Professor Michel Abs

Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches

Between the eighteenth and the twenty-fifth of January each year, Christians around the world gather to pray for unity among Christians, as the members of the Church were first called in Great Antioch, in obedience to the Lord’s command that we be one, just as He is one with the Father.

Tonight we gather in the Church of Saint Ephrem, the Harp of the Holy Spirit, to address the Almighty Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the Light begotten of Light, the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer—and to proclaim that we are one in You. Thus, we are one in the Father, united among ourselves and united with the members of our societies, with whom we share a life united in interests, united in destiny, and united in values.

In the presence of the bishops of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we have gathered to pray together, fully aware of the importance of praying together and of living hope together, a hope we extend to all humankind, for the Lord who came as an atonement for our sins, came for all people.

To pray together means that we have overcome past mistakes and forgiven historical sins, and that we have come to understand that “every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” How much more, then, when we speak of the Kingdom of the Father and the house of the Lord?

He is the Spirit of Truth, present among us, inspiring us to walk in justice and reason, to overcome our differences, and to be united in our humanity, just as we are united in His divinity…

Tearfund Holds Coordination Meeting with MECC and Partners in Syria

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs from Balamand:

Let us work to strengthen cooperation to ensure a better future for all people of the region

With the blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox family, the international organization “Tearfund” held a general meeting with its new leadership, represented by CEO Silas Balraj, International Director Claire Tiffen, Regional Director Safa Hijazeen, Country Director for Syria and Lebanon Jamie Abraham, and Regional Advisor for Church and Community transformation Rami Kaskas. The meeting took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in the conference hall of the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology in Balamand, Lebanon.

The Middle East Council of Churches participated in the meeting, represented by its Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, at the head of a delegation that included Ms. Nina Hallak, Director of the Lebanon’s Office of the Diakonia and Social Service Department, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.

The meeting also brought together Leaders and representatives from the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Maronite Church, Syriac Orthodox Church, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and Evangelical Union Church. Attendees were also the Executive Directors of the Evangelical “Tahanan” Association, the Department of Ecumenical Relations, and the St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee.

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

To pray together means that we have overcome past mistakes and forgiven historical sins

If we call for unity among Christians, it is all the more fitting to call for love among the people of the country in all their diversity

In celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, an Ecumenical meeting was held under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4). It took place at St. Ephrem the Syrian Church in Mina Tripoli, Lebanon, and brought together Bishops, Priests, Pastors, and believers from various Church families, at the invitation of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations, chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli.

The Prayer Service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shamoun, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Ephrem Kyriakos, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tripoli, Koura, and their Dependencies, His Eminence Archbishop Edward Daher, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Tripoli and All the North, Father Khoren, Representing His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, as well as Church, social, and cultural figures, and believers.

Attendees were also the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the head of an MECC that included Professor Laura Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.

During the Prayer, Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: “In the presence of the bishops of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we have gathered to pray together, fully aware of the importance of praying together and of living hope together, a hope we extend to all humankind, for the Lord who came as an atonement for our sins, came for all people”…

Report: Friday 23 January 2026

In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Monitor," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.

Words Emphasized the Importance of Upholding Human Dignity

As part of its visit to Lebanon, a delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUSA), a partner of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the Council's headquarters in Beirut, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. They were received by the MECC General Secretary Professor Michel Abs, and of the General Secretariat team from various departments.

The meeting began with an opening Prayer raised by the visiting delegation on the intention of peace in the Middle East and the world, thanking God for the opportunity to work and cooperate with the Middle East Council of Churches. The delegation also expressed their pleasure at visiting MECC and their desire to learn about the latest developments in the region, as well as updates on the MECC work of, particularly as the delegation is part of a Syria and Lebanon Partnership network.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

And Discusses the Church and Humanitarian Circumstances

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, received the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Patriarchate in Balamand, Lebanon.

During the meeting, His Beatitude and the Secretary General discussed the evolving Church situations in the region and the latest developments on both Ecclesiastical and humanitarian levels. They also addressed the latest developments in the MECC work and ways to face current challenges in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals.

Professor Abs also listened to His Beatitude Patriarch John X's analyses, guidance, and advice. He also asked his Prayers and blessing for the future Ecumenical work in the Middle East Council of Churches across various Theological, humanitarian, social and media fields.

As part of the efforts of the Diakonia and Social Service Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), to support the educational process, and in line with its commitment to providing a healthy and safe school environment that enhances students’ psychological and physical well-being, the Diakonia team at the Syria’s Office renovated sanitary facilities in seven schools across several areas of Rural Damascus.

The renovation works were carried out at: Al Otaibe Girls School, Mohammad Yousef Omar Rifie School, Al Sakka 2nd School, Ahmad Ayoub School, Al Bitarieh -1st School, Hijane 3rd School, and Sakka & Delbe School.

The works also included the rehabilitation of sewage network infrastructure and its equipment, maintenance of the drinking water network, installation of taps, toilets, doors, tiles and ceramics, electrical cables, in addition to installing water pumps and tanks, and carrying out painting works.

MECC team also implemented a hygiene awareness sessions in these schools, during which students learned how to take care of personal hygiene to prevent diseases, as well as the correct way to wash their hands. They also received individual school and hygiene kits.

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

On the Occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of His Election as Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch

On the occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of the Election of His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan as Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, who is Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), wishing him continued health and success in his Pastoral service as a faithful servant of the Church of Christ.

The Middle East Council of Churches also raises its Prayers to God on the intention of His Beatitude to bless his service, bestow His graces upon him, and grant him the power of the Holy Spirit to lead his Church to the salvation in the name of Jesus Christ, and to remain a model of love and endless giving in the field of the Lord, wishing him many years of goodness, blessing, and holiness.

In An Interview on Suboro TV to Highlight the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

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

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 is celebrated in Egypt under the theme "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4). The program of celebrations begins on Thursday, January 22, and continues until Saturday, January 31, at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Egyptian Council of Churches.

Hence, you can find the details of these celebrations.

Under the Theme “One Body and One Spirit”

The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches, organizes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Egypt 2026, under the auspices of the Churches in Egypt.

This is an affirmation of the one Christian witness and the common pursuit of unity for which Jesus Christ prayed: " that all of them may be one" (John 17: 21).

This year’s Week of Prayer has adopted a Biblical theme from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4)

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt will be held from January 22 to 31, 2026.

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya