A Blessing for the Country and a Source of Spiritual and Human Values

Our Colleague Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and the Director of the North Office of Noursat-Télé Lumière, participated in the 59th World Media Day Mass at St. Takla Church in Bkassine - Jezzine. She said the following intention:

"We pray for every journalist to realize the importance of their work as a transmitter of hope, to avoid all forms of misinformation and polarization at the expense of truth, and to courageously commit ourselves to humanitarian and social causes that preserve human dignity."

Details in This Report

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments in the activities of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue “The Month of Mary: A Common Religious Space”.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/d0b8a8.../momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

زار الأمين العام لمجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط البروفسور ميشال عبس، غبطة البطريرك روفائيل بدروس الحادي والعشرين ميناسيان، كاثوليكوس بطريرك بيت كيليكيا للأرمن الكاثوليك، ورئيس مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط عن العائلة الكاثوليكيّة، وذلك يوم الجمعة 30 أيّار/ مايو 2025، في مقرّ البطريركيّة في الرميل – بيروت.

خلال اللّقاء، رحّب غبطته بالأمين العام مطّلعًا منه على آخر مستجدّات عمل مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط على مختلف الصعد ومثنيًا على كلّ المشاريع والمبادرات والبرامج الّتي تقوم بها دوائر المجلس. كما شدّد غبطته على ضرورة بناء الجسور وتضافر الجهود والعمل معًا لما فيه خير الكنيسة والمجتمع.

On the Occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of His Enthronement as Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World

On the occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Holiness, who is 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 Holiness 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.

Organizes a Regional Workshop as Part of the of the “Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling” Program

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Visits the Participants and Supports Them

The Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) implemented a new workshop to train the trainers, as part of the regional program "Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling". It took place between May 25 and 30, 2025, at the Monastery of Notre Dame du Puits in Beqanaya - Lebanon.

Participants were a group of Clergy, Nuns, lay people, and pastoral workers, representing various Church Families and countries of the Middle East such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt. Noting that they had previously participated in national workshops organized in their countries as part of the same program, and are now trained to develop their capacities to provide support within their communities.

This workshop was held in response to the urgent psychological and spiritual needs of communities suffering from crises and instability in the region. Therefore, the program aimed to enhance participants' awareness of the concept of trauma and ways to heal it through pastoral ministry, as well as to empower them to support others in similar areas.

Professor Michel Abs

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

Believers joyfully anticipate the arrival of the month of Mary in May each year. Worshippers flock to churches, visit shrines, and hold regular prayers in their homes, when the “presence” of the Virgin Mary visits a given household, gathering neighbors or villagers to pray and recite the most beautiful prayers written in honor of Mary.

My late mother, an active member of the Maronite Church, always insisted on using the term “the presence of the Virgin” rather than her “statue,” since the “presence” symbolizes focus on Mary’s image or identity, while the term “statue” suggests a return to paganism. Whenever we used the phrase “statue of the Virgin,” we would apologize and correct ourselves.

In Lebanon, and the Middle East in general, many churches are named after the Virgin Mary and attract believers from all denominations, who come from far and wide to pray, seek blessings, and entrust their concerns, worries, and hopes to Her.

She is Mary, Mother of God, and every mother among us is a Mary, for she has given birth to someone created in the image and likeness of God.

Mary’s symbolism is undisputed in both Christianity and Islam, having achieved a historical, timeless consensus. This is why, in Lebanon, the Feast of the Annunciation is considered a national holiday celebrated by all Lebanese, regardless of their respective affiliations. At the Middle East Council of Churches, we have regarded it as a common religious space, among other such spaces, where all believers accept and celebrate together…

About the Fifth Scientific Conference "Strengthening Christian Faith Unity: The 1700th Jubilee Of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea," organized by the Middle East Council of Churches and the Romaian Cultural Society

Guests of the Episode: Professor Najib Jahshan, Dr. Elie Mouwakadie, and Professor Elias Saad

Episode by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Watch the opening of this conference at 9:00 am Beirut time live on Télé Lumière-Noursat TV Channel, the Middle East Council of Churches’ platforms, and the Romaian Cultural Society’ sites.

On the Occasion of the 59th World Communication Day

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and His Wife Dr. Frida Haddad Participate in the Honoring Service of Dr. George Sabra

The Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut held an honoring service for its Former President Dr. George Sabra, with the presence of Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC); Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family; and Dr. Martin Accad, President of the Near East School of Theology. The service took place on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Beirut.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and his wife Dr. Frida Haddad, Representatives of the Evangelical Churches and various Church Families, Faculty Members and Administrators, friends, and invitees.

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Bible Society in Lebanon, and in the presence of its President His Eminence Archbishop George Bacouni, Greek Melkite Catholic Metropolitan of Beirut, Byblos and Dependencies, and its Secretary General Dr. Mike Bassous, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, participated in an agape held by the Society's Administrative Board for the occasion. It was held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Beirut.

Attendees were also Members of the Administrative Board and Members of the Society, Representatives of various Church Families, Clergy, and Representatives of Partner organizations, associations, and bodies.

The 75th Anniversary included speeches documenting the Bible Society's journey and its history, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Society and its partners to achieve its desired goals. They also emphasized the need to consolidate the Christian faith, convey the Divine Word, and instill the Christian values through different means and publications.

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series