On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited Lebanon to pray with the Church families and meet with the Spiritual Leaders, extending his solidarity with the Lebanese and Eastern people in light of all the difficulties that are surrounding them. Hence, the video highlights the details of the third day of the visit of Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay to Lebanon.

With Dr. Laure Abi Khalil on Télé Lumière and Noursat

Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was the guest of an episode within “Al Nour Maana” (which means “The Light Is with Us”) program, which was broadcasted on Télé Lumière and Noursat. During the interview, Dr. Abi Khalil presented details about the seminar organized by the Middle East Council of Churches under the title “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example”, on Saturday 23 March 2024.

You can watch the full interview in the video.

With Dr. Laure Abi Khalil on OTV

Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was the guest of an episode within “Agenda” program, which was broadcasted on OTV. During the interview, Dr. Abi Khalil presented an overview about the seminar organized by the Middle East Council of Churches under the title “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example”, on Saturday 23 March 2024.

You can watch the full interview in the video.

On Voice of Van Radio Channel

Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was the guest of an episode within “Waafe Mawaaf” program, which was broadcasted on Voice of Van Radio Channel. During the interview, Dr. Abi Khalil explained the objectives of the seminar organized by the Middle East Council of Churches under the title “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example”, on Saturday 23 March 2024.

You can listen to the full interview via the video.

On Charity Radio TV

Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), was the guest of an episode within “Hawana Hawak” program, which was broadcasted on Charity Radio TV. During the episode Dr. Abi Khalil shed light on the seminar “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example”, organized by the Middle East Council of Churches, on Saturday 23 March 2024.

You can watch the full interview in the video.

The Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay continued his tour in Lebanon to pray with the Church Families and learn closely about their challenges, needs and aspirations. The visit came also within the framework of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). Thus, the video presents an overview about the second day of Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay’s visit to Lebanon.

At the end of his visit to Lebanon, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, accompanied by the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, headed to the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Beirut, on Friday 22 March 2024. He met the MECC General Secretariat’s team, led by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs. (All photos)

This gathering came within the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the MECC Founding, where Professor Dr. Michel Abs thanked Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay for his visit to Lebanon and his solidarity with the Lebanese and Eastern people. The meeting was also characterized by an atmosphere of fraternity and friendship between the participants who expressed their joy at this gathering which was filled with hope and love.

Building Bridges, Standing Together

The Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited 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, on Friday 22 March 2024, at the Headquarters of the Patriarchate in Achrafieh. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, the Responsible of the Public Relations at the Patriarchate Mr. Charbel Bastoury attended the gathering.

Together to Promote the Ecumenical Work

With the aim to learn about the circumstances that Churches in Lebanon and the Middle East are passing through, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay continues his tour in Lebanon, where he visited Reverend Dr. Joseph Kassab, President of the Supreme Council of Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, General Secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). The visit was held in the office of Reverend Dr. Kassab at the headquarters of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon – Rabieh. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Nicolas Bustros, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, Reverend Najla Kassab and Reverend Father George Murad attended the gathering.

A Gathering that Stresses the Importance of Being Rooted in the Homeland

As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, on Friday 22 March 2024, in the Patriarchal Edifice – Bkerke. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Nicolas Bustros, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, the Patriarchal Vicar General His Eminence Bishop Paul Sayah attended the gathering.

With the blessing and presence of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, President of the World Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, and as part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the MECC founding, MECC held an Ecumenical gathering on Wednesday 20 March 2024, hosted by the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias - Lebanon.

You can find in the video a highlight about this gathering and the speeches that it included, as well as some interviews.

Exchanging Experiences in Order to Strengthen the Ecumenical Work

On the second day of his visit to Lebanon, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay met with Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, in the Haigazian University - Hamra. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, an MECC Delegation, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, the wife of Reverend Dr. Haidostian, Mrs. Maral Haidostian attended the gathering.

Cooperating Together to Work for Peace Is Needed

With great hope, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay continues his tour in Lebanon, He visited His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Al Soury, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Zahle, Baalbek and Dependencies, and Member of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Executive Committee, representing 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, on Thursday 21 March 2024, at the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate - Zahle. (All photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Dr. Nicolas Bustros, an MECC Delegation, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, participants were a group of Priests.

A Meeting that Emphasizes the Necessity of Preserving the Christian Presence in the Region

As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Thursday 21 March 2024, at the headquarters of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate - Atchaneh. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan.

As well as, attendees were the Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies His Eminence Bishop Mor Severios Roger Akhrass, the Patriarchal Secretary His Eminence Bishop Mor Augeen Nemat.

At the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visits Lebanon, between 19 and 22 March 2024. He will meet with Spiritual Leaders and pray with the MECC Member Churches. Hence, the video presents details about the program of the first day of Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay’s tour in Lebanon.

“Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example”

Saturday 23 March 2024 - 9 am Beirut time

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) invites you to a seminar entitled “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example,” on Saturday 23 March 2024, from 9 am Beirut time until 4:30 pm Beirut time.

You can participate in the seminar via the following Zoom platform link https://shorturl.at/irNO6 and live on the MECC Facebook page.

The seminar will include three sessions with the participation of speakers, Religious Leaders and specialists from various fields. It will begin with a first session devoted to the speeches from the Spiritual Leaders. The second session will focus on “The Middle Eastern Model of Shared Life,” and the third session is entitled “From Coexistence to Unity in Life.”

The seminar comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, which the Middle East Council of Churches is working to implement consecutively.

As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, President of the World Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, on Wednesday 20 March 2024, at the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia - Antelias. (All Photos)

Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay was accompanied by Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East, a delegation from the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia, which included Father Hrant, the Ecumencial Officer at the Catholicosate and WCC Central Committee Member, and Father Dajad, Chancellor of the Catholicosate and Director of “Birds’ Nest” orphanage in the Lebanese region of Byblos, as well as Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the MECC Associate Secretary General, and an MECC delegation.

The WCC Secretary General Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay Visits Lebanon

Details of the First Day of the Visit

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visits Lebanon, between 19 and 22 March 2024. He will meet with Spiritual Leaders and pray with the MECC Member Churches, aiming at strengthening the Ecumenical spirit and stressing on the brotherhood and love relations that bridge distances between all believers.

On the first day of his tour in Lebanon, Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay was accompanied by Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East, a delegation from the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia, which included Father Hrant, the Ecumenical Officer at the Catholicosate and WCC Central Committee Member, and Father Dajad, Chancellor of the Catholicosate and Director of “Birds’ Nest” orphanage in the Lebanese region of Byblos, as well as Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the MECC Associate Secretary General, and an MECC delegation.

Emphasizing the MECC Importance as A Home for Christian Interaction and A Supporter of the Christian Presence in the Region

Cairo-18-3-2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs culminated his tour in the Arab Republic of Egypt with a visit to President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki.

The Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs was accompanied by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

The meeting was attended by the Director of Public Relations in the Evangelical Community Sheikh Issam Wassef, and the Director of the Media Office in the Evangelical Community Mr. Youssef Edward.

The meeting was characterized by a fraternal and friendly atmosphere, as the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs thanked the President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, for his reception, love, and support of the Council. Then he gave him an extensive presentation about his visit to Egypt, the milestones that marked this visit, and the Council’s activities on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of its Founding and its aspirations.

Receives the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, and a Delegation from the Council in Cairo

A Meeting Centering on the MECC Work, Activities and Aspirations

Cairo-18-3-2024

His Eminence Bishop Thomas Adly, Pastor of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Souef, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, at the Diocese’s headquarters - Cairo.

Firstly, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs highlighted the objectives of his visit to Egypt, informing His Eminence about the MECC work on various Ecclesiastical, social, and humanitarian levels.

He also briefed him on the activities of the MECC Fiftieth Year of its founding, especially the activity that will be implemented in Egypt, in addition to reactivating the work of the MECC’s Office in Egypt.