9 and 10 July 2025

Highlighting the MECC Activities

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Under the supervision of Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its training course on graphic design, organized by the MECC Communication and Media Department with Father Spyridon Tannous, Parish Priest of Sharbila in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Akkar and its Dependencies, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

The second part of the training, which extends over several weeks, was held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, with the participation of the media team and colleagues from various departments in Lebanon and Syria, in person and online.

In this context, participants were able to explore modern electronic techniques and tools related to graphic and electronic design, in addition to applying basic skills through different exercises that consolidate the acquired knowledge by learning specialized programs and applications according to the given course

As well as, the attendees exchanged views and experiences on various design topics that would benefit them in their respective fields of expertise and work.

Castel Gandolfo and the Pontifical Villas: A Historical Church Heritage and an Oasis of Rest and Tranquility

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

From the Vatican City to Castel Gandolfo, from the meetings, files, and urgent Church and social issues to a space of rest, reflection, and tranquility, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV moved from his residence at the Holy See to the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo.

There, he is spending a summer period from Sunday, July 6, until July 20, according to a statement issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household. He will return to this Papal summer residence for a short period in mid-August.

Since this announcement, the name of Castel Gandolfo has become under the spotlight of social media, which follows the Pope's activities and Prayers at the Italian summer residence, moment by moment.

Remarkably, by visiting this town, Pope Leo XIV is reviving the tradition of Popes leaving the Vatican for a summer vacation. The late Pope Francis has canceled this tradition, preferring to spend the holidays at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.

Second Episode - Federalism

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Produced by MECC

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

And An Interview Within the "Ecumenical Horizons" Program

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs received the Journalist and Social Activist Rafi Sayegh on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the MECC General Secretariat offices in Beirut.

During the meeting, Professor Abs welcomed his guest, commending his Church and media activities. He also listened from his guest to the updates of the situation in Syria, particularly in the city of Qamishli, emphasizing the MECC ongoing support for the people of Syria and the region.

In his turn, Rafi congratulated the Secretary General Professor Abs on the significant media developments made by the Middle East Council of Churches, thanking the MECC media team for their efforts in shedding light on the Church and social issues, especially in highlighting the voice and image of the people of Syria, in terms of activities and programs.

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.

What Are the Details?

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Service and Relief Department – Diakonia, continues its efforts to support the livestock sector and enhance livelihoods and food security in rural areas, as part of its ongoing mission to assist the most vulnerable families and alleviate increasing living burdens.

In this context, 134 livestock breeders in the villages of Deir al-Bukht, Khirbet Ghazaleh, and Al-Kutaybeh in rural Dara’a were supported through the distribution of 220 rations to cover 220 heads of cattle. Each ration consisted of 900 kilograms of mineral-fortified pelleted fodder and 720 kilograms of hay. In addition, veterinary services, medications, and vaccines were provided, along with one food basket for each of the 134 breeders’ families.

The beneficiaries also attended training sessions on proper cattle care, ways to manage common livestock diseases, and optimal nutrition practices to improve the quality and quantity of milk production.

“Momentum”

11-7-2025

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments 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 in this issue the welcoming word he delivered at the MECC Executive Committee meeting.

As well as, the issue includes the final statement issued by the Executive Committee meeting which was held in Beirut, between 9 and 10 July 2025.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/42b4efbad504/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link: https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

at the Meeting of the

Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches

July 9 and 10, 2025

Beirut – Crowne Plaza Hotel

Your Beatitudes, Eminences, Graces, Reverends, Fathers, Church Representatives, and esteemed colleagues,

After much effort, we have managed to find a suitable time for the leaders of the Middle East Council of Churches to gather, in order to review the work and achievements of the Council’s team over the past year and a half, discuss matters related to the Council’s operations, and make appropriate decisions.

The Executive Committee meeting was originally scheduled for early December 2024, but the political and security situation did not allow for it. We also had to wait for the end of the two-month ceasefire trial period, which made a meeting in January or February 2025 impossible, with high levels of uncertainty and concern. Therefore, we did not start exploring possible dates until March 2025.

Since then, we have maintained contact with respected Committee members to set a date. Attempts to fix the date in April and May were canceled, but we finally agreed on a date that ensures a quorum beyond the minimum—more than four members from each family. Here we are today, gathered with the Lord’s guidance and blessing, to serve humanity in His holy name…

of the Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches

Beirut, July 9 and 10, 2025

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches held its regular meeting in Beirut on Wednesday and Thursday, July 9 and 10, 2025, chaired by His Eminence Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox and MECC President for the Oriental Orthodox family, represented by His Eminence Bishop Daniel Kourieh, Metropolitan of Beirut and Dependencies for the Syriac Orthodox; and His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Orthodox and MECC President for the Orthodox family, represented by His Eminence Bishop Antonios Souri, Metropolitan of Zahle, Baalbek and Dependencies; and Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East and Council President for the Evangelical family; and His Beatitude Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics and Council President for the Catholic family; with the participation of Executive Committee members from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, and Palestine, representing the member churches of the Council; Secretary General Professor Michel Abs; associate Secretaries General; and the General Secretariat staff including directors, section heads, and administrators. After the presentation of the report by Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, he was congratulated for his vision, activity, field presence, and praised for his wisdom in managing the Council’s affairs.

"The blood shed in St. Elias Church is the blood of us all. Our heartfelt condolences to you, and mercy to the martyrs."

Balamand, July 10, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and President of the Orthodox Family in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), received a delegation from the MECC Executive Committee, composed of Representatives from different Churches and countries of the Middle East, at the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand. The delegation included His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and MECC President for the Catholic Family, 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 MECC President for the Evangelical Family, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, and other Members of the Executive Committee representing Churches from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, and Cyprus.

Episode 1

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Produced by MECC

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.