The selection committee for King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam awarded Dr. Mohammad Al-Sammak, the first Lebanese, Dean of the Maqasidites, and the Secretary General of Lebanon's National Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, this award at the beginning of 2024, in view of the great services he provided to society and humanity, and for his contributions and work in promoting Islamic-Christian dialogue as well as relations dialogue and communication between different people.

On this occasion, the Head of the National Dialogue Party in Lebanon MP Fouad Makhzoumi held a dinner in honor of Dr. Al-Sammak at his “Al-Bahr” residence in Beirut, on Thursday 27 June 2024. Attendees were the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic His Eminence Sheikh Abdul-Latif Derian, spiritual figures and clerics, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, current and former MPs and Ministers, Arab Ambassadors, Mayors, representatives of associations, media figures, as well as MP Makhzoumi’s work team and his group in various institutions.

A Webinar Organized by MECC

Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: We dream of a day when we will feel human dignity in everything we do, and not in burdens that accompany and stick to our daily lives. The wait has been long!

The Middle East Council of Churches is continuing its series of monthly seminars, and held a new webinar entitled “Youth, Family, and Preserving Human Dignity,” on Thursday 27 June 2024, with the participation of researchers and specialists from various fields and countries in the Middle East, and the presence of professors and university students, as well as interested people in the topic at hand. Noting that this webinar comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, which MECC is implementing consecutively.

The meeting, which was broadcasted live on the MECC Facebook page, included three interventions, moderated by Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, who presented in her opening speech a definition of the family, explaining the challenges it faces, and stressing the necessity of preserving the factors that contribute to the success of the family and thus building better societies.

The webinar began with a speech delivered by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, entitled “Building a Family in My Country, an “Adventure” with Unexpected Results,” in which he pointed out that “the crisis of building a family in my country and the immigration that accompanies it is the tip of the iceberg for a political-economic-social system in crisis, for a society that is fed up with its children and has begun to throw them into all parts of the world. Building a family is a basic and obvious human right. The Master said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)”…

As part of his tour in Lebanon, Dr. Harry Hagopian, Former Director at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Public International Lawyer at the UK and Ireland, visited the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, on Thursday 27 June 2024. He was received by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs at the head of the General Secretariat’s team.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Abs welcomed Dr. Hagopian, and expressed his pleasure at his visit to the Council’s offices and meeting with the team, praising his rich experiences as well as the lecture he gave on “The Armenian Community in Palestine, Historical & Contemporary Challenges,” on Tuesday 25 June 2024, at the Haigazian University in Beirut.  

Afterwards, Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the MECC Secretary General, presented an overview about Dr. Hagopian’s biography, and welcomed him again. Then, the attendees began to introduced themselves.

For one creature, to use another creature, his counterpart in creation and humanity, for the sake of physical pleasures and nothing else, this is the height of objectifying people and turning them into tools, to be used as long as the exploiter finds pleasure in it, and then throwing them away like a worn out rag.

How bad it is, this soul that does not know the rules of life and society or does not recognize them. How was this soul socialized, how did it acquire its values, and how did it experience its social upbringing? In what sick state has this soul lived to the point that it does not care about the pain it causes to others, which reaches the point of eliminating that other person? How many crimes of sexual harassment have ended in a murder that claimed the lives of the oppressed who did not learn to rebel in defense of the self and the entity.

The media periodically informs us of news on harassment disasters that have occurred and led to undesirable consequences. News in all directions: adults harassing adults, adults harassing children, relatives or families harassing those who are supposed to protect them, adults and children disappearing, then being found after a while as decomposing bodies under the rubble, or not found at all.

I will not go into statistics here, nor will I consider them a correct picture of reality, despite their importance, as what is said or known in this regard is much less than what is happening in reality. Silence reigns supreme in this jungle called sexual harassment, and the cover-up resulting from a stupid family solidarity that sacrifices the weakest link, worthy of protection, in order to avoid scandal.

“The Armenian Community in Palestine, Historical & Contemporary Challenges”

The Armenian Diaspora Research Center cordially organized a lecture entitled “The Armenian Community in Palestine, Historical & Contemporary Challenges”, which was delivered by Dr. Harry Hagopian, Public International Lawyer of UK and Ireland, in the presence of Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Evangelical Family. It was held on Tuesday 25 June 2024, at the Haigazian University in Lebanon.

Attendees were interested people from the Armenian Churches, as well as the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs. In addition, Dr. Harry Hagopian made a discussion regarding the topic at hand, which revolved around the conditions of the Armenians in Palestine, the situations they are passing through, as well as the challenges they face throughout history and their future aspirations.

Within the training “Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response,” which was implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, in partnership with the Tearfund Organization, participants from various Church families in Lebanon and the Middle East, were able to acquire new skills and deeper knowledge within the framework of helping the Church responding to crises and disasters.

In the video, some of the participants in this training, which was held between 6 and 9 June 2024, in Bethania - Harissa, Lebanon, stress the importance of its sessions and the necessity of cooperation and working together in order to support the neediest people and build a better future.

“Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response”

“Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response” is the title of the training organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, in partnership with the Tear Fund organization, aiming at of developing the capabilities of participants working in the Church field, in order to support them in responding in times of crises. It also aimed at providing the attendees with skills that will enable them in turn to train members of their congregations, so they can all help the Church heal the wounds of the most affected people in times of disasters, on various humanitarian, social, health and psychological levels.

Hence, the video sheds light on the objectives of this training, which was held between 6 and 9 June 2024, in Bethania, Harissa - Lebanon.

Of the “Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response” Training

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, in partnership with the TearFund organization, held a training entitled “Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response”, between 6 and 9 June 2024, in Bethania, Harissa - Lebanon. Participants were an ecumenical group of clergy and lay people from various Church Families in Lebanon and Middle Eastern countries.

In this context, the video presents an overview of this training and its opening session.

His Eminence Bishop Ephraim Maalouli Stresses the Importance of the MECC Support

Following the 6 February 2023 Earthquake

More than a year has passed since the earthquake that struck the North of the Antiochian Levant on 6 February 2023. Hence, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its field relief work in Syria in order to heal the wounds of the affected people and seek to rehabilitate the Churches and their affiliated institutions to help them restore their usual activity.

In the video, His Eminence Bishop Ephraim Maalouli, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, Alexandretta and Dependencies, recalls the phase in which the earthquake occurred and the response of the Saint Elias Theater in Aleppo Governorate to the disaster, describing the support of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and its work in bringing life back to the Theater. As well as, Marine Hanoush, Member of the Greek Orthodox Scout in Aleppo, confirms that MECC contributed in resuming the youth activities at the Saint Elias Theater.

The Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East Holds an International Symposium

“The Melkite Greek Catholic Church: Union with Rome and New Horizons”

The Middle East Council of Churches Participates

With the blessings and presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Al-Absi, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, the sessions of the international symposium organized by the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate was launched under the title “The Melkite Greek Catholic Church: Union with Rome and New Horizons,” between 24 and 26 June 2024, at the “Liqaa” Center in Rabweh - Lebanon.

Attendees of the opening session were Bishops, Representatives of various Church Families, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs who will attend other sessions of the symposium, the MECC Associate Secretary General Dr. Nicolas Bustros, who in turn will attend other sessions and will deliver an intervention entitled “Formation of the Melkite Clergy over three centuries: Historic and Future,” on Wednesday 26 June 2024. As well as attendees were, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand in Lebanon, and the President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, with a delegation from the Institute.

Working Together to Serve the Palestinian People

Within the framework of strengthening the cooperation between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and Kairos Palestine, an online meeting was held between the two parties, on Tuesday 25 June 2024, with the aim of enhancing the coordination and joint work in the context of serving the Palestinian people.

From the MECC side, participants were the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Caroline Haddad. From the Kairos Palestine side, His Beatitude Patriarch Michel Sabbah, the President of the Kairos Palestine Initiative and the Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem, the General Coordinator of the Kairos Palestine Initiative and the Kairos International Coalition for Justice Mr. Rifat Kassis, the Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beit Sahour, and the Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible Institute Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac, the Program Coordinator of the Kairos Palestine Initiative Ms. Mays Nassar, and the Advisor and Member of the Board of Directors of Kairos Palestine Mr. Nidal Abu Al Zuluf.

New Achievements for Hela Pastry with the Aid of MECC

In light of the worsening economic crises in Lebanon, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, launched a business development program in the Lebanese Akkar region with the aim of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and helping them enhance their sustainability and work mechanism.

Hence, the video presents the story of Mrs. Hela, the owner of a pastry and factory in the Beino-Akkar region, who sought to develop her project, as she was able, through the MECC program, to work on increasing her production and thus opening a larger store.

Developing Mr. Tony Makhoul’s Cow Farm with the Support of MECC

With the deterioration of difficult living conditions in Lebanon, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) seeks to support the Lebanese people in facing their daily challenges at various social and humanitarian levels. Hence, within the framework of the support provided by the Middle East Council of Churches in various Lebanese regions, the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, launched a business development program through supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Akkar region, in order to help the owners of these businesses secure their long-term sustainability.

In the video, Mr. Tony Makhoul, owner of a cow farm in Akkar, and his son Tony, describe the mechanism of the farm’s work, in addition to the contribution of the Middle East Council of Churches program in developing this project and thus increasing the rate of production.

“Youth, Family, and Preserving Human Dignity”

Thursday 27 June 2024 - 7 pm Beirut Time

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) invites you to participate in its monthly webinar entitled “Youth, Family, and Preserving Human Dignity,” on Thursday 27 June 2024, at 7 pm Beirut time.

You can participate in the webinar via the following Zoom link https://shorturl.at/7bYlW, and live on the MECC Facebook Page.  

The webinar, that will include three interventions, will start with an opening speech by its moderator Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, which will be followed with a speech by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs.

"And they shall not light a lamp and put it under the bushel, but on the lampstand, it shall shine for all who are in the house." (Matthew 5:15).

Dear Brother Nour, Director of Noursat, always present among us with his love,

Dear Dr. George Sabra, President of the Near East School of Theology, Professor, Researcher, and Author,

Dear friends and colleagues,

Today, we take an ecumenical and humanitarian step par excellence, as part of the fiftieth anniversary of the Middle East Council of Churches, which includes all of us.

This step unites three Christian institutions that have long worked to bear witness to the Lord's message of salvation in service to humanity.

A Lecture by Dr. Harry Hagopian at the Invitation of the Armenian Diaspora Research Center

25 June 2024, 7pm Beirut Time – At the Haigazian University Auditorium in Lebanon

The Armenian Diaspora Research Center cordially invites you to a lecture entitled “The Armenian Community in Palestine, Historical & Contemporary Challenges”, that will be delivered by Dr. Harry Hagopian, Public International Lawyer of UK and Ireland. It will be held on Tuesday 25 June 2024, at 7pm Beirut Time, in Haigazian University Auditorium in Lebanon.

Stemming from its belief in the importance of serving with dignity, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) launched a new platform for homecare services in Lebanon, enabling service seekers to identify certified caregivers who have undergone extensive health training with Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli) and Khoury General Hospital (Zahle, Lebanon). Hence, the platform offers a variety of home services related to elderly care, mothers and newborn care, as well as babysitting and childcare.

In this context, the video sheds light on how this platform works and the details of its services. You may also click here to visit the platform’s website.

Video - The Middle East Council of Churches Launches a New Homecare Services Platform

Under the slogan “There's No Place Like Home,” the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) developed and launched a platform dedicated to homecare services in Lebanon, in the field of identifying certified caregivers. The platform provides a user-friendly and convenient search for service seekers, as it connects them with certified caregivers who in turn provide specialized support in a safe and loving environment.

It is worth mentioning that the caregivers certified by the Middle East Council of Churches had undergone a comprehensive and intensive training program of 120 hours with Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli) and Khoury General Hospital (Zahle, Lebanon). Therefore, they were equipped with the health skills and necessary knowledge, and hence became prepared to deal with various medical tasks and offer high-quality care.