From His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, Chaldean Patriarch in Iraq and the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

“Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26)

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) releases the Arabic version of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” booklet 2025, under the title “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26), based on the Biblical Text 11: 17-27.

The booklet presents resources that were prepared by a group of brothers and sisters of the Monastic Community of Bose in Northen Italy. The resources were jointly edited and published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU) and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and were translated into Arabic by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as every year.

The title of this year has been chosen to emphasize once again the necessity of adhering to faith, hope, and unity in Prayer, at a time when the world and the Middle East are suffering from many wars, conflicts, crises and divisions amidst a wave of injustice, inequity and hate speech...

Professor Dr. Michel Abs

Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

What is happening in the Middle East—specifically its Levantine part—is almost beyond description.

Utter chaos engulfs the region, spreading crime and corruption everywhere: fighting, looting, kidnapping, and oppression under the waning of certain regimes and the emergence of others whose contours remain unclear.

As if all this were not enough, rumors—some spontaneous, others organized or deliberately planted—further add to people’s psychological confusion, intensifying their loss, misery, and distress.

The situation is alarming, and we all look to the future with apprehension, fearing what the coming days may hold. Our fate is unknown, leaving individuals unsettled, with no choice but to bear these psychological and material burdens and wait.

Yet everyone has become convinced that we are victims of conspiracies hatched against us in the shadowy corners of the “deep state” that controls the world’s resources and devours its peoples. None of what is happening is a coincidence: from the extermination of scientists in Iraq more than a decade ago to the assassination of scientists in Syria during the current events. The killing of intellectuals is but the tip of the iceberg in a Levantine conspiracy that has persisted for over a century.

Watch with Us the Second Episode of the Program “And the Family Remains”

Produced by “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches

As part of its new program network, “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents the second episode of the program “And the Family Remains”, under the title “Mother and Christmas”.

The program raises issues related to the family, motherhood and childhood, in addition to the Church’s view and response to the challenges, especially in light of the difficult living conditions that the region is passing through.

A New Program Produced by "The Platform of the Word" at the Middle East Council of Churches

Watch with Us the First Episode!

As part of its new program network, "The Platform of the Word" at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents the first episode of the program "Dawn from the East".

A program that addresses the youth, their concerns and aspirations, especially in light of the difficult circumstances that our countries are passing through. It also highlights their various activities and humanitarian initiatives during Christmas.

Ecumenical Youth Empowerment in a New Leadership Training: Together for a Better World!

In continuation of the Ecumenical Youth Camp “Youth Leadership Building" in Lebanon, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) implemented a new training within this program, stemming from its belief in the importance of empowering youth and developing their capabilities. It was held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Moore Conference Center & Guesthouse in Mansourieh - Lebanon. Noting that the program was organized in partnership with Kerk in Actie (KIA) organization, Bible Society, Youth for Christ (YFC), and Ithraa Center in Lebanon.

Attendees were 36 youth and 11 leaders from different Church Families, who participated in the previous Ecumenical camp. The course comes at a time when young people face many challenges that may often hinder their usual activities. Therefore, this meeting aimed to develop the skills of the participants, motivate them to serve, and train them on the foundations of leadership, thus contributing to the formation of youth networks capable of making positive change in societies.

The course included various games that brought the participants closer together, as well as dynamic sessions that focused on leadership skills, as well as how to deal with crises and ways to work together to build a brighter future in peace.

A New Program Produced by "The Platform of the Word" at the Middle East Council of Churches

Watch with Us the First Episode Entitled “Displacement and Christmas”

As part of its new program network, “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents the first episode of the program “And the Family Remains”, under the title “Displacement and Christmas”.

The program raises issues related to the family, motherhood and childhood, in addition to the Church’s view and response to the challenges, especially in light of the difficult living conditions that the region is passing through.

Details in This Video

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Télé Lumière and Noursat broadcasted a special episode of the program “Zawaher” ("Phenomena"), entitled "The Jubilee Journey of the Middle East Council of Churches", with the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel E. Abs, and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations and Director of the "The Platform of the Word" in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The program is prepared and presented by Mr. Charbel Zouein.

You can watch the full episode in this video.

What Issues Did the Meeting Discussed?

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, held an environmental meeting with Dr. Habib Maalouf, who is Environmental Writer and Journalist and Advisor to the Lebanese Minister of Environment, and Dr. Dany El-Obeid, who is an Environmental Expert and University Professor, in the presence of Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department who participated online. It took place on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.

During the meeting, the attendees discussed various current environmental issues and matters and talked about the issue of climate change and its negative repercussions on human life. They also spoke about the general environmental situation in the Middle East and discussed sustainable measures aimed at preserving the natural resources and ecosystems of the region.

Details in the program "Dawn from the East"

Under the patronage and presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the Youth Pastoral Office and the Pastoral Office for People with Disabilities in the Maronite Patriarchate - Bkerke, organize a recital entitled "Your Birth is Lighting Our Country", on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 8 pm, at the Patriarchal Edifice - Bkerke, Lebanon.

Details of this evening in an interview with Guy Darwich, from the Patriarchal Youth Pastoral Office Bkerke Jeune, as part of the "Dawn from the East" program that will soon be broadcast on the platforms of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel.

His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji: It is necessary to enhance cooperation, solidarity and God-reliance

With the blessing and presence of His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department – Lebanon’s Office, in partnership with TearFund organization, held a new training course within the program "Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response", on Saturday, December 7, 2024, hosted by the Chaldean Archdiocese of Beirut, Hazmieh - Lebanon.

The training was held in the presence of Monsignor Raphael Traboulsi, the General Vicar of the Chaldean Diocese of Beirut, and Father Khoren, Priest of the Armenian Orthodox Cathedral Church in Zkak el-Blat, Beirut, and the participation of an Ecumenical group including 120 participants of clergy, consecrated men and women, lay people, scouts and workers in the Church field from the Chaldean Diocese of Beirut, the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut, and the Armenian Orthodox Archdiocese of Lebanon.

The training aimed to empower the participants and develop their capacities on the topic at hand in order to support them and provide them with the basic skills that will help them train workers in their Parishes. Thus, it will enable them to help the Church in supporting the neediest and most affected people by the crises and difficult living conditions, on various humanitarian, social, health and psychological levels.

Video – A Christmas Reflection by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs

Details with the Parish Priest Father Charbel Al Khoury

A Meditation of Hope During the Christmas Season - Produced by MECC

A Meditation of Hope During the Christmas Season - Produced by MECC

A Webinar Organized by the WCC

MECC Highlights the Church’s Response in the Region to the Environmental Crises

In a world burdened by environmental disasters that have cast their shadows on the planet, the World Council of Churches (WCC) held an international webinar entitled “Churches in the Mediterranean: Addressing Desertification Through Responsible Banking,” in order to raise awareness about the various environmental issues that threaten human life.

The webinar, which was held on Monday, December 9, 2024, featured speakers from Member Churches in the region, experts from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) represented by Deacon Garen Yosolkanian, the Coordinator of the MECC Eco-Justice Unit, the Conference of European Churches (CEC), and All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), as well as Dr. Mercedes Caron, Scientific Researcher at the European Forest Institute.

Attendees were also specialists and concerned participants from various countries around the world. The sessions focused on the issue of desertification in the Mediterranean region, its causes and repercussions, in addition to ways to confront it and reduce its negative effects. In this context, the speakers presented various facts and data about this worsening issue due to the ongoing increase of CO2 emissions, and how Churches respond to this problem.

As part of following-up the coordination after the Youth Pre-Assembly and the Fourth General Assembly of the International ACT Alliance which took place in Indonesia, an online meeting was held with the youth who participated in these two assemblies, representing various international and regional organizations, including the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Friday, December 6, 2024.

During the meeting, the attendees presented their assessment of the activities held within the Pre-Youth and General Assemblies, in addition to discussing its results. They also expressed their opinions and exchanged their experiences, mentioning the need to activate youth networks that bring together young people in different regions around the world in order to convey their voices and concerns.

A Special Episode of the Program "Phenomena" on Télé Lumière and Noursat - Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:30 pm

Watch with us an episode of “Zawaher” ("Phenomena") program on Télé Lumière and its satellite Channel Noursat entitled: "The Jubilee Journey of the Middle East Council of Churches…", with the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel E. Abs, and with the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations and Director of the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:30 pm, and the replay on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 2:30 pm, Beirut and Eastern Mediterranean time. With the greetings of the editor and presenter of the program "Phenomena" Charbel Zouein *Follow the episode LIVE via the live website on the Internet:

https://noursat.tv/tv/noursat/live

The Nativity Manger 2024 at Our Lady of Amchit Church

Embodiment of the Church of the Nativity and the Bethlehem Manger

The Nativity Manger: it consists of arranged, irregular and unpolished rocks that retain their natural shape to indicate the solid foundation of the Christian faith built on the virtues of simplicity, humility and love.

The Church Above the Manger: an architectural embodiment of the true Church of the Nativity built above the Manger of the Nativity, the rock of our faith.

A sign of rootedness in this East from which the Light emanated.

On the top of the Church you can find a dome bearing 5 bells whose ringing reminds us of returning to God.

At its top you can also find a four-dimensional cross, a sign of our salvation.

We are deprived of visiting the Land on which Christ lived, as this model translates the longing for this encounter.