His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Orthodox Church of the Holy See of Cilicia, received Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, at his summer residence in Bikfaya.

It is worth noting that His Holiness is President of the World Council of Churches and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches. He is also a scholar in the field of ecumenism and has authored numerous publications on the subject.

This visit comes at a particularly critical time for the region, requiring an assessment of current developments and a renewed vision for the future of ecumenical work in the region.

The discussions addressed the general situation in the Middle East and the need for greater interaction among its various components in order to secure a better future for its peoples. Particular emphasis was placed on the essential role and influence of Christians within the broader regional landscape, which is characterized by intense dynamism and profound transformations.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الاثنين 17 آب/ أغسطس 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 Observatory," 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.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الاثنين 10 آب/ أغسطس 20

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 Observatory," 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.

Palestine Observatory - Report: Monday 27 July 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 Observatory," 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.

Palestine Observatory - Report: Monday 27 July 2026

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.

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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 Observatory," 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.

On July 25, 2026, Youth Leadership Building (YLB) held its Training of Trainers () workshop at the Armenian Evangelical Nor Marash Church Youth Room, bringing together the leaders in preparation for YLB season 2.

The training provided a space for reflection, prayers, team building, and leadership formation, emphasizing YLB’s vision of developing compassionate, resilient, visionary and servant young leaders. Through worship, interactive activities, group discussions, and practical exercises, leaders explored themes of leadership, teamwork, communication, inclusion, and the importance of creating safe and supportive environments for young people.

About the topic of "Freedom of Conscience and Responsible Faith"

Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الاثنين 13 تمّوز/ يوليو 202

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 Observatory," 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 Senior Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Armenia, and His Wife

Visit the Middle East Council of Churches

Psychosocial Support Sessions within the “Connecting Hearts and Minds” Program

Amidst the escalating daily challenges and pressures caused by the crises casting their shadows over Lebanon and the region, the Diakonia and Social Service Department – Lebanon’s Office at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues to organize the “Connecting Hearts and Minds” program in cooperation with “Tearfund” organization. The program aims to empower participants and help them overcome difficult living conditions with much hope.

In Kfeir – Hasbaya district, South Lebanon, the “Connecting Hearts and Minds” sessions became more than just gatherings for women. They became moments of breathing in the middle of heaviness… moments where women could speak, listen, cry, smile, and simply feel that they are not alone.

The sessions were implemented by trained volunteers from the community, these sessions created a warm and safe space where participants shared stories of resilience, fear, exhaustion, hope, and everyday struggles carried silently for too long.

(Part Two)

"You have gathered us together, in all our diversity, and made us Your family and Your Church. You are the True Light that dispels the darkness of sin and kindles joy and hope in our hearts."

With the Blessing and Presence of His Eminence Bishop Paul Rouhana

In preparation for the Glorious Christmas Feast, and with the blessing and presence of His Eminence Bishop Paul Rouhana, Patriarchal Vicar of the Maronite Diocese of Sarba in Lebanon and Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Council's General Secretariat team, headed by the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, met for a Christmas gathering held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut.

The gathering brought together Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, Dean of NEST; Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, MECC Associate Secretary General; and colleagues from the MECC General Secretariat team.

The meeting began with a heartfelt address by the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs who wished the team continued health, success, and prosperity for the good of the Church and society.

Then, His Eminence Bishop Paul Rouhana delivered a spiritual talk, discussing the true meaning of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and how to live this blessed time with love, humility, and peace, guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ.

His Eminence also spoke about the importance of human fraternity and the necessity of working towards the humanization of humanity and the preservation of human dignity. As well as, he addressed the topic of Christian unity and how to embody it among all people with great love and deep hope.

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.