In the Church of the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George, Cairo

At the invitation of the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, Head of the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa in Cairo, the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand in Lebanon and President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East A.T.I.M.E., presided over the Divine Liturgy, on Sunday 14 July 2024, at the Monastery’s Church.

The Mass was attended by Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Arlette Michel, President of the Good Shepherd Greek Orthodox Association in Heliopolis, and Member of the General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator, and believers.

Afterwards, there was a tour in the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George and a visit to both the Babylon Fortress and the Greek Orthodox Center for Studies and Dialogue in the Monastery.

In this context, the video report presents some details about the Divine Liturgy, as well as the tour that was held after it. 

Stressing the Importance of Dialogue and Convergence

Cairo, July 14, 2024

Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), concluded his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the visit of His Eminence Bishop Anba Ermia, General Bishop, President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and Assistant Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House. Dr. Abs was accompanied by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator. The visit took place at the Center’s headquarters - Cairo.

During the meeting, Dr. Michel Abs spoke at length about the issue of dialogue which MECC is working on it, through conferences and lectures that are being prepared and presented under the title of shared religious spaces.

Emphasizing the Importance of the Role of Purposeful Media that Educates Generations

Cairo, July 14, 2024

As part of his visit to Egypt, Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), met with Reverend Nadi Labib, Head of the Media Council of the Evangelical Synod of the Nile and Member of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Executive Committee. Dr. Abs was accompanied by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator. The visit took place at the headquarters of the Evangelical Church - Mokattam - Cairo.

Cairo, July 14, 2024

The Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East A.T.I.M.E., and Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), continued their pilgrimage to the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Cairo, affiliated to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa for the Greek Orthodox, and visited the Roman Fortress of Babylon.

They were accompanied by the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, the Head of the Monastery, and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator. The visitors had a look at the Fortress, its sections, and content, as well as visited its Churches, the graves of the Patriarchs and of the new holy martyrs, as well as everything it includes.

The Center Is a Beacon of Interfaith Dialogue and an Embodiment of Common Life

Cairo, July 14, 2024

The Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East A.T.I.M.E., Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, Head of the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George affiliated to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator, visited the Greek Orthodox Center for Studies and Dialogue in Cairo, located in the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George.

The delegation had a look at the center, which aims to embody the Church’s Holy message, its love, and openness to our era and its requirements. Hence, Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai confirmed to the MECC media that: “The idea of ​​establishing the Patriarchal Center for Dialogue and Studies for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa came with the aim to have a center for dialogue that is consistent with its extended role through the ages.

Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai: “The Theological Institute in Balamand is an unparalleled intellectual and cultural oasis, and MECC has proven its presence and distinction through its humanitarian programs and projects”

Cairo, July 14, 2.24

At the invitation of the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, Head of the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa in Cairo, the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand in Lebanon and President of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East A.T.I.M.E., presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery’s Church.

The Mass was served by students from the Theological Institute of Balamand.

The Mass was attended by Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Arlette Michel, President of the Good Shepherd Greek Orthodox Association in Heliopolis, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator, and believers.

Cairo, July 14, 2024

By: The Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Attention is drawn to the Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Ancient Egypt, located in the Babylon region, which took its name after the settlement of Babylonian prisoners who were brought to Egypt by Pharaoh Ramesses I.

This area is located about five kilometers South of Central Cairo, and opposite the Giza Pyramids. Today, it is one of the most densely populated suburbs of Cairo, which includes many Monasteries, places of worship, and cemeteries.