In “The Season of Creation”: 

“It is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all Creation through worship, repentance, and commitment together” 

On the occasion of the celebration of the “Season of Creation” 2024, His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, addressed a word via video to the believers in the whole world, in which he spoke about the importance of renewing our relationship with God the Creator and all Creation, stressing the necessity of solidarity, communication, and responding to the cry of creation. 

At the beginning of his word, His Beatitude pointed out that the “Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all Creation through worship, repentance, and commitment together. The “Preparation” stage for Season of Creation this year begun in February.” 

In the “Season of Creation”:

"We have to say STOP somewhere to the damage we are inflicting on purpose to the creation, blinded by our greed and lust for profit"

In celebration of the “Season of Creation” 2024 and given its Ecumenical and environmental importance, a group of Heads of Churches and Ecumenical Leaders from around the world addressed words of hope and faith to the international Ecumenical family. These words, which were published in this year’s season guide, emphasized that caring for our common home is not just an environmentalist or technocratic cause, but a more holistic, integral, human, spiritual vision, as well as a matter of integral ecology. 

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs addressed a word on the occasion which is published in the guide. He condemned all the crises, corruption and greed that creation is exposed to. He pointed out, "We should not disappoint the Creator by spoiling His creation, with which He entrusted us from the dawn of the times and keeps protecting us from ourselves. We have to say STOP somewhere to the damage we are inflicting on purpose to the creation, blinded by our greed and lust for profit.” 

Saturday 14 September 2024 - At the New Papal Residence in Anba Royce

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Churches of Egypt invite you to participate in an official celebration in Egypt with the participation and presence of Their Holiness, Beatitudes, and Eminences Heads of Churches in Egypt, representing the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Coptic Catholic Church, the Evangelical Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Episcopal Church. 

Sunday 1 September 2024, at 4 pm Beirut time

The Middle East Council of Churches

The “Season of Creation” begins in the Middle East and the world on September 1 with the Feast of Creation, or Creation Day, also called the Day of Prayer for Creation or World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on October 4, on the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology. 

On this occasion, the season, which this year carries the theme “To hope and act with Creation,” will be inaugurated in an international Ecumenical online celebration, 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. 

During the difficult times that Lebanon is facing with socioeconomic woes and forced displacement as a result of escalation at the border, the mental health of those residing in Lebanon is put into question. Unfortunately, women are one of the most affected individuals in our society and are suffering from increased levels of isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, cultural stigmas and societal expectations can compound the stress of daily life, making it difficult for women to seek help or even recognize their own mental health needs.  

For this reason, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) created a safe space for women so that they can talk about their emotions while learning how to deal with them and the difficult situation. Hence, the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, implements a series of psychological support sessions in which participants are being taught about how stress affects them physically, what are the symptoms, how to treat and how to prevent, they become more knowledgeable about the topic and therefore will better understand themselves.  

Media Coordination Between WCC and MECC

With great hope, the world and the Middle East will celebrate in 2025 the 1700th anniversary of the world’s first Ecumenical Council, the Council of Nicaea which was held in the year 325 to constitute a fundamental and pivotal station in the history of the Christian faith and the Ecumenical path. 

For this occasion, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is preparing to implement a series of activities with Churches and Christian World Communions, as well as regional and international organizations, Theological and Ecumenical institutions. The most prominent celebration will take place within the WCC Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, which will be held around the theme “Where now for visible unity?”, between 24 and 28 October 2025, at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natroun - Egypt. 

Together We Unite in Prayer and Supplication to God the Creator

The Ecumenical family in the Middle East and the world gathers during an awaited annual Ecumenical and environmental season, which is the “Season of Creation.” It extends between September 1, the Feast of Creation, and October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology. 

In celebration of this season, you can find below the text of the 2024 “Season of Creation” Prayer: 

Triune God, Creator of all,

We praise you for your goodness, visible in all the diversity that you have created, making us a cosmic family living in a common home. Through the Earth you created, we experience love and nourishment, home and protection. 

Who is the Committee Charged with Preparing It? 

The Middle East Council of Churches

The world and the Middle East celebrate the “Season of Creation” between September 1 and October 4 of each year, during which the Ecumenical family unites in Prayer and work for the creation care. For this occasion, every year a special guide for the season is issued including all the details and information about the season and the theme of the year, in addition to Prayers and suggestions for participating in the celebrations... Noting that the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) translate each year this guide, which is available in different languages, into Arabic. 

In this context, it is worth noting that the resources for the “Season of Creation” guide are being prepared by an Ecumenical Steering Committee which is comprised of the World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, Laudato Si’ Movement, Anglican Communion Environmental Network, the Lausanne World Evangelical Alliance Creation Care Network, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the Middle East Council of Churches, the European Christian Environmental Network, ACT Alliance, A Rocha International, World Methodist Council, and Christian Aid.  

What Are the Meanings of the Season’s Theme for This Year?

The Middle East Council of Churches 

In preparation for celebrating the “Season of Creation” around the world between September 1 and October 4 of each year, the Ecumenical Steering Committee for the Season proposes each year a theme for this Ecumenical and environmental station. This year, the committee chose the theme “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol is “The firstfruits of hope”, inspired by the Epistle to the Romans 8: 19-25. So. what are the meanings of this theme? 

Together We Unite in Prayer and Work to Protect Our Common Home! 

The Middle East Council of Churches 

The Ecumenical family around the world is preparing for an environmental Ecumenical season, a season that holds a lot of hope for glorifying, praising and thanking God the Creator for all His blessings and gifts. It is the “Season of Creation,” a station that extends annually between September 1, the Feast of Creation, and October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology. 

The Season of Creation is an Ecumenical celebration for praying and responding together to the cry of creation. Hence, its calls on us to renew our relationship with the Creator and creation by learning and working, through studying the Holy Bible and delving deeper into the Teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as through commitment to the environmental issue and making efforts to protect our common home, Oikos of God. 

A few days ago, a senior ecumenical delegation held a stand in solidarity with the Palestinians in their suffering through remote communication, due to the impossibility of visiting the Gaza area. In this context, we found it necessary to share with the public the relationship between the Church, the Middle East Council of Churches, and the Palestinian cause.

Supporting vulnerable groups, including youth, women, rural populations, migrants, and refugees, has been a priority in the MECC’s programs and concerns since its establishment.

The deteriorating situation in the region affects additional groups in society, some of whom were previously able to meet their needs but are no longer able to do so. Displacement, inflation, and political and security instability are pushing an increasing number of people into misery, worsening the destitution of many social groups in the absence of comprehensive and sound government policies. It is worth mentioning that the number of these groups is expanding, and statistical indicators have become alarming. Therefore, the Middle East Council of Churches considers supporting these groups to be a key priority in its programs. Palestinian refugees, by virtue of the miserable situation they have been living in for three-quarters of a century, are among the groups in need of support.

MECC and the Palestinians

At the level of social service, immediately after the Nakba, committees were established in Cyprus, Lebanon, and Jordan to serve Palestinian refugees. These were initiatives by local churches, both traditional and evangelical, which gradually evolved into more crystallized and organized forms. This long process reached its peak when the MECC was established, and all these committees were merged into a department that is the largest and oldest in the Council. They were all called the "Department of Service to Palestinian Refugee." This department's central office is currently in Jerusalem and has branches in several areas of the Antiochian Levant.  

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of “Kel Yom Byomo” (“Each Day by Day”) program, on Suboro TV, to talk about the most prominent activities of the Middle East Council of Churches, especially the program of events that it is holding on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of its Founding. 

“To hope and act with Creation”

Under the theme “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol of “The firstfruits of hope” based on the Epistle to the Romans 8: 19-25, the Ecumenical family in the Middle East and the world unites to celebrate the “Season of Creation” 2024. An Ecumenical, Christian and environmental season that begins every year on 1 September, with the Feast of Creation, and ends on October 4, with the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of ecology.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) issues the guide for the “Season of Creation” 2024 in Arabic after finishing its translation, as is customary annually. It includes all the details and information about the season and the slogan of this year, in addition to Prayers and suggestions for participating in the celebrations... Hence, you can find below the guide in Arabic, as well as in English.

With the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All The East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Saad, the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Bosra, Hauran, and Jabal Al-Arab, inaugurated the halls of the Lady of Annunciation Church in the city of Dara’a, after MECC completed its rehabilitation work. 

The opening ceremony was attended by the MECC team, the Governor of Dara’a Loae Khareta, in addition to political and judicial figures, the members of the City Council, and a large gathering of residents.

The event began with a Prayer of Thanksgiving led by His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Saad in the Lady of Annunciation Church, followed by a speech in which he thanked MECC for restoring the Church halls. Then, he made the inauguration and visited the halls with the attendees. As well as, His Eminence visited the office of MECC in Dara’a.

MECC Implements a New Session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” Program for Jordan and Palestine

Within the framework of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Theological and Ecumenical Department, in various countries of the Middle East, a new session of the program was dedicated for Jordan and Palestine, between 21 and 26 July 2024, at Theodor Schneller School - Amman.

The session, which was titled “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6: 31), was held at a time when the region is witnessing a series of wars, conflicts, and crises that have burdened the people of the East and disrupted their usual activities. Thus, that they became in dire need of spiritual and psychological accompaniment to help them restore hope to their lives.

The family of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) bids farewell to the colleague Jean-Pierre Eid, MECC Events Coordinator, after a journey in the Ecumenical world and humanitarian work that lasted for 3 years of giving, dedication, and loyalty to the MECC mission. He was known for his kindness, love, and continuous support for all colleagues, partners, and friends.

In this context, the MECC General Secretariat team held a farewell gathering for Jean-Pierre, on Tuesday 20 August 2024, at the General Secretariat offices in Beirut. During the meeting, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel addressed Jean-Pierre with a speech in which he praised his continuous efforts, emphasizing his competence, experience and performance. Dr. Abs also thanked him for his efforts and diligence, and wished him success in his new journey.

 The Diakonia and Social Service Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Syria’s Office, continues raising awareness among pregnant and lactating women about the importance of breastfeeding and the correct way to care for infants.

This is being done through holding health and Psychosocial sessions for pregnant and lactating mothers in three governorates: Damascus and its countryside, Aleppo, and Dara’a.

These sessions shed light on all aspects related to breastfeeding, the difficulties mothers face with breastfeeding, and clarification of some misconceptions. They also addressed complementary feeding for infants, maternal nutrition, and dietary practices when the child is ill.

Renews the Solidarity of MECC with the Palestinian People:

“The online visit to the Holy Land in which we participated with WCC affirms the determination of the Palestinians and the people of the region to remain steadfast and endure”

Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), participated in an online solidarity visit to the Holy Land, between 7 and 8 August 2024, organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and within the framework of a delegation of Ecumenical Partners from around the world, including the Middle East Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, and Caritas International.

During an online media interview made by the World Council of Churches (WCC) at the end of the visit, Prof. Dr. Michel Abs expressed his regret over the postponement of the visit that the World Council of Churches (WCC) was scheduled to hold in-person to the Holy Land between 5 and 9 August, due to the security developments that occurred in the region.

Professor Dr. Abs also pointed out that the virtual solidarity visit was characterized by a lot of love and fraternity, as it carried a message of hope from the wounded Gaza and the Middle East to the whole world. He continued that the visit constituted “a sign of solidarity and an act of love towards the people of the region who have been suffering for a long time from the scourge of wars and conflicts, as well as from the political, security, social and economic crises that have burdened them.”

An Online Visit to the Holy Land Held by WCC, MECC, ACT Alliance, and Caritas Internationalis

A Media Briefing On the Visit

In light of the difficult security conditions that Gaza and the region are passing through, a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Ecumenical Partners from around the world, including the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), ACT Alliance, and Caritas Internationalis, held an online solidarity visit to the Holy Land between 7 and 8 August 2024, as recent developments in the region led to the postponement of an in-person visit originally slated for 5-9 August.

This visit represented an opportunity to accompany the Member Churches and Ecumenical Partners, listen to their concerns and point of views, and raise their voices at a time when the war is worsening in the region, especially in Palestine, and emergency humanitarian needs are increasing at various levels. Therefore, the visit aimed to promote dialogue in order to restore justice and stability, and to remind the world of what is needed to achieve peace in the region.

The visiting delegation included His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC Moderator, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary, Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance General Secretary, and Mr. Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, Dr. Audeh Quawas, Member of the WCC Central Committee and Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Mr. Erik Lysén, ACT Alliance Moderator.