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)

Cairo, January 30, 2026

“Youth in the Church are not merely an age group; they are a heart beating with hope and a spirit bearing the good news of tomorrow. In their presence, we see the enthusiasm that enlivens the community, and in their Prayers, we feel a simple yet profound Faith that reminds us that God is always working in young hearts.”

With these words, the Youth Day during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, was held under the title "Christ Fills Us All," at the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo.

The Prayer was presided over by the Pastor of the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo Reverend Dr. Bachir Anwar Noudi, Advisor to the Supreme Committee for Supporting State Institutions.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, Associate Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Engineer Moussa Mehany, Dr. Zahi Azar, President of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, Father Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Parish Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Father Boutros Fouad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Orthodox Church, Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Cohesion, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Mr. Medhat Fayez, Head of the Ecumenical Committee, Mrs. Marta Fayez, Member of the Women's Committee, Mrs. Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee, Gergis Mounir, Member of the Prayer Committee, Nour Behnan, Member of the Prayer Committee, Kyrillos Wahba, Member of the Prayer Committee, and believers.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the Youth Day meeting during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026_ Evangelical Church_ Giza – Cairo:

“Our meeting today with the youth is not just a Pastoral occasion, but an act of renewed hope. When the Church looks at its youth, it is in fact looking at its ability to continue, and at its inexhaustible vitality. The youth are not on the margins of the Church’s journey, but at its heart; they carry its questions, nourish its future, and constantly remind it that Faith is a life that is renewed and not a rigid heritage.”