Damascus, September 2, 2024

As part of his tour program in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, accompanied by Mr. Ghassan Shaheen, the Director of the MECC programs in Syria, visited Reverend Boutros Zaour, the Pastor of the National Evangelical Church of Damascus and Vice President of the Supreme Council of Evangelical Community in Syria and, in Damascus.

During the meeting, the attendees discussed many Church affairs, stressing the importance of the Church’s role in accompanying believers amidst the difficult circumstances they are passing through, especially in the region. They also focused on many Ecumenical topics, emphasizing the need to strengthen relations between various Church Families through building bridges, dialogue, and meeting together. They also talked about issues related to the MECC work and its mission, in addition to the activities of the MECC Member Churches.

1- The Talents

2- To the Second Era of MECC's Journey

A non-technical introduction

The day H.B. Patriarch Youhanna X honored me by nominating me for election, for the duty of ecumenical servant, with the grade of Secretary General, I was fully aware of the responsibility that I have to carry on my shoulders, as I knew quite well the pulse of the MECC, dear to my heart as is the case of everyone who worked in it or dealt with it.

I got acquainted with the MECC in 1980, while writing my first doctoral dissertation on the Syriac churches, when one of its departments provided me with some of the documents and information available to them. Afterwards, they assigned to me to visit the city of Zahle after the bloody events of 1981, and to write a report on its needs following the destruction that befell it. This task was followed by two additional tasks, the first was to write development projects for the Assyrians in Baouchrieh and Hadath, and the second to study the 33 Assyrian villages located on the banks of the Khabur River in the northern Antiochian Levant and write development projects for them.

Accordingly, I was offered to become director of the Emergency Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (ERR) Program in Lebanon, which I managed and supervised the growth from 1982 until 1990. I started with two employees and left it with dozens of programs and projects and more than 125 employees, in addition to several properties that we had acquired during these years. There has been a furious race between the systematic destruction to which Lebanon has been subjected, and the relief and development that we were doing as a committed and competent team. The synergy between the Committee of Churches, the ERR team, and the churches was exemplary and effective, and it yielded fruits that astonished the donor agencies that renewed their confidence year after year. The annual budget of the program at that time reached about five million dollars, between cash aid and in-kind aid, which crowded the seven warehouses that were mostly provided to us by the churches.

Report of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs During the Past Four Years

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held an extraordinary meeting, chaired by the MECC Presidents, to elect a Secretary General of the Council, on Friday 30 August 2024, at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand and Saint John of Damascus Theological Seminary in Lebanon.

During the meeting, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel presented his detailed report for the four past years, which you can check it below. Subsequently, Dr. Michel Abs was unanimously re-elected as Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches for a second four-year term.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of September 2024. 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.

As well as, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) launches during September 2024, the “Season of Creation” activities in the region for the fourth consecutive year through translating the Season’s international guide into Arabic, with this year’s theme “To hope and act with Creation” and its symbol “The firstfruits of hope” based on the Epistle to the Romans 8: 19-25. Noting that the international celebrations of the Season start on September 1, the Feast of Creation, and end on October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of ecology.

With great hope and deep faith, the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held its extraordinary meeting to elect a Secretary General for the Council, on Friday 30 August 2024, at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery for the Greek Orthodox and the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology, in Lebanon, under the chairmanship of the MECC Presidents.

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) met in an extraordinary meeting to elect a Secretary General for the Council, at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery for the Greek Orthodox and the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology, in Lebanon, on Friday 30 August 2024, under the chairmanship of the MECC Presidents. During the meeting, Dr. Michel Abs was unanimously re-elected as MECC Secretary General for a second term of four years. 

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of an episode of “Masaa’ Al Kheir” (“Good Evening”) program broadcasted on the ME Sat Egyptian TV Channel, on Saturday 31 August 2024, to talk about his future aspirations after being unanimously re-elected as MECC Secretary General for a second term of four years. 

At the beginning of the episode, the channel presented the greetings delivered on the occasion by His Eminence Bishop Anba Ermia, General Bishop, President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and Assistant Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House, to Professor Dr. Michel Abs. 

Video - Interview with Professor Dr. Michel Abs on ME Sat Channel 

After being unanimously re-elected as Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), for a second term of four years, Professor Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of an episode of “Sabah ME” (“Morning ME”) program broadcasted on the ME Sat Egyptian TV channel, on Saturday 31 August 2024. 

30 August 2024 – Balamand, Lebanon 

The Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was a guest on the ME Sat Egyptian TV Channel, to shed light on the extraordinary meeting of the MECC Executive Committee, which was held under the chairmanship of the MECC Presidents, to elect a Secretary General for the Council, on Friday 31 August 2024, at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery for the Greek Orthodox and the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology, in Lebanon. Noting that in the meeting, Professor Dr. Michel Abs was unanimously re-elected as Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), for a second term of four years. 

30 August 2024

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held an extraordinary meeting, chaired by the MECC Presidents, to elect a Secretary General for the Council, on Friday 30 August 2024, at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery for the Greek Orthodox and the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology, in Lebanon. During the meeting, Professor Dr. Michel Abs was unanimously re-elected as MECC Secretary General for a second term of four years. 

In this context, the LBCI Lebanese TV Channel presents a report about this meeting and its agenda, in addition to the most prominent topics included in its final statement. 

You may watch the report by clicking here.

The Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Rev. Dr. Refaat Fikry, devoted a segment in his program “Kadaya Sakhina” (“Hot Issues”) on Alkeraza Egyptian TV Channel, to shed light on the extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which was held under the chairmanship of its Presidents, on Friday 30 August 2024, at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery for the Greek Orthodox and the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology, in Lebanon. During the meeting, Professor Dr. Michel Abs was unanimously re-elected as MECC Secretary General for a second term of four years. 

Within the context of the episode that you can watch in the video, Rev. Dr. Refaat Fikry talked about the details of the meeting’ sessions, in addition to its agenda and the most prominent topics and issues that were discussed. He also highlighted the final statement issued by the meeting and the most important points that it included. 

Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery for the Greek Orthodox and the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology, in Lebanon 

The Media coverage is still ongoing for the extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which was held under the chairmanship of the MECC Presidents, to elect a Secretary General for the Council, on Friday 31 August 2024, at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery for the Greek Orthodox and the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology, in Lebanon.  

The “Season of Creation” 2024 was launched in the world and the Middle East with the theme “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol of “The firstfruits of hope.” On the occasion, an international Ecumenical celebration, was held online on Sunday 1 September 2024, at the invitation of His Holiness Pope Francis, His Beatitude the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, His Beatitude Archbishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and Head of the Anglican Church, as well as many Heads of Churches and Ecumenical Leaders from around the world, in addition to the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and concerned organizations and institutions.

The celebration, which you can watch on the official “Season of Creation” channel on YouTube, by clicking here, included an Ecumenical Prayer Service and various reflections about the “Season of Creation,” the theme of this year and the meanings it carries.

With the blessing of His Beatitude Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, the Armenian Catholic Church continues its preparations for the national celebration it is holding on the occasion of the reception of the incorrupt body of the Servant of God Patriarch Krikor-Bedros XV Aghajanian, in Beirut, on Thursday, September 12, 2024. 

In this context, this report provides a highlight on the life of Patriarch Aghajanian, as well as a special interview with His Beatitude Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, conducted by the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Coordinator of the Church and Media relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

Aleppo, September 5, 2024

As part of his official follow up visit to the city of Aleppo, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, accompanied by the Director of the MECC Office in Aleppo Ms. Lamis Makhoul, and the MECC Coordinator of Church and Media Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, visited the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Aleppo.

They were received by His Eminence the Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo Antoine Shahda, His Eminence the Episcopal Vicar Bishop Mounir Sakal, and Father Ephraim Al Makaabri.

At the beginning of the meeting, Bishop Shahada welcomed the Secretary General, wishing that his new term would be full of achievements as the previous one was, and praising the role of Dr. Abs and his distinguished performance for the good of the entire Church.

Afterwards, His Eminence Bishop Antoine Shahada gave an extensive presentation about the Syriac Catholic Church in Aleppo and the initiatives and activities it implements for its people despite the challenges. He stressed that the challenges are many amidst the economic crises, but the biggest one is the issue of presence in this country as a result of the emigration dilemma that the country is witnessing. Thus, this is what puts us in front of an existential challenge.

Aleppo, September 5, 202

The Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo His Eminence Bishop Antoine Audo, and Father Farid Boutros, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and his accompanying delegation, which included the Director of the MECC Office in Aleppo Ms. Lamis Makhoul, and the MECC Coordinator of Church and Media Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, at the Diocese Headquarters – Aleppo.

The meeting included many topics that concern the Church in today’s world, the most prominent of which were the existential challenge and the dilemma of emigration, strengthening Christian ties amidst challenges, emphasizing that the Church should be the voice of hope and dialogue, as well as the need to strengthen the Ecumenical spirit so that it remains alive, because our witness is one in these lands, so we must to complement each other and do our best to survive.

A Church, Social, and Educational Workshop Marked the Visit with the Honoring of the Secretary General

Aleppo, September 5, 2024

The visit of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, to the headquarters of the Presidency of the Armenian Protestant Community in Aleppo, included a spiritual, social and educational workshop that was combined with a lovely and warm reception which reflects the Church’s respect and love for the Secretary General and its appreciation for his work and performance in the Council.

Dr. Michel Abs was accompanied by the Director of the MECC Office in Aleppo Ms. Lamis Makhoul, and the MECC Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

They were received by the President of the Armenian Protestant Community in Syria Reverend Dr. Haroutune Selimian, as well as Priests and Directors of the Community’s schools and institutions.

The meeting began with the Lord's Prayer inside the Bethel Church, which was followed by laying a wreath in front of the commemorative monument of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide in honor of their memory.

Then, a meeting was held between the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and Reverend Dr. Selimian, in which discussions centered around the most prominent MECC activities in the fields of development and relief, achieving effective communication between various components of the society, in addition to the aspiration to prepare courses and lectures that include Church, social, and educational issues.

Praising the Performance of the MECC Role and Honoring the Secretary General

Aleppo, September 5, 2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs continued his official follow up visit to the city of Aleppo, and visited the Armenian Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo at the head of a delegation that included the Director of the MECC Office in Aleppo Ms. Lamis Makhoul, and the MECC Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

They were received by His Eminence the Armenian Orthodox Bishop of Aleppo Magar Ashkarian, and the Engineer Dikran Bedrossian.

During the meeting, Bishop Magar Ashkarian congratulated the Secretary General on the occasion of his re-election for a second term of four years. He also thanked the Council for all its initiatives towards the Church, and expressed his pride in the performance of the MECC Secretary General over the past years, stressing the Bible Verse, “You Will Know Them by Their Fruits.”

Aleppo, September 5, 2024

Amidst great love and hospitality, the Director of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Office in Aleppo Ms. Lamis Makhoul, and colleagues in the Office, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, and the MECC Coordinator of Church and Media Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, as part of his follow up visit to the MECC Offices in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Following the reception, an introduction was made by the colleagues who presented their experiences with the Council and how they work within the frameworks of their responsibilities.

As well as, a documentary report was presented. It was prepared by the media team at the MECC Office in Aleppo, and centered around the Office’s work for the year 2024. It was highly appreciated by Dr. Michel Abs.

The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs Honored by His Eminence Bishop Ephraim Maalouli

Aleppo, September 4, 2024

From the Apostolic Antioch, which witnessed and bears witness to Jesus Christ, and in a dramatic theatre play filled with the fragrance of faith and hope for the future, within the week of “Nour Men Halab” (“Light from Aleppo”) event, and under the patronage and presence of the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo, Alexandretta and their Dependencies His Eminence Bishop Ephraim Maalouli, the Prophet Elias Theater Team in the Orthodox Youth, held a play that raised questions about the essence of one truth, and presented the conflict between logic and madness. It also answered several questions of human concern amidst the virtual world and artificial intelligence that have entered into the concerns of families and society. One of the most prominent questions that were raised, was: What does the general call, which is the call to holiness, mean to us? How do we live it? What are the most important challenges it faces?

These questions were answered in the most important dramatic play that inflamed the hearts of the attendees, with a bold and strong direction, written by Brother Houssam Abdallah. It was performed by many actors and actresses from the Prophet Elias Theater Team.

The play was held on the stage of the Prophet Elias Cathedral and was based on the lives of the Hieromartyrs Damascene Saints Fathers Nicolas Khasha and his son Habib, which ended with martyrdom.