Father Seraphim Awad Revives His Agricultural Project with the Support of MECC

In a step towards enhancing the livelihoods of the people at the Lebanese Akkar region who, like all other Lebanese, suffer from the difficult living conditions, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon Office, launched a business development program through supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and help them secure their long-term sustainability.

In the video, Father Seraphim Awad, the Priest of Sheikh Lar Parish in Akkar, a farmer, agricultural technician and owner of an agricultural project in Akkar, talks about the circumstances he went through in addition to the contribution of the MECC program in developing his project.

A Symposium Organized By the the Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

24-26 June 2024, at the “Liqaa” Center, Rabweh - Lebanon

With the blessings and organization of His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, the Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarchate invites you to a symposium entitled “The Melkite Greek Catholic Church: Union with Rome and New Horizons,” between 24 and 26 June 2024, at the “Liqaa” Center, Rabweh - Lebanon.

This training course presents two main issues. The first is the problem of competencies, the development of human capital, and sustainable training. The second is the role of the Church in providing relief to people, accompanying them in their suffering, and helping them overcome their tragedies.

These two issues are inseparable from the logic of efficiency and the optimization of available resources. The core of the approach lies in preventing the waste of energies and resources and applying the logic of business administration and managerial economics in humanitarian work. This was not available in the past when social work was left to non-specialists despite their good intentions.

In the era of modernity, and in a postmodern society, science and technology are developing at such a rapid pace that humankind may not be able to keep up if he does not receive proper training. This development may place him outside the context of history or on its margins.

The observer in the world of human resources management and organizational leadership finds that there is a periodic, sustainable creation of new techniques and methods of work in various fields. These range from marketing methods to financial management, to dealing with organizational culture, to development management and its derivatives. The training course today falls into this category.

Full Video of the Conference Delivered by MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs About the Sayfo Massacres

12 June 2024 - Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon

On the occasion of the fiftieth year of the founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in commemoration of the yearly anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, with the blessings of 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, and under the auspices and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, MECC held a conference entitled “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. It took place on Wednesday 12 June 2024, in the Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon.

Under the Auspices and Presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun

On the occasion of the Commemoration of the Sayfo Genocide

And as part of the Activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding

MECC Organizes a Conference

“Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” Delivered by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs

On the occasion of the yearly commemoration of the Sayfo genocide, and as part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), with the blessings of 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, and under the auspices and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, MECC organized a conference entitled “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. It took place on Wednesday 12 June 2024, in the Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon.

Attendees in this conference which you can watch by clicking here, were His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor, Father Paren Vartanian, representing the Catholicosate of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, Priests of the Archdiocese, social figures, guests, and participants from the region.

On Charity Radio TV

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of the journalist Zouhour Abou Mansour, in an episode within the program “Hawana Hawak”, broadcasted on Charity Radio TV, on Wednesday 12 June 2024.

During the episode which you can watch it in the video, Dr. Michel Abs spoke about the inauguration of the new office of the Middle East Council of Churches in Amman with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, and President of the Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan, and the support of the Archdiocese.

An Ecumenical Training Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches and TearFund

Building Bridges Standing Together!

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, in partnership with the TearFund organization, held a training entitled “Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response”, between 6 and 9 June 2024, in Bethania, Harissa - Lebanon. Participants were an ecumenical group of clergy and lay people from various Church Families in Lebanon and Middle Eastern countries.

The training included morning Prayers and many Theological, humanitarian and programmatic sessions accompanied by specialists from various fields. It aimed to empower participants working in the Church field, and develop their capabilities in order to support them in responding in times of crises. It also aimed at providing the attendees with skills that will enable them in turn to train members of their congregations, so they can all help the Church heal the wounds of the most affected people in times of disasters, on various humanitarian, social, health and psychological levels.

Following the inauguration of the new Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) office in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, and President of the Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan, the new Director of the office Father Ignatius Khalifeh visited Lebanon to follow up on the necessary administrative issues with the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs.

Therefore, a coordination meeting was held on Monday 10 June 2024, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut, in the presence of the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Rifaat Fikry, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, and the MECC General Secretariat’s team.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a new workshop for its team about team building and communication, on Tuesday 11 June 2024, in the Wata Al Joz region - Lebanon, aiming at empowering its employees and developing their skills at various administrative, professional, cultural and intellectual levels. 

The training was attended by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, with the participation of the MECC Associate Secretary General for the Evangelical Family Reverend Rifaat Fikry, the MECC Associate Secretary General for the Catholic Family, the Director of Jordan’s office Father Ignatius Khalifeh, the Director of Syria’s Office Mr. Ghassan Chahine, and the MECC team. 

Standing together in an ongoing ecumenical journey!

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family participated in an interactive and educational workshop on team building and communication, on Tuesday 11 June 2024, in the Wata al-Joz region, Lebanon.

Hence, you can find in the video a highlight about this day full of fraternity and love! And you may also click here for more details.

Their Prayers at the Saint Elie Chouaya Monastery in Mount Lebanon and Meets With His Eminence Bishop Costantine Kayyal, the Head of the Monastery

A week after the inauguration of the new Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) office in Jordan with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, and President of the Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs and the new Director of the office in Jordan Father Ignatius Khalifeh, who visited Lebanon, continue their cooperation and coordination in order to enhance the work of the office in the Jordanian society.

With the Middle East Council of Churches and Danmission

Within the framework of the “Environmental Days” that the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) had previously launched, the Theological and Ecumenical Department, EcoJustice Unit, with the support of the “Danmission” organization, organized an environmental activity in the Bekaa region in Lebanon. It was held with the aim of promoting the environmental culture and working to take care of God’s creation that He has entrusted us with.

Participants were a group of youth from the Syriac Orthodox Church, Bet Tarbitho (Center of Religious Education) in Mount Lebanon, the Armenian Orthodox Army of Hope, and Our Lady of Jamhour Jesuit School, where they gathered since the early morning in the Bekaa to finish planting orchards.

The Middle East Council of Churches Participates in the Service and Congratulates His Eminence

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, presided over the Divine Mass and the Episcopal Ordination of Father Michel Al Jalakh as Titular Archbishop of Nisibis for the Maronites. Father Al Jalakh is the Secretary of the Dicastery of the Eastern Churches in the Vatican, Advisor to the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity in the Holy See, and Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). The service was held on Saturday 8 June 2024, at the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke - Lebanon.

It Declares Qattine Azar as the Largest Cave in Lebanon and the Eastern countries

MECC Participates in the Celebration

The Lebanese Association for Speleology (ALES) held a celebratory gathering to launch its new publication, SpéléOrient Hors-Série, and to announce the Qattine Azar cave in Aintoura El Matn, the largest cave in Lebanon and the Eastern countries. It was held on Friday 7 June 2024, at Salle Montaigne in the French Cultural Center - Beirut.

The celebration was attended by members of the Association, political, social, and cultural figures, as well as university Professors and students, caving enthusiasts, and representatives of many associations and organizations, including the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on behalf of which the media and communication officer Elia Nasrallah participated. Noting that MECC seeks, through its various programs, to follow up on the environmental issue at various levels in order to work towards preserving and protecting God’s creation.

Following the Lebanese national anthem, the mistress of the celebration, Mrs. Helene Rechmani Maasry, delivered a speech in which she welcomed the audience, stressing the importance of the occasion as well as the importance of the cave in terms of depth, size, length and breadth.

A delegation from the “Danmission” organization visited the offices of the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Beirut, on Wednesday 5 June 2024. It included Rev. Mads Christoffersen, Danmission new Technical Advisor for “Contextual Theology for Faith and Social Action”, Mrs. Kristen Auken, Regional Director for the Middle East, Mr. Jack Lahoud, Program Manager, and Ms. Rim Haydamous, Communication and PR Officer.

The delegation was received by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, and Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department.

Launching of the “Season of Creation” 2024 Guide Via an International Online Celebration

MECC Participating in Prayer

In preparation for celebrating the “Season of Creation” which is awaited annually in the Middle East and the world between 1 September, the Feast of Creation, and 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Laudato’Si movement launched this year’s Season guide, through a celebratory webinar. It coincided with the World Environment Day, on Wednesday 5 June 2024, and included Prayers, reflections, and interventions delivered by Heads of Churches and ecumenical leaders from around the world.

Noting that the “Season of Creation” 2024 bears the theme of “To Hope and Act with Creation,” and the symbol of "The firstfruits of hope," inspired by the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans (8: 19-25).

Dr. Michel Abs at the End of the Delegation’s Visit to Jordan

At the end of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) delegation’s visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and following the inauguration of the new office of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Amman on Tuesday 4 June 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, met with the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, and the MECC Financial Director Ms. Laudy Al Khoury, and offered each of them an icon of the Holy Sepulcher as a token of love and appreciation.

For his part, Dr. Abs thanked His Eminence for the generous hospitality and fruitful cooperation with the Archbishopric, praising His Eminence’s continuous support for MECC for the good of the Church and society.

As part of his tour program in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with the aim of inaugurating a new office for the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Amman, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, accompanied by the MECC Financial Director Ms. Laudy Al Khoury, visited the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, Fountain of Life in Dibeen, where they were received by His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan.

The tour in the Monastery included a visit to the Church of the Three Hierarchs, which is the most recently inaugurated Church and is located within the Orthodox Center that serves as a headquarters for youth, camps and seminars. Noting that the Monastery was established by His Excellency Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, and includes the only women's Monastic order in Jordan. It is also worth mentioning that a Church dating back to the fourth century was found in the vicinity of the Monastery and was carefully preserved.

The Middle East Council of Churches Inaugurates Its New Office in Jordan

His Eminence Archbishop Atallah Praises the Important Role Played by MECC Over the Past Years in Jordan, and Mentions the Beginning of a New Phase

Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: The Council will have a connection with the Jordanian society, which is rich in potentials

Hence, we will have created a new synergy between the Council, as a basis for ecumenical work in the region, and a promising country

Under the patronage and with the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, and President of the Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan, and in the presence of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and the MECC Financial Director Ms. Laudy Al Khoury, a new MECC office was inaugurated in the Sweifieh area at the capital Amman. His Emiennce offered the office to MECC as a generous gesture to be a new ecumenical place directed by Father Ignatius Khalifeh with the support of the Archbishopric.

For the occasion, an official celebration was held on Tuesday 4 June 2024, which began with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour in the new office. Attendees were a group of Church, intellectual, social and economic elites, current and former ministers and deputies, and the Archbishopric’s work team.