Cairo, February 18, 2025

As part of his participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the colleague Journalist Michael Victor, the Media Officer at the Egyptian Council of Churches, conducted a media interview with the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs. The interview centered around many issues related to the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), its programs and work, in addition to shedding light on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and its importance.

The Members of the Ecumenical Youth Committee in Egypt met with 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 Yaacoub, Bishop Claudio Lurati, Bishop of the Latin Church in Egypt, the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and Priests, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary.

The Committee presented to the media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) a detailed explanation about its activities and preparations for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2025.

The Committee confirmed that Friday, February 21, 2025, is a special day due to its connotations of love, dialogue and integration, as the youth dedicate a special day for the Week of Unity entitled "Yes, I Believe" in the Church of the Cave and the Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus "Abu Serga - Old Cairo - Cairo".

Speeches Emphasized the Dialogue of Love and Integration

Cairo, February 17, 2025

Under the slogan “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26), St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Cairo hosted the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches.

The Prayer was attended by Archdeacon “Ecclesiastical Rank” Emad Basilios, Pastor of the Church, 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 Yaacoub, His Eminence Bishop Claudio Lurati, Bishop of the Latin Church in Egypt, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Reverend Refaat Fikry, Reverend Jaafar Tanqara, Pastor of the Sudanese Service at the Episcopal Church of Korba, Reverend Fayez Nadi, Member of the Prayer Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Pastor of the Ain Shams and El Salam Episcopal Church, Reverend Michel Milad, Pastor of the Episcopal Church in Giza, Reverend Nagah Fawzy, Head of the Pastors and Priests Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Reverend Refaat Fikry, the Associate Secretary at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Priests and Pastors Committee, Martha Al-Qass Fayez, Member of the Women’s Committee, and Nora Edward, Member of the Women, Youth and Believers’ Committee.

With the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, Deputy of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Alexandria, at the Patriarchate - Alexandria

In the Closing Ceremony of the Project of Hope Academy for Arts and Sports, Which Was Held By the Village of Hope Association for People With Special Needs in Alexandria

Visit His Grace Bishop Hermina at the Church of the Great Martyr St. Mina the Wonderworker in Fleming El-Raml, Alexandria

Details In This Report!

On the Occasion of the Anniversary of His Enthronement as Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch

On the occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, as Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, who is an Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), wishing him continued health and success in his pastoral service as a faithful servant of the Church of Christ.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) also raises its Prayers to God on the intention of His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, to bless his service, bestow His graces upon him, and grant him the power of the Holy Spirit to lead his Church to the salvation in the name of Jesus Christ, and to remain a model of love and endless giving in the field of the Lord, wishing him many years of goodness, blessing, and holiness.

Cairo, 17-2-2025

His Beatitude Anba Ibrahim Ishak, Coptic Catholic Patriarch and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, at the Patriarchate - Cairo.

Following the greetings, His Beatitude congratulated the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs on his election for a second term, wishing him continued health, wellness and giving, and praising all the purposeful activities and programs being implemented by the Council.

Both parties also discussed important topics related to the issue of the Christian role in the Middle East, Ecumenical witness, cooperation between the Churches, the role of the Council in raising new issues on the humanitarian and social levels, the Council's activities, and the new media progress as a way of positive interaction.

At the end of the visit, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs offered to His Beatitude Bishop Anba Ibrahim Ishak the slogan of “The Fiftieth Year” of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) as a token of love and appreciation.

“We need, in our countries, to be a sign of joy and a source of hope”

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 (MECC), at the opening of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon:

"Based on the Jubilee of Hope, this meeting is a sign of hope, as our brothers and sisters draw hope from these meetings that we hold between us.

Jesus Christ laid the foundations of hope when He gave us the Beatitudes, which constitute the basic foundation of Christian hope. Hope generates joy, and we need in our country to be a sign of joy and thus a source of hope."

"There is a longing for Christian unity"

His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the opening of the meetings of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon:

"There is a longing for Christian unity, and this year we celebrate Easter together according to the Eastern and Western calendars. This unity requires not only that we think about the affairs of our Church in Lebanon, but also that we open horizons to the Churches of the East.

We hope that the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops will be represented in all the Episcopal Councils in all countries."

To the Attendees of the Meetings of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon

“It has become urgent to Pray and work for peace”

The Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon His Excellency Monsignor Paolo Borgia sends the blessing of His Holiness Pope Francis to the attendees of the meetings of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, entitled “Hope Does Not Disappoint,” and mentions that “Lebanon is witnessing a miracle for which we have all Prayed, following the security and social developments and events. It has also become urgent to Pray and work for peace.”

Photos By: the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches

Within the framework of the Environmental Days organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), believers in Ras Baalbek, in cooperation with the Environmental Youth of Our Lady of Ablah and the Basilian Order of Aleppo, celebrated an Environmental Day.

These Environmental Days hold a special place as they bring together believers, especially the youth, and invite them to contemplate all that God has made and commit to the care for creation.

In the towering Bekaa village of Ras Baalbek, the Coordinator of the Season of Creation program at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) cooperated with the Abbot of the Monastery of Our Lady of Miracles to organize the celebration and establish a new "Chrism Grove" which is specific to that area and its people.

The celebration began with learning about the origins and history of the Monastery. As well as, the participants visited the Monastery's sundial that has indicated the twelve hours of the day since many generations. In front of this ancient clock, the youth remembered the importance of good time management and making the most of every moment.

Which Was Held By the Village of Hope Association for People with Special Needs

Cairo-16-2-2025

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

The meeting was attended by 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.

During the meeting, both parties discussed Church and national issues, especially amidst the challenges facing the region and the need to implement development and cultural projects in light of the Middle Eastern situation.

Professor Michel Abs also presented the most prominent activities implemented by the Council in its various departments and divisions, which serve the interests of Christians, Churches, and the nation.

Maadi, Cairo, February 16, 2025

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs continued his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. This visit comes as part of his participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2025, entitled “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26).

Following his tour at the Coptic Catholic Seminary in Maadi - Cairo, Professor Michel Abs, His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Pastor of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef, the MECC 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, headed to the Anba Stephanos House for Elderly Priests - Maadi - Cairo.

They were received by the Head of the House Sister Souad Nohra, amidst great love and warmth, as it was the first visit made by the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs to the House of Anba Stephanos. During the visit, Professor Michel Abs was informed about the services provided by the House of Anba Stephanos, the humanitarian mission it devotes, and the care it presents for the elderly Priests, along with the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross, following in the footsteps of our Father Yaacoub the Capuchin, adopting the Cross as its emblem.

Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs And the MECC Delegation at the Coptic Catholic Seminary - Maadi - Cairo

Maadi, Cairo, February 16, 2025

His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Pastor of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef, and Father Romany Fawzy, Head of the Coptic Catholic Seminary in Maadi - Cairo, 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 at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, at the Coptic Catholic Seminary - Maadi - Cairo.

At the beginning, His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly welcomed Professor Michel Abs and the MECC delegation, congratulating him on all the work and activities being implemented by all the Council's departments.

With the Participation of the Heads of the Churches in Egypt Under the Title “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26)

Alexandria, February 15, 2025

In a step full of love and hope, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and the MECC delegation that included 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, met with the great Author and Preacher Father Tadros Yaacoub Malaty, at the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Great Martyr St. George in Sporting, Alexandria.

After participating in the Prayer, a meeting was held in the Church hall during which both parties spoke about many spiritual topics.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, and An MECC Delegation to His Grace Bishop Anba Ermia, General Bishop, President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and Assistant Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House