An Ecumenical Prayer Under the Presidency and Patronage of H.B. Patriarch Al-Rai at the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke

H.B. Patriarch Minassian: I am sorry for losing human values today and forgetting our loving and merciful Creator

Dr. Michel Abs: The Church, the voice of the human conscience, and which glorifies and thanks the Creator for His gifts, cannot be silent and should react to end violence against the Creator’s creation

Under the patronage and presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, the Middle East Council of Churches concluded the “Season of Creation” 2022. An Ecumenical Prayer service entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation” was hosted by the Maronite Church at the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon, on the eve of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, on Monday 3 October 2022.

Participants were His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family, His Beatitude Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, His Eminence Bishop Daniel Kourieh, representing His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Reverend Georges Mrad, representing the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL). Participants were also Bishops from different Church families, apostolic and educational associations, fathers, nuns, monks and seminarians.

At the “Season of Creation” 2022 closing, the Middle East Council of Churches organized an Ecumenical celebration including the Season’s Ecumenical Prayer service, under the patronage and presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. The event was held at the Church of the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon, on the eve of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, on Monday 3 October 2022.

Aiming at promoting environmental awareness and consolidating the Christian faith and the Ecumenical spirit, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) Father Dr. Michael Kanbar participated in a regional conference for the Middle East and North Africa, entitled “Creation Care and the Gospel”. He presented a lecture on the topic at hand, highlighting the theological view of creation and the environment. The conference was organized by the Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network, and was held between 28 September and 2 October 2022, at the Ajloun Baptist Conference Center in Jordan.

The Recycling Project in the Patriarchal Maronite Eparchy Region of Jounieh, Lebanon

During the ongoing “Season of Creation” 2022, it is necessary to highlight some environmental initiatives so it may motivate us to work together for a clean environment and a safe common home. Hence, the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches presents in the sixth episode of the series of videos podcasts it has launched, the recycling project implemented by the Patriarchal Maronite Eparchy Region of Jounieh in Lebanon with the help of youth.

Celebrating the “Season of Creation” 2022, let us unite in Prayer for the creation and everything it includes. Let us listen to its voice and work together for the care for creation towards protecting our common home. We are part of the creation and our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth.

The video is produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. It is prepared and presented by the MECC Eco Justice committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

Building Bridges Between the East and West! Together for Environmental Advocacy and Awareness!

The MECC Communication and Public Relations Department was more than happy to meet the Communication Coordinator for the Climate Justice Program in “ACT Alliance” Mrs. Fiona Connelly. Discussions focused on ways of cooperation and strengthening the work mechanisms between both sides for media coordination, especially in environmental awareness and participation in the ongoing preparations towards COP 27 climate summit, which will be held next November in Sharm El Sheikh.

Monday 3 October 2022 - 10:30 pm and 5 am Beirut Time

At the “Season of Creation” closing, watch a special episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, on Monday 3 October 2022, at 10:30 pm and 5am Beirut Time. Rerun on Tuesday 4 October 2022, at 2 pm Beirut Time. It is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches.

“A Rocha” and Its Environmental Work

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches releases the fifth episode of the series of videos podcasts it has launched on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022. During the episode, the guest Father Nabil Shehadeh, Head of the international organization “A Rocha” in Lebanon, and from the Anglican Church, sheds light on the role of “A Rocha” and its environmental mission in protecting the nature. He also tackles the Eco Church in England and how can we implement such a project in the region, explaining how “A Rocha” can accompany Churches and Christians in Lebanon.

Télé Lumière and Noursat broadcasted the second episode of the "Season of Creation" series of episodes, entitled "Listen to the Voice of Creation", on Sunday 25 September 2022. It was prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

The first segment revolved around the theological view of land, nature and environment in the Orthodox Church, in addition to many environmental issues. The guest was Father Bassam Nassif, Professor of Pastoral Theology at the University of Balamand - Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology.

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, and as part of the special episodes organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, Télé Lumière and Noursat dedicated an episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. It is prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

The episode was broadcasted on Wednesday 21 September 2022, and included many environmental, theological and youth segments and reports, with guests from various fields. In the first segment, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs highlighted the MECC work in launching the “Season of Creation” in the Middle East, and tackled the importance of the creation and environment, especially in the Ecumenical movement, in addition to the activities organized by MECC to celebrate this international event.

H.E. Archbishop Joseph Jabara: Creation has no mouth to speak, but it groans and needs someone to listen to it

Rev. Georges El Copti: When the Lord created us, He formed us with dirt and water and entrusted us with the care for creation

The Middle East is still celebrating the "Season of Creation" 2022, stressing the need to pray and work together for the protection of the creation and everything it includes.

In Jordan, the Churches celebrated the Season with an Ecumenical Prayer service held at the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman, in the capital of Jordan, on Monday 26 September 2022, under the title of “I have heard them crying out… I am concerned about their suffering… So now, go. I am sending you… I will be with you” (EX 3: 1-12). The event was part of the series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region, on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022.

As part of the series of celebrations organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with the “Danmission” organization, in various countries of the region, marking the “Season of Creation” 2022, the MECC and the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East/ Diocese of Jerusalem, held the “Season of Creation” Prayer service in Jordan under the title of “I have heard them crying out… I am concerned about their suffering… So now, go. I am sending you… I will be with you” (EX 3: 1-12).

The prayer was held on Monday October 26, 2022 at the Redeemer Church for the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jabal Amman, Amman. In attendance were clergymen, public figures, as well as people concerned with environmental affairs.

The environment is at risk! And we can start its protection from our own home. As we celebrate the "Season of Creation" 2022, the video highlights tips to reduce chemicals and make homemade fertilizer, which is necessary for the nature's growth, through the leftover vegetables and fruits consumed at home.

The video is produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. It is prepared and presented by the MECC Eco Justice committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

Humanity is facing many dangers threatening the environment and neighborhoods, and thus it is necessary during the “Season of Creation” and all the year to work together towards protecting our common land, especially through reducing the consumption of plastic. The video explains the danger of plastic to the environment, stressing that solutions are always available.

The video is produced by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. It is prepared and presented by the MECC Eco Justice committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and edited by Ali Al Jarouch.

Qaa Heritage Revival Project - QHRP, Lebanon

As part of the series of videos podcasts launched by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, the department publishes the fourth episode, which you can watch it below. The guest was Mrs. Salam Kallas, who is specialized in information technology IT. During the episode she sheds light on her project “Qaa Heritage Revival Project – QHRP” in the Qaa Lebanese region, highlighting its various cultural, archaeological and environmental aspects.

Youth Initiatives to Protect the Environment

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches continues its series of videos podcasts on the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022. The department releases below the third episode during which the guest was Christopher Daccache, a computer and environmental engineer. In the episode, Daccache highlights his environmental initiatives and many youth activities aiming at protecting our land.

The second episode of the "Season of Creation" program, entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, will be broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat, on Sunday 25 September 2022, at 9 P.M Beirut time and 6 P.M GMT. The episode is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, and presented by Ralph Tawitian.

21 September 2022 – 7 P.M, On Télé Lumière and Noursat

Watch a special “Season of Creation” episode entitled “Listen to the Voice of Creation”, tonight Wednesday 21 September 2022, at 7 P.M, on Télé Lumière and Noursat. Rerun on Saturday 24 September 2022. The episode is prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches.

Bushfires and Tips to Avoid Fire Risk

On the occasion of the “Season of Creation” 2022, the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches has launched a series of podcast, in partnership with “Danmission” organization. Hence, it releases now the second episode, which you can watch it below. The guest was the volunteer in the Lebanese Civil Defense - Zouk Mikael Center Charbel Salameh, who is also specialized in bushfires. He sheds lights on the causes of forest fires, emergency evacuation before the arrival of the civil defense members, and bushes recovery. He also presented some tips to reduce these fires.

Episode 1 On the Importance of Bees Towards the Environment

The world and the Middle East is now celebrating the “Season of Creation,” an annual Christian environmental season to pray and work together for the care for our common land and home. For the occasion, the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with “Danmission” organization, has launched a new series of videos podcasts about various environmental Christian topics with guests from many fields.