At the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo

At the conclusion of the Week of Unity at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs said: “

Dialogue is a culture ingrained in our hearts and minds, and the Council is a haven for dialogue among the Churches. Hence, the Week of Unity has become an annual tradition, evolving over the years and taken very seriously each year, as the Churches come together and Pray in love and fraternity.

The new Ecumenism is based on service in various fields, and we, as the Middle East Council of Churches, undertake many initiatives that bring the Churches closer together. The Council also aspires to be a center for dialogue and intellectual and cognitive research, in accordance with a new strategy.”

(Part Two)

(Part One)

At the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East_ Virgin Mary Church_ Cairo

Cairo, January 31, 2026

Amidst great affection and warmth, Father Rabban Philip Issa, Priest of the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church in Cairo, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and a delegation from the Council.

MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

Attendees were also Members of the Church's Media Office Mr. Basil Wassouf, Mr. Mina Moussa, and Mrs. Nevine Salim.

At the outset, a visit to the Church of the Virgin Mary was made. Father Rabban Philip Issa presented a detailed explanation about the Church's history and the various stages it has passed through. He also highlighted the deep-rooted presence of the Syriac people in these lands.

Cairo, January 31, 2026

For the sixth consecutive day, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs continued his visits to the Church and Religious authorities in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and his participation in the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Professor Michel Abs and the Council's delegation visited His Grace Bishop Makary, General Bishop of South Shoubra, at his office in Cairo.

The Council's delegation included Reverend Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

Cairo, January 31, 2026

His Grace Bishop Anba Ermia, General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs and a delegation from the Council in Cairo, in the presence of Mr. Mina Sleiman, a Researcher at the Coptic Cultural Center.

The delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

The meeting focused on various social issues of concern to the people of the region, particularly in light of the difficult circumstances they are facing. Discussions also covered diverse topics related to dialogue, human values, and ways to strengthen the bonds of love and fraternity among all segments of society.

Cairo, January 30, 2026

“Youth in the Church are not merely an age group; they are a heart beating with hope and a spirit bearing the good news of tomorrow. In their presence, we see the enthusiasm that enlivens the community, and in their Prayers, we feel a simple yet profound Faith that reminds us that God is always working in young hearts.”

With these words, the Youth Day during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, was held under the title "Christ Fills Us All," at the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo.

The Prayer was presided over by the Pastor of the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo Reverend Dr. Bachir Anwar Noudi, Advisor to the Supreme Committee for Supporting State Institutions.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, Associate Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Engineer Moussa Mehany, Dr. Zahi Azar, President of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, Father Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Parish Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Father Boutros Fouad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Orthodox Church, Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Cohesion, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Mr. Medhat Fayez, Head of the Ecumenical Committee, Mrs. Marta Fayez, Member of the Women's Committee, Mrs. Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee, Gergis Mounir, Member of the Prayer Committee, Nour Behnan, Member of the Prayer Committee, Kyrillos Wahba, Member of the Prayer Committee, and believers.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the Youth Day meeting during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026_ Evangelical Church_ Giza – Cairo:

“Our meeting today with the youth is not just a Pastoral occasion, but an act of renewed hope. When the Church looks at its youth, it is in fact looking at its ability to continue, and at its inexhaustible vitality. The youth are not on the margins of the Church’s journey, but at its heart; they carry its questions, nourish its future, and constantly remind it that Faith is a life that is renewed and not a rigid heritage.”

Under the Title: “Christ Fills Us All”

Youth in the Church are not merely an age group; they are a heart beating with hope and a spirit bearing the good news of tomorrow. In their presence, we see the enthusiasm that enlivens the community, and in their Prayers, we feel a simple yet profound Faith that reminds us that God is always working in young hearts.

They are an inextinguishable flame, teaching us that Faith is not simply a tradition to be preserved, but a life lived with love and courage. With them, the Church is renewed, moving confidently towards the future, believing that every generation is called to be a witness to the light and a builder of unity and hope.

Cairo, January 30, 2026

For the fourth consecutive day, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs continued his visits to the Church and Religious Authorities in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

In this context, Professor Michel Abs visited the Maronite Archbishop of Cairo for Egypt and Sudan Archbishop George Chihane at the Maronite Archdiocese in Cairo.

Professor Michel Abs was accompanied by an MECC delegation that included the Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

“Momentum”

30-1-2026

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 "Ecumenism: A Reflective Pause Along a Long Journey". It is the speech he delivered at the Ecumenical Prayer Service held on the occasion of the Closing of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the Archangel Raphael Chaldean Cathedral, Baabda - Lebanon.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/df327238da53/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.

Cairo, January 30, 2026

In a visit imbued with love and fraternity, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs visited the Armenian Catholic Bishop of Alexandria His Eminence Bishop Krikor Augustinos Koussa, at the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate_ Cairo.

His Eminence first welcomed the Secretary General and the Council delegation, which included Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs, and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches.

Attendees were also Mr. Chris Mikaelian, Head of the Armenian Catholic Charitable Association, Mr. Krikor Mikaelian, Head of Sports at St. Therese Church and Member of the Armenian Catholic Charitable Association, Deacon Freddy Hazari, and Mr. Toros Khachatourian.

At the outset, Bishop Krikor welcomed the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs in the Land of Egypt, praising the role played by the Council and its various Departments and Offices.

Report: Friday 30 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.

By Saint Francis of Assisi

Performed by: The Glory of Heaven Choir

Video Produced By MECC

Cairo, January 29, 2026

"When, O Lord and God, the sweet fragrance of Your love fills us and our souls are enlightened by the knowledge of Your truth, we become worthy to receive the Transfiguration of Your Beloved Son from heaven. We thank You and praise You in Your crowned Church, overflowing with the abundance of Your grace and blessings, for You are the Lord and Creator of all, now and forever."

Prayers, hymns, petitions, and readings marked the sixth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, held at Our Lady of Fatima Chaldeans Cathedral in Cairo.

The Prayer was presided over by the Chaldean Patriarchal Administrator in Egypt Bishop Paul Sati, with the participation of Archbishop George Chihane, Maronite Archbishop of Cairo for Egypt and Sudan, and Bishop Dr. Damaskinos Al-Azrai, Bishop of Mariout, Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Bishop Krikor Augustinos Koussa, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Alexandria, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Reverend Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Pastors Committee on behalf of the Episcopal Church and Member of the Week of Prayer Committee, Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church; Father Nabil Rafoul, Priest of St. Rita Church in Heliopolis, Father Michael Selim, Franciscan, Father Rafik Jreich, Member of the Media Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches , Sheikh Victor, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee on behalf of  the Evangelical Church, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs at MECC, Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC, Marta Fayez, Member of the Women's Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches on behalf of the Orthodox Church, and Mr. Emad Ayad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church.

In Our Lady of Fatima Chaldean Cathedral_ Cairo

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, from Our Lady of Fatima Chaldean Cathedral_ Cairo: "

The Week of Christian Unity is part of a global Ecumenical tradition. We all yearn for Christian unity, but we live within and through it, and all our Prayers and joint activities affirm this.”

Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa

Cairo, January 29, 2026

As part of strengthening joint Christian work, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, heading an MECC delegation, visited His Eminence Archbishop Samy Fawzy Shehata, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa, at All Saints' Episcopal Cathedral in Zamalek.

Attendees were Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Reverend Canon Medhat Sabry, Pastor of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Menouf, and Reverend Michel Milad, Pastor of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Giza.

MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media Lea Adel Maamary.