MECC
Between Homelessness and the Right to Housing
Professor Michel Abs
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Recently, incidents of residential building collapses have increased in northern Lebanon, prompting the state to evacuate many buildings in the city and relocate residents to shelters. The churches in Tripoli were the first to place their buildings at the disposal of the state and the displaced.
This incident may seem exceptional or temporary, but in truth it is merely a model of the housing problems in our region—not only in Lebanon, but in the world.
The need for housing is a primary human need, because the home is a person’s fundamental refuge, where one returns after a strenuous day of work to rest from the fatigue of the day, meet with family, or withdraw in solitude and go to sleep in preparation for another day of work and productivity.
The home is the place where the heart finds rest—after the homeland; indeed, it is one’s small homeland. It determines a person’s physical and psychological health, social relationships, and partly the academic success of children.
Imagine that the place providing all this does not exist.
Imagine people living in unhealthy homes, in unhealthy neighborhoods, in a contaminated environment, noisy and polluted, without proper access to water, electricity, or the various services necessary for human well-being and development…
Palestine Observatory - Report: Friday 13 February 2026
مرصد فلسطين - تقرير الجمعة 13 شباط/ فبراير2026
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.
في ظلّ تفاقم الظروف الإنسانيّة والاجتماعيّة في المنطقة جرّاء تصاعد العمليّات الأمنيّة فيها، يقدّم مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط تقريرًا أسبوعيًّا بعنوان "مرصد فلسطين" حيث يتضمّن آخر المستجدّات الّتي تشهدها فلسطين خصوصًا وسط تدهور الظروف المعيشيّة والاجتماعيّة والأمنيّة في البلاد. ستكون بعض النصوص باللغة العربية، وبعضها الآخر باللّغة الإنكليزيّة، وذلك حسب المصدر.
The Middle East Council of Churches Congratulates Colleague Maria Aoun on Her New Step
After a two-year and a bit journey in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), our colleague Maria Aoun, Finance Officer, leaves the Council, carrying in her heart much hope and moving to a new phase following a journey in the Ecumenical world and humanitarian work.
The family of the MECC General Secretariat bids farewell to a colleague who was known for her service, dedication, and zeal for the Council’s mission, as well as her kindness and support for all colleagues, partners and friends.
In this context, the MECC General Secretariat team held a farewell gathering for our colleague Maria, on Tuesday 10 February 2026, at the General Secretariat Offices in Beirut, where the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Michel Abs thanked her for her efforts and dedication, praising her hard work and continuous diligence, and stressing her competence and the progress she has achieved in the Council and the Ecumenical world. He also wished her success in her new step.
Thank you for your sacrifices and constant efforts dear Maria... We wish you many years of goodness, blessings, good health and success, asking God to grant you determination and blessings on your next journey.
The 40 Days of Lent: Passing from the Desert of Desperation to the Divine Oasis
The Church is Preparing for the Feast of Feasts, Are We Ready Yet?
Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Few days and Christians will start a season that is considered one of the holiest Christian stations in history. It is the season of Holy Lent, the safe path towards the Feast of the Resurrection, the feast of feasts and the Holy Season. Hence, the Lent is a time of spiritual renewal and a journey during which Man passes from danger to safety, sin to salvation, and anxiety to contentment.
Christians prepare for their Lenten Journey following the path of Jesus Christ who was led, just after his baptism, by the Holy Spirit into the desert where he fasted for 40 days and defeated Satan. Jesus refused every temptation of the Devil and told him “It is written, ‘One must not live on bread alone, but on every word of God’” (Luke 4: 4), “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’” (Luke 4: 8).
The Middle East Council of Churches Issues the Ecumenical Calendar for February 2026
The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of February 2026. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical Feasts of the various Families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission.
A Special News Bulletin from MECC
Entitled "Light from Egypt"
Watch a special news bulletin from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) entitled "Light from Egypt," on MECC TV, and across its various platforms.
The news bulletin highlights the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebrations in Egypt, as well as the visit of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Michel Abs, and the Council's delegation in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The Middle East Council of Churches Congratulates His Beatitude Patriarch John X
On the Occasion of the Anniversary of His Enthronement as Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
On the occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, as Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, the Successor of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Thirteenth of the Holy and Pure Apostles Saints, and the President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, 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 (MECC) also raises its Prayers to God on the intention of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, 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.
Video - "Ecumenical Horizons" Program: Episode Twenty-Five
Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches
“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.
Feast of Saint Maron - February 9
O God, You guided Your Saint Maron to the ascetic life, granted him divine virtues, and leaded him on the difficult path towards the Heavenly Kingdom. We ask You, through his intercession, to shower us with Your love so that we may walk in Your paths, learn thy commandments, and follow the footsteps of our father, St. Maron, so that his holy life may shine in our lives. O Lord, let us feel Your love, carry Your Gospel in this East and the whole world, so we may be guided to the glory of the Resurrection and eternal life. We thank and praise You, Your Blessed Father and Your Holy Spirit. Amen (Prayer to St. Maron).
