Entitled "We Pray Together,"

Within the "Hot Issues" Program on Al Keraza TV

Prepared and Presented by the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry

At the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo

At the conclusion of the Week of Unity at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs said: “

Dialogue is a culture ingrained in our hearts and minds, and the Council is a haven for dialogue among the Churches. Hence, the Week of Unity has become an annual tradition, evolving over the years and taken very seriously each year, as the Churches come together and Pray in love and fraternity.

The new Ecumenism is based on service in various fields, and we, as the Middle East Council of Churches, undertake many initiatives that bring the Churches closer together. The Council also aspires to be a center for dialogue and intellectual and cognitive research, in accordance with a new strategy.”

(Part Two)

(Part One)

Cairo, January 30, 2026

“Youth in the Church are not merely an age group; they are a heart beating with hope and a spirit bearing the good news of tomorrow. In their presence, we see the enthusiasm that enlivens the community, and in their Prayers, we feel a simple yet profound Faith that reminds us that God is always working in young hearts.”

With these words, the Youth Day during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, was held under the title "Christ Fills Us All," at the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo.

The Prayer was presided over by the Pastor of the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo Reverend Dr. Bachir Anwar Noudi, Advisor to the Supreme Committee for Supporting State Institutions.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, Associate Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Engineer Moussa Mehany, Dr. Zahi Azar, President of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, Father Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Parish Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Father Boutros Fouad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Orthodox Church, Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Cohesion, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Mr. Medhat Fayez, Head of the Ecumenical Committee, Mrs. Marta Fayez, Member of the Women's Committee, Mrs. Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee, Gergis Mounir, Member of the Prayer Committee, Nour Behnan, Member of the Prayer Committee, Kyrillos Wahba, Member of the Prayer Committee, and believers.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the Youth Day meeting during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026_ Evangelical Church_ Giza – Cairo:

“Our meeting today with the youth is not just a Pastoral occasion, but an act of renewed hope. When the Church looks at its youth, it is in fact looking at its ability to continue, and at its inexhaustible vitality. The youth are not on the margins of the Church’s journey, but at its heart; they carry its questions, nourish its future, and constantly remind it that Faith is a life that is renewed and not a rigid heritage.”

Under the Title: “Christ Fills Us All”

Youth in the Church are not merely an age group; they are a heart beating with hope and a spirit bearing the good news of tomorrow. In their presence, we see the enthusiasm that enlivens the community, and in their Prayers, we feel a simple yet profound Faith that reminds us that God is always working in young hearts.

They are an inextinguishable flame, teaching us that Faith is not simply a tradition to be preserved, but a life lived with love and courage. With them, the Church is renewed, moving confidently towards the future, believing that every generation is called to be a witness to the light and a builder of unity and hope.

Cairo, January 29, 2026

"When, O Lord and God, the sweet fragrance of Your love fills us and our souls are enlightened by the knowledge of Your truth, we become worthy to receive the Transfiguration of Your Beloved Son from heaven. We thank You and praise You in Your crowned Church, overflowing with the abundance of Your grace and blessings, for You are the Lord and Creator of all, now and forever."

Prayers, hymns, petitions, and readings marked the sixth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, held at Our Lady of Fatima Chaldeans Cathedral in Cairo.

The Prayer was presided over by the Chaldean Patriarchal Administrator in Egypt Bishop Paul Sati, with the participation of Archbishop George Chihane, Maronite Archbishop of Cairo for Egypt and Sudan, and Bishop Dr. Damaskinos Al-Azrai, Bishop of Mariout, Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Bishop Krikor Augustinos Koussa, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Alexandria, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Reverend Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Pastors Committee on behalf of the Episcopal Church and Member of the Week of Prayer Committee, Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church; Father Nabil Rafoul, Priest of St. Rita Church in Heliopolis, Father Michael Selim, Franciscan, Father Rafik Jreich, Member of the Media Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches , Sheikh Victor, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee on behalf of  the Evangelical Church, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs at MECC, Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC, Marta Fayez, Member of the Women's Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches on behalf of the Orthodox Church, and Mr. Emad Ayad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church.

In Our Lady of Fatima Chaldean Cathedral_ Cairo

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, from Our Lady of Fatima Chaldean Cathedral_ Cairo: "

The Week of Christian Unity is part of a global Ecumenical tradition. We all yearn for Christian unity, but we live within and through it, and all our Prayers and joint activities affirm this.”

Words Emphasized that Unity is Love and Strength

Cairo, January 28, 2026

“O Lord our God, keep us in peace this evening and at all times. With the reverence of Your holiness, keep our minds and thoughts high, so that at all times, by You, we may be protected from the thoughts and deceptions of the devil”.

It is one of the Prayers that marked the fifth day of Prayer for Christian unity held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Orthodox Church in Cairo.

The Prayer of Unity was presided over by Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanian, Primate of the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, with the participation of His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Archbishop George Chihane, Maronite Archbishop of Cairo for Egypt and Sudan, Bishop Krikor Augustinos Koussa, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Alexandria, Father Rabban Philips Issa, Priest of the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church in Cairo, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, Associate General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Refaat Fikry. Attendees were also Reverend Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Pastors Committee on behalf of the Episcopal Church and Member of the Week of Prayer Committee, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Priests from various Churches, as well as members of the Week of Prayer Committee: Reverend Boutros Fouad (Coptic Orthodox Church), Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer and Women's Committees of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Mrs. Nancy Anis (Coptic Orthodox Church), Sheikh Victor Fahmy (Evangelical Church), Engineer Essam Ayad (Catholic Church), Engineer Kyrillos Wahba (Coptic Orthodox Church), and other believers.

In St. Gregory the Illuminator Church_ Cairo

On the fifth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, said at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church:

“Ecumenism is a culture of acceptance and diversity, it is a culture of accepting one another, and reaching joint projects.”

(Part Three)

(Part Two)

“O Lord our God, keep us in peace this evening and at all times. With the reverence of Your holiness, keep our minds and thoughts high, so that at all times, by You, we may be protected from the thoughts and deceptions of the devil”.

(Part One)

Shoubra_ Egypt_ January 27, 2026

“You have gathered us together, in all our diversity, and made us Your family and Your Church. You are the True Light that dispels the darkness of sin and kindles joy and hope in our hearts.”

On the fourth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a unity Prayer Service was held at the Evangelical Church in Shoubra_ Egypt, which sowed joy and hope in the hearts of the faithful and participants. The 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).

Attendees were Priests and Pastors from various Churches in Egypt, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Refaat Fikry, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, Coordinator of Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, as well as Nuns, Members of the Week of Prayer Committee, and Believers.

In the Evangelical Church in Shouba_ Egypt

The Evangelical Church in Shouba_ Egypt hosted the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Readings, reflections, and hymns emphasized the importance of love, "How wonderful it is to be gathered together."

In his word, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs said, "We do not pray for unity, but rather we pray within unity so that we may better understand it and live it."

(Part One)

As part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebrations, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Maadi hosted the Week’s third Prayer Service, with the participation of Bishops, Priests, and Pastors from various Churches, along with a congregation from Maadi and the surrounding areas.

The Service began with a welcoming word by Reverend Ousama Fathy, the Church's Pastor.

Then, Reverend Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), delivered an opening word, referencing the verse from Ephesians 4: " Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." He highlighted the Church's pivotal role in preserving its Teaching, which represents its mission in a turbulent world, emphasizing the need for diligence from all God's people and their Leaders to achieve spiritual unity.

As well as, Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General Secretary of the Egyptian Council of Churches, delivered a speech shedding light on the importance of preserving the unity and spirit of the one body of Christ despite all challenges and difficulties. He stressed on the Ecumenism of Prayer and the Ecumenism of practical action, which was embodied in the work of the Egyptian Council of Churches' Committees, including the Priests and Pastors Committee and the Women's Committee.

Hosted by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji with the Participation of Church Leaders

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai:

Unity means meeting at the core, at the essence, in Christ Himself

His Eminence Bishop Kassarji: The Holy Spirit transforms diversity into communion, pain into joy, and fear into hope

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

The Ecumenical movement has laid the foundation and paved the way for sustained dialogue and cooperation among the Churches

On the occasion of the closing 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 Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Church in Lebanon, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in the Archangel Raphael Chaldean Cathedral, Baabda - Lebanon.

At the Conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, in the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, in the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon:

Throughout its long history, the Ecumenical movement has consistently relied on dialogue to achieve its goals. This has been complemented by activities such as shared Worship, Ecumenical Prayers, and most importantly, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Season of Creation, as well as joint social work and Theological discussions…

If we must pause and reflect on the past, with its achievements and shortcomings, we can say that this movement has made fundamental accomplishments. It has laid the foundation and paved the way for sustained dialogue and cooperation among the Churches. It has also led to some mergers between Churches in various parts of the world…

Hosted by the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon

(Part Three)

“O Lord, shine the light of Your righteousness and wisdom on all Your creatures. Make us children of light and children of the day, so that we may always live our lives reverently, and become for all the world, worthy lampstands for Your life-giving light” (from the Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Week of Unity 2026).

(Part Two)

We Pray together, with hearts full of hope, on the occasion of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2026.

A Closing Prayer Service hosted by the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon.

(Part One)

Closing of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2026, in an Ecumenical Prayer Service, 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 the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon.

The Prayer 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.

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

The Church of Abu Serga in Old Cairo hosted the second day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It brought together Church Leaders and Representatives of various Churches, in an atmosphere of spirituality, reflection and Prayer. It was a call for love and unity among the children of the Churches, under the theme: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4: 2).

The week's theme was: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).

Attendees were Reverend Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General Secretary of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Dr. Gergis Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Priests and Parishes Committee on behalf the Catholic Church; Father Michel, Member of the Committee on behalf the Episcopal Church, and Reverend Najeh Fawzy, Member of the Committee on behalf the Evangelical Church.

Participants were also Members of the Week of Prayer Committee, including Mr. Essam Ayad from the Catholic Church, Sheikh Victor from the Evangelical Church, and Mrs. Nancy from the Orthodox Church.

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

To pray together means that we have overcome past mistakes and forgiven historical sins

If we call for unity among Christians, it is all the more fitting to call for love among the people of the country in all their diversity

In celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, an Ecumenical meeting 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). It took place at St. Ephrem the Syrian Church in Mina Tripoli, Lebanon, and brought together Bishops, Priests, Pastors, and believers from various Church families, at the invitation of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations, chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli.

The Prayer Service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shamoun, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Ephrem Kyriakos, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tripoli, Koura, and their Dependencies, His Eminence Archbishop Edward Daher, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Tripoli and All the North, Father Khoren, Representing His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, as well as Church, social, and cultural figures, and believers.

Attendees were also the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the head of an MECC that included Professor Laura Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.

During the Prayer, Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: “In the presence of the bishops of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we have gathered to pray together, fully aware of the importance of praying together and of living hope together, a hope we extend to all humankind, for the Lord who came as an atonement for our sins, came for all people”…