With the beginning of the countdown to the inauguration of Our Lady of Joy Church and the Metropolitan Niphon (Saikali) Museum, a press conference was held at the Archdiocese in Zahle, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios (Al Soury), the Most Reverend, Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Zahle, Baalbek and Its Dependencies, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC); at the invitation of the Media Committee, which is covering the event, and in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Niphon (Saikali), the Representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East at the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia. The press conference was attended by the Venerable Priests, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Engineer Christina Saikali, the Heads and Members of the Committees in charge of the preparations, and representatives of the media outlets and social media platforms.

The conference began with the National anthem, which was followed by a speech delivered by the Head of the Media Committee, Father Seraphim Makhoul, priest of the Saint George Parish in Zahle, Hawsh Al-Umara. He thanked the Lord for His abundant gifts and blessings that spread the fragrance of faith throughout the beloved land of Lebanon. He emphasized that the inauguration event is a jewel of faith that reflects light in Zahle, noting that the city of Zahle after May 18, 2025, will never be the same again. He then presented a detailed explanation of the inauguration Mass, which will be held with the blessing and presence of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, who will consecrate the Church of Our Lady of Joy and inaugurate the Metropolitan Niphon (Saikali) Museum. The ceremony will be attended by Metropolitan Antonios (Volokolamsk), Head of the Department of External Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia, representing His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, as well as Priests, and a high-ranking diplomatic personalities. The inauguration will take place on Sunday, May 18, at 8:30 a.m. The inauguration of the Museum will follow the Mass at 12:30 p.m.

of the Church of Our Lady of Unexpected Joy and the Metropolitan Niphon (Saikali) Museum in Zahle

Entitled "The Dream Comes True"

On Mariam TV

The Episode Is Prepared and Presented By the Journalists Lea Adel Maamary and George Maalouli

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

Pope Leo XIV Begins His Papacy with A Hopeful Human Vision

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

A heavenly joy is being witnessed by believers around the world. An awaited joy was manifested by the white smoke that rose from the Sistine Chapel. The new Supreme Pontiff appeared and, with his compassionate smile, blessed the people of God who eagerly awaited his first appearance. He is Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV, the first Augustinian Pope, who today succeeds the Late Pope Francis.

A great responsibility falls on the Pope of the Catholic Church amidst a world witnessing turmoil, conflicts, and painful events. The people of the earth are thirsty for someone to heal their wounds and ease the burden of the crises that weigh them down. The world is in danger, and the new Pope faces enormous challenges. Since his election, the media has been publishing analyses and data that identify the issues he might address.

But how true is the information circulating? Are the analysts more knowledgeable than the Vatican?

The Holy See is fully aware of the current and urgent issues facing the world. Let us await the latest official developments and pray for the Supreme Pontiff, so that God may grant him His grace in fulfilling his lofty mission.

Today, Pope Leo XIV guides the Church against which the gates of hell will not prevail. He is inspired by the life of his predecessor, Pope Francis who was dedicated to service, and renews his commitment to the path that the universal Church has been following for decades, enlightened by the Second Vatican Council.

An Ecumenical Event with the Organization and Participation of MECC and Ecumenical International Organizations

Under the title “Creation Day & The Nicaea Centenary: Crystallizing the Ecumenical Dream of the New Liturgical Feast”, and with the aim of developing a common Liturgical Feast to celebrate the creation together, an Ecumenical conference was held from May 5 to 7, 2025, in Assisi, Italy.

The conference was held in partnership with the World Council of Churches, the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the World Methodist Council, the Laudato Si' Research Institute, and the Middle East Council of Churches, represented by the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department and Member of the International Steering Committee of the “Season of Creation” Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar.

The event was attended by a representative of the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate and representatives of Church Leaders from various Church Families and Eastern and Western Church traditions.

The gathering included daily prayers, speeches, and various sessions focused on the Theological foundations and history of the “Feast of Creation”, in addition to Biblical Readings and Liturgical prayers. It is worth noting that the Day of Creation is traditionally celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox tradition on September 1 of each year. The Middle East Council of Churches also participated in several activities, adding value to the conference.

Details In This Report

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Episode 1: Racial Discrimination

For the Conference “Christians in the Arab Levant and the Aspirations of Unity and Enlightenment”

With the convening of the “Christians in the Arab Levant and the Aspirations of Unity and Enlightenment” conference Under the patronage and presence of His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies, in Amman, the conference's administrative team met with the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, who thanked them for their outstanding performance and generous hospitality. He also praised the effective cooperation and rapid response to all matters necessary for the successful running of the conference.

The administrative team included Dr. Ms. Renée Hattar, Ms. Zein Fachho, Ms. Rima Badawi, and Ms. Emma Casper.

The Secretary General also commended the efforts of His Eminence Bishop Qais Sadiq, Bishop of Erzurum and Patriarchal Vicar of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, who played a key role in the conference segments.

Noting that the conference was held between May 7 and 8, 2025, with the participation of Their Beatitudes and Eminences Patriarchs, Metropolitans, and Priests, Representatives of various Churches in the Middle East, and Religious, political, media, and social figures.

The Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its daily coverage of the procedures, meetings, and events related to the election of the new Pope, and the Conclave's procedures, history, and rules.

Follow a daily series of reports, news, and articles about the election of the new Pope and the latest Vatican updates, on the Middle East Council of Churches’ platform.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of May 2025. 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.