MECC
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation Visit His Eminence Archbishop Samy Fawzy Shehata,
Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa
Cairo, January 29, 2026
As part of strengthening joint Christian work, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, heading an MECC delegation, visited His Eminence Archbishop Samy Fawzy Shehata, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa, at All Saints' Episcopal Cathedral in Zamalek.
Attendees were Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Reverend Canon Medhat Sabry, Pastor of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Menouf, and Reverend Michel Milad, Pastor of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Giza.
MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media Lea Adel Maamary.
Fifth Day of the Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt_ St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Orthodox Church
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.
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Delivers a Word at the Fifth Day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
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.”
Fifth Day of the Week of Prayer for Unity in Egypt_ St. Gregory the Illuminator Church
(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”.
His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and the MECC Delegation
Cairo, January 28, 2026
As part of his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and amidst great warmth and affection, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs visited His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, at the Patriarchate in Cairo.
Attendees were also His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of the Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of the Church Relations and Media at MECC the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.
The President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation
Words Emphasized the Importance of Dialogue and Cooperation for the Good of the Church and Society
Cairo, January 28, 2026
Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt, received Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and an MECC delegation. It included Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, MECC Associate Secretary General, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Programs, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC.
The delegation was received by Ms. Samira Louka, Head of the Dialogue Sector at the Coptic Evangelical Organization, Sheikh Issam Wassef, Director of Public Relations at the Coptic Evangelical Organization, and Mr. Youssef Edward, Director of Media at the Coptic Evangelical Organization.
The Vice President of Al-Azhar University and Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House Dr. Mostafa Abdel-Ghani Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation
Cairo_ January 27, 2026
In a step full of fraternity, love, and joint action, a step that strengthens the language of living together and lays the foundation for a future built on harmony and genuine, constructive, and fruitful dialogue, the Vice President of Al-Azhar University and Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House Dr. Mostafa Abdel-Ghani received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs and an MECC delegation. The meeting was attended by His Grace Bishop Ermia General Bishop, Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, and Associate Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House.
The Middle East Council of Churches’ delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, Coordinator of Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media Lea Adel Maamary.
Hearts Full of Hope_ Day Four of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Evangelical Church in Shoubra_ Egypt
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.
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Delivers a Word at the Fourth Day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
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."
The Prayer of the Fourth Day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity sowed joy and hope in the Evangelical Church in Shoubra, Egypt
(Part Two)
"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."
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs in a Media Interview
With Sat7 TV Channel from the Evangelical Church in Shoubra_Egypt
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs in a Media Interview with Sat7 TV Channel from the Evangelical Church in Shoubra_Egypt. He affirmed that for him:
“The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a symbol and a school of love and unity in diversity.”
He also mentioned:
“Unity is a living witness to love, and love encompasses the entire world. It is the most important gift Christianity has given to the world, and despite the challenges, love remains supreme.”
Professor Michel Abs, MECC Secretary General Arrives to Cairo to Participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Cairo – January 27, 2026
Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) arrived to Cairo to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity entitled: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).
Professor Abs and the accompanying MECC delegation were received in Cairo International Airport by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry.
During his visit, Professor Abs expressed his joy at visiting Egypt and meeting with Church Leaders and Religious Authorities, emphasizing that the MECC Secretary General’s participation in the Week of Prayer has become an annual tradition.
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Travels from Lebanon to Egypt to Participate in the Week of Prayer
Beirut, January 27, 2026
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, departed from Lebanon traveling the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The Secretary General was accompanied on the visit by the Coordinator of the “Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity” Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and the Coordinator of Church Relations and Media in the Council Lea Adel Maamary.
The visit of Professor Michel Abs to Egypt will include a series of meetings with Church leaders and Religious Authorities, as well as lectures and fruitful discussions aimed at strengthening the Council's mission on various levels.
Video - "Ecumenical Horizons" Program: Episode Twenty-Four
Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches
“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.