Pain is an inherent feeling to human existence, born with it, accompanying it throughout life, and ending with it. It is present in all dimensions of our lives, following us like our shadow, and we expect it to appear at any moment, even if it is absent for a while. "Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you," the Book goes.

We know that somewhere in time, in life, pain soon takes over our existence, seizes control of our destiny, and may change us forever. Physical and psychological pain go hand in hand, interacting together, and may conspire against a person, leading to destruction if one of them overwhelms him.

The causes of pain are many and varied, depending on their source, type, and effects. Pain is mainly caused by wounds—physical or psychological. Medicine has been able to alleviate large parts of physical pain through research and inventions, and psychology has managed to curb the effects of psychological pain, but not to the same degree or with the same success.

Matter and spirit make up a human being. Matter is tangible, and some aspects of it can be controlled. But the spirit, or the soul, is not within human reach to control adequately or appropriately.

Gibran Khalil Gibran was right when he said, "The killer of the body is killed by his act, and the killer of the soul is not known to humans." He was fully aware, with his insightful gaze and fervent spirituality, that psychological pain could be hidden and could cause human devastation without the ability to hold the culprit accountable.

Pain is born of injustice, the antithesis of justice, which seems to have no place in this world. Injustice is inflicted by thought, word, look, whisper, gesture, and all forms of human communication that people have turned into deadly arms, reflecting on the human soul with oppression and dismemberment.

The Middle East Council of Churches, in the person of its Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, extends its warmest congratulations to His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, after His Holiness Pope Francis appointed him as Member in the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in the Vatican, where the Patriarchs and Archbishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches are considered an essential part of it.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) also raises its Prayers, asking God to grant His Beatitude Patriarch Minassian health and determination in his Pastoral mission as a father and faithful servant of the Church of Christ, wishing him many years of goodness, blessing and holiness.

Guest of the Episode: The MECC Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the tenth episode, which you can watch in the video, was the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: The MECC Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the ninth episode, which you can watch in the video, was the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

With the announcement of the canonization of the Massabki Brothers, you may find a special episode entitled “The Massabki Brothers: Martyrdom and Holiness,” prepared and presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and produced by Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel.

Guest of the Episode: His Eminence Archbishop Paul Sayah

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the eighth episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Eminence Archbishop Paul Sayah, the Maronite Patriarchal Vicar, and Former Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: His Eminence Archbishop Paul Sayah

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the seventh episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Eminence Archbishop Paul Sayah, the Maronite Patriarchal Vicar, and Former Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: Reverend Dr. Habib Badr

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the sixth episode, which you can watch in the video, was Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: Reverend Dr. Habib Badr

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the fifth episode, which you can watch in the video, was Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

In order to ensure a healthy environment for school students, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Syria’s Office, in partnership with the organization Plan International, implemented several rehabilitation works in many schools in Hama Governorate, which contributed to motivating students to attend school and persevere in their courses.

In this context, the video presents additional details about this project.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has released the new issue of Momentum, the weekly newsletter of the Middle East Council of Churches, on 16 October 2024, which you can check it through the following button:

CLICK HERE TO READ THE NEW ISSUE

You can also subscribe to the Momentum newsletter via the following button:

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO THE MOMENTUM NEWSLETTER

Report: 19 October 2024

In the wake of the security incidents that Lebanon is facing as a result of the war raging throughout it, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) hastened to launch a humanitarian campaign with the aim of helping the affected and displaced people in the country to overcome this ordeal and restore their usual lives with dignity. Hence, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its efforts during this emergency period in order to implement its relief and field work in response to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

In this context, MECC will be publishing a periodical report under the name of "Rescue Lebanon Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective.

Watch with us this report to learn more about the new Saints, the Massabki Brothers, their lives and faith path filled with hope, love, and service.

The report was produced by Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, and prepared by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

A Lecture by the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh

Within the Annual conference, “The Council of Nicaea... Biblically, Historically, Politically, and Legally”

Under the patronage and blessings of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the annual conference entitled “The Council of Nicaea... Biblically, Historically, Politically, Legally,” was held between 10 and 12 October 2024, at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Anba Royce in Abbasiya, Egypt, in partnership with the Center Pope Shenouda III, Former Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, for Ecclesiastical History in the Churches of Central Cairo, and the Coptic Studies Institute.

On the third day of the conference, Dr. Gergis Saleh, Professor of the Old Testament at the Theological Seminary College and the Institute of Coptic Studies, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Former Member of the MECC Executive Committee, delivered a lecture entitled “The Council of Nicaea in the Thoughts of Bishop Anba Youannis,” which you can follow and watch in this video, through the ME Sat Egyptian TV Channel.

O Lord, Your endowment is under iron and fire.

Your beautiful land, where You planted Your cedars—its greenness did not please those who practice desolation, so they strive to turn it into the firewood of hatred.

Your beautiful holy mountain, which You covered with olibanum and made the focus of the world's gaze—the destroyers of beauty could not rest; they waged war against the whiteness of its snow and showered it with dark hatred.

The haven of freedoms to which every oppressed and persecuted person resorts—they have turned it into a vast prison.

The mine of the word, the school, the university, and the hospital of the East—the barbarians persist in smashing and destroying it.

Yes, O King,

The hands of hatred have infiltrated, in a moment of heedlessness, into this precious eternal treasure and seized it.

Your endowment, O Lord, has been enduring for decades the prolonged suffering of the Way of the Cross,

Until it has begun to affect its people at the core of their being.

At the Recital "Your Sight On Our Homeland"

Under the patronage and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, represented by His Eminence Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, a spiritual recital was held under the title “Your Sight On Our Homeland”, during which the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs delivered a word that carried the title "Your Endowment Oh God".

The recital was performed by the Journalist and Artist Dalia Freyfer, accompanied by the Musician Mr. Fadi Abi Hachem, on Friday 11 October 2024, in the Church of Christ the King - Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. Noting that it took place at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke, Lebanon.

At the Recital "Your Sight On Our Homeland"

Under the patronage and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, represented by His Eminence Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, a spiritual recital was held under the title “Your Sight On Our Homeland”. It was hosted by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), who delivered a speech for the occasion.

The recital was performed by the Journalist and Artist Dalia Freyfer, accompanied by the Musician Mr. Fadi Abi Hachem, on Friday 11 October 2024, in the Church of Christ the King - Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. Noting that it took place at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke, Lebanon.

Guest of the Episode: His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the fourth episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the third episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the second episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.