Beirut – September 18, 2026

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and Anba Abraam Charity in Jerusalem signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening coordination and joint efforts in the humanitarian and Ecclesiastical fields, supporting initiatives and programs that serve local communities, and enhancing Christian communication, presence, and role in the Middle East.

The agreement was signed by His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Eastern Orthodox Family, and President of Anba Abraam Charity in Jerusalem, together with the MECC Secretary General Anba Abraam Charity. The signing took place on September 18, 2026, at the MECC headquarters in Hamra, Beirut.

Discussions Centered on the Challenges that the Christian Presence is Facing in the Middle East, the Importance of Strengthening Unity and Partnership Among Churches, and the Unification of the Date of Easter

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, headed a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat on a visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Mark the Apostle in Sin El Fil. He met with His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Eastern Orthodox Family.

The delegation included Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of the Program for Dialogue, Social Cohesion and the Preservation of Human Dignity at MECC, and Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC.

Attendees were also the Head of the Coptic Orthodox Community in Lebanon and Syria Father Athanasius Rizk, Father Abanoub Al-Ourachalimi, Lawyer Abdallah Moussallem, and the Public Relations Officer Mr. Albert Gendy.

Chanted by the Seminarians of Saint Paul’ Seminary Harissa, Lebanon

Video – A Reflection by Fr. Dr. Michel Kanbar

Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Al-Hajje, Lebanon

University Professor, Writer, and Historian

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

Chanted by the Seminarians of Saint Paul’ Seminary Harissa, Lebanon

Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt

Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches

Interview with Professor Laure Abi Khalil; Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

The Armenian Relief Cross Association – Lebanon

Produced By MECC

“Momentum”

11-9-2026

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 "Water for Life". It is the word he delivered at the MECC Celebration for the “Season of Creation”, on Sunday 6 September 2026, at the National Evangelical Church of Beirut.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/41b112cd3fee/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.

Chanted by the Seminarians of Saint Paul’ Seminary Harissa, Lebanon

Chanted by the Seminarians of Saint Paul’ Seminary Harissa, Lebanon

Video - A Reflection by Reverend Rifaat Fikry, MECC Associate Secretary General

Basilica of Saint Paul, Harissa – Lebanon

Produced By MECC

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

Under the Theme "Living Water"

His Eminence Archbishop Boutros Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of

Churches (MECC), presented his book, “We Remain in Hope…”, to the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, and colleagues.

Issued by Naaman Publishing House for Culture, the book is a new addition to Archbishop Marayati’s intellectual and spiritual works. Its pages offer reflections on hope in human life and the Christian faith.

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs expressed his appreciation for this initiative, wishing His Eminence Archbishop Boutros Marayati many years filled with goodness, blessings, and holiness in service to the Church and humanity, as well as intellectual production.

Under the Theme “Living Water”

Beirut – Sunday, September 6, 2026

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) inaugurated the Season of Creation 2026 in Lebanon on the evening of Sunday, September 6, at the National Evangelical Church in Beirut, through an Ecumenical Prayer Service held under this year’s theme, “Living Water.” The Service brought together representatives of various Church Families in an encounter of Prayer, fellowship, and reflection on the gift of water and humanity’s responsibility to care for creation.

The celebration was attended by 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 MECC President for the Evangelical Family, and the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, along with Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Monks and Nuns, Representatives of Churches, organizations and youth movements, as well as many believers.

The Prayer Service included hymns performed by choirs and chanters from different Christian traditions: the Laudato Si’ Choir with Subdeacon Charbel Bou Machrek Chanter Deacon Ghazar Koushkrian, accompanied on the piano by Hampik Marderosian, a choir from the National Evangelical Church’s youth, and the St. Theophan the Hymnographer Choir. Together, they presented a rich musical tapestry reflecting the diversity of Christian traditions in the unity of Prayer and praise.

And Celebrates the "Season of Creation” During this Month

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

As well as, MECC celebrates the “Season of Creation” between September 1 and October 4, bearing this year the theme “Living Water” and the symbol “Immersion in Living Water,” inspired by Ezekiel 47:9 and 12.