A Meeting Which Confirms that MECC Bears Witness to Constructive Word and Purposeful Dialogue

Alexandria, February 15, 2025

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs continued his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2025.

In Alexandria, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs visited with a delegation from the Council, His Grace Bishop Hermina, General Bishop of East Alexandria Sector, at the headquarters of the East Alexandria Churches Sector - Church of the Great Martyr St. Mina the Wonderworker in Fleming El Raml - Alexandria.

The meeting was attended by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary.

At the beginning, His Grace Bishop Hermina welcomed Professor Michel Abs and the Council's delegation, stressing that this visit emphasizes that the Council is the home of Churches, and a platform for meeting and purposeful dialogue.

Then, Professor Michel Abs spoke about the MECC activities, programs of its departments, and aspirations amidst the challenges.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and the Council's Delegation

At the Patriarchate – Alexandria

Alexandria, February 15, 2025

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 a delegation from the Council, visited the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa in Alexandria.

They were received by the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, Deputy of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Alexandria.

The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary.

At the beginning, the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai welcomed the Secretary General and the Council's delegation on behalf of His Holiness Pope Theodoros, expressing the Church's love and pride in the role played by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) at all levels.

Then, Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he thanked His Holiness for his deep love, presenting a detailed explanation about MECC, its activities, programs and aspirations.

An Ecumenical Station Full of Hope and Love!

This report presents some interviews about the participation in the Week of Prayer in the Churches of the Arab Republic of Egypt

The Report Is Produced By the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: “We all seek, as bearers of the message of the Incarnate Lord, who fought evil with love, to be His messengers if we strive, through good words and good deeds”

Cairo, February 14, 2025

With the blessings and Prayers of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches, the Prayer of the Week of Unity was held for the second consecutive day at St. George and the Samaritan Woman Church for the Coptic Orthodox in Shoubra El-Kheima - Cairo, presided over by His Grace Bishop Marcos, Bishop of Shoubra El-Kheima and Its Dependencies, with the participation of Priests, Pastors, and large crowds of believers.

The Prayer was attended by the Heads of the Churches of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yachouh Ayoub, the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, youth and scouts.

At the Church of St. George and the Samaritan Woman Church for the Coptic Orthodox in Shoubra El-Kheima

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in the Prayer of the Week of Unity held at the Church of St. George and the Samaritan Woman Church for the Coptic Orthodox in Shoubra El-Kheima. The most prominent points in the speech were:

"The expansion of participation in the Week of Prayer for Unity demonstrates the extension of the "Ecumenical oil patch" and the adoption of Ecumenical thought and values as a solid position among wide segments of believers in various parts of the world.

It is worth noting that our Ecumenism, which stems from Christian roots, is not limited to Christians alone; it includes all people, as God created them in His image and likeness and surrounded them with His love. This real Christian Ecumenical dimension constitutes a starting point for inviting everyone to dialogue, rapprochement and fraternity, no matter how different their affiliations are.

We all seek, as bearers of the message of the Incarnate Lord, who fought evil with love, to be His messengers if we strive, through good words and good deeds, to fulfill His message of salvation and serve humanity. We, in the Council, are fully aware of the importance of the talents that the Lord Has placed in our charge, and we seek to make them fruitful as much as possible, through the services we provide to people with dignity and love.”

During His Lecture Entitled "The Church and Scientific Research" at the Institute of Coptic Studies - Cairo

Cairo, February 14, 2025

Within the framework of his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), delivered a lecture at the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo, entitled "The Church and Scientific Research".

The lecture was attended by the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, Father Paula Attieh, the Deputy of the Theological Seminary in Fayoum, and the Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Ishaq Ajban, the Deputy of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Adel Fakhry, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Lea Adel Maamary, and Professors, students of the Sections of Church and Ecumenical Relations and Theology at the Institute and Priests.

To the Delegation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and to Father Paula Attieh

On the Occasion of the Seventieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo

The Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo Dr. Ishaq Ajban, offers to the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, a certificate of appreciation signed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and a national currency souvenir, on the occasion of the Seventieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Institute of Coptic Studies, as well as a Holy Bible for the same occasion, and other gifts including pictures depicting Coptic civilization, as a token of love and appreciation for Professor Michel Abs on the occasion of the crowning of the Fiftieth Year of the MECC Founding and his election for a second term.

At the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches

The Report Is Produced By MECC

Cairo, February 14, 2025

The Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo Dr. Ishaq Ajban, the Deputy of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Adel Fakhry, and Father Dr. Paula Attia, Deputy of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II in the Theological Department at the Institute of Coptic Studies, and the Deputy of the Theological Seminary in Fayoum, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations in the Council Lea Adel Maamary, at the Institute.

The meeting centered around many Church and Theological issues that enhance cooperation between the Council and the Institute of Coptic Studies in Egypt.

On Mariam TV, Affiliated with Télé Lumière-Noursat

The Bulletin Covers Church, Social and Cultural News.

Speeches Confirmed that Unity Can Only Be Achieved Through Divine Love.

Cairo, February 13, 2025

Under the slogan “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26), the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2025 was inaugurated at the Evangelical Church in Rod El Farag - Cairo, at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches.

With one love, the Prayer was held with the participation of the Heads of the Churches in Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yachouh Yaccoub, Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Sisters Nuns and a large crowd of believers.

The Prayer began with a speech delivered by the Pastor of the Evangelical Church in Rod El Farag and the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, who welcomed the attendees, praising the importance of the occasion that brings everyone together under the name of love.

Then, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, delivered a speech in which he highlighted the following:

“The significant increase in the areas of meeting between Churches and Sects that were once distant to the point of hostility, indicates an advanced degree of unity awareness in the Christian world, and is part of an active leadership path working to strengthen the unity of Christians”…

“The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is necessary and essential because it brings the Churches closer to each other. We came from Lebanon to participate in the Week of Prayer to live this week with great love and true fraternity.”

Professor Dr. Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

We head to Egypt with great longing for its people, its Nile, its skies, and the pleasure of being there.
We go to Egypt to participate in the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians, which Christians around the world have been doing for more than a hundred years, although the dates of this Week in Egypt does not exactly match with the dates of same event in the Antiochian Levant.

What delights us when we visit Egypt and hear from its church leaders, as well as from our compatriots, is how the Egyptian people live with a social and national unity that transcends differences of religion or sect.
There is an unambiguous consensus among the people of Egypt regarding the unity of culture and citizenry, and the need to make every possible sacrifice to preserve this unity.

Isn’t His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the entrusted with the See of Saint Mark, the one whose words everyone repeats: “It is better for us to have a homeland without a church than to have a church without a homeland”?
Truly spoken, Your Holiness, for if the homeland is lost, everything is lost; but if the homeland remains, it becomes the place that shelters the church, the mosque, and all God’s worshippers.

I have sat with many Egyptian elites of various affiliations, and they all clearly share this choice: the homeland comes first, and in this regard, there is no compromise whatsoever…

Cairo, February 13, 2025

With great love, translated into true fraternity, the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, offered a painting of Jesus Christ to the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Lea Adel Maamary, as a token of love and appreciation.

The painting of Jesus Christ was decorated with the Bible Verse “That Your Eyes may be Open toward this house night and day” (1 Kings 8: 29).

Emphasizing the Importance of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Media Cooperation

Cairo, February 13, 2025

His Grace Bishop Anba Ermia, General Bishop, President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and Assistant Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and a delegation from the Council at the Center's headquarters - Cairo.

The meeting was attended by the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.  

Bishop Shehata Praises the Work of the Council's Departments, Programs and Advanced Media.

Professor Michel Abs: "We always strive for joint Christian work and to enhance dialogue with others."

Cairo, February 12, 2025

Within the framework of enhancing joint Christian work and affirming the role of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in spreading the spirit of love among all, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, along with a delegation from the Council, visited the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa, His Eminence Bishop Sami Fawzi Shehata at the headquarters of the Episcopal Church in Cairo.

The meeting was attended by the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, the Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Father Yachouh Ayoub, and the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

At the beginning, His Eminence Bishop Sami Shehata welcomed the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and the Council's delegation, stressing that his visit enhances fraternity and cooperation between the Churches.

Drama Therapy and Psychological Support

In light of the daily pressures surrounding our societies, children became in dire need of a safe space in which they can feel free to express themselves. Therefore, it has become necessary to develop their abilities and skills and teach them valuable skills which can elevate them to better heights once they reach adulthood. Hence, the Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in cooperation with the international organization Mennonite Central Committee - MCC, launched 10 drama therapy sessions over a period of 3 weeks, for a group of 7 children.

The aim was to empower the participants, build skills for self-expression and self-regulation, which can in turn boost self-confidence, enhance empathy and social skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and foster cognitive development.

Entitled “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26)

Cairo - February 12, 2025

Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), arrived in Cairo to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity entitled “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26).

The Secretary General will also visit Church Leaders, hold lectures, as well as media interviews.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Media Officer at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Council, and the Director of the Platform of the Word, Lea Adel Maamary.

They were received at Cairo International Airport by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Rafaat Fikry.

It is worth noting that the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, had made a special statement via the MECC platform, in which he expressed his happiness to visit Egypt and meet Church Leaders, stressing that the Secretary General's participation in the Week of Prayer in Egypt will become an annual tradition.

During His Participation at the Symposium of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon

On the thought of Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din on the Twenty-fourth Commemoration of His Passing

The Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon held a symposium on the thought of the Late Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din on the Twenty-fourth Commemoration of his passing. The symposium was held under the patronage of the Scholar Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, the Vice-President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the headquarters of the Islamic Shiite Council in Hazmieh - Lebanon.

At the end of the symposium, the media team of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) conducted an interview with Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, who stressed the importance of the thought of the Late Imam Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shams Al-Din, especially in terms of openness, tolerance, dialogue and safeguarding the nation.