"Poetic Whispers, From the Olive Grove to the Grave"

Poetry and Recitation by Father Dr. Rawad Al Chkour

Following Up on Work Updates with Great Hope

The General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its weekly meetings, with colleagues uniting in work, Prayer, and reflection in an Ecumenical and fraternal spirit, praying for peace and justice in the region and the world. Today, the team is living the Holy Week with humility and hope in preparation for the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this context, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, held the latest weekly meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Council’s headquarters in Beirut, with the presence of the General Secretariat team from various departments and the online participation of colleagues from Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Canada.

At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Michel Abs, delivered, on behalf of the MECC family, a word of consolation, sympathy, and support to the colleague 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 MECC, who lost her life partner. He prayed that the Lord, through His Resurrection, would grant her strength and determination in this new chapter of her life.

A Journey of Repentance and Prayer from the Darkness of Sin to the Joy of the Resurrection

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Here comes the Great Week or the Passion Week, and our East is still wounded and suffering, waiting for a resurrection that will save it from its sorrows. The people of the region are preparing for the Feast of Feasts and the Season of Seasons, eagerly awaiting the joy of the Resurrection with hearts full of faith and hope. They have nothing but this hope in the Lord Jesus, from Whom they draw all their strength and determination amidst the challenges that surround them.

However, no challenges are invincible before the power of Prayers, through which the faithful walk in a journey of Lent and reflection, culminating in one of the Holiest Christian Seasons: The Great Week. How Great this week is, carrying in its Liturgy Prayers and traditions that guide the faithful from the sea of sins to the harbor of salvation, from the darkness of days to the joy of the Resurrection.

The celebrations of the "Great and Holy Week" or "Passion Week" embody the most significant salvific events through which the Lord of all creation redeemed us by His death and Resurrection. It is a week that strengthens the faithful and urges them to examine themselves, deepen their repentance, and enhance their faith in preparation for Christ’s Resurrection.

What Are the Preparations of the Syrian Orthodox Religious Education Center in Qamishli for the Feast of Feasts?

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

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12: 12). With the words of Saint Paul to the Romans, youth today walk in an era shadowed by crises and conflicts. Amidst all the challenges surrounding them, they have chosen to hold fast to their upright faith, continuing their Prayers with great hope and believing that Jesus Christ, the Captain of the ship, will not abandon them.

The youth have found in the Church a safe haven and a warm embrace that eases their daily pressures. They are the heartbeat and movement of the Church, both its present and future, as their constant activity within it makes them an inseparable part of it.

Today, they are preparing together for the Feast of Feasts and the Season of Seasons in a journey of Lent and Prayer, each according to their Ecclesiastical Traditions, towards the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year, their joy is even greater, especially since all the Churches are celebrating Easter on the same date. So, what are their preparations and what are their aspirations?

The Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) reached out to the brothers and sisters in Qamishli, this vibrant city that brings together different Christian Families, and asked them about their activities during this Blessed time.

On the commemoration of the kidnapping of Archbishops Youhanna Ibrahim and Paul Yazigi, amidst the great transformations that Syria and the region are living,

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) asks the international conscience about the fate of the two Archbishops.

Hasn't the time come to reveal the circumstances of their kidnapping?

We ask God for their swift release, and for peace and security to prevail in Syria and the world.

What are the details…

Palm Sunday: A Passage from the Earthly Jerusalem to the Heavenly Jerusalem

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

It is a Feast of self-purification and the renewal of the inner temple... It is a feast of returning to innocence and simplicity... It is a holy season in which we open our hearts to welcome Jesus Christ, who entered as a King into the Earthly Jerusalem to lift us today to the Heavenly Jerusalem. It is the Palm Sunday, the seventh Sunday of Lent and the last before Easter.

Everyone, without exception, both young and old, clergy and laypeople, joyfully shout with hearts full of hope, "Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

On this day, Churches are filled with believers, especially children, who carry candles and prepare with their families to participate in the Palm Sunday procession after attending the Divine Liturgy. This is a symbol of the path of Jesus Christ in the streets of Jerusalem.

Besides the traditions and popular customs that take place for this occasion, we must remember the event of Palm Sunday, which brings much joy, renewal, and faith. It is the day when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem after leaving Bethany six days before Easter, and walked to the Temple. The crowds of people spread their clothes before Him, while others laid palm branches as a sign of celebration.

As part of the Jubilee Year "Hope Does Not Disappoint," the Episcopal Committee for Media Outlets and the Catholic Media Center organized a pilgrimage for journalists to the Monastery of Saint Anthony Qozhaya in Northern Lebanon.

The trip began with a Prayer procession to the Monastery. After learning about the Monastery’s rich and ancient history, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, and presided over by Bishop Antoine Nabil Andari, the Head of the Episcopal Commission for Media Outlets, with the participation of Monsignor Abdo Abou Kassem, the Director of the Catholic Media Center.

This was followed by a press conference in which Andari spoke about the importance of the Jubilee Year, which carries noble and ethical meanings, emphasizing that every journalist has the responsibility to convey these values in any institution they belong to.

Monsignor Abou Kassem also outlined the upcoming activities for the year, aiming to strengthen hope and love within Christian media work.

After the recitation of the Media Creed, it was signed by all attendees.

As part of its efforts to enhance the capabilities and skills of its team, the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) participated in a training course for journalists and media professionals on International Humanitarian Law at the Fouad Shehab Command and Staff College in Rihaniye, Baabda.

The training was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Beirut Mission and the Directorate of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in the Lebanese Army, and under the patronage of the Minister of Information Dr. Paul Morcos. It covered topics related to International Humanitarian Law and the groups protected by it during armed conflicts.

The training also highlighted the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, in addition to the scope and tasks of international criminal law, how to manage combat operations, and the protection of journalists during armed conflicts.

At the end of the training, certificates were distributed to the participants.

A Coordination Meeting Between the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches

On the occasion of the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325, the World Council of Churches (WCC) continues its preparations for organizing the WCC Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, which will be held around the theme “Where Now for Visible Unity?”, between 24 and 28 October 2025, at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natroun - Egypt.

In this context, the World Council of Churches (WCC) held an online coordination meeting with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) to follow up on preparations for this conference, which will bring together international Church Leaders and Theologians to discuss topics related to faith and unity through many Theological, Ecumenical, and cultural activities and events.

The meeting was attended by the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Fr. Antoine Al-Ahmar, and the Executive and Administrative Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Caroline Haddad.

Attendees were also the Director of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order Dr. Andrej Jeftić, and WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan.

Humanity Is in Danger!

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

In a world immersed in fleeting glories, hate speech, violence, hostility, and discrimination... amidst all the noise surrounding humanity due to endless wars, conflicts, and crises, the efforts to achieve change remain unclear in the face of the tragedies witnessed around the world. Human rights have been stripped away, and human dignity is lost!

Where is the human conscience today? When will it wake up from its coma? And is there anyone listening to the pain and suffering of humanity?

The will to live is the strongest! This is what many personalities, decision-makers, and human rights parties say... But is the will to live truly the strongest in the absence of laws and legislation that protect humans and ensure their future?

Many questions may sound the alarm today! Humanity is in dire need of a ray of hope towards the safe haven... a place where the values of love, dialogue, and peace are sowed under mutual respect among all brothers and sisters on the planet earth.

Hence, the International Day of Conscience, which the United Nations has recognized on its international calendar on April 5th of each year, comes as a reminder of the need to develop efforts to achieve tolerance and peace worldwide, to affirm the respect for human rights in all areas, and to enhance sustainable development.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of April 2025. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical Feasts of the various Families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission.