The Middle East Council of Churches’ Team Celebrates the “Season of Creation” 2023

A Spiritual Retreat Hosted by Bishop Constantine Kayyal

Head of the Greek Orthodox Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery in Lebanon

Together We Glorify God the Creator!

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The “Season of Creation” 2023 started around the world on 1 September, bringing a lot of hope to the world and the Middle East. It is a Christian environmental season during which the Ecumenical family around the world unites in Prayer and working together to protect our common home. The season ends, as every year, on 4 October. Noting that the theme of the Season for this year is “Let Justice and Peace Flow” and its symbol is “A Mighty River”.

In celebration of God’s creation, the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches organized a Spiritual Retreat on Friday 1 September 2023, which also marks the beginning of the Ecclesial Year. It was hosted by His Eminence Bishop Costantine Kayyal, the Head of the Greek Orthodox Saint Elie Chouaya Patriarchal Monastery - Lebanon, at the Monastery.

Participants in the Retreat were, alongside the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, the Associate Secretaries General of the Council, Father Nicolas Bustros and Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, as well as the MECC General Secretariat’s team from various departments in Beirut, and online with the colleagues from the Council’s offices in the countries of the region.

Since morning, the participants headed to the Monastery, where they were received by His Eminence Bishop Constantine Kayyal, who pointed out that the “Season of Creation” must continue throughout all days of the year, stressing the importance of environmental and Theological issues and the need to enhance environmental awareness. He also called MECC to continue its work in this context, and dealing with all other thorny issues on the regional and international levels.

Then, the participants moved to the Monastery’s Church, where His Eminence Bishop Kayyal presented a brief history about the Monastery and its mission, shedding light on its historical contents, the most prominent stages it went through and the challenges it faced, in addition to the process of its restoration and renewal. He also presented a definition of monasticism, saying that it is union with God through asceticism, Prayer, and love... and dedicating the heart and mind to God.

Then, the worshipers gathered in one of the Monastery’s halls, and participated in a Spiritual lecture and dialogue with Archimandrite Euthymios Faqas, under the title “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5: 17). He spoke in details about Creation and environmental Theology from an Orthodox view. He also stressed the need to preserve creation through Spiritual efforts and true repentance, pointing out that the "Season of Creation" is an opportunity to thank God for His gifts...

Hence, the worshipers continued their Spiritual Retreat, and had a tour in the Monastery, accompanied by His Eminence Bishop Costantine Kayyal. They also visited the ancient Monks' cells, and listened to an explanation from His Eminence about the Monastery. They headed to the Church and participated together in the Ecumenical Prayer Service for the “Season of Creation” where His Eminence prayed for the water’s blessings and sprinkled the worshipers who prayed with a humble heart to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Following a break around lunch prepared by our brothers the Monastery’s Monks, the participants listened to a lecture by Archdeacon Garen Yosolkanian about the Church and environmental challenges in our world. He spoke about environmental awareness and civic education about the environment, as well as about consumerism, lack of resources, serious environmental issues, in addition to carbon dioxide production, weather and climate change. He also suggested considering Saint Thecla as one of the main symbols from our region in the path of protecting creation and preserving the environment.

During the Retreat, the team of the Middle East Council of Churches’ General Secretariat enjoyed the heavenly calm surrounding the Monastery, as they prayed together, supplicating to God the Creator, in a fraternal atmosphere full of hope and love.