Hosted by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji with the Participation of Church Leaders

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai:

Unity means meeting at the core, at the essence, in Christ Himself

His Eminence Bishop Kassarji: The Holy Spirit transforms diversity into communion, pain into joy, and fear into hope

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

The Ecumenical movement has laid the foundation and paved the way for sustained dialogue and cooperation among the Churches

On the occasion of the closing of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026," an Ecumenical Prayer Service was held under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4), hosted by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Church in Lebanon, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in the Archangel Raphael Chaldean Cathedral, Baabda - Lebanon.

At the Conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, in the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, in the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon:

Throughout its long history, the Ecumenical movement has consistently relied on dialogue to achieve its goals. This has been complemented by activities such as shared Worship, Ecumenical Prayers, and most importantly, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Season of Creation, as well as joint social work and Theological discussions…

If we must pause and reflect on the past, with its achievements and shortcomings, we can say that this movement has made fundamental accomplishments. It has laid the foundation and paved the way for sustained dialogue and cooperation among the Churches. It has also led to some mergers between Churches in various parts of the world…

Hosted by the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon

(Part Three)

“O Lord, shine the light of Your righteousness and wisdom on all Your creatures. Make us children of light and children of the day, so that we may always live our lives reverently, and become for all the world, worthy lampstands for Your life-giving light” (from the Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Week of Unity 2026).

(Part Two)

We Pray together, with hearts full of hope, on the occasion of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2026.

A Closing Prayer Service hosted by the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon.

(Part One)

Closing of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2026, in an Ecumenical Prayer Service, under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4)”, hosted by the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon.

The Prayer was attended by the Heads of Churches, and the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and an MECC delegation.

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

The Church of Abu Serga in Old Cairo hosted the second day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It brought together Church Leaders and Representatives of various Churches, in an atmosphere of spirituality, reflection and Prayer. It was a call for love and unity among the children of the Churches, under the theme: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4: 2).

The week's theme was: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).

Attendees were Reverend Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General Secretary of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Dr. Gergis Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Priests and Parishes Committee on behalf the Catholic Church; Father Michel, Member of the Committee on behalf the Episcopal Church, and Reverend Najeh Fawzy, Member of the Committee on behalf the Evangelical Church.

Participants were also Members of the Week of Prayer Committee, including Mr. Essam Ayad from the Catholic Church, Sheikh Victor from the Evangelical Church, and Mrs. Nancy from the Orthodox Church.

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

To pray together means that we have overcome past mistakes and forgiven historical sins

If we call for unity among Christians, it is all the more fitting to call for love among the people of the country in all their diversity

In celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, an Ecumenical meeting was held under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4). It took place at St. Ephrem the Syrian Church in Mina Tripoli, Lebanon, and brought together Bishops, Priests, Pastors, and believers from various Church families, at the invitation of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations, chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli.

The Prayer Service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shamoun, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Ephrem Kyriakos, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tripoli, Koura, and their Dependencies, His Eminence Archbishop Edward Daher, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Tripoli and All the North, Father Khoren, Representing His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, as well as Church, social, and cultural figures, and believers.

Attendees were also the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the head of an MECC that included Professor Laura Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.

During the Prayer, Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: “In the presence of the bishops of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we have gathered to pray together, fully aware of the importance of praying together and of living hope together, a hope we extend to all humankind, for the Lord who came as an atonement for our sins, came for all people”…

January 22, 2026

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began at the Sacred Heart Coptic Catholic Church in Egypt, under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4). The opening day, titled "Our Vocation," included a Procession led by the Deacons with the hymn "O King of Peace," creating a spiritual atmosphere that reflected the love and unity among the Churches.

Then, Father Francis, Pastor of the Sacred Heart Church, welcomed the guests at the beginning of the celebration. This was followed by a joint Prayer, " Our Father in Heaven," with the participation of all the attendees, in a scene that embodied the depth of communion and Christian unity.

The Service took place in the presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, His Grace Bishop Angelos, General Bishop of North Shoubra Churches, Representing His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, His Grace Archbishop Sami Fawzy, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, His Grace Bishop Ashot, Primate of the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Egypt, and His Grace Anba Thomas Adly, Coptic Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef.

Attendees were also Reverend Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General Secretary of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Dr. Gergis Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Father Boutros Fouad, Reverend Najeh Fawzy, Father Paul Gergis, Associate Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Members of the Priests and Parishes Committee of the Egyptian Council of Churches, along with Members of the Week of Prayer Committees and the Ecumenical Committee, including Professor Essam Ayad, Sheikh Victor, Mrs. Nancy, Mr. Medhat Fayez, Head of the Ecumenical Committee, Mrs. Nour Behnan, Member of the Ecumenical Committee, and Mrs. Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee of the Egyptian Council of Churches.

They all affirmed that the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity embodies a sincere call for love, acceptance of others, deepening the Ecumenical spirit, and consolidating the values ​​of peace and a unified Christian witness.

Words Emphasized the Importance of Upholding Human Dignity

As part of its visit to Lebanon, a delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUSA), a partner of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the Council's headquarters in Beirut, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. They were received by the MECC General Secretary Professor Michel Abs, and of the General Secretariat team from various departments.

The meeting began with an opening Prayer raised by the visiting delegation on the intention of peace in the Middle East and the world, thanking God for the opportunity to work and cooperate with the Middle East Council of Churches. The delegation also expressed their pleasure at visiting MECC and their desire to learn about the latest developments in the region, as well as updates on the MECC work of, particularly as the delegation is part of a Syria and Lebanon Partnership network.

(Part Three)

(Part Two)

(Part One)

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 is celebrated in Egypt under the theme "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4). The program of celebrations begins on Thursday, January 22, and continues until Saturday, January 31, at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Egyptian Council of Churches.

Hence, you can find the details of these celebrations.

Under the Theme “One Body and One Spirit”

The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches, organizes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Egypt 2026, under the auspices of the Churches in Egypt.

This is an affirmation of the one Christian witness and the common pursuit of unity for which Jesus Christ prayed: " that all of them may be one" (John 17: 21).

This year’s Week of Prayer has adopted a Biblical theme from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4)

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt will be held from January 22 to 31, 2026.