In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find a details and pictures about the visit of a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) to Lebanon and its tour in Syria. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “On Political Chemotherapy”, in which he denounced all sieges and sanctions imposed on some countries, stressing on its severe humanitarian repercussions, as whole populations were affected.

As well as, you can find a podcast video including a special interview with His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and MECC President for the Eastern Orthodox Family.

Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian: The Jubilee Celebrations Are an Opportunity to Glorify God, Be Humble Before the Lord, And Strengthen Hope in Times of Decadence

We Prayed for A New Beginning in the Life of the Church

The Armenian Evangelical Church starts a new bright era in its path, as it celebrates its 175th anniversary, crowned with faith and martyrdom, pursuing its mission with great hope and determination. For the occasion, the Armenian capital Yerevan witnessed many celebrations between 1st and 7 July 2022, during which the children of the Armenian Evangelical Church met together and intended to celebrate, coming from the United States of America, Europe, Australia, Canada and the East.

Participation of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East

Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Evangelical Family, participated in these Jubilee and historical celebrations.

Report: June 2022

Nearly every nation in the region is struggling to cope with the aftermath of the war in Eastern Europe. Some succeeded in implementing policies that would adequately address ramifications such as grain and fuel shortages. Others still struggle with past hurdles and are finding it difficult to maneuver in the difficult situation, especially when they are still mired with corruption. Nevertheless, the world is looking towards the Middle East to solve the energy crisis and this might provide the required impetus for a new beginning.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find a news about the first meeting of the MECC new Executive Committee that thanked His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, for hosting the activities of the MECC 12th General Assembly, and discussed the recommendations issued by this General Assembly, and ways to develop the work mechanisms. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “Reflections on the Feast of the See of Antioch”.

The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of July 2022. 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. Noting that the remaining months of the year will be published consecutively.

In the context of strengthening a more sustainable partnership, the CEO of the International Humanitarian Organization “Embrace the Middle East” Tim Livesey, and the Programmes and Partnerships Manager in the organization Bruce Clark, visited the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches General Secretariat in Beirut, on Thursday, June 23, 2022. The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs welcomed them alongside with the Council's Finance Director Manal Bechara Bou Habib and the Coordinator of the Beirut Office of the Council’s Service and Relief – Diakonia Department Nina Hallak.

Adyan Foundation Launches "Zakiratuna"

A film That Enhances the Syrian Refugees' Sense of Belonging To Their Homeland

On the occasion of the International Refugee Day, Adyan Foundation, an MECC partner, produced with the support of the US Embassy in Lebanon, a documentary entitled “Zakiratuna” written and directed by Michèle Tyan. The film came within the framework of Adyan’s project, which aims, according to it, to “restore and strengthen the positive connection of Syrian refugee children and adolescents with their homeland”, especially those who were born and raised outside Syria, carrying a negative image of their homeland. Thus, the documentary aims also at "collecting and composing some beautiful memories from the older generation and transmitting them to the younger generation…”

In our Orthodox Church We Have Faith and a Very Serious Endeavor in Building Bridges Between Christians in the Middle East

Dr. Michel Abs: Crises Are Threatening the Antiochian Eastern Region, so the Role of the Church and MECC Is Essential

In a follow-up to the results of the MECC 12th general Assembly, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs headed a delegation from the Council in a visit to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and MECC President for the Orthodox Family. The visit was on Monday, June 20, 2022 at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Balamand, North Lebanon, in the presence of the Abbot of Our Lady of Balamand Monastery, Archimandrite Romanos El Hannat.

On the occasion of the MECC 12th General Assembly and in preparation for the celebration of its golden jubilee, the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department presents a documentary entitled “The Middle East Council of Churches… 50 years of Continuous Witness”, highlighting the founding of the Council and the most prominent bright stations that MECC achieved through its ecumenical and humanitarian mission. Since 1974, MECC started a new ecumenical era in the Church of the East, spreading the spirit of fraternity and dialogue “Building Bridges, Standing Together”.

Gender-Based Violence is Ongoing

Women Refugees Are in Danger More Than Ever, Does Anyone Hear Their Cry for Help?

Say no to early marriage, no to harassment, no to beatings, no to racism, no to discrimination... Slogans the Middle East Council of Churches works all year long to transform into living reality with groups of women in awareness sessions about gender-based violence implemented by the MECC Service and Relief Department, Beirut office. Slogans saying "No to Violence", in the face of a painful reality: "No Laws"??!!!

The sad truth is there are no feasible laws, or perhaps no implementation of laws to protect women today, due to unfair policies that some countries in our region adopt. A reality we can’t escape, especially since the rate of violence against women continues to rise in the world and the Middle East. Figures and statistics confirm this tragedy!

The Service and Relief Department- Diakonia, at the Middle East Council of Churches, Syria’s office, launched a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) campaign in Dara’a city to support the local community. This activity was implemented within the Cash for Work Program.

The two-month campaign contributes to providing temporary job opportunities for 100 workers including women and persons with disabilities.

MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs in an Interview About the Sayfo Massacres on Suboro TV

On the 107th Commemoration of the Syriac Genocide or the "Sayfo Massacre", the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of “Each Day By Day" program broadcasted on Suboro TV, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The episode was under the slogan of "Sayfo 1915 We Forgive but Never Forget”, during which Dr. Abs talked about the Sayfo massacres, considered from the most brutal massacres in the history of the Church.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find the message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which is entitled this week “The Elderly”.

The issue also presents an interview with Dr. Abs on “Kadaya Sakhina” program (which means “Hot Issues”) broadcasted on Al Keraza Egyptian TV channel, highlighting the activities of the MECC 12th General Assembly, the most important decisions taken in light of its final statement, and the MECC future vision.

The Dream of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II Chronicles the Ecclesiastical Heritage

"The library was a dream that has been on my mind for a long time. Today libraries are fund in churches and monasteries. But we were thinking of an integrated central institution through which we could show the Coptic Church’s care in education and scientific research. We Thank God for giving us this great blessing. What was just a dream has now become a reality!”

The dream of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, according to his words, has come true and has become a great cultural and intellectual reality in an oasis of one of the holiest lands that the Holy Family has passed through, here in Wadi El Natrun in Egypt.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, Dr. Michel Abs was, on Monday, June 13, 2022, the guest of the Egyptian Al-Keraza channel, in the program "Hot Issues" prepared and presented by the Co-Secretary-General of the Middle East Council of Churches, Rev. Rifaat Fikry.

During the program, Dr. Abs highlighted the activities of the MECC 12th General Assembly, which was hosted by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, between 16 and 20 May 2022, at the Logos Papal Center in Wadi El Natrun in Egypt.

Department of Diakonia and Ecumenical Relief

Since its establishment, the Middle East Council of Churches has sought to protect the neediest and most vulnerable groups, preserving their rights and dignity through its various humanitarian programs that include relief and development, justice, peace, human rights and advocacy, migrants and refugees. The following video, entitled “A Story of Success”, emphasizes the MECC relief work through the Diakonia Department and the Ecumenical Relief Program, and the most prominent humanitarian programs and activities which are being implemented by the Department in various countries of the Middle East, which is suffering under the weight of social, economic, health and security crises...

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find the message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which was entitled this week “Child Labor and Afflicted Humanity”, coinciding with the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12.

The issue also presents an interview with the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs on MTV Lebanon, during which he was accompanied by the Director of the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department Mrs. Huguette Salameh, to shed light on the activities of the MECC 12th General Assembly. This is in addition to another interview with Dr. Abs on Radio Liban Libre, about the General Assembly and the Christian presence in the region.

The twelfth of June is the Day against Child Labor. This is how it was delimited by the United Nations, which, through its various institutions, is considered as a spearhead in the fight against this scourge that wounds humanity to its core.

The statistics included on the United Nations website dealing with this topic consider that during the year 2020, ten percent of children 5 years and above participated in child labor worldwide, or a total of 160 million children, sixty percent of whom were boys.

This phenomenon is not new and should not surprise the reader.

Entitled by Pope Francis “Listening with the Ear of the Heart”

The world is celebrating the International Day of Social Media in its 56th edition this year, which is scheduled on June 30 of each year, aiming at enhancing awareness and spreading knowledge about the social media platforms to be used in a better way, especially in spreading and consolidating human values ​​based on peace, love and brotherhood, avoiding hate speech and conflicts.

The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of “Azamat Wa Kadaya” program (which means “Crises and Issues”) on Radio Liban Libre with Houda Eid, on Saturday, June 4, 2022. During the interview, Dr. Abs pointed out the activities of the MECC 12th General Assembly and its objectives, as well as, the Christian presence in the region and the importance of the Christians’ role, especially in overcoming all their challenges.