MECC
On the Closure of the Season of Creation 2021, from the Monastery of the Visitation, Lebanon
Sister Marana Saad:
‘At Philokalia, meaning “Love of the beautiful”, we work on the upbringing of artists’
‘The Season of Creation is a message and an invitation in the heart of the Church’
From the Lebanese village Aintoura, and with the reverence of the Monastery of the Visitation, the heavens chanted, and voices were raised, glorifying the Creator and praising his divine power. “How beautiful You are, Lord… How great Your name is on Earth!” How great are your deeds, O Lord, and how wonderful are your children when they gather in your name, with one heart, thanking you for your glorious blessings.
The Coronavirus COVID-19 situation in the Middle East
Report: 6 October 2021
With the exception of Turkey and Syria, all Middle East countries are reporting a decrease in daily infection rates. Due to overwhelming support from partner countries and adequate containment measures, only two countries have yet to report progress.
A Relative Peace: Is It Lasting?
Report: 15 to 30 September 2021
ME countries continued to succeed in weathering the different economic challenges that had impeded progress. With tensions decreasing and the situation improving, the ME can focus on development projects that can tackle future challenges.
The Middle East Council of Churches Concluding the “Season of Creation” 2021
Ecumenical Prayer in the Monastery of the Visitation, Lebanon, Under the Patronage of Cardinal Al-Rai
The Middle East Council of Churches concluded the “Days of the Season of Creation” 2021, a first of its kind event in the east, under the patronage of the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, on Sunday October 3, 2021, at the Monastery of the Visitation, Philokalia Institute and Organization, in Aintoura – Keserwan, Lebanon, chosen by His Beatitude and recently restored for the celebration.
Video – A Message from the Holy See Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai On the Occasion of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
On the Occasion of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, and the Council’s Ecojustice Adhoc Committee released a new video about the Saint’s characteristics and strengths. The video is prepared and presented by the committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Noting that it was filmed in the Holy See Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai.
Video - The Philokalia Choir Performing During the Closing Ceremony of the "Season of Creation" 2021
Members of the Philokalia Choir will be performing during the closing ceremony of the "Season of Creation" 2021 at the Monastery of the Visitation, Philokalia Institute and Organization, in Aintoura, Lebanon.
We salute them and their voices for glorifying and praising the Creator, and spreading hope, through art and music!
Momentum, the Weekly Newsletter from the Middle East Council of Churches
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 MECC invitation to participate in the closing Prayer of the "Season of Creation", on October 3, 2021, at the Monastery of the Visitation, Aintoura – Lebanon. As for the weekly message of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “The environment once more!”.
¡Qué grandes son tus obras, oh Señor, todas ellas están hechas con sabiduría! (Salmo 103)
En los días del «Tiempo de la Creación»
S.E.R. Obispo Costa Kayyal: La naturaleza es fruto de la creatividad del Creador y de la abundancia de sus dones
Los fieles están llamados a vivir una vida digna del Evangelio de Cristo
Durante muchas décadas, el medio ambiente ha sido un tema importante y un área de interés en el pensamiento y la orientación de la Iglesia. En su creencia y en sus oraciones ha destacado la glorificación y la alabanza al Creador por todas las bendiciones divinas que nos ha concedido. Por no hablar de los proyectos y actividades medioambientales y naturales que ha querido llevar a cabo, haciendo hincapié en la responsabilidad del Hombre de preservar su casa común.
How Great are your Deeds, O Lord, All of them are Wisely Done (Psalm 103)
On the Days of the “Season of Creation”
His Eminence Bishop Costa Kayyal: Nature is a fruit of the Creator's creativity and an abundance of His gifts
Believers are called to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ
For many decades, the environment has been an important issue and a major area of interest in the Church's thoughts and orientation. It emphasized in its belief and prayers the glorification and praise of the Creator for all the divine blessings he has given us. Not to mention the environmental and natural projects and activities it has been keen to implement, emphasizing the responsibility of Man to preserve his common home.
Video - A Youth Environmental Campaign to Clean the Raouche Beach in Beirut
As part of the Eastern “Season of Creation” 2021 activities, and under the patronage of the Middle East Council of Churches, a campaign to clean up the Raouche Beach in Beirut, Lebanon, was implemented on Saturday, September 18, 2021, morning. The campaign was organized by Youth and Students for Peace organization, Lebanese Scout Association, and Jerusalem See, Lebanon and the Near East, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Our Lady and Saint Mark the Apostle in Lebanon.
The Middle East Council of Churches Issues the Ecumenical Calendar for October 2021
The Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches have now issued its Ecumenical calendar for the month of October 2021. 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. Noting that the remaining months of the year will be published consecutively.
Video – The Environmental Orthodox View and Youth Initiatives in the Fourth Episode of the "Days of the Season of Creation" 2021 on Télé Lumière and Noursat
The fourth episode of the program "Days of the Season of Creation" 2021 was broadcasted on Thursday, September 23, at 8:30 pm Beirut time and 5:30 GMT, and reran on Friday, September 24, 2021. The program is prepared in cooperation between Télé Lumière and Noursat and the Middle East Council of Churches. It is launched in the context of the international celebrations of the “Season of Creation” and will be broadcasted throughout the month of September. The content is prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department.
The Coronavirus COVID-19 situation in the Middle East
Report: 29 September 2021
Despite the previous lockdowns, vaccination campaigns, and establishment of vaccine-producing enterprises, the Middle East is still suffering from high daily infections.
Readings and Prayers for the Fifth Week of the “Season of Creation” 2021
October 3rd: Proper 22 / 18th after Trinity
A Home And A Hope For The Future
Video - Psychological and Spiritual Support Sessions for a Group of Youth in Lebanon
As a follow-up to the psychological and spiritual repercussions of the Beirut Port blast, the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department implemented a new training as part of the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” program for a group of youth. It was executed at the Convent of the Congregation of Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family in Akoura, Lebanon, from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 September 2021. Moreover, the training was organized by the program coordinator Sister Emilie Tannous in cooperation with the coordinator of the department's programs Jean-Pierre Eid.
Video – “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36)
About the importance of returning to oneself and evaluating the reality of life, according to the Gospel of Mark. A video prepared and presented by member of the MECC Ecojustice Adhoc Committee Father Elias Marswanian, from the Congregation of the Minor Brothers Monastery, and directed by Ali Al-Jaroush.
La Catedral Maronita de la Argentina fue profanada
El MECC se solidariza con la comunidad maronita de la Argentina
El Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio se une en oración por la comunidad maronita de Argentina ante la terrible profanación que sufrió la Catedral de San Marón de la Diócesis Maronita de Argentina el día 24 de septiembre. El obispo maronita de Argentina es S.E. Mons. Juan Habib Chamieh o.m.m. quien nos concedió en meses pasados una interesante entrevista.
The Maronite Cathedral of Argentina was desecrated
The MECC stands in solidarity with the Maronite community of Argentina
The Middle East Council of Churches joins in prayer for the Maronite community of Argentina in the face of the terrible desecration that the San Maron Cathedral of the Maronite Diocese of Argentina suffered on September 24. The Maronite bishop of Argentina is H.E. Mgrs. Habib Chamieh O.M.M. who gave us an interesting interview in recent months.
Borrador del Manifiesto del Simposio sobre «La comunicación para la justicia social en la era digital» en árabe
Tras el simposio internacional «La comunicación para la justicia social en la era digital», organizado por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (WWC, World Council of Churches) y la Asociación Mundial para la Comunicación Cristiana, junto con un grupo de organizaciones internacionales, los participantes publicaron el borrador del Manifiesto del simposio. En una iniciativa para activar la comunicación y tender puentes, el Departamento de Comunicación y Relaciones Públicas del MECC tradujo el borrador del Manifiesto al árabe.
«La comunicación para la justicia social en la era digital»
Un simposio internacional organizado por el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias y la Asociación Mundial para la Comunicación Cristiana
El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (WWC, World Council of Churches) y la Asociación Mundial para la Comunicación Cristiana organizaron un simposio internacional en línea titulado «La comunicación para la justicia social en la era digital», entre el 13 y el 15 de septiembre de 2021, centrado en el impacto de la transformación digital en las comunidades y sociedades.