ATIME NEWS

Its New Executive Secretary Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfy Ibrahim in a Special Episode for the “Platform of the Word” at MECC:  

"ATIME’s vision lies in strengthening cooperation between Theological Academic Institutes in the Middle East and instilling the Ecumenical spirit among their students"

What Are the New Activities that He Revealed?

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) 

From the Cradle of Christianity to the entire world, and from the Middle East, a region that clings to its hope, to all corners of the globe, its mission is one: witnessing to faith and unity, and promoting the Ecumenical spirit in the region. It is an Association of fraternity, education, respect, and, most importantly, exchanging experiences and aspirations for a one, unified Theological future for all.

It is the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), which has always sought to be a reference for students of Theological Institutes in the region. A Theological, cultural, and educational reference for future Church Leaders by contributing to the development of their capabilities and skills. How was ATIME established? What are its objectives and frameworks?

Dean of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo and Executive Secretary of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME)

Produced by MECC

The Video Is Produced by the Coptic Orthodox Media Center

The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (A.T.I.M.E) held its General Assembly meeting on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Sheraton - Cairo, headed by Archimandrite Jack Khalil, the ATIME’s President, and Father Michel Kanbar, the Executive Secretary. At the beginning of the second session at 5:00 pm, a new Executive Secretariat was elected as follows:

President: His Grace Bishop Bigol Abbot of St. Virgin Mary El-Muharraq Monastery and Director of the Monastery's Seminary (Eastern Orthodox Family)

Executive Secretary: Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfy Ibrahim, Dean of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (Evangelical Family)

Associate Executive Secretaries:

Dr. Gergis Ibrahim Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (Oriental Orthodox Family)

Sister Dr. Rose Abi Aad, Professor at the Faculty of Religious and Theological Sciences at La Sagesse University (Catholic Family)

Dr. Daniel Ayouch, Professor at the St. John of Damascus Institute, University of Balamand (Orthodox Family)

"Nicaea from the Preaching of the Apostles... to the Evangelization of Today"

At a regional moment saturated with transformations, and in the heart of Cairo, more than fifty students from various Churches and Theological Institutes in the Middle East gathered to participate in the third student conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), entitled:

"The Council of Nicaea - The Faith of the Church from the Preaching of the Apostles to the Evangelization of Today," which took place from July 13 to 18, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Hotel, Sheraton Heliopolis, Cairo.

The conference was organized by the ATIME’s Executive Secretariat, headed by Archimandrite Jack Khalil, and coordinated directly by Father Dr. Michel Kanbar (Executive Secretary), with the participation of the Associate Secretaries Reverend Dr. Bishoy Helmy, Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfy, and Father Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the Theological Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). It provided unique space that combined serious Theological research, living Ecumenical experience, and human communication across Church Affiliations.

Holds its Annual Meeting for the Theological Students in Lebanon, Hosted by the Near East School of Theology (NEST)

"The Council of Nicaea, The Faith of the Church from the Preaching of the Apostles to the Evangelization Today"

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Under the title "The Council of Nicaea, The Faith of the Church from the Preaching of the Apostles to the Evangelization Today," the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) organized its annual meeting in Lebanon in order to consolidate the Ecumenical spirit and bridge the distances between the Theological students from various Institutes. The meeting was held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, hosted by the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut.

In the presence of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, attendees were Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand – Lebanon, and ATIME President, Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, ATIME Executive Secretary, Archpriest Father Bassam Nassif, ATIME Associate Executive Secretary for the Orthodox Family, Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, MECC Associate Secretary General, Archpriest Professor Porphyrios Georgi, and Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, Professor of Practical Theology at the Near East School of Theology (NEST). As well as, attendees were Professors, Priests, Pastors, and students from various Theological Institutes, in addition to the MECC Media.

Entitled "The Council of Nicaea, the Faith of the Church from the Preaching of the Apostles to the Evangelization Today"

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) issues its annual report for the year 2023. It compiles in its pages the activities of the Middle East Council of Churches and the achievements it has accomplished at various Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian and media levels. Despite a year burdened with global fluctuations, the MECC was not prevented to achieve its mission and desired goals of building bridges and standing together, in addition to spreading the values of love and fraternity, and the culture of peace and dialogue among all Church Families and Religions, from the Cradle of Christianity to the whole world.

Hence, through this report, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) reaffirms the necessity of adhering to faith, continuing to Pray together, and relying on our Lord Jesus Christ, in order to overcome all the difficulties and challenges that cast their shadows over the Middle East.

The Second Annual Student Conference - Obour - Cairo

“We Witness Together” is the title of the second annual student conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E., which was held at St. Mark's Conference House in the Obour – Cairo, between 7 and 12 July 2024, with the participation of 40 students from 18 Theological Institutes in the Middle East. The conference was organized and attended by the President of the Association Archimandrite Professor Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Theological Institute at the University of Balamand, the Executive Secretary Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, and members of the Executive Secretariat of the Association, Reverend Dr. Bishoy Helmi, Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfi, and the Rt. Reverend Father Bassam Nassif, who was unable to attend for personal reasons.

Attendees and Participnats were also the Secetary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, the Association Members Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Ishak Ibrahim Ajban Shenouda from the Institute of Coptic Studies, and Dr. Michael Edward Abdo Mikhael from the Institute of Care and Education.

Hence, the video report provides an overview of the work of this conference.

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.

Cairo, July 13, 2024

In our recent era, and amidst the unprecedented developments witnessed in the fields of technology, artificial intelligence, and the digital revolution, which constitutes a new challenge to the educational systems and learning in colleges and institutes in the world, the Deans of the Theological Colleges and Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E., members of the Association, held a symposium at the New Papal Residence in Cairo, presided over by the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Theological Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and President of A.T.I.M.E. It was hosted and attended by His Eminence Bishop Anba Michael, Bishop of Helwan and Al Masara and Vice Dean of the Seminary Institute - Bishop Anba Royce, delegated by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the Egypt Council of Churches Reverend Yoshua Yacoub, representatives of the Churches in Egypt, the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Professors, and student representatives.

A Prayer in Front of the Relics of St. Mark the Apostle – Egypt

Cairo, July 13, 2024

Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), participated in the pilgrimage visit made by the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East A.T.I.M.E., headed by its President the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Theological Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, the Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E., the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, the MECC Associate Secretaries General Reverend Refaat Fikri, Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, and the Deans of the Theological Colleges and Institutes in the Middle East and their representatives, to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark in the Abbasiya area in ​​Cairo. Dr. Gergis Saleh presented to the participants an extensive explanation of the history of the Cathedral and its Icons.

Then, they visited the Shrine of St. Mark the Apostle, prayed and were blessed from his relics.

Cairo, July 12, 2024

In addition to the work of the General Assembly of the Deans of Theological Colleges and Institutes in the Middle East, Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), offered some souvenirs in the name of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, to Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), 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., and Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East A.T.I.M.E.

Who Delivered a Speech Entitled “Together from the Sources”

Cairo, July 12, 2024

Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), participated in the General Assembly meeting of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East A.T.I.M.E., held at St. Mark’s House – El Shourouk, Cairo.

The General Assembly meeting was presided over by the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, the Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and President of A.T.I.M.E., in the presence of Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, the Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E., and the presence of the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, and the MECC Associate Secretaries General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry and Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, as well as the Deans of the Colleges and Theological Institutes in the Middle East and their representatives.

Firstly, the President of A.T.I.M.E., the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Dean Jack Khalil, welcomed the attendees, and spoke about the importance of the meeting and what it will include.

Then, Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), delivered a speech entitled “Together from the Sources,” in which he said:

The Association consists of colleges and theological institutes affiliated with the member churches of the Middle East Council of Churches, means that it is truly ecumenical in depth, in goals, approaches and methods…

the Middle East Concluded this Conference by A Meeting with His Eminence Bishop George Chihan in Cairo

Bishop Shihan: “We must adhere to the sentence, ‘Do not be afraid’”

Dr. Abs: “A.T.M.E. is a strategic element in MECC”

Cairo, July 11, 2024

The workshops of the second annual conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E. ended. It was held at St. Mark's Conference House in the Obour area - Cairo, under the title "We Witness Together."

In a final phase, the students paid a visit to His Eminence Bishop George Chihan, the Most Respected, Head of the Maronite Diocese of Cairo, Egypt and Sudan. The delegation was headed by the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and President of A.T.I.M.E., and included Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, the Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E., Reverend Bishoy Helmi, the Associate Executive Secretary, Reverend Dr. Samuel Rosvi, the Associate Executive Secretary, and the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator the journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

In an atmosphere full of love and fraternity, His Eminence and a group of Priest fathers received the students in the Diocese headquarters.

“We found in the Conference ‘We Witness Together’ An Opportunity for Meeting, Acquaintance, and True Fraternity”

Cairo, July 11, 2024

The organizers of the workshops of the second annual conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E., held under the title “We Witness Together”, at St. Mark's Conference House - Cairo, organized many pilgrimage visits for the students to Churches and natural landmarks that trace the history of Egypt and its ancient civilization.

The participating students confirmed in a media interview with the Middle East Council of Churches:

“This conference has clear and important implications, as it created an opportunity for acquaintance, meeting, fraternity, and dialogue between students in their various Churches. In fact, the visits and tours that culminated their workshops gave them a new incentive that the love which unites them is the strongest bond. It made them get to know each other more, exchange conversations, and discuss a lot of important issues in the language of true dialogue and great love.”

He Addresses the Students and Says: “

Your Role, From Generation to Generation, is to Establish a Change in Thinking Style and Mentality”

Cairo, July 11, 2024

The workshops of the second annual conference of Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E. culminated in a fruitful lecture presented by Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), entitled “Ecumenical Work and Rapprochement Under the Umbrella of the Middle East Council of Churches” at St. Mark’s Conference House in the Obour area - Cairo. The conference is held with the participation of forty students, from many Churches and countries.

Alongside the students, participants in the lecture were the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Theological Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and President of A.T.I.M.E., Father Dr. Michel Kanbar, Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E., Reverend Bishoy Helmi, Associate Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E., Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfi, Co-Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E.

Cairo - July 10, 2024

The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E. launched its second annual student conference at St. Mark's Conference House in the Obour area - Cairo.

The conference was organized and attended by The Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute at the University of Balamand, Lebanon, and President of A.T.I.M.E., the Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E. Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, Reverend Bishoy Helmi, the Associate Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E., and Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfi, the Associate Executive Secretary of A.T.I.M.E.

Attendees and participants were also members of A.T.I.M.E.: Dr. Gergis Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Ishak Ibrahim Ajban Shenouda from the Institute of Coptic Studies, Dr. Michael Edward Abdo Mikhael from the Institute of Care and Education, and forty students from many countries.

Cairo - July 10, 2024

Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), arrived in Cairo to participate in the second annual conference of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East – A.T.I.M.E under the title “We Witness Together.”

He was accompanied on the visit by the MECC Media Church Relations Coordinator the journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

They were received at St. Mark's Conference House in the Obour area by the 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.

On Charity Radio TV

Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), was the guest of the journalist Zouhour Abou Mansour, in an episode within the program “Hawana Hawak”, broadcasted on Charity Radio TV, on Monday 19 February 2024.

During the interview, which you can watch in the video, Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, highlighted the ATIME, its goals and the most prominent programs it implements, especially with students of Theological Institutes in the region. He also talked about the gathering organized by the ATIME for the students of Theological Institutes in Lebanon, under the title “The Deposit of Faith, So That We May Know What We Have Received and How to Transfer It.” It was held on Tuesday 20 February 2024, at La Sagesse University, Furn Al-Chebbak - Beirut.