The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Meets His Grace Anba Antonios in Sin El Fil
Discussions Centered on the Challenges that the Christian Presence is Facing in the Middle East, the Importance of Strengthening Unity and Partnership Among Churches, and the Unification of the Date of Easter
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, headed a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat on a visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Mark the Apostle in Sin El Fil. He met with 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.
The delegation included Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of the Program for Dialogue, Social Cohesion and the Preservation of Human Dignity at MECC, and Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC.
Attendees were also the Head of the Coptic Orthodox Community in Lebanon and Syria Father Athanasius Rizk, Father Abanoub Al-Ourachalimi, Lawyer Abdallah Moussallem, and the Public Relations Officer Mr. Albert Gendy.
The meeting addressed many issues of concern to the Churches in the Middle East, foremost among them the challenges that the Christian presence is facing in the region and ways to strengthen cooperation and communication among the different Church Families. The participants also discussed the importance of reinforcing a shared Christian witness amid the delicate circumstances that the region is facing.
Discussions also focused on the role of the Middle East Council of Churches in accompanying Churches and their communities, strengthening Ecumenical work, and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, solidarity, and peace, particularly in light of the difficult and rapidly changing circumstances in the region.
Both sides emphasized the importance of preserving the Christian presence in the Middle East, strengthening the spirit of unity and partnership among the Churches, and unifying the date of Easter in a way that serves the Church’s mission and role in building bridges of love and understanding among the various components of Arab societies.
The meeting further underscored the importance of continued communication and coordination between the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches and Church Leaders and their representatives. Such efforts contribute to strengthening joint action, responding to the aspirations of Churches and their communities, and supporting their presence and mission during this critical period.
At the end of the meeting, Professor Laure Abi Khalil presented to Anba Antonios a copy of the book published by the Middle East Council of Churches on dialogue, social cohesion, and the restoration of human dignity. The publication is part of the Council’s efforts to promote dialogue and solidarity and to foster a culture of peace and human dignity in the region.