“From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East”

Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies held a round table entitled “From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East,” on Thursday 23 May 2024, at the Independence House in Bchamoun - Lebanon, directed by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and attended by social, cultural, religious and political figures. What are the goals of this conference? And why the Independence House has been chosen as a location? You can find answers in this report which highlights the round table and its sessions.

“From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East”

“From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East,” was the title of the round table organized by Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies, on Thursday 23 May 2024, at the Independence House in Bchamoun – Lebanon. It was presided over by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, who moderated its sessions. Hence, the report presents an overview about the opening session of this round table.

Together Towards Strengthening the Ecumenical Work!

Within the framework of strengthening the ecumenical work among Theology students in the Middle East, a coordination meeting was held between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), on Wednesday 29 May 2024, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.

Attendees were, the ATIME President and Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand in Lebanon, Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, the ATIME Executive Secretary Father Dr. Michel Kanbar, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, the Director of the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department Mr. Samer Laham, and the MECC Finance Director Ms. Laudy Khoury.

Father Michel Jalakh Will Be Ordained Archbishop with the Title “Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Maronites”

Saturday, June 8, 2024 – Patriarchal Palace, Bkerke

“For me, living is Christ” (Philippians 1: 21)

Through the laying on of hands by His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, it is with great honor that Abbot Joseph Bou Raad, Superior General of the Antonine Maronite Order, and Elias and Salwa Jalakh, invite you to the Episcopal Ordination of their son Father Michel Jalakh, Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Maronites, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Saturday, June 8, 2024, 6:30 PM, at the Patriarchal Palace – Bkerke, Lebanon.

The newly ordained Archbishop will also celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 10:30 AM, at St. Roch Monastery – Dekwaneh, where he will receive well-wishes on the same day from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and on Monday, June 10, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

All who wishes to attend the Episcopal Ordination of His Eminence Archbishop Jalakh must contact the numbers on the invitation card.

Of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” Program in Egypt

Together We Walk Towards Hope!

Under the title “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6: 31), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Theological and Ecumenical Department, implemented a new session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program in Egypt - Saint Mark’s Center, between 12 and 17 May 2024.

Attendees were a group of 26 participants, including Churches’ ministers and their assistants, both consecrated and lay people, who lived harsh experiences due to the various crises and difficult conditions that the region is suffering from, or who are accompanying, in their turn, people who have experienced trauma in their lives.

The session aimed to support Churches’ workers and activists on a personal level, and to help them psychologically and spiritually so that they can complete their mission and perform their tasks in a better way. It also included times of Prayer and meditation, group participation meetings, in addition to spiritual and psychological topics. The participants were accompanied by a team of Fathers spiritual guides, and specialized psychologists with experience in this field.

A New Environmental Activity in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all” (Psalm 104: 24)… The Lord created the earth and everything in it, the mountains, plateaus, seas, and all the creation in which we live in and with it. He has entrusted us with a great and important responsibility towards it.

Hence, and stemming from its belief that we are part of all that God has made, and our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is keen to continue its environmental activity in various countries of the region, emphasizing the necessity of working and praying together in order to protect our common home.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Theological and Ecumenical Relations Department, EcoJustice Unit, in cooperation with the Danmission organization and the Society of Jesuit Fathers, were able to establish a fourth Miron Orchard in the Middle East, specifically in the Taalabaya region at the Lebanese’s Bekaa Valley. The aim was encouraging agriculture and raising awareness about the importance of taking care of the land.

A Round Table Organized by Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies at the Independence House - Bchamoun, Lebanon

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Presides Over Its Sessions

Words Stresses that Christians Are Not a Minority in the Region, Even If Their Numbers Have Declined

Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies held a round table entitled “From Taurus to Gaza: 110 years Since the Bleeding of the East,” on Thursday 23 May 2024, at the Independence House - Bchamoun, Lebanon, in the presence of religious, social, cultural and political figures, thinkers and invitees.

The conference included five sessions focused on the region's issues and the systematic displacement and destruction which is being subjected to. It was presided over and moderated by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs. The opening session began with a speech delivered by Mr. Zainoun Attieh, General Director of Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies, in which he highlighted the importance of the conference and the recommendations it would issue.

Afterwards, Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: “A century of displacement, killing, impoverishment, threats, conflicts, and destruction, the loss of society’s entity at various levels, not to mention the threats and losses, and all the agreements made are being hatched against the region, and millions are begging for everything… We are dealing with new threats in the region with a new concept, and it may witness new events... Our role in the land of our ancestors, where faith began, is becoming clearer, through resilience and steadfastness for the good of our society.”

The Middle East Council of Churches Invites You to A Round Table

"Sexual Harassment and Preserving Human Dignity"

Thursday 30 May 2024 - from 9 am to 2:30 pm Beirut time

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) invites you to participate in a round table entitled

“Sexual Harassment and Preserving Human Dignity”

on Thursday 30 May 2024, from 9 am to 2:30 pm Beirut time.

You can participate in it via the following Zoom link https://shorturl.at/RBqiX, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, as well as live on the MECC Facebook Page.

The round table will start with a speech by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, which will be followed by two sessions with the participation of speakers from various fields. The first session is entitled “The Dangers of Sexual Harassment for Victims of Assault.” The second session revolves around “Mechanisms for Confronting Sexual Harassment.”

This round table, which ends with a summary, is part of the series of monthly seminars launched by MECC, within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, that MECC is working to implement consecutively.

The generalization of the Church paradigm in Peacebuilding

Elements for the Church’s action in Peacebuilding

 The Church, as engaging in a faith-based action in Peacebuilding and being a stable societal and historical human faith setting, at the sociological and organizational levels, is meant to deal with peacebuilding in its two dimensions: The curative and the preventive.

The church cannot ignore emergency conflictual situations and deal with them since their effects may be destructive. Dealing with them will save lots of effort for the future if it succeeds to prevent damage.

Reconciliation can only be achieved through direct dialogue between the churches

We must strengthen the Christian presence in the region through steadfastness and Prayer

Without MECC we would remain dispersed Churches

Exclusive the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25: 23)

The Lebanese Antonine Monk His Eminence Archbishop Michel Jalakh is taking on greater responsibilities, and serving the Church of Christ remains his motto forever.

Archbishop Jalakh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and its Secretary General from 2013 to 2018, was elevated by His Holiness Pope Francis in March 2024 to the Episcopal Rank with the title of “Titular Archbishop of Nisibis”. Blessed Service!

With the blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, he will be ordained Archbishop on Saturday 8 June 2024, in the Patriarchal Edifice - Bkerke, Lebanon.

The Middle East Council of Churches Joins the Believers in Presence and Prayer

Hundreds of believers came to the Shrine of Saint Rita - New Rawda, Lebanon, to participate in an annual event that brings together Christian communities and civil society in moments of faith and devotion. The Divine Liturgy this year was presided over by the Head of the Mekhitarist Fathers’ Congregation, Monsignor Mesrob Sulahian, who gave the event an atmosphere of holiness and contemplation, and was organized and supervised by the Deputy Superior of the Congregation, Father Leo Nareg Jenanian.

The Mass witnessed a remarkable presence of more than 1,500 believers, in addition to representatives of various Christian denominations, representatives of embassies, parties, and security and military services, which reflects the diversity and unity of this spiritual gathering. Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and Representative of the Secretary General at the celebration, also participated in the Mass.

The Middle East Council of Churches Participating

On the occasion of Pentecost Sunday and the 34th Anniversary of the Founding of Télé Lumière and its satellite channels, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, presided over a Celebratory Mass held by Télé Lumière and Noursat, on Sunday 19 May 2024, at the Patriarchal Edifice - Bkerke, Lebanon. His Beatitude was assisted in the Mass by Their Eminences Bishops, representatives of the Heads of Churches and various Ecclesiastical Families, and Priests.

The Mass was attended by the General Director of Télé Lumière and Noursat Mr. Jacques El Kallassi, its Board of Directors, the Télé Lumière and Noursat family, and religious, social and political figures. A delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) also participated, including the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Media and Communication Officer Elia Nasrallah, and the Social Media Officer Sub-Deacon Chady Chata.

Together for a Cleaner and Safer Environment!

Environment, justice, climate, reducing environmental injustice... are all issues that the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is keen to raise awareness about, stemming from its belief in the importance of preserving the creation that God has entrusted us with and protecting our common home. Therefore, within the series of “Environmental Days” that MECC had previously launched, the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, EcoJustice Unit, continues its environmental work in various countries of the Middle East, emphasizing the need to join hands and pray together for a safer and more prosperous future.

In this context, MECC implemented several environmental activities in Egypt, including awareness campaigns on environmental justice, which were held by the Archdeacon Garen Yosolkanian, Manager of the MECC EcoJustice Unit. This is in addition to ecotheological think-meeting held by Yosolkanian with many groups, associations, Theological centers, and interested people with the aim of empowering Church leaders, servants, and educational workers and developing their environmental capabilities.

As A Follow-Up to the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” Program

Amidst a world burdened by wars, crises, hate speech, injustice..., the Church today faces great challenges, especially in responding to humanitarian emergencies, securing the needs of its children, and supporting the neediest people. Therefore, the Parish servants and their assistants seek to heal the wounds of those affected by the difficult living conditions to help them regain their hope and consolidate their faith. However, they, in turn, are facing many psychological pressures as a result of all the painful situations surrounding them.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Theological and Ecumenical Department, continues to implement several sessions of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program for the Parish servants, and active people working in Churches, in order to support them psychologically and spiritually so that they can complete their mission and perform their mission in a better way.

Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Professor of Public Policy and Strategy at the Lebanese University, was the guest the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in an episode of the program “Initiative”, via Voice of Van Radio, on Thursday 16 May 2024. 

Within the framework of enhancing environmental awareness through various environmental and theological programs, an online meeting was held between the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Friday 17 May 2024. 

From the MECC side, participants were the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the MECC Associate Secretary General, Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, and the Archdeacon Garen Yosolkanian, the Manager of the MECC EcoJustice Unit. As for the WCC side, Ms. Frederique Seidel, WCC Leader in child rights, climate solutions and peace-building participated.  

A Round Table at the Invitation of the Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies

Thursday 23 May 2024, at the Independence House in Bchamoun - Lebanon

The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs Will Participate and Moderate It

Stemming from its belief that the history and massacres of peoples are indivisible, and that the repetition of certain experiences such as wars and genocides indicate patterns that are not coincidental, Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies invites you to a round table entitled “From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East.” It will be held on Thursday 23 May 2024, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, at the Independence House in Bchamoun, Aley District - Lebanon. His Eminence Archbishop Atallah Hanna will participate in the round table, as well as the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs who will deliver a speech at the opening session and will moderate the gathering.

Dr. Michel E. Abs

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

Embeddedness of Peace in Christianity

Jesus was named the Prince of Peace because He chose to be sacrificed for our sins to reconcile human beings with God. He mended our broken relationship to God & restored it so we can have peace. Receiving Jesus’ gift of eternal life restores our peace with God and allows us to love others as God loves us, therefore, our relationship with others is restored too. Therefore, He became the way for humans to reconcile with God and have peace with themselves first before having it with other human beings.

This is the foundation of peace in the church.

This way we become peacemakers, as Jesus, our Lord, is called the Prince of Peace – this puts a Historical responsibility on Christians and the church. 

At the same time, Jesus reassures the faithful: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”–John 16:33