What Are the Meanings of the Season’s Theme for This Year?

The Middle East Council of Churches 

In preparation for celebrating the “Season of Creation” around the world between September 1 and October 4 of each year, the Ecumenical Steering Committee for the Season proposes each year a theme for this Ecumenical and environmental station. This year, the committee chose the theme “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol is “The firstfruits of hope”, inspired by the Epistle to the Romans 8: 19-25. So. what are the meanings of this theme? 

Together We Unite in Prayer and Work to Protect Our Common Home! 

The Middle East Council of Churches 

The Ecumenical family around the world is preparing for an environmental Ecumenical season, a season that holds a lot of hope for glorifying, praising and thanking God the Creator for all His blessings and gifts. It is the “Season of Creation,” a station that extends annually between September 1, the Feast of Creation, and October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology. 

The Season of Creation is an Ecumenical celebration for praying and responding together to the cry of creation. Hence, its calls on us to renew our relationship with the Creator and creation by learning and working, through studying the Holy Bible and delving deeper into the Teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as through commitment to the environmental issue and making efforts to protect our common home, Oikos of God. 

A few days ago, a senior ecumenical delegation held a stand in solidarity with the Palestinians in their suffering through remote communication, due to the impossibility of visiting the Gaza area. In this context, we found it necessary to share with the public the relationship between the Church, the Middle East Council of Churches, and the Palestinian cause.

Supporting vulnerable groups, including youth, women, rural populations, migrants, and refugees, has been a priority in the MECC’s programs and concerns since its establishment.

The deteriorating situation in the region affects additional groups in society, some of whom were previously able to meet their needs but are no longer able to do so. Displacement, inflation, and political and security instability are pushing an increasing number of people into misery, worsening the destitution of many social groups in the absence of comprehensive and sound government policies. It is worth mentioning that the number of these groups is expanding, and statistical indicators have become alarming. Therefore, the Middle East Council of Churches considers supporting these groups to be a key priority in its programs. Palestinian refugees, by virtue of the miserable situation they have been living in for three-quarters of a century, are among the groups in need of support.

MECC and the Palestinians

At the level of social service, immediately after the Nakba, committees were established in Cyprus, Lebanon, and Jordan to serve Palestinian refugees. These were initiatives by local churches, both traditional and evangelical, which gradually evolved into more crystallized and organized forms. This long process reached its peak when the MECC was established, and all these committees were merged into a department that is the largest and oldest in the Council. They were all called the "Department of Service to Palestinian Refugee." This department's central office is currently in Jerusalem and has branches in several areas of the Antiochian Levant.  

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs was the guest of “Kel Yom Byomo” (“Each Day by Day”) program, on Suboro TV, to talk about the most prominent activities of the Middle East Council of Churches, especially the program of events that it is holding on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of its Founding. 

“To hope and act with Creation”

Under the theme “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol of “The firstfruits of hope” based on the Epistle to the Romans 8: 19-25, the Ecumenical family in the Middle East and the world unites to celebrate the “Season of Creation” 2024. An Ecumenical, Christian and environmental season that begins every year on 1 September, with the Feast of Creation, and ends on October 4, with the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of ecology.

In this context, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) issues the guide for the “Season of Creation” 2024 in Arabic after finishing its translation, as is customary annually. It includes all the details and information about the season and the slogan of this year, in addition to Prayers and suggestions for participating in the celebrations... Hence, you can find below the guide in Arabic, as well as in English.

With the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All The East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Saad, the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Bosra, Hauran, and Jabal Al-Arab, inaugurated the halls of the Lady of Annunciation Church in the city of Dara’a, after MECC completed its rehabilitation work. 

The opening ceremony was attended by the MECC team, the Governor of Dara’a Loae Khareta, in addition to political and judicial figures, the members of the City Council, and a large gathering of residents.

The event began with a Prayer of Thanksgiving led by His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Saad in the Lady of Annunciation Church, followed by a speech in which he thanked MECC for restoring the Church halls. Then, he made the inauguration and visited the halls with the attendees. As well as, His Eminence visited the office of MECC in Dara’a.

MECC Implements a New Session of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” Program for Jordan and Palestine

Within the framework of the “Spiritual and Psychological Support” program implemented by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Theological and Ecumenical Department, in various countries of the Middle East, a new session of the program was dedicated for Jordan and Palestine, between 21 and 26 July 2024, at Theodor Schneller School - Amman.

The session, which was titled “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6: 31), was held at a time when the region is witnessing a series of wars, conflicts, and crises that have burdened the people of the East and disrupted their usual activities. Thus, that they became in dire need of spiritual and psychological accompaniment to help them restore hope to their lives.

The family of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) bids farewell to the colleague Jean-Pierre Eid, MECC Events Coordinator, after a journey in the Ecumenical world and humanitarian work that lasted for 3 years of giving, dedication, and loyalty to the MECC mission. He was known for his kindness, love, and continuous support for all colleagues, partners, and friends.

In this context, the MECC General Secretariat team held a farewell gathering for Jean-Pierre, on Tuesday 20 August 2024, at the General Secretariat offices in Beirut. During the meeting, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel addressed Jean-Pierre with a speech in which he praised his continuous efforts, emphasizing his competence, experience and performance. Dr. Abs also thanked him for his efforts and diligence, and wished him success in his new journey.

 The Diakonia and Social Service Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Syria’s Office, continues raising awareness among pregnant and lactating women about the importance of breastfeeding and the correct way to care for infants.

This is being done through holding health and Psychosocial sessions for pregnant and lactating mothers in three governorates: Damascus and its countryside, Aleppo, and Dara’a.

These sessions shed light on all aspects related to breastfeeding, the difficulties mothers face with breastfeeding, and clarification of some misconceptions. They also addressed complementary feeding for infants, maternal nutrition, and dietary practices when the child is ill.

Renews the Solidarity of MECC with the Palestinian People:

“The online visit to the Holy Land in which we participated with WCC affirms the determination of the Palestinians and the people of the region to remain steadfast and endure”

Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), participated in an online solidarity visit to the Holy Land, between 7 and 8 August 2024, organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and within the framework of a delegation of Ecumenical Partners from around the world, including the Middle East Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, and Caritas International.

During an online media interview made by the World Council of Churches (WCC) at the end of the visit, Prof. Dr. Michel Abs expressed his regret over the postponement of the visit that the World Council of Churches (WCC) was scheduled to hold in-person to the Holy Land between 5 and 9 August, due to the security developments that occurred in the region.

Professor Dr. Abs also pointed out that the virtual solidarity visit was characterized by a lot of love and fraternity, as it carried a message of hope from the wounded Gaza and the Middle East to the whole world. He continued that the visit constituted “a sign of solidarity and an act of love towards the people of the region who have been suffering for a long time from the scourge of wars and conflicts, as well as from the political, security, social and economic crises that have burdened them.”

An Online Visit to the Holy Land Held by WCC, MECC, ACT Alliance, and Caritas Internationalis

A Media Briefing On the Visit

In light of the difficult security conditions that Gaza and the region are passing through, a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Ecumenical Partners from around the world, including the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), ACT Alliance, and Caritas Internationalis, held an online solidarity visit to the Holy Land between 7 and 8 August 2024, as recent developments in the region led to the postponement of an in-person visit originally slated for 5-9 August.

This visit represented an opportunity to accompany the Member Churches and Ecumenical Partners, listen to their concerns and point of views, and raise their voices at a time when the war is worsening in the region, especially in Palestine, and emergency humanitarian needs are increasing at various levels. Therefore, the visit aimed to promote dialogue in order to restore justice and stability, and to remind the world of what is needed to achieve peace in the region.

The visiting delegation included His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC Moderator, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary, Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance General Secretary, and Mr. Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, Dr. Audeh Quawas, Member of the WCC Central Committee and Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Mr. Erik Lysén, ACT Alliance Moderator.

An Ecumenical Delegation Holds an Online Solidarity Visit to the Holy Land

The leadership of the World Council of Churches (WCC), accompanied by a delegation of Ecumenical Partners, held an online meeting, on Thursday 8 August 2024, with some Christians based in Bethlehem representing a range of different organizations locally, including Diyar Consortium, Kairos Palestine, YMCA, Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Arab Educational Institute, and SABEEL Association.

The aim of this meeting was to listen to the testimonies of the participants and to accompany and support them in light of the difficult circumstances that the region is going through. It brought forth a range of experiences and perspectives from local communities at a time when accompaniment and solidarity are dearly needed.

This session came within the program of the virtual and solidarity visit to the Holy Land which was held between 7 and 8 August 2024, by a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Ecumenical Partners, including the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the ACT Alliance, and Caritas Internationalis.

The World Council of Churches Thanks Ecumenical Accompaniers for Being “God’s presence”

Within the framework of closely reviewing the field relief work in the Holy Land, a delegation led by the World Council of Churches (WCC), which included the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), ACT Alliance, and Caritas Internationalis, held an online meeting, on Wednesday 7 August 2024, with staff from the WCC Jerusalem Liaison Office and with accompaniers from the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme (EAPPI).

This meeting came as part of the program of an online visit held by the World Council of Churches (WCC) between 7 and 8 August 2024, after postponing the visit that was scheduled to take place in person between 5 and 9 August due to the security developments that occurred in the region. Hence, this visit represented an opportunity to accompany Member Churches and Ecumenical Partners, listen to their voices and perspectives, amplify their calls, and remind the world of what is needed to bring about peace in the region.

The delegation which participated in this virtual visit included His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC Moderator, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary, Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance General Secretary, and Mr. Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, Dr. Audeh Quawas, Member of the WCC Central Committee and Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Mr. Erik Lysén, ACT Alliance Moderator.

Emphasizing the Importance of Solidarity and Cooperation Together Towards Peace and Justice

Within the framework of the virtual solidarity visit implemented by an ecumenical delegation to the Holy Land between 7 and 8 August 2024, an online meeting was held with the Higher Presidential Committee of Churches in Palestine, in the presence and participation of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the ACT Alliance organization, and the and Caritas Internationalis. The meeting focused on the current political situation in the region, the need for an end to the ongoing war and seemingly escalating conflict, so that the region may shift into building peace long-term.

It should be noted that the delegation participating in the visit includes His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC Moderator, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, WCC Secretary General, Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance Secretary General, and Mr. Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, Dr. Audeh Quawas, Member of the WCC Central Committee and Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Mr. Erik Lysén, ACT Alliance Moderator.

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: July 2024

With the notorious warmonger visiting Washington to address the US congress about the war in Gaza, the world watched as he spewed lie after lie, unashamedly denying the reports of genocide coming from occupied Palestine. As though the plethora of images, recordings, and UN-confirmed reports are nothing but a fabrication and that he and the entity he represents, are the victims. To make matters worse, he is taking advantage of an event which occurred in the Golan Heights to increase the intensity of the war. Things are definitely escalating towards a dangerous situation, a probable breaking point.

Together Towards Creating a Media Network Unifying the Voice of the Church

Together we join hands, communicate and build bridges! Together we work to consolidate human values ​​and spread love and fraternity throughout the earth! From this perspective, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) seeks, through its media activities, to embody these slogans through service, work, and solidarity in order to raise the voice of the Church so that it remains a prophetic voice carrying the call of our Lord Jesus Christ “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14: 27).

Given the importance of the role of Christian media, especially in conveying the good word and good News, coordination is being made between various Christian media offices in the Middle East. It aims at enhancing communication among them and work together to create an Ecumenical media network towards unifying efforts and coordinating at various media levels.

In this context, and following the invitation of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, an Ecumenical media meeting was held on Tuesday 20 August 2024, in the presence of a group of specialists in the field of Church media from various Church Families and countries of the Middle East. They participated in person at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, and online via Zoom.

Will Lebanon Have the Full Peserved Relics of the Blessed Cardinal Aghajanian?

In preparation for the awaited event that will be held by the Armenian Catholic Church in Lebanon, and with the blessed efforts of His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and Télé Lumière and Noursat TV station highlights the inspiring story of the Servant of God Cardinal Patriarch Krikor-Bedros XV Aghajanian. Yesterday's Patriarch and tomorrow's Saint, his proven miracles and unforgettable service bring him closer to beatification. Will his full preserved relics will be soon moved to the heart of Beirut? Watch with us the following report prepared by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Coordinator of Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches, to learn more.

Lebanon is preparing to receive the body of the Servant of God Cardinal Patriarch Krikor-Bedros XV Aghajanian from Rome to Beirut. A press conference that sheds light on this event in the report.

Video - MECC’s Exclusive Interview with His Beatitude Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian on the Legacy of Patriarch Aghagianian

With the upcoming preparations filled with uplifting Hope, drawn from within the Luminous Gifts of our Lord Jesus Christ where He bestows His crowns of triumph upon those who were worth being called His Champions of Faith, the Armenian Catholic Church in Lebanon prepares for a special event. We share with you an exclusive interview with His Beatitude Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholic Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family. In this interview, He shares his unique experience lived alongside the Venerable Servant of God Catholicos Patriarch Krikor-Bedros XV Aghajanian and the importance of His relocation from Rome to Lebanon.