Youth Day: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026_ Evangelical Church_ Giza_ Cairo
Entitled "Christ Fills Us All"
Words Emphasizes the Role of Youth in the Church
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Cairo, January 30, 2026
“Youth in the Church are not merely an age group; they are a heart beating with hope and a spirit bearing the good news of tomorrow. In their presence, we see the enthusiasm that enlivens the community, and in their Prayers, we feel a simple yet profound Faith that reminds us that God is always working in young hearts.”
With these words, the Youth Day during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, was held under the title "Christ Fills Us All," at the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo.
The Prayer was presided over by the Pastor of the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo Reverend Dr. Bachir Anwar Noudi, Advisor to the Supreme Committee for Supporting State Institutions.
Attendees were the 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 Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Engineer Moussa Mehany, Dr. Zahi Azar, President of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, Father Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Parish Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Father Boutros Fouad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Orthodox Church, Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church, Coordinator of the Dialogue, 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, Mr. Medhat Fayez, Head of the Ecumenical Committee, Mrs. Marta Fayez, Member of the Women's Committee, Mrs. Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee, Gergis Mounir, Member of the Prayer Committee, Nour Behnan, Member of the Prayer Committee, Kyrillos Wahba, Member of the Prayer Committee, and believers.
The Prayer began with opening word delivered by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, who said: “Youth are an inextinguishable flame, teaching us that Faith is not simply a tradition to be preserved, but a life lived with love and courage. With them, the Church is renewed, moving confidently towards the future, believing that every generation is called to be a witness to the light and a builder of unity and hope.”
Then, the Parish Pastor Reverend Dr. Bachir Anwar Noudi delivered a welcoming word opening the Prayer for unity.
Then, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs delivered a word in which he said:
“Our meeting today with the youth is not just a Pastoral occasion, but an act of renewed hope. When the Church looks at its youth, it is in fact looking at its ability to continue, and at its inexhaustible vitality. The youth are not on the margins of the Church’s journey, but at its heart; they carry its questions, nourish its future, and constantly remind it that Faith is a life that is renewed and not a rigid heritage.
Caring for youth is not an organizational choice, but a profound Theological and human vision, based on the belief that every generation is called to discover its mission and participate in shaping the history of the Church. Therefore, it becomes our duty to accompany them, listen to them, and provide them with spaces in which they can grow spiritually, intellectually, and humanly, so that they may be witnesses of hope in a world that needs meaning and light more than ever.”
In a related context, the Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub delivered a speech in which he highlighted the various activities and programs implemented by the Council, as well as the role of its committees, emphasizing that the path to unity requires the virtue of love.
Moreover, a speech was delivered on behalf of the Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Ms. Melissa Bridy. It was addressed by the Associate Regional Secretary Engineer Moussa Mehany who said:
“We meet today within the framework of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026,
under the clear and bold word from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians:
“One body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith” (Ephesians 4: 4–6).
This is not merely a Verse we repeat,
but a declaration of identity.
Unity is not merely a spiritual need,
but a direct response to Christ's call:
“That all of them may be one” (John 17:21).
We, as youth,
this day is dedicated to us,
because we are at the heart of this call.
Unity is not a memory of the past,
nor a dream we postpone,
but a responsibility of the present,
and the present of the Church is us.
We experience division daily:
in politics,
in society,
and sometimes within The Church.
Therefore, we understand the true meaning of unity:
A unity that does not negate difference,
Nor fear diversity,
But rather transforms it into richness.
And from here comes the role of the World Student Christian Federation in the Middle East (WSCF).
Furthermore, Mrs. Amira Edward made a detailed presentation about the work of the Ecumenical Committee and its most prominent activities.
In parallel, the President of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East Dr. Zahi Azar delivered a word about Ecumenism and the challenges that youth are facing in the present era.
The Prayer included heartfelt Ecumenical experiences shared by the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, and Dr. Yvonne Said, who both shared their experiences and relationships with Churches characterized by love and collaborative work.
As well as, the Unity Prayer on Youth Day included a series of Biblical readings by Reverend Fayez Nad, Father Youhanna Saad, and Marco Moheb.
The Sermon was delivered by Father Boutros Fouad, Member of the Priests and Parish Committee and the Week of Prayer Committee on behalf of the Orthodox Church. The Sermon focused on the theme of Youth Day: "Christ Fills Us All."
In addition, a group of youth raised many Prayers on the intention of the youth, Church, Middle East Council of Churches and Egyptian Council of Churches, and for Egypt and the entire region.
The hymns filled the church with an atmosphere full of hope.