The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Meets His Grace Anba Antonios in Beirut

A Meeting that Emphasized the Importance of Strengthening the Ecumenical Spirit

As part of his visit to Lebanon, His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Eastern Orthodox Family, received the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in Beirut.

Attendees were the Archpriest Father Arsanius Al-Orachalimi, Father Athanasius Resto, the Lawyer of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon Mr. Abdallah Moussallem, and Mr. Albert Jonki.

Both sides discussed issues related to the Middle East Council of Churches and the latest developments of its work through various Theological, Ecumenical, humanitarian, social, and media-related fields. Both sides also emphasized the importance of Ecumenical work and building bridges between different Church Families and components of the society. They affirmed the need to promote the Ecumenical spirit and strengthen the values of love, fraternity, and mutual respect.

In this context, discussions also centered around the situation in the Middle East, as well as the crises that the region is facing and the urgent needs that its people seek to receive.