(Part One)

With Sat7 TV Channel from the Evangelical Church in Shoubra_Egypt

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs in a Media Interview with Sat7 TV Channel from the Evangelical Church in Shoubra_Egypt. He affirmed that for him:

“The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a symbol and a school of love and unity in diversity.”

He also mentioned:

“Unity is a living witness to love, and love encompasses the entire world. It is the most important gift Christianity has given to the world, and despite the challenges, love remains supreme.”

Cairo – January 27, 2026

Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) arrived to Cairo to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity entitled: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).

Professor Abs and the accompanying MECC delegation were received in Cairo International Airport by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry.

During his visit, Professor Abs expressed his joy at visiting Egypt and meeting with Church Leaders and Religious Authorities, emphasizing that the MECC Secretary General’s participation in the Week of Prayer has become an annual tradition.

Beirut, January 27, 2026

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, departed from Lebanon traveling the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Secretary General was accompanied on the visit by the Coordinator of the “Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity” Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and the Coordinator of Church Relations and Media in the Council Lea Adel Maamary.

The visit of Professor Michel Abs to Egypt will include a series of meetings with Church leaders and Religious Authorities, as well as lectures and fruitful discussions aimed at strengthening the Council's mission on various levels.

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

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

As part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebrations, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Maadi hosted the Week’s third Prayer Service, with the participation of Bishops, Priests, and Pastors from various Churches, along with a congregation from Maadi and the surrounding areas.

The Service began with a welcoming word by Reverend Ousama Fathy, the Church's Pastor.

Then, Reverend Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), delivered an opening word, referencing the verse from Ephesians 4: " Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." He highlighted the Church's pivotal role in preserving its Teaching, which represents its mission in a turbulent world, emphasizing the need for diligence from all God's people and their Leaders to achieve spiritual unity.

As well as, Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General Secretary of the Egyptian Council of Churches, delivered a speech shedding light on the importance of preserving the unity and spirit of the one body of Christ despite all challenges and difficulties. He stressed on the Ecumenism of Prayer and the Ecumenism of practical action, which was embodied in the work of the Egyptian Council of Churches' Committees, including the Priests and Pastors Committee and the Women's Committee.

Hosted by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji with the Participation of Church Leaders

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai:

Unity means meeting at the core, at the essence, in Christ Himself

His Eminence Bishop Kassarji: The Holy Spirit transforms diversity into communion, pain into joy, and fear into hope

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

The Ecumenical movement has laid the foundation and paved the way for sustained dialogue and cooperation among the Churches

On the occasion of the closing of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026," an Ecumenical Prayer Service was held under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4), hosted by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Church in Lebanon, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in the Archangel Raphael Chaldean Cathedral, Baabda - Lebanon.

At the Conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, in the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon

“Momentum”

23-1-2026

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 "A Prayer for Unity under the auspices of the Syriac Community in al-Fayhaa". It is the speech he delivered at the Ecumenical meeting held on the occasion of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the St. Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church, Tripoli, Lebanon.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/09994f38dbae/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.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, in the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon:

Throughout its long history, the Ecumenical movement has consistently relied on dialogue to achieve its goals. This has been complemented by activities such as shared Worship, Ecumenical Prayers, and most importantly, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Season of Creation, as well as joint social work and Theological discussions…

If we must pause and reflect on the past, with its achievements and shortcomings, we can say that this movement has made fundamental accomplishments. It has laid the foundation and paved the way for sustained dialogue and cooperation among the Churches. It has also led to some mergers between Churches in various parts of the world…

Hosted by the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon

(Part Three)

“O Lord, shine the light of Your righteousness and wisdom on all Your creatures. Make us children of light and children of the day, so that we may always live our lives reverently, and become for all the world, worthy lampstands for Your life-giving light” (from the Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Week of Unity 2026).

(Part Two)

We Pray together, with hearts full of hope, on the occasion of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2026.

A Closing Prayer Service hosted by the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon.

(Part One)

Closing of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2026, in an Ecumenical Prayer Service, under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4)”, hosted by the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Lebanon.

The Prayer was attended by the Heads of Churches, and the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and an MECC delegation.

Produced By MECC

From the MECC Archive 2025

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya