The Bible Society Celebrates Its Diamond Jubilee

Its General Secretary and Executive Director Dr. Mike Bassous in the "Ecumenical Horizons" Program Produced by MECC:

"The Word of God belongs to everyone and it is what unites us... The Ecumenical journey is essential for the Church's presence in the Middle East"

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Since its founding, the Bible Society has sought to strengthen the Ecumenical spirit and work to spread the message and culture of the Bible to all generations. This is achieved through partnerships with all Churches and Christian institutions, supporting the Bible and advocating for its cause to uphold human dignity, encouraging reading and interacting with the Word of God, as well as translating and spreading the Bible through print, audio visual, and digital media.

This year, the Bible Society celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, carrying within its vision more hope and cooperation with Churches and Church and Ecumenical organizations in order to meet the various needs of communities through the powerful Word of God.

In a special interview within the "Ecumenical Horizons" program, produced by the “Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bible Society Dr. Mike Bassous highlighted the series of activities that the Society will implement to mark its Diamond Jubilee, emphasizing the importance of spreading the Word of God throughout the world.

During the interview with the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC, Dr. Bassous indicated that the Jubilee activities will extend from September 5 to 9, concluding with an official meeting under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic General Joseph Aoun, and with the blessing and presence of the Heads of Churches.

Dr. Bassous said that the activities will include a tour for invitees from outside Lebanon to Biblical centers in Lebanon. This is in addition to a Bible Rally Paper, a Biblical competition with the participation of 300 young men and women from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon APECL Jeune. Moreover, attendees will participate in Prayers from various Church traditions to reflect the richness of the Church in Lebanon.

On another side, the Bible Society will hold a meeting for its Board of Directors and several meetings at Biblical centers in Lebanon. As well as, the Society is organizing, in partnership with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and with the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, a meeting during which the New Testament, which includes many studies in the Armenian language, will be launched. This Book will be the first of its kind.

The concluding meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. It will focus on the Bible Society's journey over the past 75 years and the impact of its ministry in the Middle East. It will also focus on the Word of God and its importance in all Eastern Church traditions.

In this context, Dr. Mike Bassous stressed that "the Word of God belongs to everyone; it is not the property of a particular Church, individual, or community; it belongs to everyone." Dr. Bassous expressed a challenge facing the Ecumenical world: the word "Ecumenical" remains unclear to many people who have not yet realized the richness it encompasses.

He added, "Personally, I have experienced the Ecumenical life in my family and in my Christian practice. I invite everyone to follow this path, and it is essential to seek blessings in all Churches, without any criticism. The Ecumenical journey is essential for the Church's presence in the Middle East."

He ended saying, “The Word of God unites us... Get to know Christ through the Word of God. Persevere in daily reading and meditating on the Word of God.”