Details in this Report!

This report sheds light on the Celebratory Holy Mass held on the occasion of the inauguration of the " Church of Jesus' Baptism" at the Baptism Site in Jordan, which is one of the biggest Churches in the Middle East and the world. A historic event that was a beacon of hope amidst all the challenges, and a call to Pray for peace and justice in the region.

His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Ishak Inaugurates the Jubilee Year of Hope in the Catholic Church in Egypt

MECC Participates in the Celebratory Mass

Under the slogan “Hope Does Not Disappoint,” His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Ishak, Coptic Catholic Patriarch, and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, celebrated the inauguration of the Jubilee Year of Hope “Pilgrims of Hope,” on Friday, December 27, 2024, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Egypt, Nasr City.

The CelebraTORY Mass was attended by Bishops, Heads of various Catholic churches in Egypt, representing the membership of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, as well as the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) represented by the Archdeacon Garen Yosolkanian, Coordinator of the Eco Justice in the Council.

Participants were also Priests, Heads of various Monastic Groups in Egypt, both male and female, and their members from various Catholic Churches in Egypt, in addition to a large crowd of parishioners and Deacons.

The Middle East Council of Churches Implements Many Awareness Sessions in Lebanon!

In the context of strengthening health awareness about various chronic diseases, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), implemented two new sessions about cancer for a group of women and men, at Our Lady Dispensary (OLD), affiliated with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in the Sabtieh region – Mount Lebanon. The sessions were held with the support of the international humanitarian organization Mennonite Central Committee – MCC.

These two sessions come in light of a world facing the danger of pollution and the repercussions resulting from the chemicals that some food contain, as well as amidst rising levels of daily pressures, which all has led to the rapid and increasing spread of cancer, especially among the most vulnerable and poor groups. This negatively affects the fabric of societies and their safety, especially since medical care is not available in a fair manner to many families.

The two sessions included awareness segments on breast cancer for a group of 20 women, and prostate cancer for a group of 20 men, as these two topics were identified after a questionnaire was distributed to the participants.

The Evangelical Churches in Egypt celebrated the Installation of the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Refaat Fikry as Pastor of the Rod El-Farag Evangelical Church in Egypt, on Friday, January 10, 2025.

Details in this report!

What Are the Celebrations that Will Be Held on the Occasion?

As we celebrate the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2025, let us unite together in Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, on the intention of Christian unity and for peace in the Middle East and the world, carrying this year’s theme “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26).

Below you can find in Arabic the Prayer for Christian Unity.

Week of Prayer Booklet 2025 in Arabic and English

Program of the Celebrations in Lebanon

As we celebrate the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2025, let us unite together in Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, on the intention of Christian unity and for peace in the Middle East and the world, carrying this year’s theme “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26).

Below you can find in Arabic the Prayer for Christian Unity.

Week of Prayer Booklet 2025 in Arabic and English

Program of the Celebrations in Lebanon

The Press Conference Launching the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Minbar Al-Kalima – Middle East Council of Churches
Beirut, January 7, 2025

Professor Dr. Michel Abs

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

His Excellency Bishop Youssef Soueif
Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli and Head of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations
in the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops – Lebanon

Esteemed attendees, whether in person or remotely, from the media community and beyond,
Esteemed colleagues in the Middle East Council of Churches,

Before we begin our press conference, I would like first to extend best wishes of a glorious Christmas to the churches currently celebrating the Feast of the Nativity, and a blessed Feast of the Epiphany to those celebrating it. May the coming days bring better times for our societies.

I also wish to warmly welcome His Excellency Bishop Youssef Soueif on his first visit to the Council—the home of ecumenical work in the Middle East—and say, “You are truly welcome, Your Excellency, bringing us abundant blessings.”

My address today is titled:

“The Week of Unity and the Inevitable Ecumenical Path on the Road to Social Cohesion.”

For over a century, Christians have gathered to pray for their spiritual and institutional unity. Over time, this practice has grown into a firmly established tradition—a vital part of the culture of collaborative (ecumenical) work, particularly here in the Middle East. This region is the cradle of the Good News, the Incarnation, the Refuge, and the Resurrection—where Christians were first called Christians, and from which the message spread to the entire world.

This year, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes on special significance:

• It coincides with the end of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Middle East Council of Churches, serving as its crowning event.

• It also marks the seventeen-hundredth anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which ratified the Nicene Creed, one of the symbols of Christian unity…

This report sheds light on the Christmas visit made by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, on the occasion of Christmas and New Year, to 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, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the campus of Haigazian University - Beirut.

This report presents an overview about the Christmas meeting that brought together the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, at the head of an MECC delegation, and the Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon Father Andraos Al Anthouny, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the headquarters of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon.

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).

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).

Week of Prayer Booklet 2025 in Arabic and English

Program of the Celebrations in Lebanon

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.

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.

Week of Prayer 2025 Booklet in Arabic

Week of Prayer 2025 Booklet in English

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).

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).

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.

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.

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)

Week of Prayer 2025 Booklet in Arabic

Week of Prayer 2025 Booklet in English

From Father Andraos Al Anthouny, The Pastor of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon and Syria