Pope Francis will make the first papal visit ever to Iraq in March to encourage the dwindling faithful. War and terrorism have hemorrhaged the nation’s Christians, but he hopes they might return.

Meanwhile in Lebanon, Michel Abs, recently selected as the new leader of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), agrees with the pontiff.

Online Meeting and Evaluation of the Implementation Phase

Following up on the work of the “The Restoration Fund for rehabilitation of faith-based social services & religious infrastructure damaged during the crisis in Syria” program, members of the Committee in charge of following up on the program held an electronic meeting which the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs attended for the first time after his election.

We confess to You, O Lord, that we have persevered in our sinfulness,

We admit to You, O creator of the universe, that we have corrupted Your creation,

We confess to You, Lord of the universe, that we have forgotten Your commandments,

We confess to You, Loving Father, that we have offended Your love,

We confess to You, O Most Merciful, that we did not show mercy to each other

Report: 1 to 15 February 2021

With the vaccination drive beginning in many ME countries, the economy might finally start to untangle itself. Yet, discrepancies were observed in some countries as socioeconomic standards of the population or government inability to provide the vaccine, might stop them from getting vaccinated.

When churches closed their doors to the believers while they were in dire need of assuaging their spiritual thirst facing the threat of the Coronavirus and the imposed quarantine, a religious issue was brought up: Is our relationship with God threated?

While the world experiences emergency measures for more than a year, trying to curb the deadly virus, the answer came through modern media, which sought to present the essence of Christian beliefs, especially during holidays and their rituals, accompanying believers during these difficult times.

FAQs about Coronavirus Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration Form

More than a year has passed and the virus still threatens humanity, especially those struggling to survive in the sad East. In light of dangerous economic and social collapses topped by serious political conflicts putting the region on the edge of a cliff, the Coronavirus was the icing on the cake, adding to the misery, deepening wounds and increasing the pain with thousands of victims and infected daily.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 8 to 15 February 2021

Those concerned with the history of our nation stand amazed by the conditions in which lived hermits who have withstood storms of all kinds, preserving their faith and its treasures for generations that have not yet been born.

The strength of belief, the power of faith and self-denial, imprinted believers and hermits of our wounded Levant.

The hermits and believers of Christianity have written epics of heroism and devotion, the most majestic in history.

We pray together for those struggling with the deadly Coronavirus and the souls of those who have passed onto God's hands. The prayer will be held online under the title: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4: 35-41), on Friday February 12, 2021, at 7:00 pm Beirut time.

Télé Lumière and Noursat Programming Director Marie-Therese Kreidi: Today Media is the Church’s Voice and Hope for Believers

More than a year has passed and the Coronavirus is still spreading around the world, imposing exceptional conditions and a health lockdown that didn’t even spare worship houses and churches included in many strict health measures taken around the world and in the Middle East.

Luqman Salim, a victim of the ongoing corruption in Lebanon

The German company “Combi Lift” which was tasked with disposing of chemicals in Beirut Port after the explosion that occurred on August 4, revealed that what it found there was a "second Beirut bomb."

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 1 to 8 February 2021

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon Father Timon Al-Suriani: Love, acceptance of others, and coexistence were not words written in books and treaties, but vivid prints stamped by history on the forehead of the country…

It is true that wars and conflicts have dominated and burdened the Middle East, but a glimmer of hope for a better tomorrow is evident in several situations. In Egypt, citizens have experienced fraternal and human coexistence between Christians and Muslims for several decades now. This was the highlight of the dialogue of the head of the Coptic Church in Lebanon, Father Timon al-Suriani in an interview with the Communication and Public Relations Department in the Middle East Council of Churches.

At a time of lockdown and confinement where people are struggling to provide their basic needs, the children’s needs and mental health are often overlooked.

Many of the refugee children are not enrolled at schools, primarily because the parents cannot afford tuition, a tablet or a laptop and many of them don’t have the luxury of internet service at home.

We unite to face together the Coronavirus, for in the midst of the storm, we fear nothing for God is with us.

And when we shout together “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”, we hear his voice calming the storm around us and saying “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4 : 35-40

A Prayer to the Creator - His Holiness Pope Francis

Lord, Father of our human family,
you created all human beings equal in dignity:
pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit
and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter,
dialogue, justice and peace.

Friday February 12, 2021

At 7:00 pm

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4 : 35-40

MECC organized vocational trainings in Aleppo city, Syria, in cooperation with the Armenian Protestant Church, in which 200 men and women participated. The trainings lasted a month and a half and included a variety of specializations: women hairdressing, makeup art, mobile maintenance, electrical wiring, management of tourism and travel offices, culinary art, pastry, tailoring, screen printing, and sewing.

February 4th, International Day of Human Fraternity!

Since 2020, February 4th is no longer just another day, now it represents an international call to end violence and hatred hostile speeches… it is now a day that reminds us of our fraternity no matter our nationality, ethnicity, society or religion… it is an invitation to work towards peace, justice and stability… hoping to live the rest of our days by the command of Jesus Christ “Love one another as I have loved you.” John 34:13.