Across the narrow road linking Omar Mukhtar Street and Zeitoun neighbor in Gaza city center lives 32-year old Ramzi Qarmash. In the afternoon, he returns to his home in the courtyard of the St Parvirius Church that dates back to 407 AD.

From the church’s main gate through the wide courtyard to his house, he extends Muslim greeting Assalam-o-Alaikum for a number of Christians present along the way. He turns right from the monastery to enter his little home. Qarmash smiles to the Bishop, picks up his four children playing on the stairs, apologizes for any inconvenience and greets his waiting wife.

Qarmash works in Gaza police to earn bread and butter for his family. Besides, he volunteers as guard or protector of the region’s oldest church. Since the death of his father, he has succeeded him in safeguarding the church. Though the work is purely voluntary, the father of four considers it ‘his prime duty’.

The hall at the first floor of the fourth century St Parvirius Church in Gaza. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

An old mural depicting Last Supper table on high-walled church. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Another view of prayer hall in the church. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Mural in the backdrop of main hall podium. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Seats dedicated for monks in the church. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Even the inside dome of this church has much to exhibit for the faithful visitors. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Arches inside Kateb Al-Welaya Mosque just next door to St Parvirius Church. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

The hall at the first floor of the fourth century St Parvirius Church in Gaza. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

An old mural depicting Last Supper table on high-walled church. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Another view of prayer hall in the church. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Mural in the backdrop of main hall podium. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Seats dedicated for monks in the church. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Even the inside dome of this church has much to exhibit for the faithful visitors. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

Arches inside Kateb Al-Welaya Mosque just next door to St Parvirius Church. – Photo by Alaa Abu Aisha

The Qarmash family’s story of guarding the St Parvirius Church began with the migration of 1948, when his grandfather Muhammad Qarmash came looking for work. The church accepted him as a guard to protect it from ‘ravages’ of time and gave him a room towards the rear side of the Tomb.

He got married and had 16 sons and a daughter. Owing to the priest’s generosity, the room expanded to accommodate the large family. One after the other, the Qarmash offspring settled elsewhere with their families. One of his grandchildren Ramzy Qarmash ‘inherited’ the role to protect the church amid fluid law and order situation in the region.

“It’s extremely satisfying to serve the place where I grow up with my brothers and sisters,” he says, staring at walls of his large room.

Qarmash had a more eventful childhood than normal. “In Zeitoun neighborhood,” he recalls with a smile, "everyone took more for a Christian as I lived in a church.” He felt being judged without a question about his identity or belief.

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