The week of January 18-25 of each year is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This is a tradition that has become part of the Christian year, and the Church of Christ around the world participates in it.

The premise of this matter is a feeling among Christians that the Church has been fragmented to the utmost and that its sons have become discordant and at odds, not united by the “Word” and His commandment.

In this the above assertion, there is a misreading of things and an approach that needs to be corrected.

Dedicating a week of prayer for christian unity might suggest that Christ's disciples only seek unity during this time of the year. However, they pray for unity daily throughout the year, with a common belief in “One, holy, catholic and apostolic Church”. What distinguishes these eight days is that Christians from different Churches and communities pray together, reflecting on one subject, following one service, and gathered locally in one place.

The Ecumenical Movement: The Historical Church Legacy and Godfather of Christian Unity for Generations

A glimmer of hope amidst a sea of crises and divisions, a movement always calling for the acceptance of others and the recognition of the richness in diversity among ecclesial families in a world steeped in hate, violence and hostility... The Ecumenical movement is a lifestyle based on prayer, repentance, and solidarity aiming to restore communion and unity amongst All Christians.

"UNiTE to End Violence against Women"

One in two women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some type of violence, and nearly one in 4 women feel unsafe at home... These are numbers recorded by the UN Women based on data from 13 countries since the Coronavirus outbreak. But these are also shocking numbers that describe a harsh reality. Hence, danger on women’s life is increasing, specially that they are often considered one of the weakest groups in societies.

You can find the speech of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and president of MECC for the Greek Orthodox Family, during the MECC 11th General Assembly, held between 6 and 8 September 2016 in Amman, Jordan, under the title of “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 136: 1).

The first issue of the year 2022 of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches presents the message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs following the afforestation campaign organized by the Council with a group of youth in the Lebanese Town of Bejjeh, within the framework of the global environmental campaign “Season of Creation”; in addition to details and photos of this project. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it was entitled “Act of Birth and Act of Annihilation”. He wrote it for the introduction of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” Booklet for 2022.

The story of Christmas is to be taken in its significances, lessons, and symbols.

The story of Christmas tells us about the struggle between survival and extermination, between good and evil, between love and hate.

The story of Christmas tells us about the victory of a defenseless little child over a tyrant armed to the teeth, surrounded by armies.

The story of Christmas assures us that greed and clinging to power and interests are as old as the human race and will persist as long as it continues.

With the beginning of the new year 2022, the Communication and Public Relations Department at the Middle East Council of Churches issues its digital Ecumenical calendar for the month of January 2022. 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. Noting that the remaining months of the year will be published consecutively.

MECC Has Prepared the Prayer Booklet for the 2022 Week

A Message from the East to the World

“In One, Holy and Apostolic Church” we declare in our Nicene Creed to emphasize the importance of our Christian unity with our Lord Jesus Christ. Heads of churches around the world have always seek to this unity which is today highlighted by Christians through daily prayers and meditations during the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" that is scheduled from 18 to 25 January of each year.

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

Booklet, Poster, Pocket Prayer and the Celebrations Program in Lebanon

Christians around the world celebrate the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” between 18 and 25 January of each year. They pray together with one heart to God the Father on the intention of enhancing the spirit of unity and brotherhood among them. Hence, a unified booklet is specially prepared for this week which is yearly awaited.

A delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches headed by Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs visited His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and president of the Council for the Eastern Orthodox Family, on Wednesday 29 December 2021 at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Atchane, Lebanon.

You can find the speech of His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Chaldean Patriarch in Iraq and the World and president of MECC for the Catholic Family, during the MECC 11th General Assembly, held between 6 and 8 September 2016 in Amman, Jordan, under the title of “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 136: 1).

MECC Distributed Summer Seeds to Farmers in Dara’a

In order to continue supporting poor and affected families through enabling them to participate in the economic life; the Service and Relief Department - Diakonia, at the Middle East Council of Churches, Syria’s office, provided summer seeds to farmers in Samej and Um Al Mayathen villages in Daraa Governorate.

Youth Renewing the Beauty of Earth with the Middle East Council of Churches

Within the framework of the global environmental campaign “Season of Creation” the Middle East Council of Churches launched in the region for the first time in September 2021, the Council concluded its environmental activity for the year in partnership with Danmission organization, and in cooperation with Bejjeh Club and the parish of the town with an afforestation campaign and distribution of fruitful trees to the people of Bejjeh on Sunday December 26, 2021.

Bejjeh was the venue

We came to this peaceful Lebanese village perched on the hills of the Byblos region, where the first boats known in history sailed across the sea carrying the cypher to the world.

We got there on Sunday the twenty-sixth of December thanks to the joint initiative of the Theological and Ecumenical Relations Department and the Environmental Justice Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches in coordination with the village parish and its cultural and sports club.

Christmas Message 2021 from the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs

In the dome of heaven, a star shone, announcing to us the Advent of the one coming in the name of the Father.

From the heights of heights, the star came, telling us that the Awaited One had arrived, and that humanity was on the threshold of an era in no way like the one that had preceded it.

Heaven could not be silent when the Incarnation took place, so it spoke through the star.

The star was the herald of the Incarnation just as the Cross was the herald of victory over the forces of darkness.

Beirut, 13-15 December 2021

Invited by the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches, 40 representatives of religious authorities and leaders of various Iraqi religions, congregations, and ethnic groups, came together in Beirut to follow up on recommendations of the 2017 conference held in Beirut under the title "Interfaith Consultation of Social Cohesion in Iraq", and to discuss emerging challenges and future prospects for social cohesion in Iraq.

With the aim of restoring livestock- hens breeding which was depleted during war in Syria, and in order to help rural families improve their income; the team of the Service and Relief Department- Diakonia at the Middle East Council of Churches, Syria office distributed 30 laying to each of 180 families in Um El Mayathen town in Dara’a Governorate. Some families included female-headed households and others persons with disabilities.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, you can find the news of the new sessions of the Interfaith Consultation on Iraqi Social Cohesion that were organized by the World Council of Churches in cooperation with the Middle East Council of Churches from 13 to 15 December 2021 in Beirut. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “Societal integration, dialogue and progress – Towards a common vision for Iraq”. It was the speech that he delivered at the opening of the sessions’ first day.

Multiethnic, multireligious and multiconfessional societies go often through crises of integration that can sometimes be fatal.

We all know how basic identity is essential in defining man - the individual or man - the group and how much it has an influence on the fate of the individual and the group. In many cases, we find that a person is ready to sacrifice his life and possessions in order to protect and preserve this identity. It equates to his presence.