Br RAMI ASAKHRIE, ofm
Latin priest of Bethlehem
"If you have only one way to love, you are poor. But when you have several ways: therein lies the wealth."
One week of prayer every year to celebrate Christian unity. Seeking this unity is a commitment that should always apply. In the Holy Land in particular, it is lived every day.
One example is Brother Rami, Latin parish priest of Bethlehem. Born in Jordan into an Orthodox family, he entered the Order of Friars Minor and was ordained a priest in the Melkite rite.
Br RAMI ASAKHRIE, ofm
Latin priest of Bethlehem
"My dad and mom are Orthodox. The Latin school with the parish church is located close to home. I went to school there and we went to mass there every Sunday. We grew up in Christian education, attending the Latin Church, but our recurrences remained Orthodox."
He grew up with the mentality of "living together," without differences. An openness to others, which Brother Rami also chose for his priestly ordination.
Br RAMI ASAKHRIE, ofm
Latin priest of Bethlehem
"I chose the Latin Church, but I am Orthodox. That's why, when the time comes for priestly ordination, you are given a choice: to switch permanently to the Latin rite or you can be "bi-ritual", choosing a rite closer to you. And since I was Greek Orthodox, I chose the Greek Melkite Catholic rite".
The theme of the last week of prayer was the star that guides the Magi to Bethlehem. And in the city of Christmas, Brother Rami recounts anecdotes of a daily unity.
Br RAMI ASAKHRIE, ofm
Latin priest of Bethlehem
"Let me tell you a beautiful story: my cousins were the Deacons of the new Orthodox Bishop of Bethlehem. Which is why he feels part of the family, despite being Orthodox. A historical thing: I invited him to lunch in our convent, and he ate with us, with the Armenian bishop. My brethren, they were so surprised. But how did you do it? And I said: but for me it's normal, they are like relatives".
A personal story with a special message.
Br RAMI ASAKHRIE, ofm
Latin priest of Bethlehem
"God has no limits, He is infinite in His ways of expressing love, and humans also have their own ways of expressing love toward Him and others. This is what we need to focus on: differences are not a bad thing, they are a richness!"
