THEOLOGICAL AND ECUMENICAL DEPARTMENT
Ecumenical Communion and Dialogue
The main commitment of MECC consists in seeking the visible unity and the full communion between Churches in the Middle East so that the World believes in the Good News. Therefore, the Theological and Ecumenical Department works on the promotion of the theological reflection and dialogue among the different Churches in the Middle East. It is also involved in the ongoing theological and ecumenical dialogues and programs on the international level, through a network of relations and partnership with the WCC, REO’s, Vatican, GCF and other ecumenical bodies or organizations.
MECC is committed to dialogue and activities which support interfaith relations, equitable citizenship and harmonious co-existence among people of diverse faith traditions, from high level dialogue among religious and political leaders, to grassroots efforts among youth that are aimed at breaking down barriers and increasing social integration across religious lines. The Theological and Ecumenical Department is providing all MECC departments with theological foundation and spiritual tools in order to accomplish this objective. The Department is also providing studies and reflection to spread the theological and ecumenical awareness throughout the Diakonia and Communication Departments.
The Department has four main Programs:
1. Theological commission and Advisory Group
2. Interfaith and Dialogue
3. Ecumenical formation
4. Family (Woman, Youth…)
DEPARTMENT NEWS
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 is celebrated in Egypt under the theme "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4). The program of celebrations begins on Thursday, January 22, and continues until Saturday, January 31, at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Egyptian Council of Churches.
Hence, you can find the details of these celebrations.
Under the Theme “One Body and One Spirit”
The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches, organizes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Egypt 2026, under the auspices of the Churches in Egypt.
This is an affirmation of the one Christian witness and the common pursuit of unity for which Jesus Christ prayed: " that all of them may be one" (John 17: 21).
This year’s Week of Prayer has adopted a Biblical theme from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4)
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt will be held from January 22 to 31, 2026.
A Meeting Bringing Together Church Leaders and Faithful in an Ecumenical Spirit
Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
On the occasion of the opening of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026," an Ecumenical Prayer Service was held under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4), hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Antelias - Lebanon.
and President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations Emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon
At the Opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, Antelias - Lebanon
At the Opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, Antelias - Lebanon
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 Hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I
Standing together in solidarity and Prayer for Christian unity and for peace in the Middle East and the world.
With one love, one heart, and great hope, the Heads of Churches and believers united in an Ecumenical Prayer Service on the occasion of the opening of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026," hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
We unite together in Prayer, saying, “Gracious and almighty Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, you are the true Light, who cast out the darkness of sin, and shined into our hearts the joy and hope of your eternal Kingdom” (from the Prayer Service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026).
An Ecumenical Prayer Service celebrating the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 began in the Middle East under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4). An Ecumenical Prayer service is being held and hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
The Prayer service was attended by the Heads of Churches and the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and an MECC delegation.
In An Interview on Mariam TV to Highlight the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
You can find the Week of Unity 2026 Booklet, the daily Prayers and reflections, the Prayer for Christian unity, and the program of celebrations in Lebanon.
As we celebrate the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2026, let us unite together in Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, on the intention of Christian unity and for peace in the Middle East and the world, carrying this year’s title “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).
Hence, you can find in Arabic the Prayer for Christian Unity.
on Sunday, January 25, at 6 pm Beirut time, at the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Brasilia
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4)
The "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" starts, as it is one of the most awaited Ecumenical stations of the year, which includes a Prayer Octave that extends between 18 and 25 January every year. A station during which we unite in Prayer on the intention of a unity that has been awaited for decades, through a special international booklet that the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) translates it into Arabic annually. Noting that this year theme is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).
In this context, you can find the daily Prayers, meditations, and reflections in English and Arabic for the week of Prayer, included in the booklet, and which you may publish and distribute every day.
on Thursday, January 22, at 6 pm Beirut time, at the Mar Ephrem Syriac Church, Saint Elias Street, Al Mina - Tripoli
on Friday, January 23, at 7 pm Beirut time, at the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Saints Gregory the Illuminator and Saint Elias the Prophet - Downtown Beirut, Debbas Square
The President of the Episcopal Commission for Ecumenical Relations His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, held a press conference at the Catholic Media Center, during which he announced the launch of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and its program under the title “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”(Ephesians 4: 4), with the participation of the President of the Episcopal Commission for Media His Eminence Bishop Mounir Khairallah, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Director of the Catholic Center Monsignor Abdo Abou Kassem, and the Rapporteur of the Episcopal Commission for Ecumenical Relations Father Tanios Khalil.
What Are the Celebrations that Will Be Held on the Occasion?
The Middle East and the world celebrate the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" between January 18 and 25 of each year. An Ecumenical station during which we Pray and sing together praising our Lord Jesus through a special booklet, which is entitled this year “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”
(Ephesians 4: 4).
As is customary every year, Christians from different Church Families participate in celebrations during which they unite in Prayer on the intention of a unity that they long for.
In this context, we issue in Arabic the program of celebrations of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" that will be held this year in various Lebanese regions.
Week of Prayer Booklet: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026.
Arabic Translation of the 1997 Aleppo Statement and Details of the Proceedings of the Global Symposium “Easter 2025: Celebrating together to strengthen unity”
As part of its mission in promoting Theological dialogue, strengthening the Ecumenical spirit, and addressing Ecclesial issues related to unity, the Theological and Ecumenical Department (TED) at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) releases a new publication for the 1997 Aleppo Statement related to the common date of celebrating Easter/Resurrection. This publication responds to a renewed Ecclesial and intellectual need in our region and reflects ongoing discussions on this issue at the local, regional, and global levels.
This publication comes at a highly significant Ecumenical context, coinciding with the 1700th Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325) and the unified date of Easter in all Churches in 2025. This has revived the old-new hope that the common celebration of the Feast can become a permanent rule, not a fleeting exception. It also reflects the desire of the MECC to actively contribute to a deeper understanding of the roots of the existing differences surrounding the date of Easter, the Biblical, Theological, and historical foundations that have governed its emergence and development, and the serious Ecumenical efforts made over the decades to address it.
A New Workshop Within the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling for Church Ministers” Program
As part of its commitment to supporting those most affected by the difficult social and security conditions in the region, the Theological and Ecumenical Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues the implementation of its two-year program, “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling for Church Ministers” (THSC).
Within this framework, a new THSC workshop was held at Saydet el Bir Monastery in Lebanon from 7 to 12 December 2025. The workshop brought together participants from different Church Families and diverse contexts marked by conflict and suffering. Participants came from several regions of Lebanon, including the South—particularly Rmeich—as well as religious sisters from Syria currently residing in Lebanon.
The group also included individuals who had lived through multiple wars in Lebanon, including participants directly affected by the 4 August 2020 Beirut Port explosion. Among the participants were a nun from Iraq, sisters engaged in healthcare ministries in Lebanon—particularly in the care of cancer patients—and nuns serving in hospitals who experienced the events of 4 August firsthand. By bringing together these diverse experiences, the workshop created a rich Ecclesial space of encounter, Prayer, and mutual support.
Spiritual and Psychological Support Sessions for Church Ministers
As part of supporting the most affected people by the difficult social and security situations in the region, the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues the implementation of its two-year program on “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” for Church Ministers
Therefore, a new session of the program for Church Ministers in Iraq was organized, hosted by the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Mosul in Baghdida (Qaraqosh), with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Mar Benedictus Younan Hano, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul and Its Dependencies. It was held from 23 to 28 November 2025, in the Mosul region, in the Nineveh Plain.
Twenty-two participants—men and women, including laypeople, priests, pastoral workers, individuals displaced from the Nineveh Plain, and family members of the victims of the tragic fire that claimed 243 lives and left many others injured—took part in the session.
As part of the "Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling for Church Leaders" program, the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is conducting a training course for sisters and brothers in Iraq at the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Mosul in Baghdeda (Qaraqosh), from November 23 to 28, 2025.
Within this training, a spiritual meeting was organized for the Syriac Women's Forum – the Sisters of the Virgin Mary Forum for Syriac Catholics in Baghdeda – Qaraqosh – Hamdaniya, Nineveh Governorate, at the initiative of the Forum's Spiritual Guide Father Roni Momika. Father Anthony Kazzi, a Member of the program's team of specialists, delivered a spiritual talk about the Virgin Mary, who accepted the Annunciation with faith and obedience, reflecting on her role in the journey of Salvation and her profound connection to every believer.
Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya