An Annual Historical Occasion Between 18 and 25 January, What is its Significance?

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated annually during eight days of daily Prayers worldwide. It is an historic annual ritual which extends between 18 and 25 January in the global Christian calendar, in the Northern part of the world. As for the Southern part, people are in holidays during this period, therefore Churches celebrate the Week of Prayer around Pentecost.

A unity our Lord Jesus Christ prayed for and entrusted us with as he said: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:21)

The week of prayer carries with it profound Christian and theological meanings through which Christians move on their annual ecumenical journey. Setting a date for the week itself has a special significance, turning it into a Christian tradition that started in 1908.

With the beginning of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2023, let us unite together in Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, carrying in our hearts and deed this year’s theme “Do good; seek justice” (Isaiah 1:17).

You can find in Arabic the Prayer for Christian Unity.

El momento y el contenido de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos constituyen hitos en la historia de la humanidad, ya que se produce tras una feroz guerra que destruyó una parte importante de la civilización humana, durante la cual se adoptaron métodos de matanza y letalidad que se remontan a siglos atrás. La humanidad se ha visto en la necesidad de fortificarse frente a prácticas sociales, políticas, de derechos humanos, así como a prácticas económicas que pueden devolverla al punto cero, donde no hay retorno, en el camino de la aniquilación.

El texto de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos es completo, exhaustivo, suficiente y adecuado, ya que abarca todos los aspectos de la vida, en varios niveles, y recuerda a las personas lo que se puede y no se puede cometer contra ellas.

En el preámbulo, la Declaración habla de «un reconocimiento de la dignidad inherente a todos los miembros de la familia humana» y subraya sus «derechos iguales e inalienables», y considera que la dignidad y los derechos son «el fundamento de la libertad, la justicia y la paz en el mundo».

The “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2023 starts with a hope towards a desired and awaited unity since decades. It is a week which includes 8 daily Prayers and extends between 18 and 25 January every year. We unite in Prayer, reflection, and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. But what does the date of the Week of Prayer symbolize?

In the video, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches Father Dr. Antoine Al-Ahmar explains the significance and meanings of 18 and 25 January.

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 and photos about the intellectual seminar held by MECC in partnership with the OHCHR under the title "Dignity, Freedom and Justice", for the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on Wednesday 11 January 2023, at the headquarters of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut. As for the weekly message of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Abs, it is entitled “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights... and Dignity”, and it was the speech which he delivered at the seminar.

The timing and content of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights constitute milestones in the history of mankind, as it comes in the aftermath of a fierce war that destroyed an important part of human civilization, during which methods of killing and lethality dating back to centuries were adopted. Humanity has found itself in the need to fortify itself from social, political, human rights as well as to economic practices that may return it to zero point, where there is no return, on the way to annihilation.

The text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is complete, comprehensive, sufficient, and adequate, covering all aspects of life, at various levels, and reminding people of what may and may not be committed against them.

In the preamble, the Declaration speaks of "a recognition of the inherent dignity of all members of the human family" and stresses their "equal and inalienable rights" and considers dignity and rights to be "the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world".

MECC and OHCHR in a Seminar with Recommendations at the MECC’s headquarters in Beirut

"Dignity, Freedom and Justice"

The UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon Mr. Imran Riza: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was able to enact rights which protect people and preserve their dignity

Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: we need a culture of human rights in order to make sure that humanity has left the jungle towards society never to return

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Middle East Council of Churches, in partnership with the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), organized an intellectual seminar entitled "Dignity, Freedom and Justice". It was held as part of the MECC work to spread and defend the human rights’ principles, on Wednesday 11 January 2023, at the headquarters of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.

Attendees were the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Mr. Imran Riza, Professor Michel Abs, MECC Secretary General, Lebanese Deputy Dr. Michel Moussa, Dr. Habib Charles Malik, Lawyer Dr. Antoine Sfeir, Professor Antoine Messarra, alongside intellectuals, jurists, researchers and activists working for human rights and humanitarian social issues...

in a Christmas Visit to the Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon

 Father Andraos Al Anthouny

On the occasion of Christmas, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs visited the Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon Father Andraos Al Anthouny, on Thursday 11 January 2023, at the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in Beirut. Dr. Abs was accompanied by a delegation from the MECC General Secretariat, which included the Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, and the Executive Assistant to the Secretary General Mrs. Caroline Haddad.

Holidays’ Exhibitions Enhance the Lebanese’ Capacities and Expertise

During the month of December and on the occasion of Christmas, beneficiaries from the Middle East Council of Churches’ “Homemade goods” program participated in four exhibitions with the help of the MECC Service and Relief – Diakonia Department, Beirut’s Office. Under the umbrella Andaket Pro, Bazbina and Shadra cooperatives, beneficiaries displayed their products while hoisting MECC banners. Two of the events they attended occurred in Beirut where they displaced a variety of homemade goods such as Jam, olives, fermented vegetables, and Zaatar and sold them at affordable prices.  Similarly, they attended the exhibitions held in Jbeil and Kobayyat, where they received customers hoping to purchase all-natural products untainted by factory chemicals.

Report: December 2022

According to the World Bank, most of the Middle East countries are accumulating debt. Such a phenomenon is due to several reasons unique to every country. However, the global economic crisis and the events in Eastern Europe may have had a direct impact on external debt as countries had to spend money to guarantee basic commodities such as fuel and wheat. Now more than ever, ME countries must band together to compliment one another’s needs so that to alleviate the incoming burdens of 2023.