at the Head of a Delegation, on a Visit to the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

Words Emphasized the Importance of Preserving Human Dignity

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, received Dr. Sayed Mohammad Rida Mourtadawi, the Cultural Advisor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lebanon, at the head of a delegation that included Dr. Ali Kassir, Head of Media Affairs, and Mr. Jawad Tabrizi, Director of the Advisory Office (Secretary). The meeting took place on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

MECC attendees were the Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, Coordinator of the "Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity" Programs, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Media and Church Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”

(Ephesians 4: 4)

With great hope, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) releases the Arabic version of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” booklet 2026, under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4), based on the Biblical Text Ephesians 4: 1-13.

The booklet presents Prayers and reflections prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic, and Evangelical Churches. The texts were jointly prepared and published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and were translated into Arabic by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as every year.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is in an eight-day Prayer celebrated by Christians around the world between 18 and 25 January every year. It invites us to delve more deeply into our fellowship in Christ, which unites Christians worldwide.

Deyim Deyim!

Deyim Deyim!

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

A historic event that changed the course of humanity... Through it, the gates of heaven were opened, the Holy Spirit descended, and life was transformed from the old to the new... a life filled with purity, holiness, and faith. It is the Feast of the Epiphany, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by the Forerunner, John the Baptist.

Christians celebrate this Feast annually on January 6th. Church sources indicate that with the opening of heaven, a new covenant was established between heaven and earth, and God entered into a new communion with humanity in the person of His Baptized Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also descended on Him in the form of a dove, which symbolizes the community of believers, that is, the Church founded by Christ through the Holy Spirit.

At the invitation of Brih Municipality in the Chouf region, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs participated in a Christmas recital held at St. Elias Church in Brih, in the presence of the Parish Priest Father Elie Kiwan; Mayor of Brih Attorney Eid Hassoun; Priests; Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary; Head of the Festivals Committee Attorney Jessy Lahoud; and personalities.

The recital began with a welcoming word delivered by Attorney Jessy Lahoud who highlighted the importance of the occasion.

Then, the Parish Priest Father Elie Kiwan addressed a word emphasizing the meaning of Christmas.

In his word, the Mayor of Brih Attorney Eid Hassoun affirmed that Brih is a model of love, reconciliation, and belonging.

An Episode Entitled “Giving During Christmas”

Produced by "The Platform of the Word" at the Middle East Council of Churches

As part of its program network, “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents an episode within the program “And the Family Remains”, under the title “Giving During Christmas”.

The program raises issues related to the family, motherhood and childhood, in addition to the Church’s view and response to the challenges, especially in light of the difficult living conditions that the region is passing through.

With the Participation of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Ordination and Extends His Congratulations on Behalf of MECC

His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), celebrated the Divine Liturgy during which he ordained Monsignor Habib Mrad, Member of the MECC Executive Committee, as Chorbishop. The ordination took place on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Church, Patriarchal See, Museum area - Beirut.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”

(Ephesians 4: 4)

With great hope, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) releases the Arabic version of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” booklet 2026, under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4), based on the Biblical Text Ephesians 4: 1-13.

The booklet presents Prayers and reflections prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic, and Evangelical Churches. The texts were jointly prepared and published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and were translated into Arabic by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as every year.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is in an eight-day Prayer celebrated by Christians around the world between 18 and 25 January every year. It invites us to delve more deeply into our fellowship in Christ, which unites Christians worldwide.