Highlighting the MECC Activities

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Castel Gandolfo and the Pontifical Villas: A Historical Church Heritage and an Oasis of Rest and Tranquility

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

From the Vatican City to Castel Gandolfo, from the meetings, files, and urgent Church and social issues to a space of rest, reflection, and tranquility, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV moved from his residence at the Holy See to the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo.

There, he is spending a summer period from Sunday, July 6, until July 20, according to a statement issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household. He will return to this Papal summer residence for a short period in mid-August.

Since this announcement, the name of Castel Gandolfo has become under the spotlight of social media, which follows the Pope's activities and Prayers at the Italian summer residence, moment by moment.

Remarkably, by visiting this town, Pope Leo XIV is reviving the tradition of Popes leaving the Vatican for a summer vacation. The late Pope Francis has canceled this tradition, preferring to spend the holidays at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.

Second Episode - Federalism

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Produced by MECC

And An Interview Within the "Ecumenical Horizons" Program

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs received the Journalist and Social Activist Rafi Sayegh on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the MECC General Secretariat offices in Beirut.

During the meeting, Professor Abs welcomed his guest, commending his Church and media activities. He also listened from his guest to the updates of the situation in Syria, particularly in the city of Qamishli, emphasizing the MECC ongoing support for the people of Syria and the region.

In his turn, Rafi congratulated the Secretary General Professor Abs on the significant media developments made by the Middle East Council of Churches, thanking the MECC media team for their efforts in shedding light on the Church and social issues, especially in highlighting the voice and image of the people of Syria, in terms of activities and programs.

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.

What Are the Details?

Episode 1

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Produced by MECC

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

On MECC TV

Watch the Weekly Word of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, entitled this week "Toward the Meeting of the Executive Committee." It will be broadcasted on the MECC Satellite Channel on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 4:10 pm Beirut time.

MECC TV Frequencies:

Nilesat: 11096

S.R: 27500

Pol: Horizontal

On MECC FM and MECC TV

Watch the “Ecumenical Horizons” program, every Tuesday live at 10 am Beirut Time on MECC FM 106.9, and at 4:10 pm Beirut Time on MECC TV, via the following frequency:

Nilesat: 11096

S.R: 27500

Pol: Horizontal

Rerun on MECC TV every Friday at 4:10 pm Beirut Time.

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics, produced by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue “Toward the Meeting of the Executive Committee”.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/d61158ae371c/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link: https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

In its endeavor to embody its slogan, "Building Bridges, Standing Together," to be a unifying platform for Church and Religious Families and all components of society, reflecting the Christian reality in the Middle East with a unified Church voice emanating from the cradle of Christianity to the entire world within a shared life with all components of society,

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen its Ecumenical and humanitarian mission and to shed lights on the Church in the Middle East through all available media platforms and digital technologies,

The Middle East Council of Churches has launched a new WhatsApp channel, entitled “MECC News”.

We invite you to join this channel and follow the MECC news via the following link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbB2Ym05a240L8hfFv0s.

Through this link, you can follow all the MECC activities, in addition to episodes, reports, videos, and articles produced by MECC, about various Christian, Ecumenical, humanitarian, and social issues.

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

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: It is necessary to strengthen the Church's capabilities and develop human capital

At the invitation and organization of the Communication and Media Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and under the supervision of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, a training course on graphic design is being held with Father Spyridon Tanous, Parish Priest of Sharbila in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Akkar and its Dependencies. The course is taking place at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, with the participation of the media team and colleagues from various departments in Lebanon and Syria, both in person and online.

The course, which will last for several weeks, began on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, with a word delivered by the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs. He welcomed the trainer, thanking him for his efforts and skills, emphasizing the need to strengthen the Church's capabilities and capacities, and stressing the importance of developing human capital.

In his turn, Father Spyridon was briefed about the participants. He also presented an overview of the knowledge, skills, and practical exercises that the training will provide, and which will benefit the participants in their respective fields and contexts.

As part of the Program “Restoration Fund for Rehabilitation of Faith-based Social Services & Religious Infrastructure Damaged During the Crisis in Syria”