Organized by the International Organization for Migration and Orthodox Partners

At the invitation of the International Organization for Migration and Orthodox Partners, the Middle East Council of Churches represented by its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, alongside the Director of the MECC Diakonia Department Eng. Samer Laham, participated in an international meeting entitled “Migration Challenges and Opportunities”, on Wednesday 5 April 2023, in the presence of representatives of various Churches, humanitarian organizations and concerned parties online or in person in Athens, Greece.

During the meeting, which you can watch it by clicking here, Laham delivered a message in which he presented an introduction about the Middle East Council of Churches, its mission, and the Ecumenical and humanitarian work it implements in the Middle East through various programs, especially its efforts to preserve human rights and dignity.

The New Webinar Organized by MECC

Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: We live daily the tragedy of the afflicted person until it has become a natural part of our daily scene

As part of its series of monthly seminars, the Middle East Council of Churches held a new webinar entitled "Dignity for the Afflicted People", on Thursday 30 March 2023, with the participation of specialists, academics, and attendees interested in the topic. Noting that this webinar is organized within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, which MECC is implementing consecutively.

The webinar, which was broadcasted live on the MECC Facebook page (Part 1 - Part 2), included three interventions on the topic at hand. It was moderated by Dr. Chawki Attieh who described in his opening note the moments of terror that people witnessed following the earthquake that struck the North of the Antiochian Levant, focusing on the importance of human dignity and how to preserve it, especially after disasters and in times of trouble.

A Survivor Reports the Bitter Situations She Passed Through Following the Disaster

Two months have passed since the catastrophic earthquake that struck the North of the Antiochian Levant. The Syrian people are still suffering, with great pain, from its tragic effects, which turned their lives upside down. In fact, the Syrians’ wounds have not yet healed, especially that the earthquake’s repercussions are enormous on various living levels. Hence, families are searching for safety and hope in a wounded country that is still witnessing escalating conflicts and crises.

Report: March, 2023

With China as mediator, the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia will have positive implications on the stability of the Middle East. During an era of global economic decline and mounting societal pressure, such move can bring opposing visions together to reshape the political and socioeconomic landscape of the region. Countries such as Iraq and Lebanon, which are home to several distinct political parties, should witness tangible change in terms of inter-party dialogue.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which title is “Religious Events and the Sharing in Common Life”. Dr. Abs highlighted the Ramadan experience that people live in Beirut, as in all the capitals of Arab countries. He mentioned that this experience reconciles hearts and strengthens the bond between people. Dr. Abs also stresses the importance of sharing a common life, removing psychological barriers between people, and encouraging them to get acquainted with mutual traditions, and even beliefs.

Report: March 30th, 2023

The Middle East Council of Churches is being involved in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Syria under the name of "Rescue Syria Campaign" through which the Council shall be dealing with the relief efforts in this emergency period and later on with rehabilitation plans in order to help people survive properly and resume a normal life with dignity.

MECC will be publishing a periodical report under the name of "Rescue Syria Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective. 

Towards a Brighter and More Prosperous Future

Amidst the various social, economic and health crises… that are affecting the Middle East, women today are suffering from daily stress and challenges on many levels. As well as, they are facing, since decades, many menaces that are threatening their basic rights. In fact, it seems that women are deprived of these rights.

Thus, the Middle East Council of Churches seeks, through its mentoring programs, to support women, especially the most vulnerable, and to help them overcome daily challenges with great hope. Hence, the MECC Jordan Office continues its implementation of women empowerment training courses, in partnership with the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in Amman. Therefore, MECC stresses that women have an important and crucial role in the growth and prosperity of societies.

I write this article on the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan, and it is valid in every religious season in my country, be it Christmas, Easter, or Al Fitr.

In normal cases, and whenever civil peace is established, religious events constitute an area for people to interact with each other, socialize and integrate into a social and cultural melting pot, which produces a beautiful public spirit and spreads joy and intimacy among people.

The blessed month of Ramadan, which is the month of fasting for Muslims, in its religious aspect, is a month of prayer and forgiveness. In its social aspect, it becomes an occasion in which families, usually busy with their daily lives, meet and pray and break the fast together.

As for what makes the month of Ramadan a month of intimacy and love, it is that the participants in these daily “occasions”, that is, Iftars, which are breaking the fast at sunset, are not only for Muslims or members of the same family, but the circle expands to include Christian friends, neighbors and co-workers as well.

The Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of April 2023. 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.

Hosted by Saint Paul Convent in Harissa, Lebanon

Together Towards Easter

On the occasion of the Great Lent and in preparation for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches, headed by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, organized a Spiritual Retreat, on Friday 24 March 2023. It was hosted by the Saint Paul Convent in Harissa, Lebanon, and the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Paul, Melkite Greek Catholic Church.

The meeting was held in coordination with Father Nicolas Bustros, the General Assistant of the Paulist Fathers Congregation, Director of Saint Paul's Institute, and Associate Secretary General at the Middle East Council of Churches, with the participation of the MECC’s General Secretariat team of various departments from Beirut.

Youth Bringing Life Back to the Heart of Nature

MECC Implements a Forestation Campaign in Al Wassieh, Jordan

Since the Middle East Council of Churches launched the “Forestation Days” project as part of the “Season of Creation” program, the Council has been keen to enhance environmental knowledge and green culture, especially among youth in the region. Hence, MECC aims at highlighting the youth’s role towards God’s creation and motivating them to work for the preservation of the environment and the common home in which we all live.

Thus, the Middle East Council of Churches pursues its environmental activities through a new forestation campaign implemented in Jordan, specifically in the Latin Patriarchate High School in Al Wassieh, on Saturday 25 March 2023. It was organized in coordination with His Eminence Bishop Jamal Khader, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, and in partnership with the humanitarian international organization “Danmission”.

Begins His Visits to Theological Institutes in the Region

In order to strengthen communication between the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) and Theological Institutes in the region, the Executive Secretary of ATIME, Father Dr. Michael Kanbar is holding a series of visits to these educational institutions, according to the internal regulations of the Association, which requires the Executive Secretary to visit the institutes once a year.

Father Dr. Kanbar started its visits from Lebanon. During March 2023, he visited the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand, the Higher Institute of Religious Studies, the Faculty of Religious Sciences at St. Joseph University in Beirut, and the St. Paul Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Harissa. Noting that other visits will be hold next month.

Report: March 23rd, 2023

The Middle East Council of Churches is being involved in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Syria under the name of "Rescue Syria Campaign" through which the Council shall be dealing with the relief efforts in this emergency period and later on with rehabilitation plans in order to help people survive properly and resume a normal life with dignity.

MECC will be publishing a periodical report under the name of "Rescue Syria Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective. 

"Dignity for the Afflicted People"

 Thursday 30 March 2023 - 7:00 pm

The Middle East Council of Churches has the honor to invite you to its new monthly webinar, entitled "Dignity for the Afflicted People", on Thursday 30 March 2023, at 7:00 pm.

You can participate in the webinar via the following Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/24k26h5b, and live on the MECC Facebook page.

The webinar will start with a speech delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. It will include 3 interventions on the topic at hand, and will be moderated by Dr. Chawki Attieh who will present an opening note which will be followed by a video and testimonials.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, which title is “The Feast of the Annunciation and the Unity of Humankind in Mary”. Dr. Abs centered his message around the act of the Annunciation which in itself constitutes a unique event in the course of the Christian faith as well as in the course of human salvation. He also talked about the Virgin Mary, the mother, the intercessor of tortured humanity and the symbol that brings people together.

On the twenty-fourth of March every year, the Church celebrates the feast of the Annunciation, the Annunciation of our Lady, the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of Man, and the Mother of the Believers.

The act of the Annunciation in itself constitutes a unique event in the course of the Christian faith as well as in the course of human salvation, as the Lord chose His servant Mary from among all the women of the world to bear in her womb the child who will bear the sins of the world.

How great is the good news and how great were those moments, when the angel of the Lord came to Mary, and announced to her that she would be the mother of God, the mother of the Savior.

No mind and no words can describe the feelings that may have stirred in the heart and soul of Mary as she ascended the path of holiness.

She is the chosen one who will give the world what it has not tired of waiting for and this for many millennia.

How meek and wise are you  O Mary, for the Lord to choose you as a mediator for the coming of the Savior into the world!

MECC Implements an Afforestation Campaign in Kfar Falous, Lebanon

Together for a Safer Home!

With the aim of enhancing environmental awareness and working to protect nature and God's creation, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its green activities with the Ecumenical youth in various countries of the Middle East. Thus, MECC implemented a new forestation campaign, in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization "Danmission", in Kfar Falous region in Lebanon, under the slogan "Plant a tree that will protect ten trees", on Saturday 18 March 2023, with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elie Haddad of the Greek Catholic Melkite Diocese of Sidon and Deir El-Qamar.

A Forestation Campaign in Mahrada, Syria, with MECC

Together for a Green Environment!

Amidst all the dangers that threaten the environment and human life today, it is necessary to enhance environmental awareness and increase green activities with the aim to build a better future and a more sustainable environment. Hence, and as part of the "Season of Creation" program, the Middle East Council of Churches works with the youth in various countries of the Middle East in order to achieve the desired goals through environmental awareness and activities.

Within its ecological mission, the Middle East Council of Churches organized, with the support of the humanitarian international organization “Danmission”, a forestation campaign in the Mahrada region in Syria, as part of the “Forestation Days” project, on Saturday 11 March 2023. Participants were 50 young women and men from the Church accompanied by Father Elias Najjar and Reverend Maan Bachour.

Visits MECC in Beirut

A delegation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), including Reverend Gabi Aelabouni, Director of the ELCA Middle East and North Africa Department, and Ms. Marie Anne Sliwinski, Senior Director, ELCA Building Resilient Communities office, visited the offices of the Middle East Council of Churches’ General Secretariat in Beirut, on Monday 20 March 2023. The MECC Secretary General Dr. Abs welcomed the delegation.

On the occasion of Mother's Day, Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, Coordinator of the Eco Justice Unit at the Middle East Council of Churches, prepared a special Prayer and recited it during the Sunday Service, on Sunday 19 March 2023, at the National Evangelical Church in Beirut.

Below you can find the text of the Prayer:

God, you have loved us as a father and a mother. You gave us life and sheltered us with your compassionate wings. We come to you with our concerns trusting in your care.

We thank you on this Mothers’ Day, for the gift of motherhood and the intimate bond that unites a person with a mother. We thank you for all the mother around us and for their efforts to preserve the life of their children and guide them towards you.

We confess that the role of the mother is a very difficult these days. We therefore pray for all the mothers who are trying to balance between the demands of life, work and care for their children…