Led by the Sami people in a special processional, 97 Indigenous delegates to the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly were present in Karlsruhe for the pre-assembly. They symbolically ushered in four elements—Earth, Water, Fire and Wind—through biblical texts and prayer.

The theme of their gathering was “Reconciliation: Restoring Wholeness in Creation.”

They began their pre-assembly work on topics ranging from engagement with the Indigenous peoples in Europe, to reflecting and testifying on the learnings from Pilgrim Team Visits.

Lighting candles to remember where they came from, they also received an orientation to the German context of the assembly, as well as interaction with assembly committee members and pre-assembly delegates.

Do we notice the absolute chaos and the utter evil that pervade humanity today?

Modern man has become preoccupied with his daily life and craving after money to fulfill needs, including illusory or artificial ones, invented for him by industrial society, to the extent that he is no longer able to see the situation of the human race today.

Wars, epidemics, social problems, deteriorating economic conditions, misdistribution of wealth, food and medicine on a global scale, and other misfortunes of modern society have swept the globe and led the human race to what the Master, who embodied our salvation, warned against.

On the counterpart, we witness development in human, medical and social services, to the extent that one almost considers that there are two different kind of human beings on earth.

It is the race between good and evil that began with the advent of humankind, and that takes on renewed forms.

It is the same creature that destroys homes, makes people homeless, kills them, and sometimes exterminates them, that shelters them, heals their wounds, and gives them warmth.

Oriente Medio celebrará próximamente el «Tiempo de la Creación» anual, de carácter cristiano y medioambiental, que fue lanzada por el Consejo de Iglesias del Oriente Medio por primera vez en la región el año pasado. Para ello se han llevado a cabo numerosas actividades medioambientales y una campaña de concienciación para proteger la creación, además de traducir al árabe el folleto de la Oración del Tiempo, que se ha adoptado a nivel internacional y en diferentes idiomas. Así, los habitantes del Oriente también podrán celebrar las actividades del Tiempo con todo el mundo, desde el 1 de septiembre hasta el 4 de octubre.

El tema del Tiempo de este año es «Escucha la Voz de la Creación», tomando el lema de «La Zarza Ardiente». Por ello, el MECC publica el folleto del Tiempo 2022 en árabe y en dos versiones. Una versión completa traducida del folleto original en inglés, que incluye todos los detalles e información relacionados con el Tiempo, además de oraciones y sugerencias para las celebraciones. La segunda versión es más corta y está lista para su impresión y distribución.

Some women struggle with mental health issues due to loneliness, violence, and cultural isolation. Luckily, the MECC Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Beirut’s Office, was able to inspire positive change, with the help of international partners. As such, Psychosocial sessions were given to these women as an attempt to mend wounds. They were divided into two categories: those that can attend art technique sessions, and those that need greater mental health intervention.

Our Colleague Seta Hadeshian: His Holiness and the Armenian Cause

Վեհափառ ահայրապետը եւ Ազգային պահանջատիրութիւնը

The Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia published a book 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 book is entitled “Արժեւորում եւ Վկայութիւններ”, “Appraisal and Testimonies”, and includes articles and texts written by 52 contributors from various fields such as religious, Ecumenical, academic, political, church administration, community leadership, which shed light on the journey of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the most prominent bright stations he passed through during this period.

“Listen to the Voice of Creation”

The Middle East will be soon celebrating the annual international Christian and environmental “Season of Creation”, which was launched by the Middle East Council of Churches for the first time in the region last year. This is through many environmental activities and an awareness campaign to protect the creation, in addition to translating the Season’s Prayer booklet into Arabic, which is adopted internationally and in different languages. Thus, the people of the East may also celebrate the Season’s activities with the whole world, from the 1st of September till 4 October.

The theme of this year’s Season is “Listen to the Voice of Creation” taking the slogan of “The Burning Bush”. Hence, MECC issues the booklet of the 2022 Season in Arabic and in two versions. A full version translated from the original English booklet, including all details and information related the season, in addition to prayers and suggestions for the celebrations... The second version is shorter and ready for printing and distribution.

“Social Justice” in Times of Crisis

Thursday 25 August 2022, 7 p.m

Save the Date!

As part of the series of monthly seminars launched last June, the Middle East Council of Churches invites you to participate in its second webinar entitled "Social Justice in Time of Crisis", on Thursday 25 August 2022, at 7 p.m.

This webinar comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” as part of the Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation Programs. You can participate in it through the following link: https://bit.ly/3T7PQNv.

Extends Its Deepest Condolences to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the Coptic Orthodox Church Over the Victims of the Imbaba Church

With great sadness and pain, the Middle East Council of Churches, on behalf of its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, extends its deepest condolences to the Coptic Orthodox Church headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and to the families of the victims of the fire that ripped, during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, through St. Mercurius the Martyr Church in Abu Sefein, Imbaba district, in Egypt.

The death of the 41 victims, including the priest of the Church, while praying during the Virgin Mary’s fast, is a consolation and confirmation that they passed away to the Heavenly Father gaining eternal life, through grace and Prayer.