MECC

Communication & PR Department Communication 8/3/26 Communication & PR Department Communication 8/3/26

One Heart in Christ

Between Spirituality, Culture, and Faith: Armenian Catholic Youth from Around the World Gather in Lebanon

His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian: “You are not only the future of the Church, but also its present… Be People of Initiative”

Amidst the daily challenges that Lebanon is facing due to the crises affecting the country, the nation continues to affirm that the will to live is the strongest and that the new generation has a great determination to build a better future.

Hence, Lebanon hosted one of the most significant youth gatherings of the Armenian Catholic Church, with the blessing of 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.

Filled with hope and held under the theme “One Heart in Christ (WAYD 2026),” the event was organized by the Armenian Catholic Youth Union in Lebanon (ACYU), and took place from July 29 to August 3, 2026, between the city of Anjar and the Monastery of Our Lady of Bzommar.

The gathering brought together spirituality, culture, and faith in an experience that reflected Lebanon’s historic and spiritual vocation as a land of encounter and dialogue. More than 250 young men and women from six countries participated, bringing with them a rich cultural diversity while remaining united in one faith.

Communication & PR Department Communication 7/30/26 Communication & PR Department Communication 7/30/26

Video - "Ecumenical Horizons" Program

Highlight on the 2026 WAYD Gathering for Armenian Catholic Youth in Lebanon

Produced By MECC

Communication & PR Department Communication 7/28/26 Communication & PR Department Communication 7/28/26

A Delegation from the Eastern Club for Civilizations Dialogue Visits the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

And Invites Him to Participate in the International Day of Diplomats

As part of strengthening cooperation and fostering openness between cultural and Religious institutions, as well as promoting the values of dialogue and mutual understanding among the various components of society, a delegation from the Eastern Club for Civilizations Dialogue visited the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the Council’s headquarters in Hamra_ Beirut. The delegation was headed by the Club’s President, Dr. Elie Al-Sarghani, and the Journalist Lea Maamary, Member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the Club, together with Members of the Board of Trustees: Mr. Eddy Makhoul, Mrs. Aimée Bou Lahoud, and Mrs. Amal Adel.

At the outset of the meeting, the Secretary General welcomed the delegation, commending the initiatives undertaken by the Eastern Club for Civilizations Dialogue and its role in promoting a culture of dialogue and openness. He praised the Club’s efforts to bring together diverse communities around shared values that foster social peace and constructive cooperation. Professor Abs also expressed his appreciation for the kind invitation, wishing the Club continued success in achieving its cultural and humanitarian objectives.

Communication & PR Department Communication 7/28/26 Communication & PR Department Communication 7/28/26

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Issues Its Weekly Newsletter

“Momentum”

27-7-2026

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 "The Social, Economic, Educational, and Humanitarian Responsibility of the Church In Preserving Values and Virtues and Building the Human Person (Part 1)".

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/6d9d862163d5/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.

Communication & PR Department Communication 7/27/26 Communication & PR Department Communication 7/27/26

The Middle East Council of Churches Issues the Ecumenical Calendar for August 2026

Communication & PR Department Communication 7/26/26 Communication & PR Department Communication 7/26/26

His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Polis III Nona Presides over the Divine Liturgy at St. Raphael Cathedral_ Baabda_Brasilia, Lebanon

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates Along with a Delegation from the Council

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, participated in the Divine Liturgy presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Polis III Nona, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the World, at St. Raphael Cathedral in Baabda_Brasilia.

A delegation from the Council also took part in the Liturgy, including Chorbishop Habib Mrad, Member of the MECC Executive Committee, Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at MECC, Lawyer Ibrahim Traboulsi, Member of the MECC Executive Committee, and Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC.

Communication & PR Department Communication 7/23/26 Communication & PR Department Communication 7/23/26

On the 180th Anniversary of the of the Armenian Evangelical Church

MECC Holds a Webinar on “Freedom of Conscience and Responsible Faith”

Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian: “Responsible faith reminds us that freedom reaches its highest expression not in defending ourselves but in serving others”

Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: “Communication is an essential issue within the framework of freedom of conscience”

On the occasion of the 180th Anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held a webinar entitled “Freedom of Conscience and Responsible Faith.” The main speaker was 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.

The webinar was moderated by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Michel Abs, with in-person participation from MECC colleagues, including Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and Coordinator of Media and Church Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary. In addition to an online participation from those interested in the topic from various Church families and countries around the world. It took place on Wednesday, July 23, 2026.