Tour of the Vatican Delegation and His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia, at the Site of the Ecumenical and Interreligious Meeting that Will Be Held with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in the Martyrs' Square in Beirut

At the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) - Egypt

Photos: World Council of Churches (WCC)

The Middle East, its most prominent challenges and concerns about Christian unity... Titles and issues conveyed a true picture of the reality the region has been experiencing for decades, reflecting the aspirations of its people to the entire world.

This was the theme of one of the sessions on the first day of the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC), held under the theme "Where now for visible unity?" from October 24 to 29, 2025, at the Papal Logos Centre in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt.

The session began with a word delivered by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs who stressed that “Christian unity is much more visible than we think… The Christ is one and we are one, and in His name we celebrate life and salvation.”

He said: “As Christians, we develop huge number of togetherness settings. Christians accept each other regardless their differences. We are in a way one… Unity is there we just need to know how to live it”.

ببركة وحضور قداسة البابا تواضروس الثاني، بابا الإسكندريّة وبطريرك الكرازة المرقسيّة، تنطلق، وبرجاء كبير، فعاليّات المؤتمر العالمي السادس للجنة الإيمان والنظام التابعة لمجلس الكنائس العالمي، الّذي ينعقد بين 24 و29 تشرين الأوّل 2025، في مركز لوغوس البابوي في وادي النطرون – مصر.

الأمين العام لمجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط البروفسور ميشال عبس مشاركًا على رأس وفد من المجلس.

Words Emphasizes that the Goal of Ecumenical Work Is Measured by Its Spiritual Depth

The participation of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, in the Canonization Ceremony of Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan, included a series of meetings with Cardinals and Priests at the Vatican. Professor Abs met with Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity in the Vatican. Attendees were also the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, and the Assistant in the MECC Media Department Subdeacon Chady Chata.

With true brotherhood, Cardinal Koch welcomed Professor Abs and expressed his joy at this meeting, which promotes the virtue of love.

For his part, Professor Abs presented a detailed explanation about MECC: its history, stages, structure, and working strategy. He also highlighted the work of each of the Council's departments and their initiatives, projects, and activities on many spiritual, social, humanitarian, Theological, Ecumenical, and other levels.

Emphasizing the Importance of Dialogue and Media Role

With deep joy, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican Cardinal George Koovakad, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and a delegation from the Council, including the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations, and Archdeacon Chady Chata, Assistant in the Media Department, on Monday, October 20, in Rome.

During the meeting, Professor Abs gave a detailed explanation about the various activities and projects implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches, focusing on the importance of dialogue, particularly at the core of the Council's projects and programs.

Professor Abs also emphasized that this visit to be part of strengthening cooperation between the Middle East Council of Churches and the Vatican.

For his part, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad expressed his great joy at the visit of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, whom he had met at the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held last September in Astana.

Discussions Centered Around Cooperation and Coordination

As part of his tour in Rome to participate in the Canonization Ceremony of Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan and six other Saints, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, accompanied the Archdeacon Chady Chata, Assistant in the MECC Media Department, visited the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in the Vatican, on Monday, October 20, 2025.

During this visit, Professor Abs and the MECC delegation met with Mrs. Pasquale Debbane, the Middle East Regional Coordinator of the Listening and Dialogue Section, and Mr. Tebaldo Vinciguerra, from the Reflection and Research on Ecology and Creation Section. They discussed common aspirations, visions, and concerns.

As well as, the activities of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in the Vatican were also presented, along with the most prominent programs implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) at various Ecumenical and humanitarian levels. The attendees also discussed joint projects implemented in the previous period and ways to develop future programs between both parties.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation Participate in the Meeting

The Delegation Included the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations, and Subdeacon Chadi Chata, Assistant in the Media Department

Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: New talents will be developed by the colleagues

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) team concluded its graphic design training, organized by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department under the supervision of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, with the trainer with Father Spyridon Tannous, Parish Priest of Sharbila in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Akkar and its Dependencies, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

The final part of the training, which extended over several weeks with the support of the Media and Church Relations Coordinator at MECC the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, was held on Friday, September 3, 2025, with the participation of the media team and colleagues from various departments in Lebanon and Syria, in person and online.

For the occasion, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he praised Father Spyridon's experience and efforts, commending the colleagues' seriousness and dedication to the training, from which they gained new skills that they will work to develop.

The South is not just a region of Lebanon, but rather its beating heart... The steadfastness of the people of the South is the steadfastness of all of Lebanon

Communion and Love on a Pastoral Visit to the South of Lebanon and a Paternal Tour that Sows Hope Despite All the Pain

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Here is the South of Lebanon, resilient despite all the wars and tragedies... Today, it rejoices with the good news revealed by the visit of the Maronite Patriarch, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, who toured its land and sowed hope among its people, emphasizing the importance of "communion and love," the slogan he has carried in word and deed since assuming his Patriarchal service.

The Maronite Patriarch returned to the South of Lebanon for a full-day Pastoral visit on Sunday, September 28, 2025, which included several villages and towns within the Maronite Archdiocese of Tyre. His Beatitude was accompanied by Their Eminences Bishop Hanna Alwan, Bishop Elias Nassar, and the Pastor of the Diocese of Tyre Bishop Charbel Abdallah.

Patriarch Al-Rai's visit stressed the importance of perseverance, steadfastness, and facing all difficult circumstances with great faith and hope. This visit affirmed that the South needs the solidarity of all its people, regardless of their Sect, especially after the wave of displacement that has affected its towns.

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

By the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Douma is preparing to welcome His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Blessed Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, at the invitation of Metropolitan Silouan Moussi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Byblos and Batroun and Dependencies. His Beatitude carried his pastoral slogan since his enthronement as Patriarch of the See of Antioch: "With grace we grow, with service we rise, and with love we build in harmony."

Yes, His Beatitude visited Saint John Monastery in Douma in the Easter Season of 2012, during the ministry of the Highly Respected Metropolitan George Khodr.

Today, Douma, with all its Congregations, is preparing to welcome him as the 158th Patriarch of the See of Peter and Paul. He is the Father of Fathers and the Shepherd of Shepherds, who preserved the deposit of faith despite crises.

and Member of the MECC Executive Committee

at the MECC Partners Meeting - September 2025

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

Stemming from its belief in the importance of serving with dignity, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) launched a new platform for homecare services in Lebanon, enabling service seekers to identify certified caregivers who have undergone extensive health training with Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli) and Khoury General Hospital (Zahle, Lebanon). Hence, the platform offers a variety of home services related to elderly care, mothers and newborn care, as well as babysitting and childcare.

In this context, the video sheds light on how this platform works and the details of its services.

Under the supervision of Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its training course on graphic design, organized by the MECC Communication and Media Department with Father Spyridon Tannous, Parish Priest of Sharbila in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Akkar and its Dependencies, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

The second part of the training, which extends over several weeks, was held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, with the participation of the media team and colleagues from various departments in Lebanon and Syria, in person and online.

In this context, participants were able to explore modern electronic techniques and tools related to graphic and electronic design, in addition to applying basic skills through different exercises that consolidate the acquired knowledge by learning specialized programs and applications according to the given course

As well as, the attendees exchanged views and experiences on various design topics that would benefit them in their respective fields of expertise and work.

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

Praying for the Ascension Thursday

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs presided over the weekly meeting of the MECC General Secretariat, with an online participation of the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and colleagues from various departments, in person and online. The meeting took place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

As is customary, the meeting began with a Biblical Reading, which this week focused on the Gospel of Luke 46: 24-53 and Acts 1: 1-14. The attendees then raised their Prayers on the occasion of the Ascension Thursday, saying together, "Lift with you, O Lord, our souls and minds from emptiness and temporal concerns to divine understanding and truth."

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs received Deacon Royce Bahjat Samir Malak Hanin, Head of the Committee of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon, appointed by 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 meeting took place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

Attendees were Ms. Nina Hallak, the Director of the Beirut Office in the Diakonia and Social Service Department at MECC, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and Director of the Platform of the Word at MECC, and the Council's Media Team.

Based on the importance of capacity building in line with modern developments, the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) participated in a training on "Artificial Intelligence and Its Use in Publishing" with the Jordanian trainer Mr. Emad Hanna. The course was organized by the Christian Publisher League (CPLL) at the Bible Society in Lebanon on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Society's headquarters in Beirut.

This course is the sixth in a series of training sessions on the subject of Christian publishing, bringing together representatives from various organizations and publishing houses.

Strengthening Christian Faith Unity: The 1700th Jubilee Of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea

Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: It was a decisive Council for faith, settling doubt with certainty and producing the Creed, which the Church continues to follow to this day

Professor Najib Jahshan: Our duty as a cultural Society that sheds light on our ancient Roman heritage, we are holding this international conference to highlight this unique historical event

Engineer Abdallah Hayek: The conference will include sessions focusing on the historical situation and Church issues that preceded the Council, the Council's convening and agenda, and its near- and long-term outcomes

Dr. Elie Mouwakadie: During the conference, Dr. Asad Rustum will be inscribed in the Golden Register of Roman Creators during the conference

At the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Romaian Cultural Society, a press conference was held to announce the “The Fifth Scientific Conference - Strengthening Christian Faith Unity: The 1700th Jubilee Of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea”, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, live from the Platform of the Word at the MECC headquarters in Beirut. Noting that the Fifth Scientific Conference will take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Liqaa Center in Rabweh, Metn, Lebanon.

Attendees in the press conference, which was broadcasted live on Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, and the MECC Facebook Page, were the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at MECC Fr. Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Coordinator of the "Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity" program at MECC Dr. Laure Abi Khalil.

Following the Lebanese National Anthem, the press conference began, and was hosted by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and the Director of the Platform of the Word at MECC.