The Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example

A Round Table Organized by MECC

Sessions Emphasizing the Necessity of Promoting Human Values ​​for a Better Future

As part of the Year Fifty activities of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), MECC held a round table entitled “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example,” out of its belief in spreading the principles of dialogue and cooperation and the values ​​of love and fraternity, on Saturday 23 March 2024, at the headquarters of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.

The round table included three sessions with speakers, Church leaders and experts from various fields and countries in the Middle East, who spoke about their expertise and experiences in their countries, emphasizing that what unites us is more than what divides us and that the convergence of all religions is a basis for ensuring the stability and prosperity of societies, and this requires mutual respect, listening and communication.

Attendees were specialists and interested people in the topic at hand, at the offices of the General Secretariat, or followed online via the “Zoom” platform. Noting that the seminar was broadcasted live on the MECC Facebook page, on Télé Lumière and Noursat, and on various religious and secular TV stations.

The seminar began with a speech delivered by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, in which he stressed the importance of living together in peace and justice, away from all differences and conflicts. He also emphasized the need to consolidate the spirit of love and tolerance among all components of societies, in order to preserve human dignity and ensure a brighter and more advanced future.

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited Lebanon to pray with the Church families and meet with the Spiritual Leaders, extending his solidarity with the Lebanese and Eastern people in light of all the difficulties that are surrounding them. Hence, the video highlights the details of the third day of the visit of Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay to Lebanon.

The Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay continued his tour in Lebanon to pray with the Church Families and learn closely about their challenges, needs and aspirations. The visit came also within the framework of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). Thus, the video presents an overview about the second day of Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay’s visit to Lebanon.

At the end of his visit to Lebanon, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, accompanied by the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, headed to the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Beirut, on Friday 22 March 2024. He met the MECC General Secretariat’s team, led by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs. (All photos)

This gathering came within the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the MECC Founding, where Professor Dr. Michel Abs thanked Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay for his visit to Lebanon and his solidarity with the Lebanese and Eastern people. The meeting was also characterized by an atmosphere of fraternity and friendship between the participants who expressed their joy at this gathering which was filled with hope and love.

Building Bridges, Standing Together

The Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, on Friday 22 March 2024, at the Headquarters of the Patriarchate in Achrafieh. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, the Responsible of the Public Relations at the Patriarchate Mr. Charbel Bastoury attended the gathering.

Together to Promote the Ecumenical Work

With the aim to learn about the circumstances that Churches in Lebanon and the Middle East are passing through, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay continues his tour in Lebanon, where he visited Reverend Dr. Joseph Kassab, President of the Supreme Council of Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, General Secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). The visit was held in the office of Reverend Dr. Kassab at the headquarters of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon – Rabieh. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Nicolas Bustros, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, Reverend Najla Kassab and Reverend Father George Murad attended the gathering.

A Gathering that Stresses the Importance of Being Rooted in the Homeland

As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, on Friday 22 March 2024, in the Patriarchal Edifice – Bkerke. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Nicolas Bustros, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, the Patriarchal Vicar General His Eminence Bishop Paul Sayah attended the gathering.

With the blessing and presence of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, President of the World Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, and as part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the MECC founding, MECC held an Ecumenical gathering on Wednesday 20 March 2024, hosted by the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias - Lebanon.

You can find in the video a highlight about this gathering and the speeches that it included, as well as some interviews.

Exchanging Experiences in Order to Strengthen the Ecumenical Work

On the second day of his visit to Lebanon, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay met with Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, in the Haigazian University - Hamra. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, an MECC Delegation, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, the wife of Reverend Dr. Haidostian, Mrs. Maral Haidostian attended the gathering.

Cooperating Together to Work for Peace Is Needed

With great hope, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay continues his tour in Lebanon, He visited His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Al Soury, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Zahle, Baalbek and Dependencies, and Member of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Executive Committee, representing His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, on Thursday 21 March 2024, at the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate - Zahle. (All photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Dr. Nicolas Bustros, an MECC Delegation, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, participants were a group of Priests.

A Meeting that Emphasizes the Necessity of Preserving the Christian Presence in the Region

As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay 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 Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Thursday 21 March 2024, at the headquarters of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate - Atchaneh. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan.

As well as, attendees were the Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies His Eminence Bishop Mor Severios Roger Akhrass, the Patriarchal Secretary His Eminence Bishop Mor Augeen Nemat.

At the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visits Lebanon, between 19 and 22 March 2024. He will meet with Spiritual Leaders and pray with the MECC Member Churches. Hence, the video presents details about the program of the first day of Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay’s tour in Lebanon.

“Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example”

Saturday 23 March 2024 - 9 am Beirut time

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) invites you to a seminar entitled “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example,” on Saturday 23 March 2024, from 9 am Beirut time until 4:30 pm Beirut time.

You can participate in the seminar via the following Zoom platform link https://shorturl.at/irNO6 and live on the MECC Facebook page.

The seminar will include three sessions with the participation of speakers, Religious Leaders and specialists from various fields. It will begin with a first session devoted to the speeches from the Spiritual Leaders. The second session will focus on “The Middle Eastern Model of Shared Life,” and the third session is entitled “From Coexistence to Unity in Life.”

The seminar comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, which the Middle East Council of Churches is working to implement consecutively.

As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, President of the World Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, on Wednesday 20 March 2024, at the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia - Antelias. (All Photos)

Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay was accompanied by Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East, a delegation from the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia, which included Father Hrant, the Ecumencial Officer at the Catholicosate and WCC Central Committee Member, and Father Dajad, Chancellor of the Catholicosate and Director of “Birds’ Nest” orphanage in the Lebanese region of Byblos, as well as Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the MECC Associate Secretary General, and an MECC delegation.

The WCC Secretary General Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay Visits Lebanon

Details of the First Day of the Visit

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visits Lebanon, between 19 and 22 March 2024. He will meet with Spiritual Leaders and pray with the MECC Member Churches, aiming at strengthening the Ecumenical spirit and stressing on the brotherhood and love relations that bridge distances between all believers.

On the first day of his tour in Lebanon, Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay was accompanied by Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East, a delegation from the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia, which included Father Hrant, the Ecumenical Officer at the Catholicosate and WCC Central Committee Member, and Father Dajad, Chancellor of the Catholicosate and Director of “Birds’ Nest” orphanage in the Lebanese region of Byblos, as well as Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the MECC Associate Secretary General, and an MECC delegation.

Under the theme “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27), the Arab Republic of Egypt inaugurated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, in a Prayer Service presided over His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, on Wednesday 13 March 2024, in the Church of Church of the Great Martyr Saint George and Anba Ebram - Heliopolis - Cairo.

Fifty

On the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel E. Abs attended the opening Prayer of this week, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, during which he delivered a speech entitled “Fifty.” At its beginning, Dr. Michel Abs addressed His Holiness Pope Tawadros II with a word of love and condolence following the attack, on Monday 12 March 2024, on three monks from the Coptic Orthodox Church at the Monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Thursday 14 March 2024

On the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the Arab Republic of Egypt and as part of the tour of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs in Egypt, Dr. Abs will be the guest in a special episode on the Egyptian “Al Keraza” TV channel with the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry.

Watch the episode live on Thursday 14 March 2024, at 8:00 pm Cairo time, 10:00 am California time, and 5:00 am Sydney time.

Together Towards Enhancing the Work Mechanisms!

Capabilities development and skills improvement are among the most prominent objectives of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) which seeks in every new opportunity to empower its team work and expand the horizons of its tasks in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches organized a training on the new policies and procedures prepared and adopted by the Council with the aim of developing its work mechanisms. The training, which was programmed with the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, extended over two days, Thursday 7 and Friday 8 March 2024, at the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut.

The training was moderated by the MECC Human Resources Senior Officer Mrs. Roula Saliba, in which participants were the team of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, and the team of our Lady Dispensary, affiliated with the MECC, in the Sabtieh region –Mount Lebanon. Hence, the training included many sessions and practical exercises, all of which centered, in details, on the policies and procedures for the recruitment process, employee files and all issues related to their duties, rights and performance. In addition, the training highlighted the policies and procedures related to whistleblowing, and the protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH)…

The escalation occurring in the South, resulted in the displacement of several citizens in various areas of Lebanon. They were forced to abandon their homes, possessions, and sources of livelihood during a time when the economic crisis is still prevailing. Already, the government was not able to provide the right circumstances for ordinary citizens to maintain their livelihood and source of income as many of the Lebanese population have fallen below the poverty line.

According to recent estimates, 80% of the Lebanese live in poverty and 36% below the extreme poverty line.  As such, many are not able to acquire the basic necessities that encompass food, medication, heating equipment, and hygiene & dignity supplies etc... Expectations indicate, amidst the urgency of the situation, that between April and September 2024, about 1.14 million people are expected to face high levels of food insecurity and are likely to be in a crisis or emergency phase according to standards set by the Integrated Food Security Classification. As such the issue of the internally displaced people (IDPs) coming from the South, came at an unfavorable time during which humanitarian needs are already shocking.