The Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, Beirut office at the Middle East Council of Churches organized 6 psychosocial support sessions for a group of children aiming at enhancing their abilities and developing their skills.

The Psychosocial sessions for children play a valuable role in promoting the well-being and resilience of children.

«Nosotros hemos visto aparecer su estrella en el Oriente y venimos a adorarlo» (Mateo 2, 2)
Un título esperanzador para la unidad en la oración

La versión árabe del folleto de la Semana de Oración por la Unidad de los Cristianos se publica este año con gran alegría. El Consejo Pontificio para la Promoción de la Unidad de los Cristianos encomendó al Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio la tarea de seleccionar el tema de la «Semana de Oración para el año 2022« y preparar los borradores de sus textos.

“We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Matthew 2:2)

A Hopeful Title for Unity in Prayer

The Arabic version of The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity booklet is released this year with great joy! The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity entrusted the Middle East Council of Churches with the task of selecting the theme of the Week of Prayer for the year 2022 and preparing drafts of its texts. The Ecumenical Committee appointed by the Theological and Ecumenical Department of the Council, tasked with this project, chose as a subject the appearance of the star in the sky of Judea as a sign of hope for God’s loving presence for humanity under the title: “We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Matthew 2:2).

Los fracasos de la raza humana no tienen límites, y cuanto más progresa la «civilización», más se diversifican los fracasos y mayor es el número de personas que sobresalen en ellos utilizando todo lo nuevo y brillante.

Desde el principio de la creación, el hombre ha cometido una ofensa tras otra, de todo tipo y color, y ha engañado a sus hermanos o a su entorno en un intento de encontrar posición, estatus o riqueza. El hermano mató a su hermano, el hijo renegó de su padre y el amigo traicionó a su amigo.

Como parte del desarrollo de capacidades y habilidades, el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio está interesado en desarrollar el rendimiento de su equipo, con el fin de trabajar juntos y superar las dificultades y desafíos, especialmente lo que rodea a nuestras Iglesias orientales, su Consejo y las sociedades.

El Secretario General del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio, el Dr. Michel Abs, visitó al vicario de la Arquidiócesis Ortodoxa Siria de Monte Líbano, S.E. Mons. Georges Saliba, en la archidiócesis del Monte Líbano y Trípoli, en Sabtieh - Líbano, y a S.E. el arzobispo ortodoxo sirio de Beirut, Daniel Kourieh, en la sede de la Arquidiócesis en Beirut. El Dr. Abs estuvo acompañado por el Secretario General Asociado en nombre de la familia ortodoxa oriental, Adel Syryany.

Con el inicio de las reuniones del Santo Sínodo Antioqueno en su 12ª sesión ordinaria en la Sede Patriarcal - Balamand, Líbano, encabezada por el Patriarca Ortodoxo Griego de Antioquía y de todo el Oriente Su Beatitud Juan X, el Secretario General del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio Dr. Michel Abs participó en su sesión celebrada el miércoles 6 de octubre de 2021.

As part of the capacity building and skills development, the Middle East Council of Churches is keen to develop its team performance, in order to work together and overcome the difficulties and challenges, especially that surround our Eastern Churches, their Council and societies.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs visited the curate of Mount Lebanon Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese HE Bishop Georges Saliba in the Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli in Sabtieh - Lebanon, and HE Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Daniel Kourieh at the Archdiocese’s headquarters in Beirut. Dr. Abs was accompanied by the Associate Secretary General on behalf of the Oriental Orthodox family Adel Syryany.

With the launching of the Holy Antiochian Synod’s meetings in its 12th regular session at the Patriarchal Headquarters - Balamand, Lebanon, headed by His Beatitude Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs participated in its session held on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, presents the news of the closing Prayer of the “Season of Creation” at the invitation of MECC and under the patronage of HB Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rai, on October 3, 2021, at the Monastery of the Visitation, Aintoura – Lebanon. In addition to the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs’ speech on the occasion.

The failures of the human race have no limits, and the more “civilization” progresses, the more diversified the failures are and the greater is the number of people who excel in them using everything new and bright.

Since the beginning of creation, man had committed offense after offense, of every type and color, and had deceived his brothers or his surroundings in an attempt to find standing, status, or wealth. The brother killed his brother, the son denied his father, and the friend betrayed his friend.

At the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches, the “Season of Creation” 2021 was concluded in an Ecumenical Prayer service under the patronage of His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rai, on Sunday October 3, 2021, at the Visitation Monastery, Philokalia Institute and Organization in Aintoura, Keserwan - Lebanon. For the occasion, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs delivered a speech entitled "Priceless Moments".

All Creation is Inviting us to Glorify and Bless the Lord

All Church Traditions Confirm that the World was not Just Created for Man, but for all Creatures

The Eastern calendar this year noticed some modifications, the environment knocked on its door to reserve its seat among the regional and international days the Middle East celebrates annually. The new environmental celebration starts on September 1 and ends on October 4 of each year, and this is reflected in the days of the “Season of Creation” for the first time in the region following the initiative of the Middle East Council of Churches to translate the international booklet of the season into Arabic.

Environmental and Ecumenical Interviews on the Closure of the “Season of Creation” 2021

Leaders from Different Church Families Highlight the Importance of Preserving the Creator’s Gifts

On the closure of the Season of Creation 2021 in the East and the world, the Middle East Council of Churches called for an Ecumenical Prayer under the patronage of His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rai on Sunday October 3, 2021, at the Visitation Monastery, Philokalia Institute and Organization, in Aintoura, Lebanon.

The Visitation Monastery, Philokalia Institute and Organization, how it was founded and what is its role? and what are the specializations available at the Institute?

Sister Marana Saad:

‘At Philokalia, meaning “Love of the beautiful”, we work on the upbringing of artists’

‘The Season of Creation is a message and an invitation in the heart of the Church’

From the Lebanese village Aintoura, and with the reverence of the Monastery of the Visitation, the heavens chanted, and voices were raised, glorifying the Creator and praising his divine power. “How beautiful You are, Lord… How great Your name is on Earth!” How great are your deeds, O Lord, and how wonderful are your children when they gather in your name, with one heart, thanking you for your glorious blessings.

Report: 6 October 2021

With the exception of Turkey and Syria, all Middle East countries are reporting a decrease in daily infection rates. Due to overwhelming support from partner countries and adequate containment measures, only two countries have yet to report progress.

Report: 15 to 30 September 2021

ME countries continued to succeed in weathering the different economic challenges that had impeded progress. With tensions decreasing and the situation improving, the ME can focus on development projects that can tackle future challenges.

Ecumenical Prayer in the Monastery of the Visitation, Lebanon, Under the Patronage of Cardinal Al-Rai

The Middle East Council of Churches concluded the “Days of the Season of Creation” 2021, a first of its kind event in the east, under the patronage of the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, on Sunday October 3, 2021, at the Monastery of the Visitation, Philokalia Institute and Organization, in Aintoura – Keserwan, Lebanon, chosen by His Beatitude and recently restored for the celebration.