The MECC EcoJustice Unit Holds an Environmental Activity and a Christmas Celebration in the Egyptian Desert. Here Are the Details

You can find some photos at the end of the text.

As part of the "Season of Creation" and Environmental Days Celebrations in the Middle East, the EcoJustice Unit at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) prepared an environmental activity and a Christmas celebration in the Anafora Oasis on the Desert Road in Egypt.

For the occasion, the youth of Egypt, in coordination with the youth of the Coptic Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical and Episcopal churches, the Ecumenical Youth Committee in Egypt and all other youth, celebrated the fourth day of Christmas and Epiphany on January 10, 2025, which is a great and wonderful Feast. Upon arrival, the youth were hosted with ecological welcome drinks.

Then, the Coordinator of the EcoJustice Unit Archdeacon Garen Yosolkanian, welcomed the active youth who are the pulse of life and the leaders of the present in developing the society and studies. He also welcomed the President of the Egypt Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, the Presidnet of the Ecumenical Youth Committee in Egypt Mr. Medhat Fayez, and all the officials and representatives of the Egyptian youth.

In his speech, he also thanked the management of the Anafora Oasis and His Eminence Bishop Anba Thomas, who is our companion in environmental work.

After the welcome, a youth tour was held in the oasis reciting the famous Christmas hymns in the Coptic language "Star Shines" towards the new Church "Αναμνεισις" which contains the most beautiful newly written Icons describing creation, Fathers, Grandfathers, Prophets, Preachers and all the events of Salvation, all from an environmental and educational perspective…

Then, the special Prayer for the first fruits of hope began as part of the Season of Creation, and Christmas Liturgical hymns were chanted glorifying creation and the Creator and calling for standing and contemplating the splendor of creation that we were entrusted to be masters of.

During the Prayers and scriptural readings, an Ecumenical and environmental formation was made about the unity of the Church and a celebration of 1700 years of the Council of Nicaea.

After moments of silence and self-examination to initiate and protect the environment and care for creation in the Egyptian-African framework, the President of the Egypt Council of Churches delivered a speech about "the hope that does not disappoint" and progress to the desired initiative every day of the year.

After that, there was youth meditation.

This day was completed by following the work of the oasis and the scriptural stations related to the desert, water, development and Worship by re-creating the miniature cities (Jerusalem), the Tabernacle, the water oasis, Noah's Ark and the plants and trees. Afterwards, the youth lived meditation moments in the oasis where they sat in the silence of the wilderness far from the daily noise that dominates the large cities.

After the traditional Egyptian lunch, there was a recreational period in the green spaces of the Anafora.