Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has maintained a longstanding commitment to the Palestinian people, rooted in the history of the ecumenical movement in the Middle East. This relationship predates the formal establishment of the MECC in 1974 and began through Christian churches and ecumenical organizations responding to Palestinian displacement following the Nakba.

For the MECC, the Palestinian cause is therefore not an external political issue but part of its historical memory, pastoral responsibility, humanitarian mission, and Christian witness. Its engagement has developed through three interconnected dimensions: service, advocacy, and awareness building.

Humanitarian service began through church-related committees assisting displaced Palestinian communities in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank, Nazareth, Amman, and Beirut. These initiatives eventually developed into the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), which continues its work today with autonomy. During the Lebanese war, MECC-related programs provided assistance to Palestinians in refugee camps while also responding to the suffering of Lebanese communities. Over time, the Council's humanitarian mission expanded to other displaced populations, including Iraqis and Syrians, while Palestine remained a central concern…

The MECC Media Team Honored by His Beatitude

At the invitation of His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, and in the presence of the Lebanese First Lady Mrs. Nehmat Aoun, and His Excellency the Lebanese Minister of Information Lawyer Dr. Paul Morcos, a dinner was held in honor of the Lebanese media, in recognition of journalists’ efforts and their humanitarian mission in serving people and society.

The dinner took place on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate in Achrafieh, Geitawi, Lebanon.

The gathering was attended by many official, cultural, and social personnalities, as well as the Media Team of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), including the Coordinator of Media and Church Media Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Social Media Officer Johnny Anton, Communication and Media Officer Elia Nasrallah, and Documentation Officer Charbel Bastoury who was among the organizers of the event. Attendees were also journalists and representatives of media institutions.

The activities of the second day of the Ecumenical youth camp in Lebanon continued as part of the Youth Leadership Building (YLB) Program, organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Bible Society, Ithraa’ Center, and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), with the support of Kerk in Actie. The camp brought together young men and women from various Christian Church Families.

The second day’s program included group and individual Prayers and reflections, as well as interactive games. It also featured a training session on leadership and its concepts, led by Mrs. Rita Zakhour from the Bible Society. In addition, Pastor Asadour Mncherian delivered a session on leadership from a Biblical perspective. Participants also took part in a session during which they listened to a personal life testimony highlighting the importance of leadership and its impact.

It is worth noting that the second day was attended by the Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bible Society Dr. Mike Bassous, and the Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation Ms. Melissa Bridi.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الجمعة 4 أيلول/ سبتمبر 2026

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 Observatory," 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.

The first day of the Ecumenical Youth Camp in Lebanon, organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) as part of its Youth Leadership Building (YLB) Program, took place, bringing together a group of youth from various Church Families.

The program is implemented in cooperation with the Bible Society, Ithraa’ Center, and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), with the support of Kerk in Actie.

The day began with the arrival of participants, introductions, and a welcome, followed by an overview of the camp’s rules and teams’ organization. The program also included several icebreaker activities and team building games designed to help participants get to know one another, contributing to stronger communication and cooperation among the youth.

The Middle East Joins the Prayers with Great Hope

The 2026 “Season of Creation” was inaugurated under the theme “Living Water” and the symbol “Immersion in Living Water,” inspired by Ezekiel 47:9 and 12, through a global online Prayer gathering held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, which also coincided with the Feast of Creation. The gathering was organized at the invitation of the Season of Creation Global Steering Committee, which includes members from various Ecumenical bodies, including the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and other international organizations.

The gathering brought together Church and Ecumenical Leaders, faithful, and representatives of Church Families, institutions, and organizations from around the world. It featured various Prayers, reflections, and readings centered on the Season of Creation, calling participants to glorify, praise, and give thanks to the Lord for all His blessings and gifts. The gathering also emphasized the importance of responsibility towards creation and of strengthening efforts to care for our common home.

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

“Water-related topics must be integrated into school curricula and public awareness campaigns to cultivate citizens who are concerned about the future of humanity through their concern for water”

As the 2026 Season of Creation is celebrated, believers from various Church Families in the Middle East and the world come together in Prayer, reflection, and action to protect God’s creation. This year, the Season of Creation takes place at a time when the world is facing increasingly severe environmental and climate crises. Therefore, this Season calls for greater care for the environment and creation, with all that it encompasses, in order to ensure a safer future for the inhabitants of the planet.

On the occasion of the Season of Creation, which this year carries the theme “Living Water” and the symbol “Immersion in Living Water,” the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, addressed a message published in the global Season of Creation guide for this year, alongside messages and reflections from Religious and Ecumenical Leaders from around the world. These contributions affirm that caring for creation is not merely an environmental issue, but a shared faith-based and human responsibility.

From the heart of the Middle East, Professor Michel Abs noted in his message that “the Good Friday hymn proclaims, “Today He who hung the earth upon the waters was hung upon the cross,” alluding to the primacy of water over all other elements of nature during creation. Furthermore, the incarnate Lord declared, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” He was baptized in the Jordan River, an act we consider foundational to the doctrine of salvation”…

“For the MECC, the Palestinian cause is part of its historical memory, pastoral responsibility, humanitarian mission, and Christian witness”

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Professor Michel Abs, delivered a lecture entitled “MECC and the Palestinians”, as part of a webinar entitled “Faith is Action, Conversations on Palestine,” organized by “Orthodox Christians for Palestine.”

The webinar was held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in the presence of the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, colleagues from the General Secretariat team, as well as specialists, experts, and attendees concerned with the topic from various countries across the region.

Following an introduction by Dr. Anna Habib, daughter of the Former MECC Secretary General Mr. Gabi Habib, Secretary General Professor Michel Abs spoke about the fraternal relationship that connected him with the Former Secretary General Gabi Habib. He conveyed a message of peace for his soul and recalled his active role in the Middle East Council of Churches and in the Ecumenical movement.

During his lecture, Professor Abs addressed the role of the Middle East Council of Churches with regard to the Palestinian cause, highlighting the responsibilities of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees, as well as the Council’s work in accompanying Palestinians on Theological, Ecumenical, humanitarian, social, and media-related levels.

Are Pleased to Invite You to the Ecumenical Prayer Service

Celebrating the Season of Creation 2026

Guide of the Season of Creation 2026 Celebration in Arabic and English: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2026/6/23/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-season-of-creation-2026-guide-in-arabic.

Produced by MECC

An Interview with Father Antoine Al-Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department, About the Season of Creation and the Feast of Creation

Together We Unite in Prayer and Supplication to God the Creator

As every year, the Ecumenical family in the Middle East and the world comes together for an environmental and Ecumenical occasion which is the “Season of Creation.” This is a time dedicated to Prayer, reflection, and action for the care of Creation and the preservation of our common home.

The Season extends from September 1, the Feast of Creation, to October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron saint of ecology.

As part of the celebration of this Season, you can find the text of the “Season of Creation” 2026 Prayer.

“Living Water”

With deep hope and great joy, the Season of Creation 2026 begins on September 1, carrying the theme “Living Water” and the symbol “Immersion in Living Water,” inspired by Ezekiel 47:9 and 12. This Ecumenical environmental season brings together the Ecumenical family in the Middle East and around the world in joint Prayer and work to protect God’s creation and preserve our common home.

Noting that this Season is observed annually from September 1, the Day of Creation, through October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Patron saint of ecology. It is a spiritual and environmental season aimed at fostering greater awareness and responsibility towards the Earth and all that it contains.

The Season of Creation invites believers to renew their relationship with the Creator and with creation through a journey of celebration, repentance, and commitment. This is done through deepening our understanding of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as via efforts to strengthen environmental values and encourage initiatives dedicated to protecting our common home, the Oikos of God.

Let us raise together our praise and glorification to the Lord, the Creator, the God of justice and peace. Let us give thanks to Him for all His gifts, blessings, and abundant graces that He has bestowed upon us!

As part of its efforts to strengthen the livestock sector and enhance livelihoods and food security in rural areas, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Diakonia and Social Service Department – Syria’s Office, continues to support cattle breeders.

In this context, 76 cattle breeders in Taybeh village, in rural Dara’a, were supported through the distribution of 100 fodder kits sufficient to 111 cows. Each kit consists of 900 kilograms of pelleted fodder fortified with mineral salts and 720 kilograms of hay, in addition to providing veterinary services, as well as medicines and vaccines for the livestock.

The beneficiaries also attended training sessions on proper cattle care, ways to manage common livestock diseases, and optimal nutrition practices to improve the quality and quantity of milk production.

“Living Water”

Carrying the theme “Living Water” and the symbol “Immersion in Living Water,” inspired by Ezekiel 47:9 and 12, the Ecumenical Family in the Middle East and around the world unites to celebrate the “Season of Creation” 2026. This season constitutes an Ecumenical, Christian, and environmental station to contemplate and care for our common home, the Oikos of God.

Each year, the Season’s celebrations begin on September 1, the day that many Church Families celebrate as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and others celebrate as the Feast of Creation. It ends on October 4, with the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of ecology.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which is a Member of the Season of Creation Ecumenical Steering Committee, issues the guide for the “Season of Creation” 2026 in Arabic, after the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department translated into Arabic, as is customary annually.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – 4:00 pm

The world and the Middle East are preparing to participate in the “Season of Creation,” an annual Ecumenical environmental observance during which Christians from different Church Families come together to glorify God the Creator, renew their commitment to working together to protect creation, and preserve our common home.

On this occasion, the “Season of Creation” 2026 will be launched through a global online Prayer gathering, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 4:00 pm. You can joint it through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnho_aeql2w.

The gathering will include Prayers, reflections, and interventions from many Ecumenical Leaders from around the world. It will be held under the theme “Living Water” and the symbol “Immersion in Living Water,” inspired by Ezekiel 47:9 and 12.

It is worth noting that the “Season of Creation” is observed annually from September 1, the Day of Creation, to October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Ecology.

Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand – Lebanon

Produced By MECC

Together We Unite in Prayer and Work to Protect Our Common Home! 

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The Ecumenical family around the world is preparing for an environmental Ecumenical season, a season that holds a lot of hope for glorifying, praising and thanking God the Creator for all His blessings and gifts. It is the “Season of Creation,” a station that extends annually between September 1, the Feast of Creation, and October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology. 

The Season of Creation is an Ecumenical celebration for praying and responding together to the cry of creation. Hence, its calls on us to renew our relationship with the Creator and creation by learning and working, through studying the Holy Bible and delving deeper into the Teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as through commitment to the environmental issue and making efforts to protect our common home, Oikos of God. 

As is customary yearly, the season adopts a specific theme and a special slogan. This year, we will unite around the theme “Living Water” and the symbol “Immersion in Living Water,” inspired by Ezekiel 47:9 and 12. Hence, when did this season start? And how was it launched?…