Communication and Public Relations
The Role of the Communication and Public Relations Department in Fulfilling MECC’s Mission.
The Communication and Public Relations Department has a pivotal role in providing “shared services” to the entire MECC organization. A harmonious and professional communication department is essential to MECC’s ability to express its position on key issues affecting churches in the Middle East. Therefore, the communication team has an important role in promoting MECC’s mission and work, its Christian and Church unity, and the common witness of the churches, striving for peace, social justice and human dignity. It will do so based on strong commitment, well-defined planning and operational effectiveness, to connect with our partners around the world, and to secure funding opportunities. The Communication and Public Relations Department is one of the primary mechanisms through which we “build bridges”.
The Main Objective of the Communication and Public Relations Department is to strengthen the ability of the Council to serve its ecumenical and inter-religious mission as a bridge builder and to sustain resources for Christian presence and witness in the Middle East. It will do so by raising awareness about the Council’s work, promoting its message and values to the global public, forging connections between churches, and building a communication network among Churches.
Department News
A Christmas Reflection by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs
Praying and Working Together for the Creation!
On the Feast of Saint Nicholas in the Armenian, Greek, and Latin calendars, the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in coordination with the Youth Committee of the Armenian Sanatorium – Azounieh, organized a special Environmental Day entitled “Can Santa Plant a Tree?!”, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in Azounieh.
The event brought together youth from the Armenian Evangelical Churches of Nor Marash and Anjar, Deacons from the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the young people of St. George Melkite Catholic Parish in Zahle.
Adding to the joy of the gathering, Santa Claus—Saint Nicholas—joined the celebration. As the day coincided with his Feast, Santa himself planted numerous plants and trees in the Garden of the Armenian Sanatorium at Azounieh.
The day began with an introduction to the history and mission of the Azounieh Sanatorium, followed by a presentation by Fr. Movses-Garen Yosolkanian, Coordinator of the Season of Creation activities at MECC, on the Season of Creation and the connection between Santa Claus, the natural world, and his commitment to seafarers and gardeners. In keeping with local tradition, participants opened the activity by singing the Lebanese National Anthem, the customary prelude to tree-planting ceremonies.
An Episode Entitled “Displacement and Christmas”
Produced by "The Platform of the Word" at the Middle East Council of Churches
As part of its program network, “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents an episode within the program “And the Family Remains”, under the title “Displacement and Christmas”.
The program raises issues related to the family, motherhood and childhood, in addition to the Church’s view and response to the challenges, especially in light of the difficult living conditions that the region is passing through.