One of the stops of the blessed pilgrimage of the Holy Family Icon to Lebanon was the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches in Beirut, where it was received by the Council’s Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and the Council's team.

The icon was accompanied by the Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Vicar of Eparchy of Beirut and Head of the organizing committee for the icon’s visits, emanating from the "Justice and Peace" committee, His Eminence Bishop Mathias Charles Mrad, and the General Coordinator of the committee Mrs. Suzy Hajj.

Following an invitation from Arigatou International organization dedicated to children, the Middle East Council of Churches participated in a webinar that was held in order to launch the “Learning To Live Together manual to Middle Childhood”. MECC was represented by its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and the coordinator of the Trauma and Wound Healing and Spiritual Counseling Program of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Sister Emilie Tannous.

El Comité Medioambiental y Teológico del MECC está llevando a cabo una serie de visitas a los jefes de las Iglesias con el fin de informarles sobre el proyecto «Temporada de la Creación» 2021.

La delegación que representa al Comité visitó hoy, 22 de julio, al Patriarca Maronita de Antioquía y de todo el Oriente, Su Beatitud el Cardenal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, en la residencia de verano del Patriarca en Diman–Líbano, y al Patriarca Ortodoxo Griego de Antioquía y de todo el Oriente y Presidente del Consejo para la Familia Ortodoxa de Antioquía, Su Beatitud Juan X, en Balamand–Líbano, en presencia del Vicario Patriarcal, Su Gracia el Obispo Ephraim Maalouli.

The MECC Ecojustice Adhoc Committee is conducting a series of visits to the heads of Churches aiming at informing them of the “Season of Creation” project 2021. A delegation representing the committee visited today on 22th of July, the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai at the Patriarchal summer residence in Diman – Lebanon, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and the President of the Council for the Antioch Orthodox Family His Beatitude John X in Balamand - Lebanon, in the presence of the Patriarchal Vicar, His Grace Bishop Ephraim Maalouli.

For the first time in the region, the Middle East Council of Churches launched the “Season of Creation” project for the year 2021 to allow people in the East to Pray and work for the protection of the environment through participating in its celebrations and activities using its international booklet. Thus, what are the meanings behind this season? How is the MECC participating this year? What does the project’s booklet include? and who are the members of the MECC Ecojustice Adhoc Committee?

An Introductory Meeting for the 2021 Celebrations

Together We Pray and Work for the Protection of the Environment

#SeasonOfCreationME #MECC

Within the framework of the preparations, celebrations and activities of the “Season of Creation” 2021, the Middle East Council of Churches launched for the first time in the Middle East this universal environmental project during a virtual meeting held on Monday, July 12, 2021 via Zoom. It was organized by the MECC Ecojustice Adhoc Committee and was attended by representatives of involved international and regional organizations such as TearFund, Danmission and A. Rocha Lebanon, in addition to a group of interested participants, members of the committee and a team from the Council.

MECC General Secretariat held its annual meeting today on 14th April 2021 with international and regional partner organizations and institutions on Zoom to discuss different opinions and share knowledge in order to develop the role of the council and improve work mechanism and cooperation in future projects.

The Middle East Council of Churches General Secretariat issued its annual report for the year 2020, a year in review burdened by challenges and obstacles in the world in general, and the Middle East in particular. The East witnessed a never-ending cycle of crises for decades now.

More than a year has passed and the virus still threatens humanity, especially those struggling to survive in the sad East. In light of dangerous economic and social collapses topped by serious political conflicts putting the region on the edge of a cliff, the Coronavirus was the icing on the cake, adding to the misery, deepening wounds and increasing the pain with thousands of victims and infected daily.

We pray together for those struggling with the deadly Coronavirus and the souls of those who have passed onto God's hands. The prayer will be held online under the title: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4: 35-41), on Friday February 12, 2021, at 7:00 pm Beirut time.

We unite to face together the Coronavirus, for in the midst of the storm, we fear nothing for God is with us.

And when we shout together “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”, we hear his voice calming the storm around us and saying “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4 : 35-40

Friday February 12, 2021

At 7:00 pm

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4 : 35-40

Los preparativos para la Navidad y el nacimiento de Jesucristo, nuestro Salvador, en la familia de la Secretaría General del MECC comenzaron con el retiro espiritual anual titulado “La Estrella de Navidad”, que ha tenido lugar en el Monasterio Saydet El Bir, Bkennaya – Jal El Dib, Líbano.

The preparations for Christmas and the Birth of Jesus Christ our Savior in the MECC General Secretariat’s family started in an annual spiritual retreat entitled “The Christmas star”, and took place in Saydet El Bir Monastery, Bkennaya - Jal El Dib, Lebanon.

The week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021”, from 18 to 25 January 2021. With the title “To remain in God’s love and in self-reconciliation" John 15: 1 -17.

Dr. Michel Abs: esta experiencia es única en la región

El Comité Ecuménico para el socorro de Beirut celebró su reunión ordinaria virtual para hacer un seguimiento del proceso de socorro que el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio (MECC) está dirigiendo en cooperación con representantes de las iglesias miembros, junto con un equipo de los diversos departamentos del Consejo.

Dr. Michel Abs: this experience is unique in the region

The Ecumenical Committee for the relief of Beirut held its virtual regular meeting in order to follow up on the relief process that the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is leading in cooperation with representatives of the Member Churches, along with a team from the council’s various departments. The meeting was chaired for the first time by Dr. Michel Abs, the new MECC Secretary General, who praised this Ecumenical experience.

El canal de televisión Charity TV dedicó un episodio sobre el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio en el programa matutino "Hawa Al-Mahba", en el que arrojó luz sobre el mensaje del Consejo, sus programas y aspiraciones en varias áreas. El presentador del programa, Chárbel Zougheib, comenzó el episodio con una entrevista con el Secretario General Dr. Michel Abs, quien expuso su visión y sus proyectos futuros.

The Charity TV channel dedicated an episode about the Middle East Council of Churches in the morning Show “Hawa Al-Mahba” program, where they shed the light on the Council’s message, its programs and aspirations in several areas. The program's presenter, Charbel Zougheib, started the episode with an interview with the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs who discussed his vision and his future projects.