The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the USJ’s 150th Anniversary Celebration

Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and University Professor at Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Lebanon, participated in the University's celebration on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary at the Technology and Sciences Campus - Mar Roukoz - Dekwaneh. The celebration was held under the patronage of the President of the Lebanese Republic General Joseph Aoun, represented by the Minister of Energy and Water and President of the Board of Trustees of Saint Joseph University in Beirut Joe Saddi. Attendees were official figures, His Beatitude the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, and the Superior General of the Jesuit Order worldwide Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, who came to Lebanon with an accompanying delegation to participate in the celebrations. The Jubilee was also celebrated by the Regional Superior of the Jesuit Order for the Near East and the Maghreb Father Michael Zamit Mangion, His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio Paolo Borgia, as well as current and former Ministers and Deputies, Ambassadors, Bishops, official personalities, and the Jesuit family.

Launching the "Face of Mary" Symposium

Professor Michel Abs

Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Welcome to Minbar Al Kalima (Platform of the Word), this heaven of dialogue launched by the Middle East Council of Churches months ago, from which we will be TV broadcasting starting Easter Monday, supported by Tele Lumiere-Noursat.

Welcome on the day of Saint Joseph, this greatest silent figure and distinctive symbol in the historical Christian scene.

Today, we gather, spiritual leaders, media representatives, and ecumenical bodies, to announce a joint symposium between the MECC and the Episcopal Committee for the Christian-Muslim Dialogue of the Assembly of the Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon, next Tuesday, March 25th, at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Annunciation in the Museum area, at 1:00 PM.

This symposium, titled "The Face of Mary", will feature interventions by women from the intellectual and developmental spheres, each with extensive experience in her field. I say women, as we wanted the interventions to be exclusively by women. Each will address Mary from her intellectual perspective and faith background, speaking to the people to say that society unites through women—a unity embodied in the face of Mary, who has garnered consensus across religions and the world, and after whom girls, shrines, churches, and monasteries are named…

Saint Mothers Followed the Path of Truth, Who Are They?

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

She carries in her name the entire mystery of the plan of Salvation. She is the Mother of God, the Mother of Jesus and the entire universe. She is the one who carried in her life patience, sacrifice, tenderness, and security. The Virgin Mary endured hardships and difficulties, and through her path crowned with holiness, became a source of grace and hope. She is the Queen of Peace, distinguished by her obedience and submission to the will of the Lord with humility and faith. She is the ideal mother, a symbol of devotion and support.

The Virgin Mary remains the most sacred example for many mothers who today work diligently and silently with love to provide support for their families and embody their faith in word and deed by raising their children and protecting them from the dangers and pitfalls of life.

What Are the Details?

On the Occasion of the Commemoration of His Patron Saint, Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary

On the occasion of the Commemoration Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary, the Patron Saint of His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, extends, in the name of the MECC family, his heartfelt congratulations to His Beatitude, asking God to grant him blessings and strength in his many givings in the field of the Lord.

The Middle East Council of Churches also wishes His Beatitude continued health and success in his Pastoral mission and faithful service to the Church of Christ.

On the Occasion of the Commemoration of His Patron Saint, Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary

On the occasion of the Commemoration Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary, the Patron Saint of His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Melkite Catholics, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, extends, in the name of the MECC family, his heartfelt congratulations to His Beatitude, asking God to grant him blessings and strength in his many givings in the field of the Lord.

The Middle East Council of Churches also wishes His Beatitude continued health and success in his Pastoral mission and faithful service to the Church of Christ.

The Palestinian cause is a humanitarian cause par excellence, and the idea of ​​displacing the population of the Gaza Strip is unacceptable

Interview By Ala’a Youssef - Al Shourouk Newspaper

Click Here to Read the Interview in Arabic.

An Episode with Father Kamel Kamel

From the Platform of the Word at MECC

In this episode, Father Kamel Kamel, a Priest in the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli, talks about the meanings of Lent.

"From Misery to Healing" is prepared and presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and the Director of the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

With His Eminence Archbishop Antoine Bou Najem, Maronite Archbishop of Antelias

On the occasion of the 83rd Anniversary of the Founding of the Orthodox Youth Movement (OYM - MJO), and with the blessing and participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios Mansour, the Akkar Center celebrated this occasion at the Church of Saint Basil the Great in Halba Parish.

Attendees were Priests, along with the Secretary General of the Orthodox Youth Movement (OYM - MJO), represented by Brother Michel Mitri, and the movement brothers and sisters.

After the Vespers Prayer, the speeches delivered on this occasion emphasized the importance of adhering to the divine commandments and living them faithfully and sincerely in our movement life. The celebration also included the some spiritual hymns inspired by the occasion. A cake was then cut and a commemorative photo was taken to commemorate this blessed day.

Project for those in Power?

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: February 2025

Over the centuries the Middle East seemed to be one giant chess board in which powerful world players clash and every time power shifts in the region the board itself changes. As a result, we have observed map reshuffles such as Sykes–Picot which have created the current region we live in. Today, we are observing somewhat of a repetition of History. What’s more, the Middle East is now being looked at one real estate project that aims to displace millions of people just to quench to thirst of the egos of world leaders.

“The Face of Mary”

The Symposium "The Face of Mary"

"The Face of Mary"

His Eminence Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Mrad: Our encounter around the face of Mary, which is always radiant with the lights of motherhood, compassion, and tenderness, makes us discover a unique way that the face is the first means of communication before one utters words… because the face creates a relationship based on mutual respect

Professor Michel Abs: We wanted to limit the interventions to women only. They will talk about Mary from their intellectual perspective and faith background, addressing the people and telling them that society is united through women. We see it united in the face of Mary

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, held a press conference to announce the symposium they are organizing on the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation, entitled "The Face of Mary." The symposium will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 1:00 pm Beirut time, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation – Museum – Beirut.

The conference took place on Tuesday, March 19, 2025, live from the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches headquarters in Beirut. Attendees were His Eminence Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Mrad, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Beirut and the Head of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, Father Michel Hamawi, Mrs. Annie Sarafian, Representing the Head of the Lebanese Press Editors' Syndicate Mr. Joseph Kosseifi, Members of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Islamic Dialogue, and the Team of the MECC General Secretariat.