MECC
Video - Celebration of the Presentation of the Canticle of the Sun Book
At the Franciscan Convent - Tripoli, Lebanon
Video - An episode Recorded in September 2024 with His Eminence Metropolitan Nevin Seikaly About the Inauguration of Our Lady of Joy Church
Its components, and the Meanings that this Historic Church Event Bears
His Eminence Is Interviewed By the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary
The Final Farewell to Pope Francis: A Sublime Humanitarian Message
The Entire World Awaits the White Smoke, and the Countdown to the Announcement of the New Pope Has Begun!
Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Angels rejoice and Church bells ring around the world... Prayers and hymns are raised, and the scent of incense wafts in every corner of the earth. Is it joy or sorrow? Do we mourn the passing of the Pope of mercy and peace, or rejoice over the legacy he left behind? Of course, it's a heavenly wedding... Pope Francis enters the Kingdom of God, fulfilling a human mission in every sense of the word. Hoping that the Pope's humanity would be taught in schools, universities, and societies where humans lack their humanity.
A heavenly wedding is matched by an Ecumenical wedding on earth, in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican... this square where crowds of pilgrims used to flock to seek His Holiness's blessing. But this time the scene is very different... sadness is mixed with the joy of the Resurrection, and thus the Divine Will willed that His Holiness Pope Francis pass into the arms of the Father on Easter Monday, at the time of the Lord's Resurrection.
A Message from Pope Francis to Youth a Month Before His Hospitalization
What Did He Want from Them?
World Youth Participates in His Funeral, Grateful for What He Offered Them
Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Pope Francis has been engaged in addressing many international issues, calling for peace and love, and affirming his support for every human being on earth. However, amidst all the urgent developments the world is experiencing, he did not forget the youth who are also struggling with life’s challenges. Throughout his Papacy, he carried their concerns and anxieties, and was their father, guide, and closest friend to God.
“Learn to listen to others,” this is what Pope Francis asked young people in a video message he recorded a month before his hospitalization. He reminded them of the importance of listening to others and emphasized listening to grandparents, who teach us so much.
Amidst the great noise surrounding youth today and their endless daily pressures, the Holy Father wanted to emphasize the need to slow down and listen. He said in his message, “Dear boys and girls, one of the most important things in life is to listen—to learn how to listen," said the late Pope. "When someone speaks to you, wait for them to finish so you can really understand, and then, if you feel like it, respond. But the important thing is to listen.”
Video - The Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome Opens Its Doors to Visit the Tomb of Pope Francis
Photos Are Taken From: Abouna.org, Abouna's Website: Media for Humanity
A Meeting for the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME)
Entitled "The Council of Nicaea, the Faith of the Church from the Preaching of the Apostles to the Evangelization Today"
I Do Not Fear God… I Love Him!
Professor Michel Abs
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
The phrase “fear of God” is widely used among people and has become universally associated with virtue. It is commonly applied as a positive attribute to describe those of good character who are trusted and respected by their communities.
As a believer who has deeply contemplated religious faith—both in its metaphysical and social dimensions, I find that this phrase reflects an incomplete understanding of the Creator of the Universe and the role of religion in society.
To act in your daily life, in your relationships, in your dealings with others, out of fear of the Lord who has given you everything is, in essence, an accusation. It accuses the Creator, glory be to Him, and His creatures, who are inspired by the One who formed creation.
To act out of fear suggests that the human being is innately inclined to evil and can only be restrained by fear of a higher power that will punish and retaliate harshly. It implies that a human being cannot be trusted unless constantly threatened with doom and destruction. This presumes that mankind is inherently bad and cannot be relied upon.
On the other hand, the phrase also implies that the Creator has a harsh heart, one who constantly threatens His creatures with punishment and casts a shadow over their daily lives. It turns the universe into an open courtroom, where every being is judged with eternal reward or punishment, and humanity is always under surveillance, standing trial…
Video - A Special Coverage from the Middle East Council of Churches News for the Passing of Pope Francis With the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary
An Interview with Bishop Dr. Munib Younan, President of the Lutheran Federation, MECC Honorary President, and One of the Presidents of the Religions for Peace Organization
His Holiness Pope Francis... Friend of the Youth and Their Greatest Supporter
The General Coordinator of APECL Jeune in Lebanon Lawyer Roy Jreich in an Interview with the MECC Media:
"His Holiness gave youth his thoughts, heart, his life. He listened to their challenges, concerns, hopes, and aspirations"
Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
"Walk in hope! Hope overcomes all weariness, every crisis and every worry. It gives us a powerful incentive to press forward, for it is a gift received from God himself. The Lord fills our life with meaning, sheds light on our path and shows us its ultimate direction and goal."
This is what His Holiness Pope Francis wanted from youth in his message on the occasion of the 39th World Youth Day. He wanted them to embark on a journey as pilgrims, discover life through love, seek God’s face, and experience God's merciful embrace.
His Holiness Pope Francis, a friend of youth and their greatest supporter, has accompanied them in many stages, celebrations, conferences, and gatherings. On every occasion, he encouraged them to strengthen their faith and face life's challenges with hope and perseverance. He was the one who called on them to seek happiness, without giving up, and to have the courage to replace fears with dreams.
Between these Papal encounters and events, many youth experiences from the Middle East and the world document the closeness of His Holiness to today's youth and the future leaders.
Video - The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs In An Episode on Mariam TV
Talking About the Journey of His Holiness Pope Francis and the Issue of Genocides
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs was the guest of an episode on Mariam TV. He was interviewed by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and the Director of the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), along with the Journalist George Maalouli, the Programs’ Director of Mariam TV.
The episode focused on the spiritual journey and humanitarian mission of His Holiness Pope Francis, highlighting his key achievements, positions, and apostolic visits. It will also include a discussion on genocides, massacres, and the silence around the disappearance of the Archbishops of Aleppo Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi.
Additionally, the episode featured reports, spots, and videos produced by the media team of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which continues to provide a special coverage about the latest Vatican updates.