To bring people from other countries to the churches in the Holy Land, the Melkite Catholic Church established a Tourist Project. Then, the Melkite Catholic Church arranges for tourist groups to visit several Melkite parishes in the Holy Land. The plan is for a tourist bus to visit St. George Church about once per month.

Zababdeh lies on ruins of a “Via Romana” ("Roman Way"), which was a Roman travel route during the time of Jesus Christ. Christians have lived in Zababdeh since at least the third century. In this area, there are possible the fifth century ruins.

Christian Pilgrimage Sites:

1. Visitation

Zababdeh is believed to be the location where The Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Elizabeth met after the Annunciation. After the Annunciation, The Theotokos went to visit her cousin, Saint Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39-56)

The Latin Catholic Church, Visitation, was built on the site believed to have been where The Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Elizabeth met after the Annunciation. The “Via Romana” between their homes went thru Zababdeh.

2. Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ cured the ten lepers

Burqin (Pirqeen) is believed to be the location where Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ cured the ten lepers. (Luke 17:11-19)

Within the cave over this well where the ten lepers were believed to be cured, St. George (Mar Giries) Church was built. This Church is the third or the fourth oldest known church in the world. Some people believe that construction of the church began under Emperor Saint Constantine and his mother, Saint Helena, in the 4th century. Now, the Church is used by the Greek Orthodox community.

3. Jacob’s (Jacoub's) Well

Nablus (Nablous) is believed to be the location where Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ met the Samarian woman and asked her for a drink of water. (John. 4:5-30). Some people believe that the well, from which the Samarian woman obtained the water, is the well used by Jacob (Jacoub).

Over this well, a church was built. Some people believe that construction of the church began under Emperor Saint Constantine and his mother, Saint Helena, in the 4th century. The church eventually became a Greek Orthodox Monastery.

The first bus of tourist arrived on December 6, 2007. Abouna Firas Khoury Diab joined the group on the bus in Nablus (Nablous). The tourist group visited Jacob’s (Jacoub's) Well in Nablus. Additionally, in Burqin (Pirqeen), they visited St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Further, they visited St. George Melkite Catholic Church in Zababdeh.