MECC
Prayer for Christian Unity at St. Ephrem the Syrian Church in Mina Tripoli
MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:
To pray together means that we have overcome past mistakes and forgiven historical sins
If we call for unity among Christians, it is all the more fitting to call for love among the people of the country in all their diversity
In celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, an Ecumenical meeting was held 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). It took place at St. Ephrem the Syrian Church in Mina Tripoli, Lebanon, and brought together Bishops, Priests, Pastors, and believers from various Church families, at the invitation of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations, chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli.
The Prayer Service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shamoun, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Ephrem Kyriakos, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tripoli, Koura, and their Dependencies, His Eminence Archbishop Edward Daher, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Tripoli and All the North, Father Khoren, Representing His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, as well as Church, social, and cultural figures, and believers.
Attendees were also the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the head of an MECC that included Professor Laura Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.
During the Prayer, Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: “In the presence of the bishops of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we have gathered to pray together, fully aware of the importance of praying together and of living hope together, a hope we extend to all humankind, for the Lord who came as an atonement for our sins, came for all people”…
Palestine Observatory
Report: Friday 23 January 2026
In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Monitor," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.
PCUSA Delegation Visits MECC in Beirut
Words Emphasized the Importance of Upholding Human Dignity
As part of its visit to Lebanon, a delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUSA), a partner of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the Council's headquarters in Beirut, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. They were received by the MECC General Secretary Professor Michel Abs, and of the General Secretariat team from various departments.
The meeting began with an opening Prayer raised by the visiting delegation on the intention of peace in the Middle East and the world, thanking God for the opportunity to work and cooperate with the Middle East Council of Churches. The delegation also expressed their pleasure at visiting MECC and their desire to learn about the latest developments in the region, as well as updates on the MECC work of, particularly as the delegation is part of a Syria and Lebanon Partnership network.
MECC Provides a Healthy and Safe Environment for Students in Seven Schools in Rural Damascus
As part of the efforts of the Diakonia and Social Service Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), to support the educational process, and in line with its commitment to providing a healthy and safe school environment that enhances students’ psychological and physical well-being, the Diakonia team at the Syria’s Office renovated sanitary facilities in seven schools across several areas of Rural Damascus.
The renovation works were carried out at: Al Otaibe Girls School, Mohammad Yousef Omar Rifie School, Al Sakka 2nd School, Ahmad Ayoub School, Al Bitarieh -1st School, Hijane 3rd School, and Sakka & Delbe School.
The works also included the rehabilitation of sewage network infrastructure and its equipment, maintenance of the drinking water network, installation of taps, toilets, doors, tiles and ceramics, electrical cables, in addition to installing water pumps and tanks, and carrying out painting works.
MECC team also implemented a hygiene awareness sessions in these schools, during which students learned how to take care of personal hygiene to prevent diseases, as well as the correct way to wash their hands. They also received individual school and hygiene kits.
Video - The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs
In An Interview on Suboro TV to Highlight the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Video - "Ecumenical Horizons" Program: Episode Twenty-Three
Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches
“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.
Celebrations of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2026 in Egypt
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 is celebrated in Egypt under the theme "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4). The program of celebrations begins on Thursday, January 22, and continues until Saturday, January 31, at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Egyptian Council of Churches.
Hence, you can find the details of these celebrations.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt 2026 Launches
Under the Theme “One Body and One Spirit”
The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches, organizes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Egypt 2026, under the auspices of the Churches in Egypt.
This is an affirmation of the one Christian witness and the common pursuit of unity for which Jesus Christ prayed: " that all of them may be one" (John 17: 21).
This year’s Week of Prayer has adopted a Biblical theme from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4)
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt will be held from January 22 to 31, 2026.