His Beatitude Patriarch John X Receives the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation
Stressing: "We are not afraid, and as Christians in the region, we must coordinate and unite together and adhere to our land. The Council is the nucleus of Church, humanitarian and media work."
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox family, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, at the head of a delegation including colleagues from the MECC General Secretariat, on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Patriarchate in Balamand, Lebanon.
Firstly, His Beatitude received the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and the accompanying delegation from the General Secretariat team with great love and warmth.
He delivered a speech in which he stressed:”
The importance of the Christian presence in the Middle East and preserving it no matter how severe the storms are because we are not afraid, calling on Christians in the region to remain steadfast and cling to their land despite all the challenges. He stressed that what matters to us as Christians today is achieving human dignity for every human being regardless of his religion or sect."
In the same context, His Beatitude Patriarch John X stressed the need to unify ranks and words, coordinate, unite and work together as Churches and believers from different Church Families. He also praised the role played by the Middle East Council of Churches at the Ecumenical, humanitarian, social, Theological and media levels, noting that this work entrusted to it is essential, especially in the Middle East region. As well as, he reviewed the latest developments in its Theological, relief, development and media programs.
For his part, the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs thanked His Beatitude for his reception and continuous support for the work of the Middle East Council of Churches, stressing the Council's insistence on serving humanity and every human being with justice, dignity and equality.
Dr. Abs also expressed the Council's support for His Beatitude and his positions, especially in this delicate stage that the region is passing through, noting that His Beatitude' speech, which he delivered at the New Year's Holy Mass, constituted a working paper and drew a clear line for moving forward and bearing witness to the Lord Jesus and preserving human rights.
In addition, Dr. Michel Abs presented the most prominent programs and projects being implemented by the Council and all its departments.
At the end of the meeting, The Secretary General Professor Dr. Abs, presented to His Beatitude Patriarch John X the medal of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as a token of love, respect and appreciation.
