and President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations Emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon

At the Opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, Antelias - Lebanon

At the Opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, Antelias - Lebanon

Produced By MECC

“Momentum”

16-1-2026

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 "Dialogue and Social Cohesion at MECC, Toward a New Application of Ecumenism".

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/d5ae9ec588de/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.

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 Hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I

Standing together in solidarity and Prayer for Christian unity and for peace in the Middle East and the world.

With one love, one heart, and great hope, the Heads of Churches and believers united in an Ecumenical Prayer Service on the occasion of the opening of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026," hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

We unite together in Prayer, saying, “Gracious and almighty Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, you are the true Light, who cast out the darkness of sin, and shined into our hearts the joy and hope of your eternal Kingdom” (from the Prayer Service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026).

An Ecumenical Prayer Service celebrating the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 began in the Middle East 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). An Ecumenical Prayer service is being held and hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

The Prayer service was attended by the Heads of Churches and the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and an MECC delegation.

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

What Are its Aim and Objectives?

From the MECC Archive 2025

From the MECC Archive 2025

Produced By MECC

An Annual Historical Week Between 18 and 25 January, What is its Significance?

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated annually during eight days of daily Prayers worldwide. It is an historic annual ritual which extends between 18 and 25 January in the global Christian calendar.

The week of Prayer carries with it profound Christian and Theological meanings through which Christians move on their annual Ecumenical journey. Setting a date for the week itself has a special significance, turning it into a Christian tradition that started in 1908. January 18 reminds us of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle with which come the Prayers to build bridges and strengthen fraternity among all Christians. January 25, however, refers to the Feast of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, the end of the week of unity, thus a call to continue praying for unity throughout the year.

And Celebrates the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of January 2026. 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 January includes one of the most important international Ecumenical occasions. It is the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”, which MECC celebrates it in the region and with the world, between 18 and 25 January, every year. Noting that this year the theme of the Week of Prayer is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).

Week of Prayer Booklet 2026 in Arabic and English

Program of the Celebrations in Lebanon

In An Interview on Mariam TV to Highlight the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

You can find the Week of Unity 2026 Booklet, the daily Prayers and reflections, the Prayer for Christian unity, and the program of celebrations in Lebanon.