nazaret .alsoo i need to go for the needs of my pepole in pelestine.and to have some helps to renew my church that church had been closed from1985.iam priest from 4months and my church still closed we didnt find suport to renew it.and the politic situation didnt help me so much.this month i cant go to the priests meeting in hifa becuse the occuption and closers.pray for us in pelestin
[zababdeh].f.firas khoury

Tue, 4 Mar 2003

Dear friends my name is firas boutros khoury diab I was born in zababdeh in the disrrict of jenin the north section of the occupied west bank . my family has lived in zababdeh for generation among the ancient churches of the holly land my late grandfather was the last parish priest of the melkite community .since his death eighteen years ago the comunity has been left withhout a priest.since then our milkite brothers and sisters have joined the different christian parishes of our village .the flock scattered because there was no shepherd to care for them. on 14 december2002 bishop butros maalim ordained me priest.that ordination brought much encouragement to the inhabitants of our village it creted hope to the community all of them are enxious to come back home to pray in their traditionale way and to rejioin their mother church bishop maalem has entrusted to my care the community of zababdeh and jalameh and mqebleh and jenin .my deepest wish to gather my scatteredc my community since i was ordained i use all of my time vissiting my people encouraging them and comforting them. its not necessary to describe the political and social realities of living in an area military occupation the economy is not much better .the majority of our pepole live below the poverty line .many are not far from starvation .unemployment is hovering around 80 percent it would normally be unthinkable to expect pepole with no jobs to lend a hand in rebuilding our abandoned church .but not in our case.they may nothave money but they have skills of their hands a contribution which cannot be measured financially.ourmost urgent needisto reopen ourchurch and adjacent parish house both clossed for nearly twenty years .they are need of drastic repairs we thank you if you can help us renewing the church so we can return back praying in sant gourgious church. we need to do all ;removel of dirtroof,steel and concretereplacment,stell and ready mix concrete,interior plastering,tiling,fifteen windows,two doors safety steel,sis interior doors,sewage and water with sanitary facilities,elctricity wiring and lighting.total 63547 nis[shekels].if you can give us hand in this difficult time of intifada to give ourpepole a church to pray for the god of peace to sent his peace for our pepole[palistinins].sincerely fr.ustufanos diab parish priest.st georges melkite church zababdeh jenin pelestine.

Sat, 1 Mar 2003

Dear friends my name is f.firas butros khoury diab I was born in zababdeh in district of jenin ,the north section of the occupied west bank. my family has lived in this beautiful village for generrations,among the ancient churches of the holy land.my late grandfather was the last parish priest of the melkite community.since his death eighteen years ago,the community has been left without a priest since then our melkite brothers and sisters have joined the different christians parishes of our villege the flock scattered becuse ther was no shepherd to care for them.on december 14,2002 bishop butros maalem ordained me priest .that ordination brought much encoragment to the inhabitants of our village.its created hope to the community all of them are anxious to come back home to pray in their traditional way and to rejoin their mother church .bishop maalim has entrusted to my care the community of zababedeh 250melkite christians and jalama 70,jenin100,mqebeile 200, .after twenty five years of deprivation they have a pastor.ther was much joy and enthusiasm at my ordination and i was greatly encouraged.my deepest wish is to gather my scattered community.since i was ordained i use all of my time visiting people encouraging them and comforting them.we start bibile studies, and estern music [bsaltik] for the young pepole in my house becuse the church still need renewing .its not necessary to describe the political and social realities of living in an area under millitary occupation.the economy is not much better. the majority of our people live below the poverty line.many are not far from starvation.unemployment is hovering around 80 percent.it would normally be unthinkable to expect with no jobs to lend a hand in rebilding our abandoned church.but not in our case they may have not money but they have the skills of their hands a contribution which cannot be measured financially.our most urgent needs is to reopen our church and adjacent parish house both closed for nearly twenty years.they are is need of drastic repairs. we thank you to announce[tell]our brothers and sisters who like to renew God house .we invite our brothers and sisters ti come to visite us in the holly land .sincerely fr.ustufanos parish priest st.George,s melkite church zababdeh palistian.