Historical Traditions Honoring the Virgin Mary

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

“Hail, Mary! Full of grace, The Lord is with thee; Blessed are thou among women” (Luke 1: 28). Blessed are you, Mary, the greatest and holiest woman! Blessed is your obedience and the fruit of your womb! How great is your motherhood, full of grace!

The Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the entire universe, is the Queen of Peace, the safe haven, and the source of all comfort and love. She accepted with all her heart God's will of salvation: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1: 38), becoming a model of purity, obedience, and holiness. The Mother of God and the Mother of Light is the savior from adversity, the pride of creation, and the ocean of gifts from which we draw all strength and hope.

In honor of her and to glorify her love, the Catholic Church has dedicated an entire month to the Virgin Mary in May of each year. This month bears many Prayers and hymns to the Mother of God, asking for her protection and intercession. Believers flock to her Shrines to seek her blessing. This month is characterized by peace, hope, and purity, sowing joy, reassurance, and tranquility in the hearts of the beleivers.

But when does this special Marian Month begin?

Ongoing Ecumenical Cooperation!

As part of her visit to Lebanon, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, met with the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut. The meeting was attended by the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged the latest developments in the work of the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches, as well as their efforts to consolidate the Ecumenical spirit and achieve their desired humanitarian goals despite all challenges.

Coordination and exchange of expertise also took place regarding the ongoing preparations for the WCC Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, which will be held on the occasion of the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325, under the theme “Where Now for Visible Unity?”. The conference will be convened between 24 and 28 October 2025, at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natroun - Egypt.

At the Franciscan Convent - Tripoli, Lebanon

Its components, and the Meanings that this Historic Church Event Bears

His Eminence Is Interviewed By the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

The Entire World Awaits the White Smoke, and the Countdown to the Announcement of the New Pope Has Begun!

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

Angels rejoice and Church bells ring around the world... Prayers and hymns are raised, and the scent of incense wafts in every corner of the earth. Is it joy or sorrow? Do we mourn the passing of the Pope of mercy and peace, or rejoice over the legacy he left behind? Of course, it's a heavenly wedding... Pope Francis enters the Kingdom of God, fulfilling a human mission in every sense of the word. Hoping that the Pope's humanity would be taught in schools, universities, and societies where humans lack their humanity.

A heavenly wedding is matched by an Ecumenical wedding on earth, in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican... this square where crowds of pilgrims used to flock to seek His Holiness's blessing. But this time the scene is very different... sadness is mixed with the joy of the Resurrection, and thus the Divine Will willed that His Holiness Pope Francis pass into the arms of the Father on Easter Monday, at the time of the Lord's Resurrection.

What Did He Want from Them?

World Youth Participates in His Funeral, Grateful for What He Offered Them

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Pope Francis has been engaged in addressing many international issues, calling for peace and love, and affirming his support for every human being on earth. However, amidst all the urgent developments the world is experiencing, he did not forget the youth who are also struggling with life’s challenges. Throughout his Papacy, he carried their concerns and anxieties, and was their father, guide, and closest friend to God.

“Learn to listen to others,” this is what Pope Francis asked young people in a video message he recorded a month before his hospitalization. He reminded them of the importance of listening to others and emphasized listening to grandparents, who teach us so much.

Amidst the great noise surrounding youth today and their endless daily pressures, the Holy Father wanted to emphasize the need to slow down and listen. He said in his message, “Dear boys and girls, one of the most important things in life is to listen—to learn how to listen," said the late Pope. "When someone speaks to you, wait for them to finish so you can really understand, and then, if you feel like it, respond. But the important thing is to listen.”

Photos Are Taken From: Abouna.org, Abouna's Website: Media for Humanity

A Report About the Funeral of the Supreme Pontiff

25-4-2025

An Interview with Bishop Dr. Munib Younan, President of the Lutheran Federation, MECC Honorary President, and One of the Presidents of the Religions for Peace Organization

Talking About the Journey of His Holiness Pope Francis and the Issue of Genocides

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs was the guest of an episode on Mariam TV. He was interviewed by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and the Director of the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), along with the Journalist George Maalouli, the Programs’ Director of Mariam TV.

The episode focused on the spiritual journey and humanitarian mission of His Holiness Pope Francis, highlighting his key achievements, positions, and apostolic visits. It will also include a discussion on genocides, massacres, and the silence around the disappearance of the Archbishops of Aleppo Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi.

Additionally, the episode featured reports, spots, and videos produced by the media team of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which continues to provide a special coverage about the latest Vatican updates.