Produced By MECC

A Journey of Repentance and Prayer from the Darkness of Sin to the Joy of the Resurrection

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Here comes the Great Week or the Passion Week, and our East is still wounded and suffering, waiting for a resurrection that will save it from its sorrows. The people of the region are preparing for the Feast of Feasts and the Season of Seasons, eagerly awaiting the joy of the Resurrection with hearts full of faith and hope. They have nothing but this hope in the Lord Jesus, from Whom they draw all their strength and determination amidst the challenges that surround them.

However, no challenges are invincible before the power of Prayers, through which the faithful walk in a journey of Lent and reflection, culminating in one of the Holiest Christian Seasons: The Great Week. How Great this week is, carrying in its Liturgy Prayers and traditions that guide the faithful from the sea of sins to the harbor of salvation, from the darkness of days to the joy of the Resurrection.

The celebrations of the "Great and Holy Week" or "Passion Week" embody the most significant salvific events through which the Lord of all creation redeemed us by His death and Resurrection. It is a week that strengthens the faithful and urges them to examine themselves, deepen their repentance, and enhance their faith in preparation for Christ’s Resurrection.

Palm Sunday: A Passage from the Earthly Jerusalem to the Heavenly Jerusalem

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

It is a Feast of self-purification and the renewal of the inner temple... It is a feast of returning to innocence and simplicity... It is a holy season in which we open our hearts to welcome Jesus Christ, who entered as a King into the Earthly Jerusalem to lift us today to the Heavenly Jerusalem. It is the Palm Sunday, the seventh Sunday of Lent and the last before Easter.

Everyone, without exception, both young and old, clergy and laypeople, joyfully shout with hearts full of hope, "Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

On this day, Churches are filled with believers, especially children, who carry candles and prepare with their families to participate in the Palm Sunday procession after attending the Divine Liturgy. This is a symbol of the path of Jesus Christ in the streets of Jerusalem.

Besides the traditions and popular customs that take place for this occasion, we must remember the event of Palm Sunday, which brings much joy, renewal, and faith. It is the day when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem after leaving Bethany six days before Easter, and walked to the Temple. The crowds of people spread their clothes before Him, while others laid palm branches as a sign of celebration.

Produced By MECC

Produced By MECC

Produced By MECC

Produced By MECC

“Momentum”

27-3-2026

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue "Mary’s Annunciation and the Unity of a Nation". It is the speech that Professor Abs delivered at the Christian–Islamic Encounter for peace in Lebanon and the region, held on the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation. It was organized by 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, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in the hall of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Museum - Beirut.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/f8fe2b986311/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:

https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Is there anything more beautiful than the Annunciation? And which Annunciation is greater? The one that foretells the coming of a child, any child, yet how much more so when that child is eternal, promised from the beginning of times, who came to save creation from its sins and transgressions? He came with open arms to embrace humanity, to draw it close to His heart and shield it from the works of evil.

This is the Annunciation that gathers the People of the Books, the lovers of the Lord, and those grateful for the gift of life and all that exists on earth. “Mary’s glory grows in the East and in the West,” begins the hymn. It continues: “Honor her, exalt her, enthrone her in your hearts.” And again: “She said, when she received the message, ‘All peoples shall call me blessed,’” and elsewhere: “The Lord of all worlds saw her and chose her.” Indeed, she is the best of the women of the worlds. As the Qur’an recounts: “And when the angels said: O Mary, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and exalted you above all women of the worlds.”

Her status among nations is unmatched. She is the mother who embraced the incarnation of the Savior, nurtured Him, prepared Him, and guided Him to fulfill His mission. Every mother longs to identify with Mary, and every person hopes that his mother, sister, or the mother of his children reflects her example. Many girls bear the name Mary, honoring her legacy.

It was a blessed day when we, the Islamic-Christian Dialogue National Committee (ICNDC) met at the Prime Minister’s Office and agreed to recognize the Day of the Annunciation as a national occasion. It remained so for several years until it became a comprehensive national holiday…

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.

As part of its capacity-building and skills development efforts, the Media Team and the Diakonia Team, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), participated in an online training organized by ABAAD organization on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). The course aimed to promote safe working environments and human rights accountability.

Participants were also staff working in humanitarian and social organizations, who enhanced their knowledge and skills in identifying the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse and understanding prevention mechanisms.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الجمعة 27 آذار/ مارس2026

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.