The Armenian Catholic Bishop of Alexandria Bishop Krikor Augustinos Koussa Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs at the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate_ Cairo
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Cairo, January 30, 2026
In a visit imbued with love and fraternity, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs visited the Armenian Catholic Bishop of Alexandria His Eminence Bishop Krikor Augustinos Koussa, at the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate_ Cairo.
His Eminence first welcomed the Secretary General and the Council delegation, which included Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs, and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches.
Attendees were also Mr. Chris Mikaelian, Head of the Armenian Catholic Charitable Association, Mr. Krikor Mikaelian, Head of Sports at St. Therese Church and Member of the Armenian Catholic Charitable Association, Deacon Freddy Hazari, and Mr. Toros Khachatourian.
At the outset, Bishop Krikor welcomed the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs in the Land of Egypt, praising the role played by the Council and its various Departments and Offices.
His Eminence also commended Professor Michel Abs's affection for the Armenian Church and his writings about it through his research and university articles, which serve as a valuable intellectual and cultural record.
In turn, Professor Michel Abs responded with a word of thanks to His Eminence for the warm welcome, acknowledging all the initiatives and Ecclesiastical and intellectual activities made by His Eminence and that elevate the name of the Armenian Catholic Church in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Both sides then discussed many topics related to dialogue and the Council's programs that contribute to strengthening cooperation between Churches and other religions.
Afterwards, everyone entered the Cathedral of the Annunciation and recited the Lord's Prayer in both Arabic and Armenian. His Emincne offered to the Secretary General a collection of books bearing the name of Saint Ignatius Maloyan, a Church calendar, publications about the Armenian Genocide, and a large plaque bearing the name and image of Saint Maloyan.
Secretary General Professor Michel Abs presented the Council's two new publications, available on its digital platforms. The first publication includes 23 seminars and roundtables organized by the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Rehabilitation of Human Dignity Program.
The second publication, prepared by the Council's Theological and Ecumenical Department, is entitled “Towards a Common Date for Easter”, the Aleppo Statement 1997 in Arabic.
