“Momentum”

27-3-2026

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue "Mary’s Annunciation and the Unity of a Nation". It is the speech that Professor Abs delivered at the Christian–Islamic Encounter for peace in Lebanon and the region, held on the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation. It was organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue, emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in the hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/f8fe2b986311/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:

https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Uniting and Standing Together in a One Common Human Journey to Achieve Justice and Reconciliation

In light of the painful war taking place in the Middle East and its serious humanitarian and social repercussions, and with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, the World Council of Churches (WCC), in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a global online Prayer for peace in the region, on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Attendees were the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay; the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Dr. Michel Abs; colleagues from both Councils; activists in the Ecumenical Movement; Church and Spiritual Leaders from various Church Families; as well as believers from around the world.

During the encounter, participants lit candles from their respective locations and raised Prayers with hearts full of hope for peace, truth and justice in the Middle East and the world. The meeting also included reflections, readings, Psalms, and hymns from different Church Traditions. A text from the Gospel was also read by Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand, Lebanon.

As part of its capacity-building and skills development efforts, the Media Team and the Diakonia Team, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), participated in an online training organized by ABAAD organization on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). The course aimed to promote safe working environments and human rights accountability.

Participants were also staff working in humanitarian and social organizations, who enhanced their knowledge and skills in identifying the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse and understanding prevention mechanisms.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الجمعة 27 آذار/ مارس2026

In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Monitor," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.

في ظلّ تفاقم الظروف الإنسانيّة والاجتماعيّة في المنطقة جرّاء تصاعد العمليّات الأمنيّة فيها، يقدّم مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط تقريرًا أسبوعيًّا بعنوان "مرصد فلسطين" حيث يتضمّن آخر المستجدّات الّتي تشهدها فلسطين خصوصًا وسط تدهور الظروف المعيشيّة والاجتماعيّة والأمنيّة في البلاد. ستكون بعض النصوص باللغة العربية، وبعضها الآخر باللّغة الإنكليزيّة، وذلك حسب المصدر.

At the Invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon

Words Emphasized Strengthening the Spirit of Faith and Human Fraternity Among the Lebanese

On the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, and under the title “The Annunciation of Mary Brings Us Together... And Her Peace Unites Us,” the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue, emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, organized a Christian–Islamic Encounter for peace in Lebanon and the region. The event took place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in the hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut.

Attendees were His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia; His Eminence Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Mrad, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Beirut and Head of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon; the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs; Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department; Father Movses Garen Yosolkanian, Coordinator of the MECC Eco-Justice Justice Unit; and Lawyer Professor Ibrahim Traboulsi, Member of the MECC Executive Committee. The Encounter also brought together Christian, Muslim, and Druze Spiritual Leaders, Religious, social, and cultural figures, educational and academic personalities, members of the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue, and some MECC colleagues.

A Christian-Islamic Prayer & Supplication Encounter

At the Hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut

Produced By MECC

Video Produced by MECC