Peace in the Holy Land?
Father Elias Chacour

Members and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton had the privilege of attending a presentation by and reception for Father Elias Chacour followed by an organizational meeting of the local chapter of Pilgrims of Ibillin on Sunday afternoon, September 29, 2002.

Father Chacour, a Palestinian priest in the Melkite tradition and a long-time friend of our congregation,  is the founder of Mar Elias College, now known as Mar Elias Educational Institutions, a school that brings together Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Druze students in a situation where peace is demonstrated daily in a learning situation. His work in Galilee, just a few miles from the boyhood home of Jesus, has brought Father Chacour international acclaim, including three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Father Chacour is also the author of two autobiographical books, Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land. Both books are available in the church library or for sale in the church office.

The message of Father Chacour can be heard by checking out an audio CD from the church library.

Father Elias Chacour came to Ibillin as a young priest in 1965. He quickly saw the lack of educational opportunities for Palestinian youth beyond the 8th grade. A vision of a school for all the children of Israel began to take shape in his mind, and this vision has become a reality in the village of Ibillin, Galilee. Despite the continued refusal of the authorities to grant a building permit, harassment by police, and the lack of roads, water, electricity, and sewerage facilities, Abuna was determined that nothing should stand in the way of providing the best possible education for the young people of Ibillin. Within 9 months, the first building of four floors opened its doors, and the mountain was proudly renamed "Jabal al Nuur" - the Mountain of Light.

Mar Elias High School first opened its doors in 1982. This year, 2002, Mar Elias Educational Institutions celebrates 20 years of providing one of the highest standards of education in all of Israel. It has grown into a small village of six schools.

PILGRIMS OF IBILLIN - A meeting to found the local chapter of Pilgrims of Ibillin immediately followed the reception for Father Chacour. Pilgrims of Ibillin is dedicated to supporting Christian communities in the Holy Land in their efforts to promote peaceful coexistence with Jews and Muslims. They work primarily in partnership with Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI) in the village of Ibillin, in the Galilee region. They support MEEI, founded by Father Elias Chacour, in their educational mission through financial contributions, sponsorship of pilgrimages, and interpretation of the vision of MEEI to foster greater understanding of issues related to Christians, Muslims, and Jews living together in peace in the Holy Land.