“Momentum”

29-6-2026

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 “Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul: A Witness of Struggle and a Mission of Unity”.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/6310bbc705bd/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.

Professor Michel Abs

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

With the gentle breeze of June twenty-nine, the Feast of the Foundation of the See of Antioch, our hearts stand in reverence before the icon of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Today we do not merely commemorate a historical event; rather, we encounter two brothers who have gone before us on the journey of faith, still inviting each one of us: "Follow me, as we followed Christ."

On the twenty-ninth of June each year, the Churches of East and West lift up their prayers in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. These two pillars of the early Church sealed their lives with martyrdom in Rome, becoming together an enduring symbol of the unity of the Church's mission despite the diversity of their paths, and of the unity of faith amid the richness of different gifts.

Peter, the fisherman from Galilee, was the "rock" upon which Christ built His Church. His zeal was sincere, his fear deeply human, and his repentance profound. After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, he stood before the crowds in Jerusalem proclaiming the Resurrection, and about three thousand souls came to faith through his preaching. Thereafter he journeyed from city to city, strengthening believers and establishing Christian communities. According to the tradition of the Church, he eventually reached Rome, then the capital of the world, where he became its first bishop. There he surrendered his life, crucified upside down, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

Peter teaches us that holiness does not begin with perfection but with repentance. The Lord did not reject His disciple after his denial; instead, He asked him three times, "Do you love me?" and then entrusted him with the care of His flock. Peter continues to whisper to the Church today: Rise, love, and shepherd. True pastoral ministry begins not with flawlessness but with a heart transformed by mercy.

Paul, the Apostle to the Nations, experienced one of the greatest miracles of divine grace. Once a persecutor of Christians, he encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, and his entire life was transformed. From that moment onward, he devoted himself to proclaiming the Gospel throughout the known world, founding churches wherever he went. Through his fourteen epistles, he articulated the Church's theology of grace, redemption, and the one Body of Christ, becoming a teacher for all generations…

On the occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I as Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his sincerest congratulations and best wishes to His Holiness, who is the Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). He prays to God to grant him health and strength, to bless his pastoral service, and to support him in his spiritual mission, so that he may continue his service to the Church of Christ.

The Middle East Council of Churches also prays to God on this blessed occasion, asking that He may pour out His abundant graces upon His Holiness, grant him the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in leading the Church on the path of salvation in the name of Jesus Christ, and that he may remain an example of love, generosity, and dedication, wishing him many more years filled with goodness, blessing, and holiness.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

Participates in the Book Signing Ceremony for "One Hundred Years of Apostolic Work of the Missionary Society of Saint Paul"

With the blessing and presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Absi, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and on the occasion of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the Missionary Society of Saint Paul in Lebanon held a book signing ceremony for "One Hundred Years of Apostolic Work of the Missionary Society of Saint Paul," prepared and authored by Dr. Wissam Kabkab, with his two books, "1724: Union or Separation" and "Bishop Cyril Moghabghab: The Builder Bishop and Godfather of the State of Greater Lebanon," published by the Paulist Library.

Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah Installed as Pastor of the National Evangelical Church in Beirut

And President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Installation Service

Reverend Dr. Habib Badr: “After 41 years, I hand over the responsibility, marking the beginning of a new chapter of renewal and continuity”

The National Evangelical Church in Beirut held the Installation Service of Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah as its ordained Senior Pastor, consecrated for ministry under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The celebration was attended by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and his wife Dr. Frida Haddad Abs; Reverend Wilbert Van Saane, Reverend Rima's husband, and their family; alongside many Pastors, including Reverend Dr. Uwe Gräbe, Head of the Middle East Unit of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS), Ms. Kirsten Auken, Regional Director of Danmission in the Middle East, Directors of institutions affiliated with the National Evangelical Church, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, Members of the Church Board of Elders, and believers.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Celebration

In recognition of their distinguished journey and many years of Church ministry, a ceremony was held to honor Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and his wife Mrs. Wadia Badr. The event was attended by Leaders from Evangelical Churches in the Middle East, Representatives of Church Families, Ecumenical Partners, His Eminence Archbishop Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut, and Delegate of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) to the Diakonia and Social Service Department, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and his wife Dr. Frida Haddad. It took place on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the National Evangelical Church in Beirut.

As part of its ongoing efforts to support students in continuing their academic achievement, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Diakonia and Social Service Department – Syria’s Office, implemented remedial classes for 9th grade certificate students in the city of Jaramana and its surrounding areas.

The remedial classes included providing students with the essential information they need in their curriculum, with the aim of improving their academic level and enabling them to successfully pass the final certificate exam. The students also received hygiene and school kits.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الاثنين 29 حزيران/ يونيو 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 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.

Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

and a Delegation from the General Secretariat

A Meeting that Emphasizes the Importance of Martyrdom in the Church and Strengthening the Ecumenical Spirit

His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), received the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, at the head of a delegation from the General Secretariat, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Patriarchal Residence in Mathaf, Beirut.

Attendees from the Patriarchate were Member of the MECC Executive Committee Chorbishop Habib Mrad, and Father Karim Kalash.

The MECC delegation included Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, Director of the Lebanon’ Office in the Diakonia and Social Service Department Ms. Nina Hallak, Finance Director Dr. Laudy El Khoury, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Rehabilitation Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Senior Human Resources Officer Mrs. Caroline Haddad, Procurement Officer Richard Sassine, Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Maha Samaan, IT Officer Rabih Abou Rjeili, Social Media Officer Johnny Anton, and Communication and Media Officer Elia Nasrallah…

What Are the Details?

“… Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it”

(Matthew 16:18)

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) 

The Commemoration of Saints Peter and Paul is a special date in the history of the Church and the consolidation of Christianity over the decades. The Church celebrate their Commemoration on June 29, and believers ask for their intercession to Christ to grant peace to the world and mercy to our souls.

They are the Founders of the Antiochian See and they were given many titles: Leaders of the apostles, founders of the Church, first in line for the apostolate sees, and teachers of the world... Peter was the first to admit that Jesus is the Son of the living God according to the Gospel of Matthew 16:16. He then denied Christ three times and repented, so the Lord forgave him accordingly. Paul’s name was Saul. The Lord appeared to him on his way to Damascus, where he wanted to kill Christians... He took Paul's name after his baptism at the hands of Jesus to convert and preach the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Psychological and Spiritual Support Sessions Instill Renewed Hope

A Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling (THSC) workshop was held in Jordan, from June 20–26, 2026, bringing together 22 church ministers from Jordan and the Holy Lands for a meaningful week of healing, renewal, and personal growth.

The program was organized by the Theological and Ecumenical Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). Designed for ordained ministers, lay assistants, people who work at Church, social workers, and individuals working directly with traumatized communities, the workshop offered participants a valuable opportunity to rest, rejuvenate, and strengthen their capacity to accompany others on their healing journeys.

Supported by a team of spiritual counselors and psychologists, the workshop provided a holistic approach that integrated psychological care with spiritual accompaniment. Each day began with sports activities for those who wanted to do, followed by meditation, reflection, and Prayer, creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity before the start of the training sessions.

From the Holy Family Monastery in Abrine, Lebanon – Tomb of the Blessed Patriarch Elias Howayek – the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents this video, which it filmed.

‏Hymn "Man of Providence" (Patriarch Elias Howayek), sung by Mounir Khalifeh.

Land of Holiness 1 - Saint Rafqa Hemlaya, Lebanon

“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.

“With Freedom of Conscience and Sincere Faith”

The Apostle Paul contrasts slavery and freedom. Slavery, which is sometimes described as servitude or bondage, is also a central theme in Galatians chapters 4–5.

When the obligation of the Old Testament Law, or any law, is used as the primary means of justification before God and humanity, it becomes a heavy yoke that keeps people in both inward and outward bondage. This was the issue surrounding circumcision that troubled the earliest Christians. What constituted Christian sufficiency: the written law, or something more?

The Apostle’s teaching was clear: if religion presents itself merely as a set of obligations defined by law, or as submission to forms and rituals, then faith is emptied of its spirit. Belief is reduced to a list of things to be performed.

In Christ, believers are no longer children under guardians and trustees, but sons and daughters of God through sincere faith in Christ (Gal. 4:1–7). This is why Apostle Paul declares, “Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1). This freedom is first and foremost liberation from the condemnation of sin, from the compulsion to earn salvation through good works, and from every human effort to seek righteousness apart from the grace of God.

Upon this foundation evangelical theology has emphasized the freedom of the Christian conscience…