Sixth Episode - "Social Fragmentation"

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Produced by MECC

The World Commemorates the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Martyrs and victims... attacks and crimes... all of these phrases have been circulating in public life for decades now. A wave of injustice, violence, and unfairness is worsening daily amidst international silence and no action has yet been taken to hold those who should be held accountable.

Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

On a Protocol Visit

On a friendly protocol visit, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the Archdiocese in Sed El Bouchrieh.

The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Mar Meelis Zaia, Head of the Assyrian Community in Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon; Father George Youkhana, Parish Priest of Hadat; and Father Ninos Audeh, Parish Priest of Sed El Bouchrieh.

His Holiness the Patriarch welcomed Professor Michel Abs and stressed the deep friendship that binds them. Both sides discussed the history and heritage of the Assyrian Church of the East in Lebanon and the region. They also discussed the Assyrian diaspora around the world, the general situation of the Church, and the Christian presence in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for solidarity among the Churches.

At the end of the meeting, His Holiness offered to Professor Michel Abs a book about the Assyrian Church of the East as a token of love and appreciation. Professor Abs, in turn, offered to His Holiness a book about Christianity and its History in the Middle East.

Regarding the occupation authorities' freezing of the bank accounts of the

 Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem,

Imposing heavy taxes on its properties, and assaulting some of its properties

The Middle East Council of Churches, which includes the Blessed Greek Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarchate as a founding member and a fundamental element of its structure, strongly condemns the suffering of this Patriarchate, which has been enduring for decades from the violations and injustice of the occupation against its people and institutions.

The freezing of the bank accounts of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem by these authorities constitutes an assault on its parishioners and on the people of Palestine as a whole. This action paralyzes the ability of church institutions to function normally and serve the people and prevents aid from reaching them at a time when they are most in need of it, given the inhumane conditions endured by the Palestinian people, resulting from the ongoing war against them.

All this is happening while the Palestinian people in Gaza are subjected to genocide and territorial destruction, inevitably leading to ethnic cleansing. In the West Bank, the Palestinian people are subjected to daily attacks by settlers, with the aim of displacing people and achieving "transfer," which would lead to the elimination of the Palestinian presence and the denial of their right to their land, despite the recognition of this right by the United Nations and international conventions…

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

The Youth Leadership Building journey that began in Summer 2024, with several encounters throughout the year, has now reached its culmination. Organized by the Theological and Ecumenical Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, in collaboration with Youth for Christ Lebanon, Bible Society Lebanon, Ithraa-Lebanon for Relational Needs, Kerk in Actie (Netherlands) and WSCF Middle East, this program has provided young participants with continuous opportunities for growth, leadership, and fellowship—leading to its closing chapter at the Summer Camp 2025.

The YLB Summer Camp 2025 extended over five unforgettable days, marked by growth, reflection, and fun. It was held at Beit El Safa – in the town of Nabaa El Safa (Aley, Lebanon) – bringing together a group of young participants in a transformative experience that combined leadership skill development with the strengthening of community bonding.

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

“The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents an episode of the program “And the Family Remains,” entitled “Discrimination Against Women.”

The program raises issues related to the family, motherhood, and childhood, in addition to the Church’s view and response to challenges, especially in light of the difficult living conditions the region is passing through.

A Socio-Behavioral Reading of the First Part of the Sermon

Professor Michel Abs

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

This is a reading of the Sermon on the Mount from the perspective of the behavioral sciences, particularly sociology, which owes much of its treasured values to the Lord’s teachings, aimed at improving human conduct and guiding it toward perfection.

This reading will be followed by three others, based on dividing the sermon text into four sections according to the thematic unity of the subjects the Lord addressed in this timeless homily.

That day, the Lord went up the mountain, saw the gathered crowds, and His disciples came to Him. He then spoke His teachings to the people, whose souls were thirsty and eager to listen to Him.

He began His sermon with the Beatitudes, linked to the core elements of love that is, mercy in the Christian sense, not pity as some might think.

The Beatitudes blessed the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; those who mourn, for they shall be comforted; and the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Indeed, He declared that it is the meek who inherit the earth, not the arrogant, conquerors, or invaders — He who overcame the world with love.

The Beatitudes also blessed those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled — they are filled because they sought righteousness, which is available to all who choose to walk in it. Likewise, the merciful were blessed, for they shall receive mercy; the pure in heart, for they shall see God…

With the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

"Connecting Hearts and Minds"

What Activities Will Be Held for the Occasion?

Faith Doctrine and Church Traditions

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Mother of Life, and Queen of Peace, is the Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. She is the source of all hope and consolation. Churches dedicate fasts, Prayers, and glorifications to honor her and proclaim the sanctity of her glory, for through her the Father's plan of salvation was fulfilled.

With the Mother of God and Mother of Light, the mystery of the infinite greatness of divine love is revealed and embodied in her repose and transition to the heavenly temple, body and soul, so that the work of divine redemption could be fully accomplished in her. According to Church tradition, the Virgin Mary was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, but rather ascended to the glory of the Heavenly Father, crowned by the angels as Queen on the heavenly throne.