“Momentum”

14-11-2025

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments 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 “Middle East Council of Churches: A Haven of Dialogue and Reconciliation”. It i the word that he delivered at the celebration commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the document "Nostra Aetate", held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Maronite Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon.

You can check the issue via the following link:
https://mailchi.mp/b89c6082499a/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:

https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Professor Michel Abs

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

When, in a blessed time in the history of the Antiochian Levant, a group of visionary men gathered to establish a unifying Christian institution based on ecumenism, the Lord was among them, and Nostra Aetate was present among them through the Holy Spirit, their guide. They produced a vision that later proved to be far-reaching, with long-lasting effects.

In the preamble to the constitution of this dialogical and unifying institution, firstly on the Christian level, they wrote that the goal of the MECC is to deepen spiritual fellowship among the Churches of the Middle East and to unify their word and their efforts, contributing to the work for the unity of the Churches and bearing a living evangelical witness aimed at spreading the message of salvation and reconciliation in the Lord Jesus Christ, love, peace, and justice in the region and among its peoples.

From the beginning, the principles of dialogue and reconciliation were central in the minds of the founding fathers, not only among Christians, but also, explicitly, among the peoples of this region, which has been boiling for centuries and has yet to find any lasting stability.

Later, in outlining the Council’s methods for achieving these declared objectives, expressions were used that dispelled doubt and affirmed conviction—words such as dialogue, fostering the spirit of partnership, ecumenical awareness, understanding of member-church traditions, mutual enrichment, active participation in prayer, cooperation and joint humanitarian service, the pursuit of justice, the defense of human rights, and the strengthening of the Christian presence to ensure steadfastness in freedom, peace, and equality in citizenship, rights, and duties.

Media Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

With the blessings and presence of His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, a celebration was held to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). The event took place at the invitation of the Ecumenical Relations Committee and the Theological and Biblical Committee of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops, and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The ceremony, held on Friday, November 15, 2025, in the lectures hall of the Maronite Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon, was attended by His Holiness and Beatitude the Patriarchs of the Eastern Churches, Archbishops and Bishops, including the Catholic Bishops of Lebanon gathered for their 58th session, and His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Paolo Borgia.

Participants were also the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the MECC media team, Priests, Monks and Nuns, Seminarians, specialists from various fields, and guests from different Church Families.

Words Emphasized that: “Martyrdom is a Historical Memory to Heroism and Faith”

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs headed an MECC delegation on a visit to His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Patriarchate in Geitawi - Achrafieh, Lebanon.

The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Maha Semaan, and the Communication and Media Officer in the Communication and Public Relations Department Elia Nasrallah.

Following a closed meeting between His Beatitude and the Secretary General, the attendees gathered in the Patriarchal Hall, where Patriarch Minassian welcomed the MECC delegation, commending the Council's work and its role in building bridges and fostering rapprochement among the various Churches.

Youth Meeting in Bkerke: A Celebration of Faith and Witness

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

December 1, 2025, is a day of joy for every young man and woman. It is a day when youth renew their hope and strengthen their determination to continue working for peace. It is the day they will meet with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, who comes to Lebanon carrying Jesus Christ in his heart and bringing the Lord's peace to a nation yearning for tranquility and stability.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV's meeting with the youth of Lebanon is the first of its kind outside the Vatican. It will be a spiritual and national event through which the Holy Father places his great trust in the younger generation, sowing much joy and hope in their hearts. December 1 is an event that crowns the role of youth, the future of Lebanon and its mission.

In this context, the media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues to highlight the meeting of His Holiness the Pope with the youth, as it had prepared a report about the slogan of the meeting, and hosted, through its pages in the “Platform of the Word”, guests who spoke in various segments about this anticipated event.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of November 2025. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical Feasts of the various Families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission.

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

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

On the Thirteenth Anniversary of His Enthronement as Patriarch of the See of St. Mark

On the occasion of the thirteenth anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II as Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the Secretary General Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Holiness, 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.

"Nostra Aetate"

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: " The concept of ecumenism in the MECC has expanded: once referring only to Christians in all their diversity, it now embraces all people of the world"

In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the document "Nostra Aetate," the Episcopal Committee, established by the Council of Maronite Bishops and Presided Over by His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and under his guidance, organized a symbolic celebration on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Maronite Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerke, Lebanon. The committee included Their Eminences Archbishops Guy Paul Najem, Paul Matar, Youssef Soueif, and Hanna Rahme.

The celebration was held in the presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rai, His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), His Excellency Archbishop Paolo Borgia, Apostolic Nuncio, 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, Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna, Sheikh Al-Aql of the Unitarian Druze Community, and with the participation of Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Represented by Sheikh Muhammad Imam, Mufti of Tripoli and the North, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Represented by Sheikh Hassan Abdallah, Mufti of Tyre and Jabal Amel, Sheikh Ali Qaddour, President of the Alawite Council in Lebanon, Represented by Sheikh Ahmad Assi, and the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs.

Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue at the Holy See, also participated with a video message addressed to the Religious and lay people from various denominations.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its dedicated efforts to support the educational process and provide a healthy, safe school environment that protects students.

Recently, these efforts were translated into action through the rehabilitation of six schools in Dara’a Governorate, implemented through the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, Syria’s Office.

The project contributed to improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, upgrading classrooms and hallways, and ensuring a more comfortable environment for both students and teachers.

The renovation works included the rehabilitation of sewerage system infrastructure and its fittings, maintenance of the drinking water network, and the installation of faucets, toilets, doors, tiles. In addition, new water tanks were installed, painting works were carried out, and canopies were added in the schoolyards to protect students from the sun and rain.

An Historic Event that Strengthens the Human Values Uniting All Components of the Society

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

In preparation for the visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon, bearing the slogan " Blessed Are the Peacemakers," the Catholic Media Center in Lebanon held a press conference announcing the details of the national event and the Ecumenical and Interreligious meeting that will take place as part of the Holy Father's visit program, on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 4:00 pm at the Martyrs' Square in Beirut.

The press conference, held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Catholic Media Center in Beirut, began with a speech by Monsignor Abdo Abou Kassem, Director of the Catholic Media Center, and the Church Media Coordinator for the Pope's visit to Lebanon. He spoke about the importance of the conference, which highlighted the details of the Ecumenical and Interreligious meeting, emphasizing its role in strengthening love, dialogue, and fraternity within Lebanese society which is characterized by its rich cultural diversity.

The Middle East Council of Churches Participates in the Ceremony Held for the Occasion