As prevention is better than cure, The Service and Relief Department – Diakonia at the Middle East Council of Churches office in Syria aims at raising health awareness to reach as many persons as possible in society through implementing health awareness trainings to women, who will, in turn, transfer the gained knowledge to their communities.

Health awareness trainings were implemented in Dara’a and Damascus for 15 trainees in each governorate. The trainees were introduced to the most common diseases; causes, treatment and prevention methods in addition to introducing the correct methods of using a blood pressure monitor in addition to the basics of first aid.

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 General Secretariat, to His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. As for the weekly message of Dr. Abs, it is entitled “On their International Day: Youth, Challenges and Questions”, and is dedicated for the International Youth Day celebrated on August 12.

The issue also presents a news and pictures about the congratulatory visit held by Dr. Michel Abs, heading a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat, to Father Hadi Mahfouz following his election as General President of the Lebanese Maronite Order, besides the new General Presidency complex.

Dr. Michel Abs: Reactivating the work of the Dialogue Committee, is a necessity

Headed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Michel Abs, a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches visited His Eminence Sheikh Al-Aql of the Unitarian Druze Community, Sheikh Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, to emphasize the relationship that binds the Council to the Unitarian Druze Community sect alongside its historical role in promoting the dialogue between the various religions and references in Lebanon.

The visit, which took place today, Thursday, August 11th, began with a word from the Secretary-General, Dr. Abs, where he spoke about the firm relations that were always present with Sheikh Al-Aql and the personal bond they shared while being part of the Islamic-Christian Dialogue Committee in Lebanon, in addition to attending meetings and other joint initiatives that took place in cooperation between both sides. The Secretary-General also stressed that the interest in Christian issues does not negate the important need to cooperate with our partners in our homeland.

The world celebrates on August 12 of each year the International Youth Day, and the interaction with this occasion varies between one country and another, and between one institution and another.

Young people rarely find the necessary attention for them, as society considers them a young, strong and solid group, capable of overcoming difficulties due to their age, health and aspirations. The social injustice that is clearly visible and which needs direct and, in most cases, urgent support.

As an educator for more than four decades, having lived through various categories of youth, I can simply consider that young people constitute a vulnerable and marginalized group, unintentionally excluded by society by virtue of the cultural and economic dynamics that govern the course of society.

There are many challenges facing the youth of our modern world, varying from one society to another in terms of the nature of these challenges and their weight on the lives of young people, their aspirations and, consequently, their future. However, in all cases, it bears a heavy burden on a social group that is silently marginalized and excluded under the pretext that it is a group that, because of its lack of maturity coupled with high energy, is able to withstand.

And Inviting the Maronite Church to Participate in the “Season of Creation” 2022 Celebrations

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs visited His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, heading a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat that included the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Coordinator of the Ecojustice Unit Reverend Rima Nasrallah, and the Coordinator of the Rehabilitation of Social Capital project Professor Laure Abi Khalil. The visit was on Wednesday 10 August 2022, at the Patriarchal edifice in Al Diman, Lebanon.

During the meeting, Dr. Abs gave His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rai a brief overview of the activities of the MECC 12th General Assembly, which was held under the theme of “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27), between 16 and 20 May 2022, at the Papal Logos Center in Egypt.

On the Occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Election of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia

Dr. Michel Abs: Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia: A leader of Principles and Challenges

On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee and the 25th anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, the Catholicosate issued a new book entitled “Արժեւորում եւ Վկայութիւններ”, “Appraisal and Testimonies”. Hence, 52 contributors participated in the book from various fields such as religious, ecumenical, academic, political, church administration, community leadership, and highlighted the most prominent bright stations and achievements made by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I during this period.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs was among the participants.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs and the members of the MECC General Secretariat warmly congratulate Father Hadi Mahfouz on his election as General President of the Lebanese Maronite Order, after the convening of the Order’s Electoral Commission on 29 July 2022, which followed the retreat of the Ordinary General Assembly held from 26 to 28 July 2022.

On the occasion, the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs headed a delegation from the General Secretariat, which included the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Director of the Communication and Public Relations Department Mrs. Huguette Salameh, and the Executive Secretary Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, in a congratulatory visit to Father Mahfouz and the new General Presidency complex.

2 years after the Beirut Blast, what has changed at the crime scene? are the Beirutis still clinging to hope? how does Beirut look today? did the pulse return to its heart? In the report, you will find a tour in the neighborhoods of Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael, as well as stories of some Beirutis who survived death, affirming that the will of life is stronger. The video is prepared by the Communications and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches.

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 details about the webinar organized by MECC entitled “Palestinians and Liberation from a Christian Stance”, which is the first in a series of seminars that will be organized by the Council on a monthly basis on various topics and current issues. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled “Palestine, the first of the seminars, the first results”, and revolved around the webinar and its goals.