The Visitation Monastery, Philokalia Institute and Organization, how it was founded and what is its role? and what are the specializations available at the Institute?

Sister Marana Saad:

‘At Philokalia, meaning “Love of the beautiful”, we work on the upbringing of artists’

‘The Season of Creation is a message and an invitation in the heart of the Church’

From the Lebanese village Aintoura, and with the reverence of the Monastery of the Visitation, the heavens chanted, and voices were raised, glorifying the Creator and praising his divine power. “How beautiful You are, Lord… How great Your name is on Earth!” How great are your deeds, O Lord, and how wonderful are your children when they gather in your name, with one heart, thanking you for your glorious blessings.

Report: 6 October 2021

With the exception of Turkey and Syria, all Middle East countries are reporting a decrease in daily infection rates. Due to overwhelming support from partner countries and adequate containment measures, only two countries have yet to report progress.

Report: 15 to 30 September 2021

ME countries continued to succeed in weathering the different economic challenges that had impeded progress. With tensions decreasing and the situation improving, the ME can focus on development projects that can tackle future challenges.

Ecumenical Prayer in the Monastery of the Visitation, Lebanon, Under the Patronage of Cardinal Al-Rai

The Middle East Council of Churches concluded the “Days of the Season of Creation” 2021, a first of its kind event in the east, under the patronage of the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, on Sunday October 3, 2021, at the Monastery of the Visitation, Philokalia Institute and Organization, in Aintoura – Keserwan, Lebanon, chosen by His Beatitude and recently restored for the celebration.

On the Occasion of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, and the Council’s Ecojustice Adhoc Committee released a new video about the Saint’s characteristics and strengths. The video is prepared and presented by the committee member Father Elias Marswanian, from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Noting that it was filmed in the Holy See Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai.

«Les aseguro que lo que no hicieron con uno de estos, no lo hicieron conmigo» (Mateo 25, 45)

En medio del deterioro de las condiciones de vida en el Líbano y del aumento de las necesidades humanitarias urgentes, el Departamento de Ayuda y Servicio–Diakonia del Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio ha lanzado un nuevo llamado para mantener las necesidades humanitarias y proporcionar un refugio seguro a los ciudadanos libaneses y a los residentes del país que sufren la profundización de la crisis.

Members of the Philokalia Choir will be performing during the closing ceremony of the "Season of Creation" 2021 at the Monastery of the Visitation, Philokalia Institute and Organization, in Aintoura, Lebanon.

We salute them and their voices for glorifying and praising the Creator, and spreading hope, through art and music!

“Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these ones, you did not do for me” (Mathew 25:45)

Amidst the deteriorating living conditions in Lebanon and the increase in urgent humanitarian needs, the Relief and Service Department - Diakonia at the Middle East Council of Churches launched a new appeal to maintain the humanitarian needs and provide safe shelter for Lebanese citizens and residents of the country suffering from the deepening crises.

The new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches, presents the MECC invitation to participate in the closing Prayer of the "Season of Creation", on October 3, 2021, at the Monastery of the Visitation, Aintoura – Lebanon. As for the weekly message of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled “The environment once more!”.

En los días del «Tiempo de la Creación»
S.E.R. Obispo Costa Kayyal: La naturaleza es fruto de la creatividad del Creador y de la abundancia de sus dones
Los fieles están llamados a vivir una vida digna del Evangelio de Cristo

Durante muchas décadas, el medio ambiente ha sido un tema importante y un área de interés en el pensamiento y la orientación de la Iglesia. En su creencia y en sus oraciones ha destacado la glorificación y la alabanza al Creador por todas las bendiciones divinas que nos ha concedido. Por no hablar de los proyectos y actividades medioambientales y naturales que ha querido llevar a cabo, haciendo hincapié en la responsabilidad del Hombre de preservar su casa común.

Nunca escribiremos lo suficiente sobre el medio ambiente.

Por mucho que escribamos, hablemos, presentemos, llamemos y exijamos, nunca será suficiente.

En primer lugar, porque el medio ambiente, don del Creador, es la incubadora de nuestras vidas y el garante del futuro de nuestras generaciones y de la continuidad de la humanidad en este planeta tierra.

En segundo lugar, porque el daño que la humanidad ha infligido al medio ambiente, desde la revolución industrial hasta hoy, es mayor de lo que los libros, las conferencias y las enciclopedias pueden abordar.

On the Days of the “Season of Creation”

His Eminence Bishop Costa Kayyal: Nature is a fruit of the Creator's creativity and an abundance of His gifts

Believers are called to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ

For many decades, the environment has been an important issue and a major area of interest in the Church's thoughts and orientation. It emphasized in its belief and prayers the glorification and praise of the Creator for all the divine blessings he has given us. Not to mention the environmental and natural projects and activities it has been keen to implement, emphasizing the responsibility of Man to preserve his common home.

We will not write enough about the environment.

No matter how much we write, talk, present, call and urge, it will not be enough.

First, because the environment, the gift of the Creator, is the incubator for our lives and the guarantor of the future of our generations and the continuity of humanity on this planet earth.

Secondly, because the damage that mankind has inflicted on the environment, ever since the industrial revolution until today, is greater than what books, lectures and encyclopedias can accommodate.