MECC
Video - The Customs and Traditions of the Armenian Orthodox Church and the Achievements of the MECC
In a Special Episode With Dr. Jean Salmanian and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary on Radio Voice of Van
Dr. Jean Salmanian, Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was the guest of an episode within the "Moubadarat" ("Initiatives") program on Radio Voice of Van, with the Media Officer at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Director of the Platform of the Word, and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.
In the episode, Dr. Salmanian spoke about the customs and traditions of the Armenian Orthodox Church on Christmas and Theophany, and also presented a detailed vision of the achievements of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) during the Fifty Years since its establishment. He also talked about the importance of the Church unity and the title of the year 2025 “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26).
The Middle East Council of Churches Issues the Ecumenical Calendar for January 2025
And Celebrates the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” Under the Title “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26)
The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of January 2025. 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.
Noting that January includes one of the most important international Ecumenical occasions. It is the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”, which MECC celebrates it in the region and with the world, between 18 and 25 January, every year. Noting that this year the theme of the Week of Prayer is “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26).
A Statement from the Middle East Council of Churches to the Lebanese People
On the Occasion of the Election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Lebanese Republic
On the occasion of General Joseph Aoun’s election as President of the Lebanese Republic, following two years of presidential vacancy, the Middle East Council of Churches extends its congratulations to all Lebanese from every background. The Council views the election of the head of the executive authority as a step that restores institutional order and prevents the deterioration of the Republic.
The President’s election will inevitably have a positive impact on various aspects of life, easing the psychological pressures the Lebanese have endured due to the dysfunction of many public institutions, and restoring Lebanon’s normal course of affairs. In particular, the inaugural address serves as the cornerstone for a strategic plan and a comprehensive program of action for the upcoming stage.
The challenges are great, and the tasks ahead of you, Your Excellency, are numerous. Still, nothing is insurmountable when faced with national solidarity and a steadfast will.
Video – The Middle East Council of Churches Launches the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2025 in a Press Conference
This report presents an overview about the press conference held by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), with the blessings and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Archbishop of the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli and President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Work at the Assemblée des Patriarches et Evêques Catholiques du Liban (APECL), to launch the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2025 under the title “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26). It was held at “The Platform of the Word” in the Middle East Council of Churches – Beirut.
Video - Word of Father Andraos Al Anthouny on the Occasion of the Launching of the Platform of the Word
Father Andraos Al Anthouny, The Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon and Syria, delivers a word via video on the occasion of the launching of “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
Video - Word of Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian on the Occasion of the Launching of the Platform of the Word
Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, delivers a word via video on the occasion of the launching of “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
Video - Aspirations and Hopes from the MECC Team in Daraa, Syria On the Occasion of Christmas and the New Year
Health, peace and security... This is what our colleagues in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Office in Daraa - Syria wished for, raising their prayers to God, the God of justice and peace, and looking forward to blessed seasons of hope.
The Installation of Reverend Refaat Fikry as Pastor of the Rod El-Farag Evangelical Church - Egypt
Friday, January 10, 2025, at 6 pm
The committee authorized to manage the Rod El-Farag Evangelical Church - Egypt, is honored to invite you to attend the installation ceremony of Reverend Refaat Fikry, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as Pastor of the Church, in the presence of Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt, Reverend Dr. Ezzat Shaker, President of the Evangelical Synod of the Nile, Reverend Nabil Labib, President of the Cairo Evangelical Assembly, and many Church and Society Leaders. The installation ceremony will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 6 pm.
Together We Pray For Christian Unity
The Theme of the Week of Prayer 2025: “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26)
Video Produced By the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
A Message of Hope During Christmas
From Father Andraos Al Anthouny, The Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon and Syria
A Message Hope During Christmas
From Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family
The Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon and Syria Father Andraos Al Anthouny
Receives the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation
A Christmas Visit and Hopes for a Better Future
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs headed a delegation from the Council on a Christmas visit to the Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon and Syria Father Andraos Al Anthouny, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the headquarters of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in Beirut, in the presence of the Lawyer of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon Mr. Abdallah Moussallem.
The Secretary General was accompanied by the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Council Fr. Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Coordinator of the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Media Officer, the Director of the Platform of the Word and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Council the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Media and Communication Officer at the Communication and Public Relations Department Elia Nasrallah, and Social Media Officer Johnny Antoun.
The attendees exchanged Christmas and New Year greetings, wishing everyone a blessed and glorious season, raising their Prayers for peace in the Middle East and hoping that the people of the region will live in better conditions and with a brighter future.
The MECC Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs Congratulates Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian on Christmas and New Year
A Meeting that Stresses the Importance of the Role of Ecumenical Media in Conveying the Good News
On the occasion of Christmas and New Year, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, visited Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, and his wife Mrs. Maral Haidostian, in the presence of Reverend Jirair Ghazarian, Pastor of the First Armenian Evangelical Church in Beirut. The visit took place on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the campus of Haigazian University - Beirut.
Professor Dr. Abs was accompanied by an MECC delegation which included the Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Fr. Antoine Ahmar, the Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Caroline Haddad, the Coordinator of the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Media Officer, the Director of the Platform of the Word and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Council the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Media and Communication Officer at the Communication and Public Relations Department Elia Nasrallah, Social Media Officer Johnny Antoun, and Archive Officer Charbel Bastoury.
Launching the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches in a Historical Step
His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif: We are called in this East to live unity more than ever before, so we must experience it pastorally, socially and humanly
The Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs: The Week of Prayer for Unity is a step on the path of a thousand miles towards social cohesion and civil peace
In a historical step, and with the blessings and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Archbishop of the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli and President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Work at the Assemblée des Patriarches et Evêques Catholiques du Liban (APECL), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held a press conference to launch the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2025 under the title “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26). It coincides this year with the 1700th Anniversary of the First Christian Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.
The conference, which was held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in “The Platform of the Word” at the MECC headquarters - Beirut, was attended by Father Tanios Khalil, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at La Sagesse University in Lebanon, and Rapporteur of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Work at the Assemblée des Patriarches et Evêques Catholiques du Liban (APECL), the Journalist George Maalouli, Director of Mariam TV, and colleagues in the MECC General Secretariat.
After His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif blessed the MECC offices and the Platform of the Word by the Holy Water, the conference began with a speech delivered by the Media Officer at MECC, the Director of the Platform of the Word, and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, in which she said, “The Churches have advanced concerning the issue of unity regardless of doctrinal differences, based on the fact that when we talk about Theological dialogue, it will be met with a dialogue of love, and this embrace can only be achieved through doctrinal dialogue and love: love of God and love of others.”
His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif in a Historical Interview from the Platform at the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches
On the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025, and as part of his first and historical visit to the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in the Ras Beirut area, His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Archbishop of the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli and President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Work at the Assemblée des Patriarches et Evêques Catholiques du Liban (APECL), was the guest of a media interview at the Platform of the Word at the MECC. His Eminence was interviewed by the Journalist Lea Maamary, the Media Officer, the Director of the Platform of the Word, and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
The episode focused on the Unity Week for the year 2025 and its main slogan “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26), as well as the importance of living love, repentance and self-denial.
The Medal of the Fiftieth Year of the MECC Founding Offered to His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif and Father Tanios Khalil
What Are the Details?
In a gesture of love and appreciation, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, offered the Medal of the Fiftieth Year of the MECC Founding to His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Archbishop of the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli and President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Work at the Assemblée des Patriarches et Evêques Catholiques du Liban (APECL), and Father Tanios Khalil, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at La Sagesse University in Lebanon, and Rapporteur of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Work, as a token of respect and thanks for their continuous support.
This presentation took place during the press conference held for the launch of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2025 entitled “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26), at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at "The Platform of the Word" in MECC - Beirut.
His Eminence Bishop Youssef Soueif Blesses the Offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut
A Meeting with the MECC Team Emphasizes the Importance of Strengthening the Ecumenical Spirit
In a historic station and within the journey of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Archbishop of the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli and President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Work at the Assemblée des Patriarches et Evêques Catholiques du Liban (APECL), visited the MECC headquarters in Beirut for the first time, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. He was accompanied by Father Tanios Khalil, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at La Sagesse University in Lebanon, and Rapporteur of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Work.
They were received by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, and colleagues in the MECC General Secretariat.
Upon his arrival, His Eminence blessed the offices of the General Secretariat and “The Platform of the Word” at MECC by sprinkling the Holy Water, offering his Prayers on the intention of the MECC work and the peace in Lebanon and the region.
The Middle East Council of Churches Celebrates the “Season of Creation” in Egypt
Together We Pray and Work to Preserve Our Common Home!
Due to the war that broke out in the fall season and disrupted life in the region, especially in Lebanon, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) was unable to celebrate the Season of Creation during the traditional period from September 1 to October 4. Once the situation calmed down, the Program Coordinator Archdeacon Garen Yosolkanian, began organizing many celebrations and activities, during the Christmas period, starting from Egypt.
On December 27, 2024, which is the Sunday of the Righteous Saint, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary in the Byzantine Rite and the Sunday of the Genesis in the Coptic Rite, the first celebration of the Season of Creation 2024 in Egypt was held at the Church of the Virgin Mary and Mother Teresa for the Coptic Catholics in Ezbet El Nakhl. The celebration included an awareness campaign on the importance of the environment and a presentation of the changes that occurred in the areas of Ezbet El Nakhl, which lost its palm tree grove and consequently lost traces of the date tree, due to the lack of a pure approach to creation and local nature.
On December 29, 2024, a Liturgical celebration and a Prayer Service for the Season of Creation were held at the Evangelical Church of El Zahour, according to the Arabic text issued by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). It is worth noting that the Church is new, located in a city which is still under construction in El Zahour area. The celebration was led by Reverend Eid Salah, Reverend Jeremiah and the Church elders, in the presence of a crowd of believers from the area, including many young people and children, along with guests from Lebanon and the Head of the Ecumenical Youth Committee in Egypt.
Video - How Did the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” Start and What is the Theme of This Year?
A report that sheds light on the launching history of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” and the theme that was chosen for this year.
The Middle East Council of Churches Congratulates His Beatitude Patriarch His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi
On the Occasion of the Commemoration of His Patron Saint, Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary
On the occasion of the Commemoration Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary, the Patron Saint of His Beatitude Patriarch His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Melkite Catholics, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, extends, in the name of the MECC family, his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, wishing him continued health and success in his Pastoral mission.
The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) also raises its Prayers to God to accompany His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, provide him with His graces and grant him determination and strength in his faithful service to the Church of Christ and his many givings in the field of the Lord.