Professor Michel Abs

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

In times of war, the Church in the Middle East is called to be more than a place of worship. It is called to be a place of refuge, healing, truth, and service. War does not only destroy buildings; it wounds memory, family life, dignity, trust, and hope. Prayer remains the heart of the Church, but true prayer must also become action. This is where the diaconal mission of the Church becomes essential.

The Middle East has known repeated wars, occupations, displacement, economic collapse, and sectarian tension. In Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, and other parts of the region, people have often lived between fear and survival. Churches have sometimes found themselves caring not only for their own communities, but also for neighbors from different religions, backgrounds, and political identities. This is one of the most powerful forms of Christian witness: service without discrimination.  

A diaconal response begins with presence. During war, many institutions disappear, become weak, or lose people’s trust. The Church, when faithful to its mission, remains present among the people. Priests, pastors, monks, nuns, youth groups, and lay volunteers often become the first line of support. They open church halls for displaced families, organize food and medicine, help children continue learning, visit the elderly, and comfort those who mourn. This presence is not symbolic; it is deeply practical. Sometimes the most Christian act is simply to remain when everyone else has left.

Another important role of the Church is healing trauma. War creates visible injuries, but also invisible wounds. Children become afraid of loud sounds. Parents feel powerless. Young people lose faith in the future. Families carry grief, anger, and anxiety. A diaconal Church therefore cares for the whole person: body, mind, and soul. It offers pastoral care, safe spaces for children, counseling, when possible, community gatherings, and spiritual support. In the Middle East, where many people may not easily speak about trauma directly, the Church helps by creating gentle spaces where pain can be expressed without shame…

On the Feast of His Patron Saint, Saint John the Evangelist and Theologian

On the occasion of the feast of Saint John the Beloved Apostle, the Evangelist Theologian, Patron Saint of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Orthodox, the Thirteenth of the Holy Pure Apostles, and the President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox family, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his heartfelt congratulations to His Beatitude, wishing him continued health, well-being, goodness, blessing, and holiness, through the intercession of Saint John the Beloved Evangelist and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Middle East Council of Churches also wishes His Beatitude continued success in his paternal and patriarchal care, lifting prayers to God to support him in his pastoral mission and service in the Lord's field for the good of the Church and its faithful people. May his years be many.

Produced by MECC

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Diakonia and Social Service Department – Syria’s Office, continues to implement projects that support local and community-based associations, aiming to strengthen their role in serving society and empowering the most vulnerable groups.

In this context, and under the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), together with Father Youhanna Boutros, spiritual guide of Iman and Nour Syria, and in the presence of MECC, the “Iman and Nour” workshop for the production of dairy products was inaugurated and consecrated in the Al-Midan area of Damascus. The workshop is dedicated to supporting families in Damascus and its countryside.

This achievement comes as a result of concerted efforts and faith in the abilities of individuals, with the support of MECC and the Don Bosco Center, reaffirming the importance of partnership in serving humanity and promoting human dignity.

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance health awareness among students, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Diakonia and Social Service Department – Syria’s Office, in cooperation with the “Danmission” organization, implemented a hygiene promotion activity for students on the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and handwashing to prevent diseases. The activity took place in three schools in Dara’a Governorate.

The activity included an introductory session highlighting the importance of personal hygiene in disease prevention, particularly proper handwashing with water and soap, as handwashing is considered the first line of defense and one of the most effective ways to protect individuals from diseases such as hepatitis, respiratory illnesses, and others.

Students also learned about the key times when they should wash their hands, in addition to the importance of maintaining cleanliness at school and at home. They were encouraged to bathe regularly, trim their nails, and use tissues when sneezing or coughing, among other personal hygiene practices.

An Initiative Reaching 80 Families in Damascus and Rural Damascus

Amid the pressures of daily life responsibilities, women often forget to give themselves a moment of care for their psychological well-being. As women are the cornerstone of the family and a key element in building a healthy and balanced society, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Diakonia and Social Service Department – Syria Office, organized health awareness and psychosocial support sessions for women.

Twenty women from Damascus and its countryside participated in these sessions.

The six-day training witnessed strong engagement from the participants, who were eager to gain medical knowledge about various diseases and healthy nutrition practices.

These sessions aimed to empower women to better understand their physical and psychological needs and equip them with the necessary tools to improve their quality of life, positively impacting their families and communities.

The psychosocial support sessions also provided valuable insights that helped participants adjust their behavior within their families and increased their awareness of the importance of self-care, thereby enhancing their ability to care for their loved ones.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) condemns the barbaric aggression against Lebanon and affirms the right of the Lebanese people to security, dignity, and life. It considers that protecting the homeland is achieved not only by defending its land and sovereignty, but also by safeguarding social unity, closing ranks, and preventing political differences from devolving into civil divisions or campaigns of defamation and abuse.

In this context, the MECC expresses its severe denunciation and categorical condemnation of the insults directed at His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, President of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, on social media platforms, affirming its full and unwavering solidarity with him. This targeting does not merely affect a specific individual; rather, it strikes at a national and spiritual authority of historical and religious significance, constituting an assault on the moral values that call for respecting human dignity and safeguarding religious symbols.

While affirming His Beatitude's spiritual and national standing, the Council calls for the respect and preservation of the dignity of all religious authorities, as they are a fundamental part of our society's identity and spiritual values, and a unifying reference in the life of our people…