Prayer for Christian Unity at St. Ephrem the Syrian Church in Mina Tripoli
MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:
To pray together means that we have overcome past mistakes and forgiven historical sins
If we call for unity among Christians, it is all the more fitting to call for love among the people of the country in all their diversity
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
In celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, an Ecumenical meeting 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). It took place at St. Ephrem the Syrian Church in Mina Tripoli, Lebanon, and brought together Bishops, Priests, Pastors, and believers from various Church families, at the invitation of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations, chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli.
The Prayer Service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shamoun, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Ephrem Kyriakos, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tripoli, Koura, and their Dependencies, His Eminence Archbishop Edward Daher, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Tripoli and All the North, Father Khoren, Representing His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, as well as Church, social, and cultural figures, and believers.
Attendees were also the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the head of an MECC that included Professor Laura Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.
During the Prayer, Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: “In the presence of the bishops of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we have gathered to pray together, fully aware of the importance of praying together and of living hope together, a hope we extend to all humankind, for the Lord who came as an atonement for our sins, came for all people.”
He added, “To pray together means that we have overcome past mistakes and forgiven historical sins, and that we have come to understand that “every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” How much more, then, when we speak of the Kingdom of the Father and the house of the Lord? He is the Spirit of Truth, present among us, inspiring us to walk in justice and reason, to overcome our differences, and to be united in our humanity, just as we are united in His divinity.”
He continued, “If we call for unity among Christians, it is all the more fitting to call for love among the people of the country in all their diversity. We know with certainty that the people of Tripoli embody this truth, and we reaffirm this based on lived experience—personally and through the Council—over decades.”
Professor Abs concluded, “Today we live in a society of diversity—a society of interaction with partners in homeland and in daily life, a society of cultural richness, where people learn from one another the standards of conduct and ways of life they need to adopt.”
Moreover, the gathering included Prayers, reflections, and many hymns from the booklet of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," in addition to speeches emphasizing the one Church's message of faith, hope, and love, and the importance of deepening spiritual partnership in facing challenges.
