The Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs Delivers a Lecture at the Orthodox Club - Amman:

“Ecumenism is intertwined with the broader issues that Christianity faces in the world, which are the topic of dialogue, controversy, and even conflict and disagreement”

Within the framework of his tour in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to inaugurate a new office for the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and with the blessing and presence of His Excellency Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs visited the Orthodox Club in Amman, on Monday 3 June 2024, where he delivered a lecture entitled “MECC in Its Fiftieth Year, Its reality, Future Vision, and the Challenges of the Next Phase.”

Dr. Abs was accompanied by the Director of the MECC new office in Jordan Father Ignatius Khalifeh, and the MECC Financial Director Mrs. Laudy Al Khoury. The lecture was also attended by the Heads of Churches in Jordan or their delegates, members of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Father Rifaat Bader, the Head of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media and Publisher of Abouna Website, and Dr. Aude Kawas, as well as a large audience of intellectuals and Orthodox elites in Jordan.

Emphasizing the Importance of Strengthening the Ecumenical Work

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the head of a delegation from the Council including the Director of the MECC new office in Amman Father Ignatius Khalifeh, and the MECC Financial Director Ms. Laudy Al Khoury.

Within the visit program, Dr. Abs and the accompanying delegation met with members of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Father Rifaat Bader, the Head of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media and Publisher of Abouna Website, and Dr. Aude Kawas, Head of the Central Committee of Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees at the Middle East Council of Churches, on Monday 3 June 2024, at the headquarters of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Amman.

As part of his visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with the aim of inaugurating a new office for the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Amman, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, headed a delegation from the Council, in a meeting held with His Excellency Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan. It took place on Monday 3 June 2024, at the Archdiocese Headquarters - Amman. The delegation included the Director of the MECC office in Amman Father Ignatius Khalifeh, and the MECC Financial Director Ms. Laudy Al Khoury.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Communication and Public Relations Department, have now issued its online Ecumenical calendar for the month of June 2024. 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.

Inaugurating the New MECC Office in Amman

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, heading a delegation that includes the MECC Financial Director Ms. Laudy Al Khoury, is visiting the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The delegation is hosted by His Excellency Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan. The purpose of this visit is to inaugurate the new office of the MECC in Amman, the capital of the Kingdom. Dr. Abs will also meet the new office’s Director Father Ignatius Khalifeh, and will hold a series of different meetings. As well as, he will deliver a lecture at the Orthodox Club, and a speech at the office’s inauguration.

Wednesday 5 June - 4 pm Beirut time

The world and the Middle East are preparing to participate in an ecumenical environmental event celebrated annually during the “Season of Creation.” A season in which Christians unite in Praise of God the Creator, and motivates us to work together to preserve God’s creation. The season extends between 1 September, the Feast of Creation, and 4 October which coincides with the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Noting that the “Season of Creation” this year bears the theme of “To Hope and Act with Creation,” and the symbol of "The firstfruits of hope," inspired by the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans (8: 19-25).

And Under the Auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding

MECC Invites You to A Conference (In Arabic) on Sayfo

“Keeping Memory Alive - 2”, Delivered by the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs

Wednesday 12 June 2024, at 6:00 pm

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), with the blessings of 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, and under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, MECC invites you to a conference (in Arabic) on Sayfo entitled “Keeping Memory Alive - 2”, which will be delivered by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs. It will be held on Wednesday 12 June 2024, at 6 PM, at the Saint Jacob of Serug Church Hall, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon.

Restoring Hope Towards Community Resilience

Amidst the difficult security and living conditions that Lebanon is going through as a result of wars and conflicts in the Middle East and the world, the South of Lebanon is witnessing the displacement of its people who have persevered, strove and sacrificed to preserve the heritage of their ancestors, as many families have been displaced to Tire, Sidon, Beirut and other areas to secure a safe haven.

In light of this saddening humanitarian scene, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), took the initiative, through the team of the Diakonia and Social Service Department in Lebanon, and with the support of its partners, to hasten in lending a helping hand and delivering what is necessary, so that to help those affected to endure, while preserving their basic human.

Hence, this video sheds light on the response of the Middle East Council of Churches, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, to the crisis that the South of Lebanon is passing through, in addition to its humanitarian and relief field work to support those affected and heal their wounds.

A Round Table Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: Between harassment and slavery...awareness and rebellion

Silence prevails in this jungle called sexual harassment

As part of its monthly seminar series, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held a round table entitled “Sexual Harassment and Preserving Human Dignity,” on Thursday 30 May 2024, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut. This symposium emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the issue of sexual harassment and the need for ongoing work to reduce this dangerous phenomenon in societies.

The round table included two sessions in which researchers and specialists from various fields and Middle Eastern countries spoke. The first session revolved around the title “The Dangers of Sexual Harassment for Victims of Assault.” The second session was entitled “Mechanisms for Confronting Sexual Harassment.”

Attendees were specialists and interested people in the topic who participated at in the offices of the MECC General Secretariat or online via the “Zoom” platform. Noting that the symposium was broadcasted live on the MECC YouTube channel (first session - second session).

At the beginning of the coming week, a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches is heading to the blessed Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The delegation is hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, His Excellency Archbishop Christoforos Atallah. The purpose of this visit is to inaugurate the new office of the MECC in Amman, the capital of the Kingdom. This comes after His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City, hosted the office of the Council and supported it for a long period of time.

This visit was preceded by months of developments, during which interaction and exchange of views continued between the Archdiocese and the MECC. Changes occurred in the nature of the support provided by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Archdiocese of Jordan, blessed by the Lord. This visit was also preceded by a preparatory visit by a delegation from the MECC to follow up on some matters.

The MECC looks forward to re-strengthening its regional presence, which has declined for a while, for many reasons that cannot be entered into here. In doing so, it is counting on the churches to provide support to launch any work it does and every action. The Working Group does not lose sight of the fact that MECC was established, since its foundation, to serve the Church and society. It has no aims of its own, outside the framework of this service to which the founders themselves were dedicated and delegated it.

“From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East”

The round table, “From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East,” which was held by Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies, presented many humanitarian and historical issues. It was presided over by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, with the participation of speakers from various social, religious, cultural, legal and political fields. In this context, the report sheds light on this round table and its sessions.

“From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East”

Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies held a round table entitled “From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East,” on Thursday 23 May 2024, at the Independence House in Bchamoun - Lebanon, directed by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and attended by social, cultural, religious and political figures. What are the goals of this conference? And why the Independence House has been chosen as a location? You can find answers in this report which highlights the round table and its sessions.

“From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East”

“From Taurus to Gaza, 110 Years Since the Bleeding of the East,” was the title of the round table organized by Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies, on Thursday 23 May 2024, at the Independence House in Bchamoun – Lebanon. It was presided over by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, who moderated its sessions. Hence, the report presents an overview about the opening session of this round table.

Together Towards Strengthening the Ecumenical Work!

Within the framework of strengthening the ecumenical work among Theology students in the Middle East, a coordination meeting was held between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), on Wednesday 29 May 2024, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.

Attendees were, the ATIME President and Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand in Lebanon, Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, the ATIME Executive Secretary Father Dr. Michel Kanbar, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, the Director of the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department Mr. Samer Laham, and the MECC Finance Director Ms. Laudy Khoury.

Father Michel Jalakh Will Be Ordained Archbishop with the Title “Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Maronites”

Saturday, June 8, 2024 – Patriarchal Palace, Bkerke

“For me, living is Christ” (Philippians 1: 21)

Through the laying on of hands by His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, it is with great honor that Abbot Joseph Bou Raad, Superior General of the Antonine Maronite Order, and Elias and Salwa Jalakh, invite you to the Episcopal Ordination of their son Father Michel Jalakh, Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Maronites, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Saturday, June 8, 2024, 6:30 PM, at the Patriarchal Palace – Bkerke, Lebanon.

The newly ordained Archbishop will also celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 10:30 AM, at St. Roch Monastery – Dekwaneh, where he will receive well-wishes on the same day from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and on Monday, June 10, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

All who wishes to attend the Episcopal Ordination of His Eminence Archbishop Jalakh must contact the numbers on the invitation card.

Of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” Program in Egypt

Together We Walk Towards Hope!

Under the title “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6: 31), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Theological and Ecumenical Department, implemented a new session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program in Egypt - Saint Mark’s Center, between 12 and 17 May 2024.

Attendees were a group of 26 participants, including Churches’ ministers and their assistants, both consecrated and lay people, who lived harsh experiences due to the various crises and difficult conditions that the region is suffering from, or who are accompanying, in their turn, people who have experienced trauma in their lives.

The session aimed to support Churches’ workers and activists on a personal level, and to help them psychologically and spiritually so that they can complete their mission and perform their tasks in a better way. It also included times of Prayer and meditation, group participation meetings, in addition to spiritual and psychological topics. The participants were accompanied by a team of Fathers spiritual guides, and specialized psychologists with experience in this field.

A New Environmental Activity in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all” (Psalm 104: 24)… The Lord created the earth and everything in it, the mountains, plateaus, seas, and all the creation in which we live in and with it. He has entrusted us with a great and important responsibility towards it.

Hence, and stemming from its belief that we are part of all that God has made, and our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is keen to continue its environmental activity in various countries of the region, emphasizing the necessity of working and praying together in order to protect our common home.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Theological and Ecumenical Relations Department, EcoJustice Unit, in cooperation with the Danmission organization and the Society of Jesuit Fathers, were able to establish a fourth Miron Orchard in the Middle East, specifically in the Taalabaya region at the Lebanese’s Bekaa Valley. The aim was encouraging agriculture and raising awareness about the importance of taking care of the land.

A Round Table Organized by Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies at the Independence House - Bchamoun, Lebanon

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Presides Over Its Sessions

Words Stresses that Christians Are Not a Minority in the Region, Even If Their Numbers Have Declined

Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies held a round table entitled “From Taurus to Gaza: 110 years Since the Bleeding of the East,” on Thursday 23 May 2024, at the Independence House - Bchamoun, Lebanon, in the presence of religious, social, cultural and political figures, thinkers and invitees.

The conference included five sessions focused on the region's issues and the systematic displacement and destruction which is being subjected to. It was presided over and moderated by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs. The opening session began with a speech delivered by Mr. Zainoun Attieh, General Director of Hayat Al Howayek Foundation for Cultural Studies, in which he highlighted the importance of the conference and the recommendations it would issue.

Afterwards, Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: “A century of displacement, killing, impoverishment, threats, conflicts, and destruction, the loss of society’s entity at various levels, not to mention the threats and losses, and all the agreements made are being hatched against the region, and millions are begging for everything… We are dealing with new threats in the region with a new concept, and it may witness new events... Our role in the land of our ancestors, where faith began, is becoming clearer, through resilience and steadfastness for the good of our society.”

The Middle East Council of Churches Invites You to A Round Table

"Sexual Harassment and Preserving Human Dignity"

Thursday 30 May 2024 - from 9 am to 2:30 pm Beirut time

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) invites you to participate in a round table entitled

“Sexual Harassment and Preserving Human Dignity”

on Thursday 30 May 2024, from 9 am to 2:30 pm Beirut time.

You can participate in it via the following Zoom link https://shorturl.at/RBqiX, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, as well as live on the MECC Facebook Page.

The round table will start with a speech by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, which will be followed by two sessions with the participation of speakers from various fields. The first session is entitled “The Dangers of Sexual Harassment for Victims of Assault.” The second session revolves around “Mechanisms for Confronting Sexual Harassment.”

This round table, which ends with a summary, is part of the series of monthly seminars launched by MECC, within the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” - “Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation”, that MECC is working to implement consecutively.