Mary’s Annunciation and the Unity of a Nation

This speech was delivered by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the Christian–Islamic Encounter for peace in Lebanon and the region, held on the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation. It was organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue, emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in the hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut.

Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Is there anything more beautiful than the Annunciation? And which Annunciation is greater? The one that foretells the coming of a child, any child, yet how much more so when that child is eternal, promised from the beginning of times, who came to save creation from its sins and transgressions? He came with open arms to embrace humanity, to draw it close to His heart and shield it from the works of evil.

This is the Annunciation that gathers the People of the Books, the lovers of the Lord, and those grateful for the gift of life and all that exists on earth. “Mary’s glory grows in the East and in the West,” begins the hymn. It continues: “Honor her, exalt her, enthrone her in your hearts.” And again: “She said, when she received the message, ‘All peoples shall call me blessed,’” and elsewhere: “The Lord of all worlds saw her and chose her.” Indeed, she is the best of the women of the worlds. As the Qur’an recounts: “And when the angels said: O Mary, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and exalted you above all women of the worlds.”

Her status among nations is unmatched. She is the mother who embraced the incarnation of the Savior, nurtured Him, prepared Him, and guided Him to fulfill His mission. Every mother longs to identify with Mary, and every person hopes that his mother, sister, or the mother of his children reflects her example. Many girls bear the name Mary, honoring her legacy.

It was a blessed day when we, the Islamic-Christian Dialogue National Committee (ICNDC) met at the Prime Minister’s Office and agreed to recognize the Day of the Annunciation as a national occasion. It remained so for several years until it became a comprehensive national holiday. The Lebanese, and the peoples of the region, continually seek what unites them and builds common ground across their diverse communities, against decades of attempts at division and fragmentation. In Mary, the Lebanese have found a unifying figure, and in the celebration of the Annunciation, a space of harmony and solidarity.

Any researcher in the human sciences can see the depth of cultural bonds that unite the various strands of people in Lebanon and the Middle East. Much of these bonds are rooted in religious beliefs and their social and cultural extensions. This understanding led the Middle East Council of Churches to launch a program called “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East,” which is nearing completion, and whose results will soon be revealed. We have also launched “Combating Hate Speech and Demonization” and are preparing the first conference in Egypt at the end of the summer; details will be announced in due course. These and many similar initiatives form part of the dialogue and social cohesion programs we implement in coordination with member churches and civil society organizations.

Our gathering today is in partnership with the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon, emerging from the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon (APECL), highly active in this field. This is the second consecutive joint meeting, and we aim to make it an annual tradition, honoring the symbolic importance of this place, the historic role of the Syriac Church, and the extensive experience of those leading the committee in dialogue, and the national and religious role of the APECL.

We must affirm and value the full partnership with the Islamic leaderships in Lebanon and the positive nature of our joint initiatives. From my long experience in dialogue, I can attest that visiting Lebanon’s religious leaderships feels like visiting home. Their wisdom, openness, hospitality, and insistence on meaningful dialogue inspire confidence and hope. This blessing forms a foundation for the Lebanon of tomorrow, where religion provides a solid basis for social cohesion. Our experience here parallels that in Egypt, where we engage in dialogue projects in coordination with the churches there.

Dialogue is humanity’s destiny. It is rooted in the Word, which was in the beginning. Interaction across diverse societies, becoming more complex over time, depends on dialogue that brings hearts, minds, and values closer together. This convergence guarantees civil peace and social stability. In our council’s vision, dialogue is both an end and a means: building a culture of dialogue is more important than achieving immediate results, which may shift with social realities. The principles of dialogue remain constant, ensuring outcomes that unite people.

Despite the severe conflicts surrounding us, we proceed with this meeting to keep the flame alive, as the Apostle Paul urges. This gathering of prayer and supplication is meant to instill hope as we await better days. Mary and her Annunciation remain a unifying force among the Lebanese. We must live this Annunciation together, cultivating it to reduce divisions among our people, and to plant love and solidarity where there is distance—strengthening a unity that predates recorded history and is reinforced by faith.

To you, O Mary, we offer roses, with our love and respect, and recognize you as a symbol of unity.

To you, O Lebanese, we offer Mary’s Annunciation as a source of harmony and love, may it flourish among you.