Professor Michel Abs

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

I browse the icons, read them attentively, gaze at the paintings, examine the sculptures, trying to see how all these people have interpreted your face, Mary!
I try to imagine your features, your expressions, the light in your eyes, the joy of the Annunciation, the pain of the Crucifixion and separation. I find myself projecting my feelings onto you, hoping to understand you, O Queen of mountains and seas. Yet I realize I cannot confine your spirit and the beauty of your soul within any human form of expression, neither writing, nor painting, nor sculpture, nor even singing or music.

What kind of being are you, chosen by the Lord as the temple of Incarnation?
How noble are you, who carried the Savior in your womb?
How patient are you, who witnessed the Savior hanging on the cross, bleeding water and blood, pierced by a spear, given bitter drink, calling out to the mighty God, Creator of the universe, and forgiving those who shed His blood on the land of Incarnation, the Antiochian Levant, where the Gospel began to spread moments later!

How great are you, the one whom all creation agrees to revere and honor above all women!
What a symbol you are, what a message, what a lesson you preach to humanity?

Your face, Mary, I see it in the faces of the tormented women of the world, victims of gender-based violence, victims of relentless patriarchy, victims of human trafficking, victims of modern slavery, victims of ignorance, victims of suppression, repression, and silencing.

Your face, Mary, is worthy of divine light bestowed by the Eternal King. It is worthy of a smile, worthy of joy, radiating endless tenderness, love, and mercy.

Your face, Mary, I turn to in hardship. From it I draw resolve and unshakable patience. From it I draw a vision that sees beyond worldly possessions and perishable things.

Your face, Mary, is part of a whole. It is a mirror of your soul, a reflection of your willpower and endurance. And it is also, despite all it bears, a source of peaceful light flowing from your serene, calm, and peaceful spirit…

Preparations for an International Congress on Interfaith Dialogue

What Are the Details?

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, received His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Lebanon Mr. Rasul Jumaly, and Mr. Yerjan Kalekenov, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Lebanon, on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

This visit came after the invitation received by the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs from the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions Mr. Mäulen Äşimbaev, to participate in the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held under the theme "Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future," between 17 and 18 September in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana.

During the meeting at MECC, Ambassador Rasul Jumaly renewed his invitation to the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs to participate in the Congress, asking him to deliver many lectures on managing diversity in multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-ethnic societies.

In his turn, Professor Abs thanked the Ambassador, commending the importance of the Congress in promoting dialogue, convergence, and building bridges between the various components of society. He also addressed the goals of the Middle East Council of Churches in bridging distances and enhancing love and peace among all. Professor Abs also highlighted the MECC work and its most prominent programs and activities.

Norwegian Church Aid

Enhancing Cooperation in Humanitarian Service

A delegation from the international humanitarian organization Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), which is partner organization with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Council's General Secretariat offices in Beirut. The meeting was attended by the Director of the Lebanon’s Office in the Diakonia Department Ms. Nina Hallak.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs explained the current circumstances that Lebanon and the region are passing through, speaking about the difficult economic and social crises that pose numerous challenges and hinder the normal activity in many areas.

A Webinar Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches

Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: While we find artificial intelligence a means of improving human dignity in some areas, its negative effects are not insignificant, and will gradually become apparent as this new logic sweeps across all areas of life

As part of the “Dialogue, Human Dignity and Social Cohesion” program, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a new webinar entitled "Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence", on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with the participation of specialists, academicians, and interested attendees in the topic at hand.

The symposium, which was broadcasted live on the MECC platform, included two interventions, moderated by Professor Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the “Dialogue, Human Dignity and Social Cohesion” program, who, in her opening speech, highlighted the concept of artificial intelligence and the concerns it poses to the issue of justice and human dignity, which are now facing numerous threats.

The symposium began with a speech delivered by the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, entitled "Technology, This Enemy Friend." He said, "We must first acknowledge that the elitism produced by artificial intelligence separates people into those who are part of this cultural movement and those who are not, and separates a single society into those who are integrated into this new path and those who are not. This creates a rift and marginalization at both the international and local levels, and separates people as it separates the children of a single society. This is considered the greatest challenge to equal opportunities, which are praised by modern societies that advocate for justice and human rights"…

MECC Media Highlights a Humanitarian Initiative with a Life Testimony

During the Blessed Season of Lent, the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is preparing to produce a special report highlighting a humanitarian initiative launched by a young Lebanese man, owner of a small restaurant in Beirut, to help the neediest people, especially in light of the difficult circumstances that the country is experiencing.

This initiative came after the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) offered him support and assistance to the opening of his small business in the Dekwaneh area, particularly amidst the repercussions of the war in Lebanon.

Noting that MECC continued its field relief work to support those affected by this war at various levels.

Watch the report and the details of the initiative soon on the MECC platform!

On Mariam TV

Including Reports Produced by MECC

The Bulletin 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 MECC

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: March 2025

During this month, the war in Gaza restarted and accordingly, tension in the region reignited. Now, rumors of further escalation in the coming months are impacting the general economic wellbeing of the region and investors are a bit cautious whether to proceed further or not. Analysts warn that the region is heading toward a boiling point in which either regional powers will clash heavily or one will bend to the will of the other through compromise or diplomacy. Either way, we are nearing a critical period in global politics, and the period ahead will probably have all the answers.

His Grace Anba Antonios

In this episode, His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Eastern Orthodox Family, talks about the meanings of Lent.

"From Misery to Healing" program 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).

A Special Episode on the Occasion of the Sixth Anniversary of Suboro TV with 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)

“The Face of Mary”

"The Face of Mary"

On Mariam TV Within the Morning Program

With the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary and Professor Laure Abi Khalil

His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan: How much we need to turn to this mother who has become the heavenly mother, the mother of life

His Eminence Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Mrad: The subject of the face in Christian-Muslim dialogue… is a contemplation of the presence of God and of His call to human fraternity

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: Your face, Mary, is worthy of the divine light bestowed upon you by Him whose kingdom is immortal

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

On the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, and with the blessing and presence 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 Middle East Council of Churches and the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, organized a symposium entitled "The Face of Mary" on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Mathaf - 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, Christian and Muslim Spiritual Leaders, religious, social, and cultural figures, educational and academic personalities, members of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, and the MECC team.

The symposium began with the Lebanese national anthem, followed by a speech by the symposium's host, 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 MECC. She said: "The Feast of the Annunciation has become a national Feast in Lebanon, celebrated jointly by Christians and Muslims, because this country is a land of dialogue and coexistence. The text of the Annunciation, as mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, and the story of the Annunciation, as mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, have become a unique event carried out by great men of dialogue and encounter. They made it Lebanon's message of dialogue, coexistence, and the exchange of cultures, civilizations, and the great existential, spiritual, and human experiences that are unique in human history, because the Virgin Mary is present in the heart of Lebanon and in the hearts of its people."

Entitled “Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence"

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) invites you to its new monthly webinar entitled “Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," on Thursday, March 27, at 7:00 pm Beirut time.

You can click here to participate in the webinar.

On the Occasion of the Anniversary of His Enthronement As Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East

On the occasion of the Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, as Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, extends, in the name of the family of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, asking the Lord to grant him more graces and bless his service and contributions in the field of the Lord.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) also wishes His Beatitude many years with the power of the Holy Spirit, and continued health and holiness in his Pastoral mission so that he may remain a faithful Leader of the Holy Church and a model in his love for Christ.

On the occasion of the Blessed Season of Lent, His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Eastern Orthodox Family, was the guest of 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), in an episode of the program "From Misery to Healing."

The episode focused on the meanings of Lent and its dimensions in our lives today, as well as the traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Church during this Holy Season.

The episode is produced by the Platform of the Word at MECC and will soon be broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, and the MECC platform.

In addition to recording the episode, the MECC team met with His Grace, seeking his paternal blessing and listening to his Pastoral guidance.

Noting that His Grace is visiting Lebanon, where he participates in many Prayers and meetings.

With 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 Emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon