Historical Traditions Honoring the Virgin Mary

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

“Hail, Mary! Full of grace, The Lord is with thee; Blessed are thou among women” (Luke 1: 28). Blessed are you, Mary, the greatest and holiest woman! Blessed is your obedience and the fruit of your womb! How great is your motherhood, full of grace!

The Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the entire universe, is the Queen of Peace, the safe haven, and the source of all comfort and love. She accepted with all her heart God's will of salvation: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1: 38), becoming a model of purity, obedience, and holiness. The Mother of God and the Mother of Light is the savior from adversity, the pride of creation, and the ocean of gifts from which we draw all strength and hope.

In honor of her and to glorify her love, the Catholic Church has dedicated an entire month to the Virgin Mary in May of each year. This month bears many Prayers and hymns to the Mother of God, asking for her protection and intercession. Believers flock to her Shrines to seek her blessing. This month is characterized by peace, hope, and purity, sowing joy, reassurance, and tranquility in the hearts of the believers.

But when does this special Marian Month begin?

Produced By MECC

Produced By MECC

“Momentum”

24-4-2026

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 "Demonization and Hate Speech: Between Discourse and Practice". It is the word that Professor Abs delivered at the webinar organized by MECC under the title “Public Discourse in Wartime: Towards Dialogue to Reduce Hate”, as part of the “Light of Hope” initiative, on Wednesday 22 April 2026.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/cc11a8be5c81/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.

Highlighting the Seminar "Public Discourse in Wartime: Towards Dialogue to Reduce Hate"

On VDL24 Radio TV

Organized By MECC

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a seminar entitled “Public Discourse in Wartime: Towards Dialogue to Reduce Hate” as part of the “Light of Hope” initiative, which MECC launched in response to the serious security developments in Lebanon and the Middle East. The initiative also covers the MECC ongoing humanitarian, field, and relief work and updates.

The seminar was held at the MECC Platform of the Word, with an online participation from Religious and Spiritual Leaders, intellectuals, and experts from various fields and sectors of life. It aimed to highlight the importance of the proper use of language, words, and discourse in building peace, especially amid escalating conflicts. It also stressed the need to overcome hate speech, promote values of love, dialogue, and respect, and strengthen a culture of dialogue and encounter among the diverse components of society.

Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian to the Middle East Council of Churches:

Rootedness in land and identity led to the genocide

We renew our commitment to be children of God, preserving the human dignity of every person and every people

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Amidst all the challenges of life and the escalating daily crises, the 111th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide comes carrying much hope and faith, reinforcing a cry for truth and justice from hearts that have not yet healed.

Yet they are hearts determined to remain, to stand firm, and to exist. Hearts that chose to preserve Armenian identity, continuing the journey of their forefathers through witness, generosity, and the preservation of spiritual, moral, and social values.

The cause of the Armenian people remains an ongoing cause for future generations, and a beacon for Prayer, solidarity, and determination.

On the 111th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held a special video talk with Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family. This video was part of a special media episode commemorating the massacres against the Armenian people, entitled "Keeping Memory Alive," produced by the Middle East Council of Churches.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الجمعة 24 نيسان/ أبريل 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.

في ظلّ تفاقم الظروف الإنسانيّة والاجتماعيّة في المنطقة جرّاء تصاعد العمليّات الأمنيّة فيها، يقدّم مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط تقريرًا أسبوعيًّا بعنوان "مرصد فلسطين" حيث يتضمّن آخر المستجدّات الّتي تشهدها فلسطين خصوصًا وسط تدهور الظروف المعيشيّة والاجتماعيّة والأمنيّة في البلاد. ستكون بعض النصوص باللغة العربية، وبعضها الآخر باللّغة الإنكليزيّة، وذلك حسب المصدر.