"And they shall not light a lamp and put it under the bushel, but on the lampstand, it shall shine for all who are in the house." (Matthew 5:15).

Dear Brother Nour, Director of Noursat, always present among us with his love,

Dear Dr. George Sabra, President of the Near East School of Theology, Professor, Researcher, and Author,

Dear friends and colleagues,

Today, we take an ecumenical and humanitarian step par excellence, as part of the fiftieth anniversary of the Middle East Council of Churches, which includes all of us.

This step unites three Christian institutions that have long worked to bear witness to the Lord's message of salvation in service to humanity.

A Lecture by Dr. Harry Hagopian at the Invitation of the Armenian Diaspora Research Center

25 June 2024, 7pm Beirut Time – At the Haigazian University Auditorium in Lebanon

The Armenian Diaspora Research Center cordially invites you to a lecture entitled “The Armenian Community in Palestine, Historical & Contemporary Challenges”, that will be delivered by Dr. Harry Hagopian, Public International Lawyer of UK and Ireland. It will be held on Tuesday 25 June 2024, at 7pm Beirut Time, in Haigazian University Auditorium in Lebanon.

Stemming from its belief in the importance of serving with dignity, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) launched a new platform for homecare services in Lebanon, enabling service seekers to identify certified caregivers who have undergone extensive health training with Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli) and Khoury General Hospital (Zahle, Lebanon). Hence, the platform offers a variety of home services related to elderly care, mothers and newborn care, as well as babysitting and childcare.

In this context, the video sheds light on how this platform works and the details of its services. You may also click here to visit the platform’s website.

Video - The Middle East Council of Churches Launches a New Homecare Services Platform

Under the slogan “There's No Place Like Home,” the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) developed and launched a platform dedicated to homecare services in Lebanon, in the field of identifying certified caregivers. The platform provides a user-friendly and convenient search for service seekers, as it connects them with certified caregivers who in turn provide specialized support in a safe and loving environment.

It is worth mentioning that the caregivers certified by the Middle East Council of Churches had undergone a comprehensive and intensive training program of 120 hours with Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli) and Khoury General Hospital (Zahle, Lebanon). Therefore, they were equipped with the health skills and necessary knowledge, and hence became prepared to deal with various medical tasks and offer high-quality care.

MECC, Télé Lumière - Noursat, and NEST

Towards Strengthening the Ecumenical Spirit and Spreading the Word of Christ Throughout the Earth

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and in an ecumenical media step aiming at consolidating the Christian Faith and spreading human values ​​through the media, a memorandum of media cooperation was signed between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Télé Lumière - Noursat TV channel, and the Near East School of Theology (NEST).

This cooperation comes after Brother Nour, Founder and Director of Télé Lumière and Noursat, and with his generous gesture, offered all the capabilities and technicalities of his esteemed media institution to the service of the MECC media work. As well as, after the Near East School of Theology hosted this work in its own studio, stemming from its belief in the importance of enhancing the ecumenical spirit through the media, so it can be a modern mean of conveying the Good News.

On this occasion, a special meeting was held to sign the memorandum in the presence of the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, the NEST President Dr. George Sabra, the Representative of Brother Nour and Télé Lumière our colleague and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the team of the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department, and MECC colleagues. It took place on Wednesday 19 June 2024, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut. As well as, Father Rifaat Bader, the Head of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media and Publisher of Abouna Website, and MECC Member of the Executive Committee, and its representative for communication and media affairs.

At the Conference “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt”

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in commemoration of the yearly anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, 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 and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor, MECC held a conference entitled “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. It took place on Wednesday 12 June 2024, in the Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon. 

In this context, the video presents a word (in Arabic) addressed by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, for the occasion.

At the Conference “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt”

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in commemoration of the yearly anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, 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 and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor, MECC held a conference entitled “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. It took place on Wednesday 12 June 2024, in the Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon. 

In this context, the video presents a word (in Arabic) addressed by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, for the occasion.

At the Conference “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt”

On the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in commemoration of the yearly anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, 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 and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor, MECC held a conference entitled “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. It took place on Wednesday 12 June 2024, in the Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon. 

In this context, the video presents a word (in Arabic) addressed by His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba, the Former Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and Patriarchal Advisor, for the occasion.

“Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt”

On the occasion of the yearly commemoration of the Sayfo genocide, and 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 and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor, MECC organized a conference entitled “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs.

Hence the report video sheds light on this conference which took place on Wednesday 12 June 2024, in the Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon.

More details about the conference

Full video of the conference

Mr. Joseph Daher Increases Wine Production in His Factory with A Contribution from MECC

With the deterioration of economic and social conditions in Lebanon, the Akkar region was not immune from the crises that cast their shadow over the country. Therefore, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon Office, seeks to support the people of Akkar, as well as other Lebanese regions, by implementing a business development program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to help their owners face the daily challenges and ensure a long-term sustainability for their projects.

In the video, Mr. Joseph Daher, owner of a winery in the Andaket-Akkar region, describes the phases he went through in order to establish his project, and how, through the support of MECC, he was able to increase his production.

Father Seraphim Awad Revives His Agricultural Project with the Support of MECC

In a step towards enhancing the livelihoods of the people at the Lebanese Akkar region who, like all other Lebanese, suffer from the difficult living conditions, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon Office, launched a business development program through supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and help them secure their long-term sustainability.

In the video, Father Seraphim Awad, the Priest of Sheikh Lar Parish in Akkar, a farmer, agricultural technician and owner of an agricultural project in Akkar, talks about the circumstances he went through in addition to the contribution of the MECC program in developing his project.

A Symposium Organized By the the Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

24-26 June 2024, at the “Liqaa” Center, Rabweh - Lebanon

With the blessings and organization of His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, the Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarchate invites you to a symposium entitled “The Melkite Greek Catholic Church: Union with Rome and New Horizons,” between 24 and 26 June 2024, at the “Liqaa” Center, Rabweh - Lebanon.

This training course presents two main issues. The first is the problem of competencies, the development of human capital, and sustainable training. The second is the role of the Church in providing relief to people, accompanying them in their suffering, and helping them overcome their tragedies.

These two issues are inseparable from the logic of efficiency and the optimization of available resources. The core of the approach lies in preventing the waste of energies and resources and applying the logic of business administration and managerial economics in humanitarian work. This was not available in the past when social work was left to non-specialists despite their good intentions.

In the era of modernity, and in a postmodern society, science and technology are developing at such a rapid pace that humankind may not be able to keep up if he does not receive proper training. This development may place him outside the context of history or on its margins.

The observer in the world of human resources management and organizational leadership finds that there is a periodic, sustainable creation of new techniques and methods of work in various fields. These range from marketing methods to financial management, to dealing with organizational culture, to development management and its derivatives. The training course today falls into this category.

Full Video of the Conference Delivered by MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs About the Sayfo Massacres

12 June 2024 - Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon

On the occasion of the fiftieth year of the founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in commemoration of the yearly anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, 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 and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, MECC held a conference entitled “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. It took place on Wednesday 12 June 2024, in the Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon.

Under the Auspices and Presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun

On the occasion of the Commemoration of the Sayfo Genocide

And as part of the Activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding

MECC Organizes a Conference

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

On the occasion of the yearly commemoration of the Sayfo genocide, and 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 and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Krysostomos Mikhael Chamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli for the Syrian Orthodox Church, MECC organized a conference entitled “Keeping Memory Alive 2 - The Syriac Genocide Attempt,” delivered by the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs. It took place on Wednesday 12 June 2024, in the Saint Jacob of Serug Church at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese, Sabtiyeh – Lebanon.

Attendees in this conference which you can watch by clicking here, were His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor, Father Paren Vartanian, representing the Catholicosate of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, Priests of the Archdiocese, social figures, guests, and participants from the region.

On Charity Radio TV

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of the journalist Zouhour Abou Mansour, in an episode within the program “Hawana Hawak”, broadcasted on Charity Radio TV, on Wednesday 12 June 2024.

During the episode which you can watch it in the video, Dr. Michel Abs spoke about the inauguration of the new office of the Middle East Council of Churches in Amman with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, and President of the Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan, and the support of the Archdiocese.

An Ecumenical Training Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches and TearFund

Building Bridges Standing Together!

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Diakonia and Social Service Department, in partnership with the TearFund organization, held a training entitled “Disaster Risk Management and Churches Response”, between 6 and 9 June 2024, in Bethania, Harissa - Lebanon. Participants were an ecumenical group of clergy and lay people from various Church Families in Lebanon and Middle Eastern countries.

The training included morning Prayers and many Theological, humanitarian and programmatic sessions accompanied by specialists from various fields. It aimed to empower participants working in the Church field, and develop their capabilities in order to support them in responding in times of crises. It also aimed at providing the attendees with skills that will enable them in turn to train members of their congregations, so they can all help the Church heal the wounds of the most affected people in times of disasters, on various humanitarian, social, health and psychological levels.

Following the inauguration of the new Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) office in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan, and President of the Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan, the new Director of the office Father Ignatius Khalifeh visited Lebanon to follow up on the necessary administrative issues with the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs.

Therefore, a coordination meeting was held on Monday 10 June 2024, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut, in the presence of the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Rifaat Fikry, the MECC Associate Secretary General Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, and the MECC General Secretariat’s team.