MECC Implements a Special Workshop in Egypt

A Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling (THSC) workshop was successfully held in Egypt at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natrun, bringing together 27 participants for a deeply meaningful and transformative experience.

The program was organized by the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). Supported by a dedicated team of two spiritual accompanists, two psychologists, and coordinated by Sr. Emily Tannous, the workshop offered a safe and nurturing space for healing.

Each day was carefully designed to support both spiritual and emotional well-being. Mornings began with Prayer, reflection, and grounding, followed by interactive sessions exploring trauma, its impact, and pathways toward healing and resilience. Participants engaged in group discussions, personal sharing, and guided activities, fostering trust, openness, and connection.

At a students’ gathering at the Pontifical School of Theology at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) on Thursday, April 16, 2026, Father Dr. Antoine Al-Ahmar, Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), presented the MECC publication "Towards a Common Date for Easter." Its content and objectives were explained, and the publication was distributed to all students.

This meeting coincided with an initiative by the Bible Society to distribute a collection of books specializing in Biblical Studies and Exegesis, in support of the students' academic and scholarly pursuits.

Attendees were His Eminence Archbishop Antoine Awkar, Maronite Patriarchal Vicar, Father Dr. Elias Hanna, Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Micheal Bassous, Secretary General of the Bible Society, as well as Professors, in a rich and fruitful atmosphere.

The video includes messages from His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs.

Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches and the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon

As part of an awareness campaign on the Common Date for Easter, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) delivered a lecture at the Dekwaneh Parish in Lebanon, on Monday evening, March 30, 2026, following the Holy Week Prayer Service, with the participation of many Parishioners.

The lecture focused the historical and Theological aspects of Easter, highlighting the common roots of this Feast in various Churches and the importance of working towards a unified date for its celebration, given its spiritual and Ecumenical significance in strengthening shared Christian witness.

As well as, the booklet, "Towards a Common Date for Easter," published by MECC, was also presented. It includes the well-known 1997 Aleppo Statement, along with lectures explaining the background of the differences, proposed solutions, and ongoing efforts in this regard. The booklet also presents the current positions of the Churches on this issue.

The “Feast of Creation”, also known as “Creation Day” or “World Day of Prayer for Creation”, is officially entering the liturgical calendars of many churches. Celebrated on September 1st or – most frequently – on the following Sunday, the feast is inspired by an ancient liturgical tradition of the Eastern Orthodox church.

Many non-Byzantine churches will begin their celebrations this September, with the Feast formally enshrined in their lectionaries and liturgical books. Given the Christological nature of the liturgical year in many traditions, a title that is sometimes used is “Feast of Creation in Christ”. Among other highlights, the Feast is being added to the Revised Common Lectionary used by many Protestant and Anglican churches, in time for this year’s celebrations.

The words of Prophet Isaiah capture well what is happening: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (43:19).

To explore this promising ecumenical process, a major online event was held on March 18-19, entitled “The Feast of Creation: A New Liturgical Feast, a Gift for the Third Millennium”. Convened by the World Council of Churches, Middle East Council of Churches, and various Christian world communions and regional ecumenical bodies, the event drew registrations from over 600 church leaders worldwide.

Uniting and Standing Together in a One Common Human Journey to Achieve Justice and Reconciliation

In light of the painful war taking place in the Middle East and its serious humanitarian and social repercussions, and with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, the World Council of Churches (WCC), in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a global online Prayer for peace in the region, on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Attendees were the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay; the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Dr. Michel Abs; colleagues from both Councils; activists in the Ecumenical Movement; Church and Spiritual Leaders from various Church Families; as well as believers from around the world.

During the encounter, participants lit candles from their respective locations and raised Prayers with hearts full of hope for peace, truth and justice in the Middle East and the world. The meeting also included reflections, readings, Psalms, and hymns from different Church Traditions. A text from the Gospel was also read by Archimandrite Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand, Lebanon.

At the Invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon

Words Emphasized Strengthening the Spirit of Faith and Human Fraternity Among the Lebanese

On the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, and under the title “The Annunciation of Mary Brings Us Together... And Her Peace Unites Us,” 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, organized a Christian–Islamic Encounter for peace in Lebanon and the region. The event took place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in the hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut.

Attendees were His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia; His Eminence Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Mrad, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Beirut and Head of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Lebanon; the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs; Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department; Father Movses Garen Yosolkanian, Coordinator of the MECC Eco-Justice Justice Unit; and Lawyer Professor Ibrahim Traboulsi, Member of the MECC Executive Committee. The Encounter also brought together Christian, Muslim, and Druze Spiritual Leaders, Religious, social, and cultural figures, educational and academic personalities, members of the Episcopal Committee for Christian–Muslim Dialogue, and some MECC colleagues.

A Christian-Islamic Prayer & Supplication Encounter

At the Hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut

On the Occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary

The Middle East Council of Churches Among the Speakers

Under the title "The Feast of Creation: A New Liturgical Feast, a Gift for the Third Millennium," a global webinar was held, in the same version, over two consecutive days, Wednesday, March 18, and Thursday, March 19, 2026. It was convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and other international Ecumenical organizations, with participants from various Church Families and countries around the world.

This event comes as an initiative of hope following the Ecumenical dialogues held in Assisi in 2024, which proposed to elevate the Feast of Creation on September 1 or the first Sunday of this month, to become a Liturgical Feast across all Christian Denominational calendars.

As part of the activities of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Abbasia, Cairo, hosted a Theological student meeting entitled: “The Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke,” on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The gathering brought together around 200 students from Theological Colleges and Institutes in Egypt, representing Theological Colleges affiliated with the Coptic Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, and Evangelical Church. This academic and Ecumenical gathering aimed at enhancing Ttheological knowledge and foster interaction among students from different Theological Institutions.

Saviez-vous que de nombreuses Églises ajoutent la Fête de la Création à leur Calendrier Liturgique?

Participez à ce webinaire œcuménique pour en savoir plus et prendre part à cette étape historique : www.bit.ly/feastofcreation26

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Book Signing Ceremony of "Walking Together" by Mrs. Rita Kouroumelian

With the blessings and presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, a book signing ceremony for "Walking Together" by Mrs. Rita Kouroumelian was held in a Cultural-Ecclesiastical gathering on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Saints Gregory the Illuminator and Elias the Prophet in Beirut.

The gathering brought together Their Eminences Bishops and Priests from various Churches in Beirut, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, as well as Religious, official, political, cultural, and media figures, in addition to guests and friends.

Entitled "We Pray Together,"

Within the "Hot Issues" Program on Al Keraza TV

Prepared and Presented by the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry

At the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo

At the conclusion of the Week of Unity at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs said: “

Dialogue is a culture ingrained in our hearts and minds, and the Council is a haven for dialogue among the Churches. Hence, the Week of Unity has become an annual tradition, evolving over the years and taken very seriously each year, as the Churches come together and Pray in love and fraternity.

The new Ecumenism is based on service in various fields, and we, as the Middle East Council of Churches, undertake many initiatives that bring the Churches closer together. The Council also aspires to be a center for dialogue and intellectual and cognitive research, in accordance with a new strategy.”

(Part Two)

(Part One)