This report highlights the press conference held at the Catholic Information Center to announce the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Ecumenical musical event that will be held in Beirut on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

On the sixth of February 2023, Syrians woke up to a new disaster that exacerbated their suffering. In a moment everything changed, buildings and houses collapsed, the ground shook, and days unfolded with a harshness reminiscent of war.

The earthquake that struck several provinces in Syria caused a great humanitarian catastrophe by all standards, with great material and human losses. Whoever got out alive from under the rubble, and whoever escaped from death, re-experience displacement.

However, despite all this pain, there was a ray of light that illuminated the darkness of the people in the areas affected by the earthquake disaster. The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Diakonia and Social Service Department in Syria, quickly moved to stand by the affected people by providing food, health assistance, and financial aid in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, and Hama.

With Save the Children International

In the context of developing its work mechanisms as well as its future projects to achieve its desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is preparing for a new program with one of its international partners, which is Save the Children International. Thus, the program requires a specific training in order to get to know better the ways of its implementation.

Therefore, the Middle East Council of Churches’ team from the Offices of its General Secretariat in Beirut and its Syria’s Office, along with representatives of other organizations and entities working on the same program, participated in the kickoff of this program and in a training organized by Save the Children, between 14 and 16 January 2024, in Jordan. During the training, participants, accompanied by specialized trainers, acquired new skills about the techniques of this program and the necessary financial procedures to execute it.

Jerusalem, January 20 – 28

Theme: “You shall love the Lord your God... and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27)

The materials for the 2024 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were prepared by an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso. This country is currently experiencing a serious security crisis, which affects all the communities of faith. Churches have been expressly targeted by armed attacks. Priests, pastors and catechists have been killed during worship and the fate of others who were kidnapped remains unknown. Nevertheless, a degree of solidarity is emerging between the Christian, Muslim and traditional religions. Their leaders are working together for peace, social cohesion and reconciliation.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Fiftieth Year of the MECC Founding

On LBCI TV Channel

The media coverage for the Ecumenical musical event “Beirut 2024” continues, as the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Member of the Ecumenical Choir in this musical event Mrs. Sonia Samarani, were the guests of the journalist Maya Abou Al Hosn, in an episode within the “Morning Talk” program broadcasted on LBCI TV Channel, on Sunday 14 January 2024.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Inaugurates the Monastery

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, inaugurated the Monastery of St. Antonios in the Wilderness of Sadad, Syria, and consecrated the Church of the Monastery. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, in the presence of a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches.

On Charity Radio TV

The Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Lebanese Monk, Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, was the guest of the journalist Zouhour Abou Mansour, in an episode within “Hawana Hawak” program, which was broadcasted on Charity Radio TV, on Friday 12 January 2024.

During the episode, which you can watch it in the video, Father Dr. Antoine highlighted the Ecumenical musical event “Beirut 2024”, that will be held on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches. Noting that this event will take place on Saturday 20 January 2024, at the Forum de Beirut. As well as, Al Ahmar talked about the launching of the event’s idea, its goals, and the most important segments which will be included in its program, that will be presented by an Ecumenical choir.

"On the fiftieth day, they were all together in one place," is the theme of the Jubilee year for the foundation of the Middle East Council of Churches. This verse marked the founding day of the One Church of Christ on the day of the Pentecost. This spirituality will be concretized in the Ecumenical Musical Event - Beirut 2024, on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 5:00 PM, as part of the MECC’s Jubilee year and during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Appointed by the Head of the mission of the International Human Rights Council to the United Nations Ambassador Haissam Bou-Said, Mr. Adib Assaad, Member of the Executive Board of the International Commission of Human Rights in the Middle East, visited the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, at the Council’s headquarters. During the meeting, the work of the International Commission of Human Rights and the work of the Middle East Council of Churches were presented, and ways of cooperation between the two partners were discussed, especially in holding seminars and Educational Program and other activities. Accordingly, it was agreed to hold successive meetings to reach a final convention of cooperation between the two organizations in particular.

On the Lebanese MTV Channel

In preparation for the Ecumenical musical event “Beirut 2024”, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the organizer of this event Mr. Marc Merhej, were the guest of the journalist Elie Ahwash in an episode within the “MTV Alive” program on the Lebanese MTV channel, on Thursday 11 January 2024.

During the interview, which you can watch on the MTV website by clicking here, this Ecumenical musical event, which is held on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the fiftieth year of the founding of the Middle East Council of Churches, was highlighted, in addition to the idea of ​​its launch, its ongoing preparations, and the most prominent segments that will be included in its program. In addition, the interview stressed the importance of this event Spiritually and Ecumenically, as well as the Week of Prayer and the Jubilee of the Middle East Council of Churches.

With the worsening living crises in Lebanon on various social, economic and health levels…, the Lebanese people are suffering under the weight of daily pressures and many challenges that restrict them and reduce their usual activities. Therefore, and out of its belief in the necessity of supporting the neediest and most vulnerable groups, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its social services in order to restore hope to many brothers and sisters who have drowned in despair.

In this context, the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, held, during December 2023, five soft skills training courses, in which a group of 10 women participated, with the aim of empowering them and developing their abilities. These sessions were implemented at a time when many of them are suffering from the difficult circumstances that surround them, especially since some of them are either unable to find decent jobs or are holding on to meager low-paying ones.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs which title is “The fiftieth year of the founding of the Middle East Council of Churches, Catholic Information Center”. It was the speech that Dr. Abs delivered at the press conference held by the Catholic Media Center in Lebanon, in partnership with MECC, on Tuesday 9 January 2024, at the Center’s headquarters in Beirut. During the conference, the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2024 was launched, as well as the program for the MECC Jubilee Year was presented, and the Ecumenical musical event “Beirut 2024” was announced.

Catholic Information Center

Your Eminences, Holy Fathers, honorable presence

Today we begin the second half-century of the life of the Middle East Council of Churches, this institution that formed lieu of togetherness and interaction between the churches of the cradle of Christianity, where happened the annunciation of the coming of the Lord, the birth, the preaching, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, completing His message of salvation to humankind.

The MECC has gone through many stages, and its roots go back to the year 1929, when it was an institution then called the Christian Council for the Near East. It gradually transformed into the Near East Council of Churches (NECC) in 1964, then the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in 1974, where it took its current constitutional and organizational shape and remained as such with some modifications in the organizational structure, but nothing has changed in essence.

The MECC stems from the ecumenical faith and thought, where there is mutual recognition between the church(es) regarding distinct theological trends and liturgy, and where there is mutual acceptance, growing partnership, deepening interaction, and common fateful aspirations.

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: December 2023

With the end of the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, began a new round of violence. As such, the news of the murder of hundreds of civilians who are not part of the fight, returned to be the talking point of every major media outlet operating in the region. Moreover, the ‘emergency’ transfer of deadly munitions to the occupier although it has no shortage of deadly weaponry its arsenal; illegal phosphorous rounds are also being used with impunity and without remorse. The sad fact of the matter is that some Western nations who have been championing human rights over a sizable period of time, are either refraining to offer explanations to the inhumane actions or timidly calling-out the Occupier’s aggressive actions in Gaza. Hopefully, the leaders of the Western world will muster the courage to speak up for what is right and begin denying the Oppressor the resources it uses to wage war.

Organized by the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations in Lebanon in Partnership with the Middle East Council of Churches

The “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” begins around the world on 18 January and ends on 25 January every year. It is an Ecumenical station during which we Pray and sing together praising our Lord Jesus through a special booklet, which is entitled this year “You shall love the Lord your God... and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

As is customary every year, Christians around the world participate in celebrations during which they meet from various Church families to unite together in Prayer on the intention of a unity they long for.

In this context, we issue in Arabic the program of celebrations in Lebanon for this year’s Week of Prayer, which is organized by the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations in partnership with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), so that together we may achieve the message of building bridges and bridging distances.

On the Occasion of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” and the Fiftieth Year of the MECC Founding

Together we unite in Prayer and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ through music and singing! Together we work towards a unity that has been awaited for decades!

Participate with us in the Ecumenical musical event “Beirut 2024”, on Saturday 20 January 2024, at 5 pm Beirut time, in the Forum de Beyrouth.

An event which will be held on the occasion of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” and the Fiftieth Year of the founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The invitation is public, and you can reserve your tickets for free through the following link:

www.beirut2024eme.com

MECC Invites You to the Ecumenical Musical Event “Beirut 2024”

Saturday 20 January 2024, 5pm Beirut Time - At the Forum de Beirut

On the occasion of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” and with the launching of the Fiftieth Year of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)’s Founding, MECC has the honor to invite you to participate in the Ecumenical Musical Event “Beirut 2024”, on Saturday 20 January 2024, at 5pm Beirut Time, in the Forum de Beyrouth.

This event constitutes a spiritual Ecclesiastical meeting to praise our God Jesus Christ, and will be performed by an Ecumenical choir and orchestra that includes more than 300 choristers and musicians, Clergy and lay people from various Church Families. Noting that this meeting includes hymns and Prayers from various Churches and musical traditions and rituals.

The invitation is public and you can reserve your tickets for free through the following link:

www.beirut2024eme.com 

Celebrates the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” and Participates in an Ecumenical Musical Event

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Communication and Public Relations Department, have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of January 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.