Father Rabban Philips Issa, Priest of the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church, Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and a Delegation from the Council
At the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East_ Virgin Mary Church_ Cairo
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Cairo, January 31, 2026
Amidst great affection and warmth, Father Rabban Philip Issa, Priest of the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church in Cairo, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and a delegation from the Council.
MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.
Attendees were also Members of the Church's Media Office Mr. Basil Wassouf, Mr. Mina Moussa, and Mrs. Nevine Salim.
At the outset, a visit to the Church of the Virgin Mary was made. Father Rabban Philip Issa presented a detailed explanation about the Church's history and the various stages it has passed through. He also highlighted the deep-rooted presence of the Syriac people in these lands.
Then, both parties discussed the MECC work, activities, and programs, as well as the importance of collaborating on joint activities with Churches and other institutions on various topics, including social dialogue, media, and services.
For his part, Professor Michel Abs commended the rich history of the Syriac Church and the role it plays amidst the challenges it faces.
At the end of the meeting, Professor Michel Abs wrote a message in the guestbook expressing his affection for the Syriac Church and his visit to the Syriac Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in Cairo, Egypt.
Father Rabban Philip also presented a plaque inscribed with the Lord's Prayer and embroidered on fabric, as well as an icon of the great Saint Philoxenus Bishop of Mabbug, as a token of love and appreciation.
Professor Michel Abs offered to Father Rabban Philip the two new MECC 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.
