Report: 7 July 2021

The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus has finally reached the Middle East, prompting various health institutions to emphasize on exercising caution; the new strain spreads much easier and has stronger symptoms.

Judge Bitar has repeatedly declared that the investigation is closing an end and that some high profile politicians will be summoned. This raises the question whether he will point the finger at a shady politician with militant ties, or just some pencil pusher such as caretaker minister Hassan Diab who looks like the perfect scape goat. The initiatives by the judge, are the latest in several unsuccessful efforts to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to hold those responsible for it accountable.

The interaction to the MECC weekly Momentum and its growing role in promoting communion and ecumenical awareness in the East and the West is reflected through building bridges between churches of the Middle East and of the West and networking with them in order to work towards Christian unity and the testimony for the Gospel, thus, activating dialogues between churches locally, regionally and globally.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, presents the meeting of His Holiness Pope Francis and the Christian leaders in the Vatican for prayer and meditation on the intention of Lebanon. Hence, MECC called in a special statement for unity in prayer with those who are gathering for Lebanon, which is today as if it was under the cross, struggling to survive in the face of crises and disasters.

Horas antes del encuentro de oración y meditación por el Líbano que se celebrará mañana en el Vaticano y para el que Su Santidad el Papa Francisco ha convocado a los jefes de las iglesias del Líbano, el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio llama a la unidad en la oración con los padres reunidos en la intención de la Patria de los Cedros, que está hoy como bajo la Cruz, luchando por sobrevivir ante las crisis económicas financieras, de seguridad, políticas, sociales, sanitarias, educativas...

El Líbano se encuentra actualmente en el punto más bajo de su historia. Incluso teniendo en cuenta los 15 años de guerra civil, que causó innumerables muertes y daños económicos y materiales, el país tiene actualmente una de las peores economías del mundo. La explosión de Beirut, que se convirtió en una de las más destructivas del planeta Tierra, dejó claro que algo va realmente mal en el país. En consecuencia, se utilizó entonces el término «depresión intencionada» para describir la situación libanesa: Definitivamente, alguien está haciendo esto a propósito.

Lebanon is currently at its lowest point in history. Even when taking into account the 15-year civil war, which had inflicted countless deaths and economic and material damage, the country currently has one of the worst economies in the world. The Beirut Blast and it becoming one of the most destructive explosions on planet Earth, made it clear that something is really wrong with the country. Consequently, the term “Deliberate Depression” was then used to describe the Lebanese situation: Someone is definitely doing this on purpose.

Press release

Beirut, 30 June 2021

Hours before the meeting of prayer and meditation for Lebanon to be held tomorrow in the Vatican and for which His Holiness Pope Francis called the Heads of churches in Lebanon, the Middle East Council of Churches calls for unity in prayer with the fathers gathered on the intention of the Homeland of the Cedars, which is today as if it was under the cross, struggling to survive in the face of economic financial, security, political, social, health, educational crises...

An Ecumenical Calendar prepared by the Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches is now issued, and 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.

The joy of Christians in Syria Is Renewed

The monastery of the vision of Saint Paul the Patriarchal Apostle in Tell Kawkab, in the countryside of Damascus, witnessed the visit of the sons of the Antiochene See to celebrate the apostles Peter and Paul, founders of the Antiochene See.

His Eminence Metropolitan of Mexico Ignatius (Simon) presided over the commemoration prayer that was attended by His Eminence Archbishop of Argentina Jacob (El-Khoury), Bishops Moussa El-Khoury, Ephraim Maalouli, Yohanna Batsh, a group of priests and deacons, a number of officials and a large group of believers.

“… Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

The commemoration of Saints Peter and Paul is a special date in the history of the Church and the consolidation of Christianity over the decades. The Orthodox and Catholic Churches celebrate their commemoration on June 29 of each year, and believers ask for their intercession to Christ to grant peace to the world and mercy to our souls.

They were given many titles: Leaders of the apostles, founders of the Church, first in line for the apostolate sees, and teachers of the world...

Report: 30 June 2021

Corona cases in the Middle East have significantly dropped launching the region into a new phase of prospective economic prosperity. However, a threat is looming from the East, but not from China this time- from India.

Report: 16 to 25 June 2021

Mostly all nations covered by this publication have scored positive developments, despite the obstacles they have faced. Even Palestine is receiving the assistance it needs in terms of reconstruction and sustainable development to its economy. However, the case is not the same for Lebanon; it is still in the “deliberate depression” phase whereby there is no signs of relief. Lebanon, the heart of the ME, is sinking and many of its rulers seem content to watch such a spectacle. If international actors do not intervene on a deeper and impartial scale, Lebanon sinking deeper into its problems will have profound socioeconomic and security effects on the whole region.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, includes this week the MECC call to join the Catholic Churches Consecration of the East to the Holy Family on Sunday, June 27, during a Mass for "Peace Day for the East". The weekly message of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs entitled "The East, the Peace, and the Lost Stability", and a special interview with the Patriarchal Media Director for the Syriac Orthodox Church Father Joseph Bali a week prior to his ordination a Bishop.

Sunday, June 27, Mass for "Peace Day for the East"

Because the blessing of peace is what this East and its people need most, Along with the historic meeting which His Holiness Pope Francis, called the heads of Christian churches in the East on the first of next July to participate in, the Middle East Council of Churches, invites to celebrate the Mass of the “Day of Peace for the East and its consecration to the Holy family”, on Sunday, June 27, at 10:00 am.

On the 21st June, many families-parents and children- get together to celebrate fathers’ day. This year however, it was different for Paul Naggear; his 3-year old child was killed by the blast of August 4. After losing his child Alexandra, Paul Naggear vowed to stand up to the government at every chance. As such, he joined various demonstrations countless times, protesting against the conduct of a careless and corrupt government.

Report: 23 June 2021

Despite the ranking of nearby countries, Iran and Turkey, as 6th and 9th for highest and newest cases of the coronavirus worldwide, the Middle East is mainly in the recovery stage.

Children are the First Victims of Hospital Collapse

In the few past difficult days, Lebanese citizens woke up to good health news on the Coronavirus measures: the European Union included Lebanon on the white list, which means that the residents of the country are now allowed to travel non-essential trips to the member states of the Union without imposing the March 2020 measures on travelers. However, this glimmer of hope came in times of deepening crises that toppled the health and medical sector and hit it to the core, what about the citizens? Can they take any more blows?

«Soy un verdadero ortodoxo sirio cuando estoy abierto a otras iglesias; seguiré cumpliendo con mi deber en mi iglesia de ofrecer medios de comunicación cristianos»

«Ya que fuiste fiel en las cosas pequeñas, te daré grandes responsabilidades. Ven, comparte la alegría de tu maestro» (Mateo 25, 23); el Padre Joseph Bali es un colega y amigo que asumirá una mayor responsabilidad al ser ordenado Obispo el 25 de junio próximo por el Patriarca Mor Ignatius Aphrem II en la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Sede Patriarcal en Atchaneh - Líbano, con el Padre Roger Akhras y el Padre Kyrollos Babi.

El Padre Joseph Bali, fiel servidor, licenciado en Física y licenciado en Filosofía, ingresó en el Seminario Teológico Sirio San Efrén de Maarrat Saydnaya.

Ven, Espíritu Santo, y envíanos un rayo de tu luz desde el cielo

Es el día de la fundación y el nacimiento de la Iglesia, el día en que se le confió su misión: una comunidad de misioneros y testigos. Los discípulos aceptaron la palabra del Señor con gran alegría para predicarla por todo el mundo en una sola lengua, la lengua de Dios.

Es el día de Pentecostés, el recuerdo de la venida del Espíritu Santo sobre los apóstoles reunidos con la Madre de Dios en Sión, Jerusalén, tras la Ascensión de Jesucristo al corazón del Padre Celestial.

Es la celebración de la renovación que guía al hombre desde las tinieblas y el pecado hasta la luz y la castidad. Esta Luz divina fue mencionada en el Evangelio por Juan en el capítulo 8,12: «Yo soy la Luz del mundo. El que me sigue no caminará en la oscuridad, sino que tendrá la luz de la vida».