In the context of strengthening a more sustainable partnership, the CEO of the International Humanitarian Organization “Embrace the Middle East” Tim Livesey, and the Programmes and Partnerships Manager in the organization Bruce Clark, visited the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches General Secretariat in Beirut, on Thursday, June 23, 2022. The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs welcomed them alongside with the Council's Finance Director Manal Bechara Bou Habib and the Coordinator of the Beirut Office of the Council’s Service and Relief – Diakonia Department Nina Hallak.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches you can find a news about the visit of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs heading a delegation from the Council to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and MECC President for the Orthodox Family. As for the message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled this week “The Antidote”. It is the speech that he delivered during the visit to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, which you can read it and also watch it.

(With the Video of the Speech)

Your Beatitude Patriarch John X,

Reverend Pastor and Fathers,

Dear colleagues,

After the end of the proceedings of the Twelfth General Assembly and the election of MECC Presidents and members of the Executive Committee, this is the first of our visits as an official delegation to His Beatitude, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and MECC President, in order to congratulate Him and get His views on the various issues raised and to obtain His directives regarding the work of the Middle East Council of Churches.

Adyan Foundation Launches "Zakiratuna"

A film That Enhances the Syrian Refugees' Sense of Belonging To Their Homeland

On the occasion of the International Refugee Day, Adyan Foundation, an MECC partner, produced with the support of the US Embassy in Lebanon, a documentary entitled “Zakiratuna” written and directed by Michèle Tyan. The film came within the framework of Adyan’s project, which aims, according to it, to “restore and strengthen the positive connection of Syrian refugee children and adolescents with their homeland”, especially those who were born and raised outside Syria, carrying a negative image of their homeland. Thus, the documentary aims also at "collecting and composing some beautiful memories from the older generation and transmitting them to the younger generation…”

In our Orthodox Church We Have Faith and a Very Serious Endeavor in Building Bridges Between Christians in the Middle East

Dr. Michel Abs: Crises Are Threatening the Antiochian Eastern Region, so the Role of the Church and MECC Is Essential

In a follow-up to the results of the MECC 12th general Assembly, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs headed a delegation from the Council in a visit to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and MECC President for the Orthodox Family. The visit was on Monday, June 20, 2022 at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Balamand, North Lebanon, in the presence of the Abbot of Our Lady of Balamand Monastery, Archimandrite Romanos El Hannat.

On the occasion of the MECC 12th General Assembly and in preparation for the celebration of its golden jubilee, the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department presents a documentary entitled “The Middle East Council of Churches… 50 years of Continuous Witness”, highlighting the founding of the Council and the most prominent bright stations that MECC achieved through its ecumenical and humanitarian mission. Since 1974, MECC started a new ecumenical era in the Church of the East, spreading the spirit of fraternity and dialogue “Building Bridges, Standing Together”.

Gender-Based Violence is Ongoing

Women Refugees Are in Danger More Than Ever, Does Anyone Hear Their Cry for Help?

Say no to early marriage, no to harassment, no to beatings, no to racism, no to discrimination... Slogans the Middle East Council of Churches works all year long to transform into living reality with groups of women in awareness sessions about gender-based violence implemented by the MECC Service and Relief Department, Beirut office. Slogans saying "No to Violence", in the face of a painful reality: "No Laws"??!!!

The sad truth is there are no feasible laws, or perhaps no implementation of laws to protect women today, due to unfair policies that some countries in our region adopt. A reality we can’t escape, especially since the rate of violence against women continues to rise in the world and the Middle East. Figures and statistics confirm this tragedy!

The Service and Relief Department- Diakonia, at the Middle East Council of Churches, Syria’s office, launched a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) campaign in Dara’a city to support the local community. This activity was implemented within the Cash for Work Program.

The two-month campaign contributes to providing temporary job opportunities for 100 workers including women and persons with disabilities.

MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs in an Interview About the Sayfo Massacres on Suboro TV

On the 107th Commemoration of the Syriac Genocide or the "Sayfo Massacre", the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of “Each Day By Day" program broadcasted on Suboro TV, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The episode was under the slogan of "Sayfo 1915 We Forgive but Never Forget”, during which Dr. Abs talked about the Sayfo massacres, considered from the most brutal massacres in the history of the Church.

Están sentados en su silla, sosteniendo su bastón, con los ojos fijos en el horizonte, mirándolo con una mirada de reproche y anticipación.

Esperan a un hijo, a un nieto, a un hermano o a alguien que pregunte por ellos, por su estado y su destino.

Recuerdan los días pasados y reflexionan sobre el sufrimiento que les hicieron soportar y las lecciones que les enseñaron. A veces se alegran y a veces se entristecen.

«La vejez es una travesía», así reza el dicho popular en el Líbano. Y como dice el refrán francés: «Si la juventud supiera, si la vejez pudiera».

Las canas de sus cabellos y su piel arrugada te hablan del tiempo que han soportado. Su mirada errática te dice algo sobre su sufrimiento.

Son el grupo más vulnerable de la sociedad, ya que no tienen ni el poder ni la promesa de recuperar la gloria pasada. Sólo recurren a los recuerdos.