Tour of the Vatican Delegation and His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia, at the Site of the Ecumenical and Interreligious Meeting that Will Be Held with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in the Martyrs' Square in Beirut

At the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) - Egypt

Photos: World Council of Churches (WCC)

The Middle East, its most prominent challenges and concerns about Christian unity... Titles and issues conveyed a true picture of the reality the region has been experiencing for decades, reflecting the aspirations of its people to the entire world.

This was the theme of one of the sessions on the first day of the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC), held under the theme "Where now for visible unity?" from October 24 to 29, 2025, at the Papal Logos Centre in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt.

The session began with a word delivered by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs who stressed that “Christian unity is much more visible than we think… The Christ is one and we are one, and in His name we celebrate life and salvation.”

He said: “As Christians, we develop huge number of togetherness settings. Christians accept each other regardless their differences. We are in a way one… Unity is there we just need to know how to live it”.

ببركة وحضور قداسة البابا تواضروس الثاني، بابا الإسكندريّة وبطريرك الكرازة المرقسيّة، تنطلق، وبرجاء كبير، فعاليّات المؤتمر العالمي السادس للجنة الإيمان والنظام التابعة لمجلس الكنائس العالمي، الّذي ينعقد بين 24 و29 تشرين الأوّل 2025، في مركز لوغوس البابوي في وادي النطرون – مصر.

الأمين العام لمجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط البروفسور ميشال عبس مشاركًا على رأس وفد من المجلس.

Words Emphasizes that the Goal of Ecumenical Work Is Measured by Its Spiritual Depth

The participation of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, in the Canonization Ceremony of Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan, included a series of meetings with Cardinals and Priests at the Vatican. Professor Abs met with Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity in the Vatican. Attendees were also the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, and the Assistant in the MECC Media Department Subdeacon Chady Chata.

With true brotherhood, Cardinal Koch welcomed Professor Abs and expressed his joy at this meeting, which promotes the virtue of love.

For his part, Professor Abs presented a detailed explanation about MECC: its history, stages, structure, and working strategy. He also highlighted the work of each of the Council's departments and their initiatives, projects, and activities on many spiritual, social, humanitarian, Theological, Ecumenical, and other levels.

Emphasizing the Importance of Dialogue and Media Role

With deep joy, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican Cardinal George Koovakad, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and a delegation from the Council, including the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations, and Archdeacon Chady Chata, Assistant in the Media Department, on Monday, October 20, in Rome.

During the meeting, Professor Abs gave a detailed explanation about the various activities and projects implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches, focusing on the importance of dialogue, particularly at the core of the Council's projects and programs.

Professor Abs also emphasized that this visit to be part of strengthening cooperation between the Middle East Council of Churches and the Vatican.

For his part, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad expressed his great joy at the visit of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, whom he had met at the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held last September in Astana.

Discussions Centered Around Cooperation and Coordination

As part of his tour in Rome to participate in the Canonization Ceremony of Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan and six other Saints, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, accompanied the Archdeacon Chady Chata, Assistant in the MECC Media Department, visited the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in the Vatican, on Monday, October 20, 2025.

During this visit, Professor Abs and the MECC delegation met with Mrs. Pasquale Debbane, the Middle East Regional Coordinator of the Listening and Dialogue Section, and Mr. Tebaldo Vinciguerra, from the Reflection and Research on Ecology and Creation Section. They discussed common aspirations, visions, and concerns.

As well as, the activities of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in the Vatican were also presented, along with the most prominent programs implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) at various Ecumenical and humanitarian levels. The attendees also discussed joint projects implemented in the previous period and ways to develop future programs between both parties.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation Participate in the Meeting

The Delegation Included the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations, and Subdeacon Chadi Chata, Assistant in the Media Department

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day and the beginning of the week of global celebrations of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in Egypt, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized an environmental science day with members of the Coptic Evangelical Organization and the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS) in the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, at the Anaphora Oasis in Egypt. The event took place on Friday, October 10, 2025.

The environmental day began with a gathering of experts from Egyptian universities and the Ministry of Environment at St. Mark's Cathedral in Abbassia. Father Movses (Garen) Yosolkanian welcomed the attendees in the Anaphora Oasis. His Eminence Metropolitan Thomas, Director of the Oasis and Metropolitan of El-Qusiya and Mir, in Assiut Governorate, joined the meeting.

Emphasizing the Importance of Building Bridges, Dialogue, and Cooperation

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, received a delegation from the Church of Sweden, one of the MECC partners, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut, in the presence of the Council's General Secretariat team from various departments.

The Church of Sweden delegation included Mrs. Jessica Lindberg Dik, Programme Development Adviser MENA Region, Donor Relations Team; Very Reverend Peter Lindvall, Director of International Ecumenical Relations at the Department of Church and Society; and Mrs. Maria Lövström, Director of the MENA Hub in Amman.

During the meeting, attendees discussed the latest developments in the work of the Middle East Council of Churches and its most prominent programs, as well as ways to address current challenges in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals for the good of the Church and society.

To Participate in the Second Symposium on Eco-Theology Entitled "Peace with Creation, Spiritual and Practical Perspectives from the East"

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs departs Lebanon traveling to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the Second Symposium on Eco-Theology entitled "Peace with Creation, Spiritual and Practical Perspectives from the East"," under the patronage of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

The Symposium is organized by the Theological and Ecumenical Department at MECC, in celebration of the "Season of Creation," and will take place between October 10 to 11, 2025, at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Abbassia – Cairo.

During his tour in Egypt, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs will deliver a speech at the Eco-Theology Symposium, and he will also visit Church leaders and hold many meetings.

Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: New talents will be developed by the colleagues

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) team concluded its graphic design training, organized by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department under the supervision of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, with the trainer with Father Spyridon Tannous, Parish Priest of Sharbila in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Akkar and its Dependencies, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

The final part of the training, which extended over several weeks with the support of the Media and Church Relations Coordinator at MECC the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, was held on Friday, September 3, 2025, with the participation of the media team and colleagues from various departments in Lebanon and Syria, in person and online.

For the occasion, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he praised Father Spyridon's experience and efforts, commending the colleagues' seriousness and dedication to the training, from which they gained new skills that they will work to develop.

The South is not just a region of Lebanon, but rather its beating heart... The steadfastness of the people of the South is the steadfastness of all of Lebanon

Communion and Love on a Pastoral Visit to the South of Lebanon and a Paternal Tour that Sows Hope Despite All the Pain

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Here is the South of Lebanon, resilient despite all the wars and tragedies... Today, it rejoices with the good news revealed by the visit of the Maronite Patriarch, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, who toured its land and sowed hope among its people, emphasizing the importance of "communion and love," the slogan he has carried in word and deed since assuming his Patriarchal service.

The Maronite Patriarch returned to the South of Lebanon for a full-day Pastoral visit on Sunday, September 28, 2025, which included several villages and towns within the Maronite Archdiocese of Tyre. His Beatitude was accompanied by Their Eminences Bishop Hanna Alwan, Bishop Elias Nassar, and the Pastor of the Diocese of Tyre Bishop Charbel Abdallah.

Patriarch Al-Rai's visit stressed the importance of perseverance, steadfastness, and facing all difficult circumstances with great faith and hope. This visit affirmed that the South needs the solidarity of all its people, regardless of their Sect, especially after the wave of displacement that has affected its towns.

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

By the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Douma is preparing to welcome His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Blessed Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, at the invitation of Metropolitan Silouan Moussi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Byblos and Batroun and Dependencies. His Beatitude carried his pastoral slogan since his enthronement as Patriarch of the See of Antioch: "With grace we grow, with service we rise, and with love we build in harmony."

Yes, His Beatitude visited Saint John Monastery in Douma in the Easter Season of 2012, during the ministry of the Highly Respected Metropolitan George Khodr.

Today, Douma, with all its Congregations, is preparing to welcome him as the 158th Patriarch of the See of Peter and Paul. He is the Father of Fathers and the Shepherd of Shepherds, who preserved the deposit of faith despite crises.

On the commemoration of the Assumption of His Patron Saint the Apostle John the Evangelist and Theologian

On the commemoration of the Assumption of the Apostle John the Evangelist and Theologian, Patron saint of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the thirteenth of the Holy Pure Apostles, and the President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox family, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, extends, in the name of the MECC family, his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, asking the Lord to grant him more graces and bless his service and contributions in the field of the Lord.

The Middle East Council of Churches also wishes His Beatitude many years with the power of the Holy Spirit, and continued health and holiness in his Pastoral mission so that he may remain a faithful Leader of the Holy Church and a model in his love for Christ.

and Member of the MECC Executive Committee

at the MECC Partners Meeting - September 2025

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Continues its Activities in Astana and Meets His Holiness Catholicos Aram I

The “VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions” continues its activities in Astana with various sessions that consolidate the values ​​of respect, love, and fraternity, bringing together Religious leaders and participants from around the world, emphasizing the rich diversity of Religions and cultures.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, continues his participation in the conference activities, which are being held from September 16 to 19, hosted by the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of his program for the third day, Professor Abs met with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). They commended the importance of the conference in deepening cooperation and solidarity among all components of society, as well as the importance of the speech delivered by His Holiness in this context.

It is worth noting that the Middle East Council of Churches will publish His Holiness' speech on its sites.

Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future

The Republic of Kazakhstan is hosting the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held from September 16 to 19 in Astana. The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs is participating, along with Religious Leaders and participants from around the world, with the aim of exchanging views and experiences on strengthening fraternal ties and ways to work together to deepen relations between diverse Religions and cultures.

The congress opened on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, with a minute of silence on the intention of world peace and the consolidation of values ​​of love and respect among all. The first session, entitled "Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future," was then held, chaired by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who delivered a speech for the occasion.

Astana, Kazakhstan

During the special session entitled "Safeguarding Religious Sites: Reflections and a Call to Action" at the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs called for a joint approach between Religious Leaders and states to protect Religious sites of all affiliations, as they are part of humanity's shared spiritual memory and an authentic cornerstone of human heritage. He emphasized that protecting these sites is not a privilege for one group of believers over another, but rather a moral and legal obligation, as they are a symbol of the humble relationship between humanity and the Creator. He warned that their disappearance means erasing a chapter in collective memory, which necessitates their preservation as an educational and cultural memory for future generations.

Professor Michel Abs linked the demolition of places of worship to hate speech and the demonization of Religious groups, on the one hand, and to the prelude to genocide and ethnic cleansing, on the other. He described these practices as manifestations of a "distorted culture" that denies the dignity and rights of others. He called for respect for freedom of Religion and belief as an integral part of the human rights system, and for the criminalization of hate speech and incitement based on religion, along with the activation of monitoring and early warning mechanisms on digital platforms and in the public sphere.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Jordan’s office, with the MECC Diakonia Department, organized a consultation session on the Humanitarian-Peacebuilding Nexus approach for all Church humanitarian organizations working in Jordan, including the MECC international partners and ACT Alliance members in Jordan. The session took place from September 15 to 16 at the St. Ignatius Center for Knowledge Innovation, affiliated with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Amman.

The purpose of this session was to highlight the experiences of the participating organizations and their lessons learned regarding the so-called Humanitarian-Development-Peacebuilding Nexus approach to achieving a cohesive and secure society.

Following the opening Prayer and welcoming remarks from the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of ACT Alliance Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, and Father Ignatius Khalifeh, Director of the MECC Office in Jordan, the seminar began with an analysis of the dynamics of conflicts in the Middle East and their causes by Dr. Bernard Sabella, and proposals for peace initiatives that MECC could adopt in its future projects.