MECC
A Delegation from Gustav Adolf Werk Organization Visits MECC in Beirut
A delegation from the Gustav Adolf Werk (GAW) organization, affiliated with the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) which is a partner with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the Council’s headquarters in Beirut, on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
GAW delegation included its President Reverend Dr. Martin Dutzmann, and its General Secretary Professor Enno Haaks. They were accompanied by George Chammas, a Preacher at the Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL).
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs joined the meeting online due to his travel to the Arab Republic of Egypt, heading an MECC delegation, to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity events 2026.
At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Abs welcomed the GAW delegation, expressing his joy at their visit to the MECC and commending their interest in learning about the Council's activities and projects aiming at achieving its desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals in the region.
Palestine Observatory
Report: Friday 30 January 2026
In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Monitor," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.
Video - The Canticle of the Creatures
By Saint Francis of Assisi
Performed by: The Glory of Heaven Choir
Video Produced By MECC
Day Sixth of the Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt_ Our Lady of Fatima Chaldean Cathedral
Cairo, January 29, 2026
"When, O Lord and God, the sweet fragrance of Your love fills us and our souls are enlightened by the knowledge of Your truth, we become worthy to receive the Transfiguration of Your Beloved Son from heaven. We thank You and praise You in Your crowned Church, overflowing with the abundance of Your grace and blessings, for You are the Lord and Creator of all, now and forever."
Prayers, hymns, petitions, and readings marked the sixth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, held at Our Lady of Fatima Chaldeans Cathedral in Cairo.
The Prayer was presided over by the Chaldean Patriarchal Administrator in Egypt Bishop Paul Sati, with the participation of Archbishop George Chihane, Maronite Archbishop of Cairo for Egypt and Sudan, and Bishop Dr. Damaskinos Al-Azrai, Bishop of Mariout, Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar in Alexandria and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Bishop Krikor Augustinos Koussa, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Alexandria, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Reverend Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Pastors Committee on behalf of the Episcopal Church and Member of the Week of Prayer Committee, Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church; Father Nabil Rafoul, Priest of St. Rita Church in Heliopolis, Father Michael Selim, Franciscan, Father Rafik Jreich, Member of the Media Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches , Sheikh Victor, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee on behalf of the Evangelical Church, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs at MECC, Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC, Marta Fayez, Member of the Women's Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches on behalf of the Orthodox Church, and Mr. Emad Ayad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church.
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Delivers a Word at the Day Sixth of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
In Our Lady of Fatima Chaldean Cathedral_ Cairo
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, from Our Lady of Fatima Chaldean Cathedral_ Cairo: "
The Week of Christian Unity is part of a global Ecumenical tradition. We all yearn for Christian unity, but we live within and through it, and all our Prayers and joint activities affirm this.”
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation Visit His Eminence Archbishop Samy Fawzy Shehata,
Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa
Cairo, January 29, 2026
As part of strengthening joint Christian work, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, heading an MECC delegation, visited His Eminence Archbishop Samy Fawzy Shehata, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa, at All Saints' Episcopal Cathedral in Zamalek.
Attendees were Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Reverend Canon Medhat Sabry, Pastor of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Menouf, and Reverend Michel Milad, Pastor of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Giza.
MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media Lea Adel Maamary.
Fifth Day of the Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt_ St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Orthodox Church
Words Emphasized that Unity is Love and Strength
Cairo, January 28, 2026
“O Lord our God, keep us in peace this evening and at all times. With the reverence of Your holiness, keep our minds and thoughts high, so that at all times, by You, we may be protected from the thoughts and deceptions of the devil”.
It is one of the Prayers that marked the fifth day of Prayer for Christian unity held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Orthodox Church in Cairo.
The Prayer of Unity was presided over by Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanian, Primate of the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, with the participation of His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Archbishop George Chihane, Maronite Archbishop of Cairo for Egypt and Sudan, Bishop Krikor Augustinos Koussa, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Alexandria, Father Rabban Philips Issa, Priest of the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church in Cairo, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, Associate General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Refaat Fikry. Attendees were also Reverend Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Pastors Committee on behalf of the Episcopal Church and Member of the Week of Prayer Committee, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Priests from various Churches, as well as members of the Week of Prayer Committee: Reverend Boutros Fouad (Coptic Orthodox Church), Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer and Women's Committees of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Mrs. Nancy Anis (Coptic Orthodox Church), Sheikh Victor Fahmy (Evangelical Church), Engineer Essam Ayad (Catholic Church), Engineer Kyrillos Wahba (Coptic Orthodox Church), and other believers.
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Delivers a Word at the Fifth Day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
In St. Gregory the Illuminator Church_ Cairo
On the fifth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, said at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church:
“Ecumenism is a culture of acceptance and diversity, it is a culture of accepting one another, and reaching joint projects.”
Fifth Day of the Week of Prayer for Unity in Egypt_ St. Gregory the Illuminator Church
(Part Two)
“O Lord our God, keep us in peace this evening and at all times. With the reverence of Your holiness, keep our minds and thoughts high, so that at all times, by You, we may be protected from the thoughts and deceptions of the devil”.
His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and the MECC Delegation
Cairo, January 28, 2026
As part of his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and amidst great warmth and affection, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs visited His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, at the Patriarchate in Cairo.
Attendees were also His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of the Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of the Church Relations and Media at MECC the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.
The President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation
Words Emphasized the Importance of Dialogue and Cooperation for the Good of the Church and Society
Cairo, January 28, 2026
Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt, received Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and an MECC delegation. It included Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, MECC Associate Secretary General, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Programs, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC.
The delegation was received by Ms. Samira Louka, Head of the Dialogue Sector at the Coptic Evangelical Organization, Sheikh Issam Wassef, Director of Public Relations at the Coptic Evangelical Organization, and Mr. Youssef Edward, Director of Media at the Coptic Evangelical Organization.
The Vice President of Al-Azhar University and Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House Dr. Mostafa Abdel-Ghani Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation
Cairo_ January 27, 2026
In a step full of fraternity, love, and joint action, a step that strengthens the language of living together and lays the foundation for a future built on harmony and genuine, constructive, and fruitful dialogue, the Vice President of Al-Azhar University and Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House Dr. Mostafa Abdel-Ghani received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs and an MECC delegation. The meeting was attended by His Grace Bishop Ermia General Bishop, Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, and Associate Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House.
The Middle East Council of Churches’ delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, Coordinator of Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media Lea Adel Maamary.
Hearts Full of Hope_ Day Four of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Evangelical Church in Shoubra_ Egypt
Shoubra_ Egypt_ January 27, 2026
“You have gathered us together, in all our diversity, and made us Your family and Your Church. You are the True Light that dispels the darkness of sin and kindles joy and hope in our hearts.”
On the fourth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a unity Prayer Service was held at the Evangelical Church in Shoubra_ Egypt, which sowed joy and hope in the hearts of the faithful and participants. The 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).
Attendees were Priests and Pastors from various Churches in Egypt, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Refaat Fikry, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, Coordinator of Social Cohesion, Dialogue, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, as well as Nuns, Members of the Week of Prayer Committee, and Believers.
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Delivers a Word at the Fourth Day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
In the Evangelical Church in Shouba_ Egypt
The Evangelical Church in Shouba_ Egypt hosted the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Readings, reflections, and hymns emphasized the importance of love, "How wonderful it is to be gathered together."
In his word, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs said, "We do not pray for unity, but rather we pray within unity so that we may better understand it and live it."