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.

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.

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

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

On the Occasion of the Commemoration of His Patron Saint, Saint Theophilos

On the occasion of the Commemoration of Saint Theophilos, the Patron Saint of His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, extends, in the name of the MECC family, his heartfelt congratulations to His Beatitude, asking God to grant him blessings and strength in his many givings in the field of the Lord.

The Middle East Council of Churches also wishes His Beatitude continued health and success in his Pastoral mission and faithful service to the Church of Christ.