“The Apostles' Fast is a thanksgiving for the gift of the Holy Spirit, preparation for the Church service,

and participation in the communion of the Holy Trinity”

What Meanings Does this Fast Carry?

In a season marked by hope and devotion, the Church traditions observe the Apostles' Fast, which begins after Pentecost and continues until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 and the Commemoration of the Twelve Apostles on June 30.

But what is the significance of the Apostles' Fast? What spirituality does it embody? What meanings does it reflect?

Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, President of the Saint Paul Institute for Philosophy and Theology in Harissa, Lebanon, Professor of Dogmatic Theology, and Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), answers these questions in a special interview with the MECC Media.

Firstly, Fr. Bustros clarifies that "fast in the life of the Church is always a fast of repentance, because people prepare themselves to receive an important event, thus preparing their soul and mindset for what is to come. This is why we have fasts preceding major Feasts, such as the Nativity Fast and the Fast preceding Easter, which we also call the Holy Great Lent."

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الجمعة 18 حزيران/ يونيو 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.

An Episode With His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Polis III Nona

Chaldean Patriarch in Iraq and the World

Produced By MECC

Produced by MECC

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.

Participates in the Annual Mass of the Association “Roots Never Die”

At the invitation of the Parish Priest of St. Behnam and Sarah Syriac Catholic Church and President of the Association “Roots Never Die,” Father David Melki, a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) participated in the Association’s Annual Mass, which included the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, Professor Laure Abi Khalil and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

The Mass was held at St. Behnam and Sarah Syriac Catholic Church in Fanar. It was presided over by the Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Beirut and the Head of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Murad, with the participation of the Parish Priest Father David Melki and Deacons, in the presence of notable figures and faithful attendees.

What Meanings Does It Carry?

The khachkar is more than just a carved stone; it is a testimony of faith, memory, and identity. In the Armenian tradition, the Cross is engraved in stone surrounded by motifs symbolizing life, resurrection, and eternity, becoming a sign of hope and of Christ’s victory over death.

In this monument, the sculptor sought to give another meaning to the carved Cross by transforming it into a Tree of Life. This tree recalls the Armenian people, who have passed through trials yet have not lost their roots. The tree’s roots, planted deep in the rock, symbolize steadfast faith; its branches reaching toward the sky are a sign of unceasing hope; and its fruits are holiness, witness, and new life born from the heart of suffering.

This commemorative monument is dedicated to Saint Ignatius Maloyan, and the tree also reflects his image. His roots were firmly grounded in Christ, so trials could not uproot him; his spirit rose toward heaven with uncompromising faith; and his martyrdom bore the fruit of holiness that continues to give life and hope to generations.

“Momentum”

12-6-2026

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 “Saint Rafqa and Social Cohesion”.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a&id=1f8825ca2a.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:
https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Headed by the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

Visits His Eminence Sheikh Al-Aql of the Unitarian Druze Community, Sheikh Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna

Words Emphasized the Strengthening of Cooperation Between the Two Sides for the Benefit of People and the Nation

His Eminence Sheikh Al-Aql of the Unitarian Druze Community, Sheikh Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, received at the Druze Community House in Beirut, a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). It included Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, Associate Secretaries General Father Dean Nicolas Bustros and Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Dr. Laudy Khoury, Mrs. Caroline Haddad, Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Mrs.Maha Samaan, Mr. Richard Sassine, Mr. Rabih Abu Rjeily, and Mr. Elia Nasrallah.

The delegation affirmed the MECC support for the statement issued by the recent Christian-Muslim Spiritual Summit held at the Druze Community House, as well as for the general framework outlined by His Eminence Sheikh Abi Al-Muna. The delegation noted that this framework strengthens communication among all spiritual and national components in Lebanon and promotes dialogue outcomes that contribute to spreading awareness, fostering a culture of tolerance, preserving values, consolidating stability, and safeguarding civil peace.

The delegation also praised His Eminence Sheikh Al-Aql’s initiative in meeting the Heads of State with a delegation representing Religious Authorities within the framework of a spiritual and national partnership aimed at rescuing the State and protecting the nation.

Lebanon’s Righteous Daughter: The Story of an Entire Nation

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

In a time when events accelerate and challenges intensify, people remain in need of guiding lights to show them the way, and of exceptional figures whose lives embody the meanings of perseverance, faith, and hope. Lebanon, this small country in size but great in its mission, has offered the world not only a rich cultural and civilizational heritage, but also Saints who, through their lives, reflected the image of a faithful person deeply rooted in their land and open to heaven.

Among these luminous figures stands Saint Rafqa, Lebanon’s righteous daughter, whose life story has become the story of an entire nation. In her life, we can read many of Lebanon’s defining traits: faith that cannot be broken, patience that transcends hardship, and hope that springs from the heart of suffering. Rafqa lived in a simple Lebanese village, yet she carried a human and spiritual message that went far beyond geographical boundaries, becoming a Saint of the universal Church and a beacon of light illuminating the paths of believers around the world.

On WhatsApp

In its endeavor to embody its slogan, "Building Bridges, Standing Together," to be a unifying platform for Church and Religious Families and all components of society, reflecting the Christian reality in the Middle East with a unified Church voice emanating from the cradle of Christianity to the entire world within a shared life with all components of society,

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen its Ecumenical and humanitarian mission and to shed lights on the Church in the Middle East through all available media platforms and digital technologies,

The Middle East Council of Churches has launched a WhatsApp channel, entitled “MECC News”.

We invite you to join this channel and follow the MECC news via the following link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbB2Ym05a240L8hfFv0s.

This is in addition to episodes, reports, videos, and articles produced by MECC, about various Christian, Ecumenical, humanitarian, and social issues.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الجمعة 12 حزيران/ يونيو 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.

Produced By MECC

An Episode With His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian

Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family

Produced By MECC

On the Commemoration of the Canonization of Saint Rafqa on June 10, the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents this video from the Church of Saint Rafqa in Hamlaya, Lebanon.

Produced By MECC