His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Al Souri, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Zahle, Baalbek and their Dependencies

The “Messages of Hope During Christmas” program is a Christmas program prepared by the Media and Communication team at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through which clergy and laypersons, Members of the MECC Executive Committee, deliver Christmas messages that highlight the human meanings of Christmas, love, service, giving and mercy despite the harsh conditions that our region is passing through. Thus, they confirm, via these messages, that we are children of the light and hope.

A Word From His Eminence Archbishop Boutros Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo

The “Messages of Hope During Christmas” program is a Christmas program prepared by the Media and Communication team at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through which clergy and laypersons, Members of the MECC Executive Committee, deliver Christmas messages that highlight the human meanings of Christmas, love, service, giving and mercy despite the harsh conditions that our region is passing through. Thus, they confirm, via these messages, that we are children of the light and hope.

It is the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which deals with Ecclesiastical, humanitarian and social issues. Since its foundation in 1974, MECC has worked to strengthen the Church’s mission and highlight its pioneering Ecumenical role at all levels, and has proven that the Church is for Man.

Yes, it is the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which works with non-stop through its various offices and programs in Lebanon and the rest of the region and seeks to heal the wounds that are increasing amidst the current challenges and harsh circumstances.

The Diakonia Department Office in Lebanon, which was founded since the establishment of the MECC in 1974, is one of the most important offices that is distinguished by its humanitarian, social, health, cultural, and educational programs across various Lebanese territories without discrimination, because what is most important to the Department’s work is the human being.

In a media interview, the Director of the MECC Diakonia Department Office in Lebanon Ms. Nina Hallak spoke at length about the work of the Diakonia Department Office and said:

“The name of Diakonia indicates its true meaning, that is, service through the Church and humanitarian work, and includes many programs and projects, as such relief work and emergency responses, as well as skills development that help the Lebanese citizen to find job opportunities via his participation in training workshops and improving his skills.”

Retrofitting of 28 Buildings Following the Earthquake that Struck the North of the Antiochian Levant

About 10 months have passed since the catastrophic earthquake that struck the North of the Antiochian Levant on 10 February 2023. The Syrians are still suffering from its massive repercussions, as their wounds have not yet healed. In response to the emergency humanitarian appeal in Syria, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its humanitarian and relief work in the wounded Syria since the first moments of the earthquake.

In this context, the MECC work included providing the necessary support to those affected by distributing basic aid for daily life. Recently, and with the support of its partners, MECC was able to secure the stability of more than 100 families in the city of Aleppo by retrofitting 28 buildings that collapsed as a result of the earthquake.

In the video, one of the surviving women in the city of Aleppo describes the first moments of terror immediately after the earthquake occurred, and speaks about the difficult circumstances they experienced in Syria as a result of this disaster. The video also highlights the Middle East Council of Churches' ongoing relief and field work to restore hope to the affected people.

“Every child deserves to feel safe in the school and local society.” With these words, UNICEF is sounding the alarm bell due to the escalation of serious risks resulting from the high rate of violence against children and adolescents and the violation of their basic rights in many cases due to difficult living conditions. Therefore, it has become necessary to take serious measures to protect children and adolescents and preserve their dignity. Hence, many international and regional parties seek to raise awareness about sensitive social issues in order to reduce every phenomenon that violates human dignity.

From its end, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has been working since its founding and through its various programs to raise awareness on societal dangers in order to contribute to reducing violence and healing the wounds of the most vulnerable.

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: November 2023

As the war is grounded to a halt for the sake of exchanging hostages, one cannot but help and wonder about the countless casualties that forced both sides to this decision. Media cover ups and the distortion of the truth were being exercised on a daily basis and therefore failed miserably. After all, one cannot suppress news of sheer brutality which has made its way to TV screens and social media accounts of many westerns thus prompting a just reaction. Nevertheless, more blatant lies are being spewed publicly and people are becoming ever so confused about the reality of the matter. What is even sadder is that all who have perished are nothing but pawns of a political game orchestrated by those who are in power and those who are inspired by greed and influence. So far, several theories have emanated about the rationale behind the destructive and violent bombings of Gaza, but none of them succeed in defining the whole picture. Arguably, most of these theories can be correct simultaneously. However, one thing is for certain, there is truly something evil behind these sequence of events that will define world history forever.

With the development of the modern world, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) follows with precautions the advanced technologies in order to benefit from it positively aiming at improving its work mechanisms and tasks and achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals. Hence, MECC adopted a new financial system managed by the accounting team through an advanced financial program that facilitates the accounting work and financial transfers, reports, analyses, and everything that responds to the requirements of modern administration

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a training course on this program. The MECC Secretary General participated in a part of this training.

At the invitation of WCC and MECC, Beside the Activities of the COP28 Conference of the Parties

At the invitation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and besides the convening of the COP28 activities, Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, held by the United Nations in Dubai, an Ecumenical Prayer Service related to the “Season of Creation” was held on Saturday 2 December 2023, in the Anglican Church of Christ, in Jebel Ali - Dubai. Hence, you can find in the video a report about this Prayer and the speech delivered by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Prof. Dr. Michel Abs.

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Communication and Public Relations Department, you can find the statement issued by MECC on creation care, on behalf of the Churches of the Middle East. MECC addressed it to the officials at the Conference of the Parties on climate change COP28 held by the United Nations in Dubai. In the statement, MECC calls for accelerated and radical changes based on the following principles: Global Long-Term Commitment, Just Climate Financing, Just Management of Resources, Simpler Lifestyles, Just Transitions, Church Commitment, and Church and Government Cooperation.

As for the message of the MECC Secretary General Prof. Dr. Dr. Michel Abs, it is entitled this week “Christian Praxis in Creation Care”. It is the speech he delivered during the Ecumenical Prayer service that was held at the invitation of the World Council of Churches (MECC) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Saturday 2 December 2023, at the Anglican Church of Christ in the Jebel Ali region - Dubai. The Prayer took place in parallel with the activities of the COP28 Conference of the Parties.

When we realize the depth of the infiltration of pollution and the destruction it causes to creation, as well as the power of environmental polluters and their ability to influence major decisions, we almost feel helpless and overcome with despair!

But when we look at what is required from us to protect the Creator’s gift, we feel the challenge and the greatness of the mission towards the One who has entrusted us with it, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

The environment, gift of the Creator, handed-over to us to preserve and enhance, in order to have a better life, what did we do with it?

What the Creator has placed in our charge is not land, rock, water, or air, which we commodify and pollute according to our interests, neglect, and whims, but rather elements of life. It is a symbol of the Creator’s love for us and His desire for us to live within it and by it, not to destroy it, leaving for future generations a waste dump to the size of the Earth.

Participate in Seminars During the COP28 Conference in Dubai

Amidst a world suffering from severe environmental risks that threaten human lives as a result of environmental crises, the United Nations is holding the COP28 Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Dubai, between 30 November 30 and 12 December 2023. The conference’s activities include meetings between world presidents and official meetings, in addition to several environmental lectures and seminars from various parts of the world.

In this context and stemming from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)’ belief in the importance of the environmental issue, the MECC Secretary General Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, and the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, headed to Dubai, where they participated in a series of seminars held within the COP28 activities with Arab and Faith groups. All of these seminars centered around environmental, theological, and scientific topics and issues. Moreover, this tour aimed to build new relations aimed at strengthening communication with international and Arab parties in order to cooperate and work together in the future.

The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: The environmental burden has become immense!

The Church of Christ must intervene to curb the deterioration, deter the saboteurs from continuing in their wrongdoing, preserve and protect what remains of creation for us

At the invitation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and besides the convening of the COP28 activities, Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, held by the United Nations in Dubai, an Ecumenical Prayer Service related to the “Season of Creation” was held on Saturday 2 December 2023, in the Anglican Church of Christ, in Jebel Ali - Dubai. The Service emphasizes the importance of uniting together in Prayer and work to preserve the creation and our common home.

The Prayer which you can watch it in the video, was presided over by His Eminence Bishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Primate of the Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and MECC Executive Committee Member. Participants were the WCC Secretary General Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, the MECC Secretary General Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, and the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar who led the Prayer. As well as, participants were a group of Heads of Churches and clergy from various Church Families, in addition to many Church organizations.

MECC Joins the 16 Days Campaign “UNITE to End Violence against Women”

And Interventions Stress the Importance of Women’s Protection and Men’s role in Societies

Amidst the high rate of violence against women around the world, the United Nations is sounding the alarm, especially through an annual international awareness campaign extending over 16 days that it launched in 2008 under the title “UNITE to End Violence against Women. It begins on 25 November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on 10 December with International Human Rights Day.

In its turn, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) joins this campaign, which this year took the slogan “No Excuse,” and emphasizes the necessity of facing the violence against women, preserving human dignity, and the importance of men’s role in protecting the family and contributing to building better societies. This is what was confirmed by the beneficiaries of the services provided by the “Our Lady Dispensary” in Beirut, and affiliated with MECC.

As part of the COP28 Conference of the Parties on Climate Change held by the United Nations in Dubai between 30 November and 12 December 2023, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) issued a statement on creation care on behalf of the Churches of the Middle East, which MECC addressed it to the officials at the Dubai conference. In the statement, MECC calls for accelerated and radical changes based on the following principles: Global Long-Term Commitment, Just Climate Financing, Just Management of Resources, Simpler Lifestyles, Just Transitions, Church Commitment, and Church and Government Cooperation.

You can find the full text of the MECC statement.

Reverend Refaat Fikry Saaid, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), wrote an article entitled “The Middle East Council of Churches and the Palestinian Cause”, and published on the website of “Al Masri Al Yom” (which means the Egyptian Today) newspaper.

In his article, which you can read it in Arabic by clicking here, Reverend Fikry highlighted the MECC work regarding the Palestinian cause, as well as he shed lights on the latest MECC Executive Committee meeting which was held in Beirut on 17 and 18 November 2023 and on its agenda that included the war in Palestine and the difficult circumstance that the Middle East is passing through.

At the end of 2023, the Middle East Council of Churches, Communication and Public Relations Department, issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of December 2023. It includes the Ecclesiastical and Liturgical feasts of the various families of Churches in the Middle East. In addition to international days identified by the United Nations, and which are related to the MECC identity and its spiritual and human mission.

The New Monthly Webinar Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches

Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs: child is the gift of the Creator and the continuation of life, and is a grace from God so that we must treat them well

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) pursues its series of monthly seminars, and held a new webinar entitled “Street Children and Human Dignity”, on Thursday 30 November 2023, with the participation of specialists, academicians, universities’ students and interested attendees in the topic at hand. Noting that this webinar comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, which MECC is implementing consecutively.

The webinar, which was broadcasted live on the MECC Facebook Page, included three interventions, moderated by Dr. Laure Abi Khalil who denounced in his opening speech the phenomenon of street children, highlighting their suffering and the social dangers resulting from this scourge. Dr. Abi Khalil also paid tribute to the souls of the martyrs of Gaza and the martyred children.

The webinar began with a speech by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs, in which he also condemned the phenomenon of street children, pointing out that children and the streets are not compatible with each other. He said that a child is not born to work and live on the street, and this phenomenon contradicts the concept of human dignity.

As part of the regular meeting of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which was held in Beirut, on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 November 2023, the video presents a highlight of this meeting in addition to some interviews with the participants in the meeting, members of the MECC Executive Committee, who stressed the necessity of concerted efforts to work to bring peace to the Middle East, which suffers from the scourge of war and its devastating repercussions, emphasizing the role of the church in times of distress.

Organized by the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME)

Hosted by the Coptic Catholic Seminary in Maadi, Headed by Father Bishoy Rasmi

With the aim of building bridges between students of Theological institutes and as part of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), the Association organized a sports day that brought together students from Theological institutes in Egypt, under the title “So that they may be one,” based on the Priestly Prayer of Jesus: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one” (John 17: 11). This sport day took place on Saturday 25 November 2023, and was hosted by the Coptic Catholic Seminary in Maadi, headed by Father Bishoy Rasmi, Dean of the Seminary.

Participants were His Eminence Anba Michael on behalf of the Coptic Orthodox Theological Seminaries at Bishop Royce, Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozvy Dean of the Evangelical Theological Seminary, Father Dr. Andrew Fahmy Dean of the Coptic Catholic Theological Seminary in Sakakini, Reverend Dr. Sherif Salah from the Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Father Yacobos Anba Bishoy the Spiritual supervisor of the day unit at Bishop Royce. As well as, participants were Dr. Gergis Ibrahim Saleh, Honorory Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Isaac Ajban, and Dr. Michael Adwar.