Land of Holiness 2 - The Blessed Patriarch Elias Howayek

Monastery of the Sisters of the Holy Family, Aabrine - Tomb of the Patriarch

Produced by MECC

A Journey of Blessings Through a Historic Legacy and a Path Crowned with Holiness

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches Media (MECC)

The Lebanese town of Aabrine witnesses a new Blessed upon the Lord's Altar: the seventy-second Maronite Patriarch, a man of providence, dialogue, love, and patriotism, and the Founder of the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family. He is Blessed Patriarch Elias Howayek, who consistently demonstrated his love for his homeland and his steadfast attachment to its land.

Today, attention is focused on the Monastery of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family in Aabrine, where the faithful come to pray at the tomb of Patriarch Howayek. The Monastery includes the Patriarch's Museum, which comprises six sections documenting the most significant milestones of his historical, Ecclesiastical, cultural, and national life. It is a place that bridges a past crowned with God's blessings and a new journey towards holiness.

A Father, Shepherd, and Faithful Servant of the Church of Christ, A Life Crowned with Holiness

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

From the St. Elias district of Mkhallessiyeh, a new journey of holiness begins, as the Church in Lebanon and around the world witnesses an Ecclesial event that strengthens faith and renews hope. The Beatification of Father Bechara Abou Mrad marks a radiant spiritual milestone, embodying Christian witness, Ecclesial obedience, and humanitarian service.

Father Bechara Abou Mrad lived a life filled with Prayer, piety, and humility. He became a blessing to many faithful, guiding them back to the path of salvation. In 2026, the Holy See approved his Beatification after recognizing a miracle attributed to his intercession.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of July 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.

With the Beatification of Father Bechara Abou Mrad, the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents this video, which it filmed at the Holy Savior Monastery in Joun, Lebanon, Tomb of Father Bechara Abou Mrad, Our Lady Monastery in Joun, and the Holy Savior Secondary School.

Hymn: “Arak Fi Al Khafa’” (meaning “I See You in Secret”), performed by Father Makarios Haidamous, from the Basilian Salvatorian Order.

“Momentum”

29-6-2026

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 “Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul: A Witness of Struggle and a Mission of Unity”.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/6310bbc705bd/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.

Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah Installed as Pastor of the National Evangelical Church in Beirut

And President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Installation Service

Reverend Dr. Habib Badr: “After 41 years, I hand over the responsibility, marking the beginning of a new chapter of renewal and continuity”

The National Evangelical Church in Beirut held the Installation Service of Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah as its ordained Senior Pastor, consecrated for ministry under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The celebration was attended by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and his wife Dr. Frida Haddad Abs; Reverend Wilbert Van Saane, Reverend Rima's husband, and their family; alongside many Pastors, including Reverend Dr. Uwe Gräbe, Head of the Middle East Unit of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS), Ms. Kirsten Auken, Regional Director of Danmission in the Middle East, Directors of institutions affiliated with the National Evangelical Church, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, Members of the Church Board of Elders, and believers.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الاثنين 29 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.

Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

and a Delegation from the General Secretariat

A Meeting that Emphasizes the Importance of Martyrdom in the Church and Strengthening the Ecumenical Spirit

His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), received the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, at the head of a delegation from the General Secretariat, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Patriarchal Residence in Mathaf, Beirut.

Attendees from the Patriarchate were Member of the MECC Executive Committee Chorbishop Habib Mrad, and Father Karim Kalash.

The MECC delegation included Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, Director of the Lebanon’ Office in the Diakonia and Social Service Department Ms. Nina Hallak, Finance Director Dr. Laudy El Khoury, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Rehabilitation Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Senior Human Resources Officer Mrs. Caroline Haddad, Procurement Officer Richard Sassine, Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Maha Samaan, IT Officer Rabih Abou Rjeili, Social Media Officer Johnny Anton, and Communication and Media Officer Elia Nasrallah…

What Are the Details?

“… Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it”

(Matthew 16:18)

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) 

The Commemoration of Saints Peter and Paul is a special date in the history of the Church and the consolidation of Christianity over the decades. The Church celebrate their Commemoration on June 29, and believers ask for their intercession to Christ to grant peace to the world and mercy to our souls.

They are the Founders of the Antiochian See and they were given many titles: Leaders of the apostles, founders of the Church, first in line for the apostolate sees, and teachers of the world... Peter was the first to admit that Jesus is the Son of the living God according to the Gospel of Matthew 16:16. He then denied Christ three times and repented, so the Lord forgave him accordingly. Paul’s name was Saul. The Lord appeared to him on his way to Damascus, where he wanted to kill Christians... He took Paul's name after his baptism at the hands of Jesus to convert and preach the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

From the Holy Family Monastery in Abrine, Lebanon – Tomb of the Blessed Patriarch Elias Howayek – the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents this video, which it filmed.

‏Hymn "Man of Providence" (Patriarch Elias Howayek), sung by Mounir Khalifeh.