Cooperating Together to Work for Peace Is Needed

With great hope, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay continues his tour in Lebanon, He visited His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Al Soury, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Zahle, Baalbek and Dependencies, and Member of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Executive Committee, representing His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, on Thursday 21 March 2024, at the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate - Zahle. (All photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Dr. Nicolas Bustros, an MECC Delegation, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan. As well as, participants were a group of Priests.

A Meeting that Emphasizes the Necessity of Preserving the Christian Presence in the Region

As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Thursday 21 March 2024, at the headquarters of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate - Atchaneh. (All Photos)

The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan.

As well as, attendees were the Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies His Eminence Bishop Mor Severios Roger Akhrass, the Patriarchal Secretary His Eminence Bishop Mor Augeen Nemat.

At the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visits Lebanon, between 19 and 22 March 2024. He will meet with Spiritual Leaders and pray with the MECC Member Churches. Hence, the video presents details about the program of the first day of Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay’s tour in Lebanon.

“Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example”

Saturday 23 March 2024 - 9 am Beirut time

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) invites you to a seminar entitled “Shared Religious Spaces in the Middle East, the Feast of the Annunciation in Lebanon as an Example,” on Saturday 23 March 2024, from 9 am Beirut time until 4:30 pm Beirut time.

You can participate in the seminar via the following Zoom platform link https://shorturl.at/irNO6 and live on the MECC Facebook page.

The seminar will include three sessions with the participation of speakers, Religious Leaders and specialists from various fields. It will begin with a first session devoted to the speeches from the Spiritual Leaders. The second session will focus on “The Middle Eastern Model of Shared Life,” and the third session is entitled “From Coexistence to Unity in Life.”

The seminar comes within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, which the Middle East Council of Churches is working to implement consecutively.

As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, President of the World Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, on Wednesday 20 March 2024, at the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia - Antelias. (All Photos)

Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay was accompanied by Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East, a delegation from the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia, which included Father Hrant, the Ecumencial Officer at the Catholicosate and WCC Central Committee Member, and Father Dajad, Chancellor of the Catholicosate and Director of “Birds’ Nest” orphanage in the Lebanese region of Byblos, as well as Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the MECC Associate Secretary General, and an MECC delegation.

The WCC Secretary General Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay Visits Lebanon

Details of the First Day of the Visit

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visits Lebanon, between 19 and 22 March 2024. He will meet with Spiritual Leaders and pray with the MECC Member Churches, aiming at strengthening the Ecumenical spirit and stressing on the brotherhood and love relations that bridge distances between all believers.

On the first day of his tour in Lebanon, Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay was accompanied by Mrs. Carla Khijoyan, the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East, a delegation from the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia, which included Father Hrant, the Ecumenical Officer at the Catholicosate and WCC Central Committee Member, and Father Dajad, Chancellor of the Catholicosate and Director of “Birds’ Nest” orphanage in the Lebanese region of Byblos, as well as Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, the MECC Associate Secretary General, and an MECC delegation.

Emphasizing the MECC Importance as A Home for Christian Interaction and A Supporter of the Christian Presence in the Region

Cairo-18-3-2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs culminated his tour in the Arab Republic of Egypt with a visit to President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki.

The Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs was accompanied by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

The meeting was attended by the Director of Public Relations in the Evangelical Community Sheikh Issam Wassef, and the Director of the Media Office in the Evangelical Community Mr. Youssef Edward.

The meeting was characterized by a fraternal and friendly atmosphere, as the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs thanked the President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, for his reception, love, and support of the Council. Then he gave him an extensive presentation about his visit to Egypt, the milestones that marked this visit, and the Council’s activities on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of its Founding and its aspirations.

Receives the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, and a Delegation from the Council in Cairo

A Meeting Centering on the MECC Work, Activities and Aspirations

Cairo-18-3-2024

His Eminence Bishop Thomas Adly, Pastor of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Souef, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, at the Diocese’s headquarters - Cairo.

Firstly, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Michel Abs highlighted the objectives of his visit to Egypt, informing His Eminence about the MECC work on various Ecclesiastical, social, and humanitarian levels.

He also briefed him on the activities of the MECC Fiftieth Year of its founding, especially the activity that will be implemented in Egypt, in addition to reactivating the work of the MECC’s Office in Egypt.

Receives the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, and a Delegation from the Council - Cairo

Cairo-18-3-2024

The Patriarchal Vicar General of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan, His Eminence Bishop Jean-Marie Chami, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and a delegation from the Council that included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, at the Patriarchate Headquarters - Cairo.

The meeting centered around fruitful topics that were related to the society, environment, and the Church.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs presented an extensive explanation about the Council, its Church Families, and its activities and aspirations, especially in the Fiftieth Year of its Founding, stressing that this year’s activities fall within the framework of thought and Prayer, meditation and foresight.

Cairo-17-3-2024

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and as part of his meetings included in his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs attended the Prayer Service held by the Pastor of the Heliopolis Evangelical Church Reverend Dr. Youssef Samir, with the participation of Reverends Jean Emile and Sameh Anwar.

The Prayer was also attended by the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, and believers.

Emphasizing the Importance of the Council’s Role in Bridging Distances Between the Churches

Cairo-17-3-2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs and a delegation from the Council visited the Egyptian Thinker and Former Minister Dr. Samir Morcos, at his home in Cairo.

Dr. Michel Abs was accompanied by the Associate Secretary General, Reverend Refaat Fikry, and the Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

Amidst great love, Mr. Samir Morcos received Dr. Michel Abs and the MECC delegation. The meeting extended over two hours, during which the attendees discussed Church and national issues.

Firstly, Dr. Michel Abs presented some of the positions and milestones that took place years ago, and which were in the interest of the MECC, Christians, Churches, and the nation.

Emphasizing the Role of the Church in Humanitarian Issues’ Response

Alexandria 16-3-2024

No one disagrees that human rights issues are among the most important issues that the Middle East Council of Churches addresses and looks forward to, and in confirmation of this, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs met with a Member of the Parliament of Egypt and Activist in the field of people with special needs Dr. Nada Thabet, in Alexandria.

During the meeting, Dr. Michel Abs praised the role played by Dr. Nada Thabet towards people with special needs, as she raised her voice in seeking justice for these people who, despite their weakness, proved that they are people filled with limitless creativity and talent. Therefore, Dr. Nada Thabet took the highest cause of her life as the cause of these people.

A Meeting Confirming that MECC Bears Witness to the Truth

Alexandria, 16-4-2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs continued his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and in preparation for the activities of the MECC Fiftieth Year.

In Alexandria, the Secretary General, Dr. Michel Abs, visited with a delegation from the Council, Bishop Pavli, the Assistant of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See Saint Mark, for Al Mountazah Sector and the Youth Service Officer in Alexandria, Bishop Hermina, General Bishop of the Eastern Sector, and Dr. Hiba Sharobim, Member of the Egyptian Senate, at the Archdiocese Headquarters - Alexandria.

Word Praising the Council’s Work and Its Future Aspirations

Alexandria, 16-3-2024

As part of his tours and meetings in the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and an MECC delegation visited His Beatitude Pope Theodoros II, Greek Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, at the headquarters of the Patriarchate - Alexandria.

The MECC delegation included the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikri, the Communication Coordinator in Church Media Relations the journalist Lea Adel Maamary, and students from the Institute of Coptic Studies - Department of Ecumenical Relations.

The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs was received by His Beatitude Pope Theodoros II, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, and the Patriarchal Agent His Eminence Metropolitan Narcissus, Metropolitan of Port Said.

At the Institute of Coptic Studies - Cairo on the Challenges of Ecumenical Work in Modern Society

Cairo-15-3-2024

What is modernity and its components? What are the most prominent characteristics of its society? What are the Ecumenical challenges in modern society and the changes that dominate our lives? These and other topics were addressed by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, in a lecture he delivered at the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo.

The lectures were presented by the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Gergis Saleh, and the Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Ishak Ajban. Attendees were the Vice-Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Adel Fakhry, Head of the Department of Canon Law at the Institute of Coptic Studies, Dr. George Nicholas, and students of the Department of Church, Ecumenical, and Theological Relations in Institute, and Priests.

Firstly, Dr. Ishak Ajban welcomed Dr. Michel Abs, describing him as an intellectual, educated, and open-minded person who enriches the institute and refines its students with values ​​and knowledge.

An Invitation to Everyone Towards Establishing the Garden of Joy

Assiut, 15-3-2024

At the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and in cooperation with the Egypt Council of Churches, the First Evangelical Church in New Assiut, under the patronage of Reverend Bassem Adly, the Church’s pastor, held a Prayer for unity, entitled “You shall love the Lord your God... and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Participants were a group of Church Leaders, His Eminence Bishop Youannes, the Coptic Orthodox Bishop of Assiut, Father Dr. Elia Francis, representing His Eminence Anba Daniel Lotfy, the Coptic Catholic Bishop of Assiut, and Priests.

As well as, participants were Pastors from the Evangelical Church with all its sects, including Reverend Najeh Fawzi, Head of the Parish Servants Committee at the Egypt Council of Churches, Mr. Issam Ayyad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee for the Catholic Church, and Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), who addressed a speech about the slogan of this year’s Week of Prayer for Unity, and also read a speech by Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

Words Stressing the Role of Christian Media as a Platform for Dialogue, Harmony, and the Dissemination of Christian Teachings

Cairo, 15-3-2024

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, met with Reverend Nadi Labib, Head of the Media Council of the Evangelical Synod of the Nile, in Cairo.

During the meeting the issue of the Christian media was discussed, in order to strengthen its role and cohesion among the Churches, in addition to the possibility of creating a media union that brings together all Christian media outlets.

As well as, attendees talked about the Council’s activities on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, and emphasized that Christian media has a crucial role in serving all people without discrimination.

Stressing on the Reactivation of the MECC Work in Egypt

Cairo, 15-3-2024

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolas Antonio, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tanta and Its Dependencies, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, at the Archdiocese headquarters - Cairo.

Dr. Michel Abs was accompanied by the MECC Coordinator of Communication for Church Relations Lea Adel Maamary.

During the visit, an overview of the MECC work and the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Establishment, was made.

Cairo, 15-3-2024

Many media interviews in Egypt summarized the work of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) throughout half a century of its founding. The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs was a guest on AlKeraza TV Channel and spoke, in details, about the MECC founding, the stages it went through, and the services, projects, and activities that the Council currently implements serving humanity and supporting the relief work in which everyone, without exception, are concerned.

He also spoke via AlKeraza about the visits he made in Egypt, which included many activities that would be held on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Council.