This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments in the activities of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue “The Month of Mary: A Common Religious Space”.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/d0b8a8.../momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

زار الأمين العام لمجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط البروفسور ميشال عبس، غبطة البطريرك روفائيل بدروس الحادي والعشرين ميناسيان، كاثوليكوس بطريرك بيت كيليكيا للأرمن الكاثوليك، ورئيس مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط عن العائلة الكاثوليكيّة، وذلك يوم الجمعة 30 أيّار/ مايو 2025، في مقرّ البطريركيّة في الرميل – بيروت.

خلال اللّقاء، رحّب غبطته بالأمين العام مطّلعًا منه على آخر مستجدّات عمل مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط على مختلف الصعد ومثنيًا على كلّ المشاريع والمبادرات والبرامج الّتي تقوم بها دوائر المجلس. كما شدّد غبطته على ضرورة بناء الجسور وتضافر الجهود والعمل معًا لما فيه خير الكنيسة والمجتمع.

On the Occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of His Enthronement as Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World

On the occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Holiness, who is Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), wishing him continued health and success in his pastoral service as a faithful servant of the Church of Christ.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) also raises its Prayers to God on the intention of His Holiness to bless his service, bestow His graces upon him, and grant him the power of the Holy Spirit to lead his Church to the salvation in the name of Jesus Christ, and to remain a model of love and endless giving in the field of the Lord, wishing him many years of goodness, blessing, and holiness.

Organizes a Regional Workshop as Part of the of the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” Program

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Visits the Participants and Supports Them

The Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) implemented a new workshop to train the trainers, as part of the regional program "Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling". It took place between May 25 and 30, 2025, at the Monastery of Notre Dame du Puits in Beqanaya - Lebanon.

Participants were a group of Clergy, Nuns, lay people, and pastoral workers, representing various Church Families and countries of the Middle East such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt. Noting that they had previously participated in national workshops organized in their countries as part of the same program, and are now trained to develop their capacities to provide support within their communities.

This workshop was held in response to the urgent psychological and spiritual needs of communities suffering from crises and instability in the region. Therefore, the program aimed to enhance participants' awareness of the concept of trauma and ways to heal it through pastoral ministry, as well as to empower them to support others in similar areas.

Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Believers joyfully anticipate the arrival of the month of Mary in May each year. Worshippers flock to churches, visit shrines, and hold regular prayers in their homes, when the “presence” of the Virgin Mary visits a given household, gathering neighbors or villagers to pray and recite the most beautiful prayers written in honor of Mary.

My late mother, an active member of the Maronite Church, always insisted on using the term “the presence of the Virgin” rather than her “statue,” since the “presence” symbolizes focus on Mary’s image or identity, while the term “statue” suggests a return to paganism. Whenever we used the phrase “statue of the Virgin,” we would apologize and correct ourselves.

In Lebanon, and the Middle East in general, many churches are named after the Virgin Mary and attract believers from all denominations, who come from far and wide to pray, seek blessings, and entrust their concerns, worries, and hopes to Her.

She is Mary, Mother of God, and every mother among us is a Mary, for she has given birth to someone created in the image and likeness of God.

Mary’s symbolism is undisputed in both Christianity and Islam, having achieved a historical, timeless consensus. This is why, in Lebanon, the Feast of the Annunciation is considered a national holiday celebrated by all Lebanese, regardless of their respective affiliations. At the Middle East Council of Churches, we have regarded it as a common religious space, among other such spaces, where all believers accept and celebrate together…

About the Fifth Scientific Conference "Strengthening Christian Faith Unity: The 1700th Jubilee Of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea," organized by the Middle East Council of Churches and the Romaian Cultural Society

Guests of the Episode: Professor Najib Jahshan, Dr. Elie Mouwakadie, and Professor Elias Saad

Episode by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Watch the opening of this conference at 9:00 am Beirut time live on Télé Lumière-Noursat TV Channel, the Middle East Council of Churches’ platforms, and the Romaian Cultural Society’ sites.

On the Occasion of the 59th World Communication Day

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and His Wife Dr. Frida Haddad Participate in the Honoring Service of Dr. George Sabra

The Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut held an honoring service for its Former President Dr. George Sabra, with the presence of Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC); Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family; and Dr. Martin Accad, President of the Near East School of Theology. The service took place on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Beirut.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and his wife Dr. Frida Haddad, Representatives of the Evangelical Churches and various Church Families, Faculty Members and Administrators, friends, and invitees.

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Bible Society in Lebanon, and in the presence of its President His Eminence Archbishop George Bacouni, Greek Melkite Catholic Metropolitan of Beirut, Byblos and Dependencies, and its Secretary General Dr. Mike Bassous, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, participated in an agape held by the Society's Administrative Board for the occasion. It was held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Beirut.

Attendees were also Members of the Administrative Board and Members of the Society, Representatives of various Church Families, Clergy, and Representatives of Partner organizations, associations, and bodies.

The 75th Anniversary included speeches documenting the Bible Society's journey and its history, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Society and its partners to achieve its desired goals. They also emphasized the need to consolidate the Christian faith, convey the Divine Word, and instill the Christian values through different means and publications.

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

MECC Presents the Constantinople Hymn

Praying for the Ascension Thursday

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs presided over the weekly meeting of the MECC General Secretariat, with an online participation of the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and colleagues from various departments, in person and online. The meeting took place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

As is customary, the meeting began with a Biblical Reading, which this week focused on the Gospel of Luke 46: 24-53 and Acts 1: 1-14. The attendees then raised their Prayers on the occasion of the Ascension Thursday, saying together, "Lift with you, O Lord, our souls and minds from emptiness and temporal concerns to divine understanding and truth."

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs received Deacon Royce Bahjat Samir Malak Hanin, Head of the Committee of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon, appointed by His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Eastern Orthodox Family. The meeting took place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

Attendees were Ms. Nina Hallak, the Director of the Beirut Office in the Diakonia and Social Service Department at MECC, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and Director of the Platform of the Word at MECC, and the Council's Media Team.

Child Labor Is a Phenomenon That Is Worsening Daily. Are There Any Solutions to Reduce It?

Dr. Haifa’ Salam to the MECC Media: It is necessary to develop a national strategy for social protection in Lebanon

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

A phenomenon unlike any other social phenomenon... a phenomenon that affects the rights of the most vulnerable groups... They are the children searching for their childhood in street corners, factories, mines, agricultural lands, and deserts... searching for rights that have been taken away from them under a scorching sun, bitter cold, and the worst conditions a person can experience. The reason?

They were forced to work! They were forced to give up the innocence of childhood to face the harshness of life.

Child labor is nothing but the murder of a childhood deprived of play, entertainment, proper upbringing, and education.

A dangerous reality that we cannot ignore. Who bears responsibility for the danger they are exposed to? And is there anyone who listens to their pain?