MECC
Leaders and Positions
Video - His Holiness Pope Tawadros II: Love in the Epistles of Saint Paul
On the Feast of Saint Thecla, the First Martyr and Equal of the Apostles
A Documentary that Sheds Light on the Church of Saint Thecla in the Town of Ain al-Sindyana, Metn - Lebanon
Video - "Ecumenical Horizons" Program: Fourteenth Episode
Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches
“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.
Leaders and Positions
Video - His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai: The Parable of the Sower
Video - Word of His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios Al Soury, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Zahle, Baalbek and their Dependencies, and Member of the MECC Executive Committee
at the MECC Partners Meeting - September 2025
Leaders and Positions
Video - His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan: The Cross is the Power of God
The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Issues Its Weekly Newsletter
“Momentum”
19-9-2025
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 entitled in this issue “An Oasis of Hope in the Desert of Despair”. It is the word he delivered at the Workshop on the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus- Organized by MECC in Jordan between 15 and 16 September 2025.
You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/d5aed8eab078/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.
An Oasis of Hope in the Desert of Despair
Professor Michel Abs
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Since ancient times, our region, what some call the Middle East, but which we call the Antiochian East, or the Arab East, has been in constant turmoil with no apparent end. From before recorded history, this land has suffered invasions and waves of displaced peoples, turning it into a highly diverse, and at times discordant, mosaic. This has deeply affected the quality of life, human and cultural relations, and inevitably, politics.
Our region, often labeled the “cradle of civilization” or the “cradle of Christianity,” has faced crisis after crisis, differing in scope and cause, but always with profound consequences. It is nearly impossible to find another place with such ancient heritage and diversity of religions and ethnicities, which, while rich, have often cast a shadow over people’s lives, aspirations, and hopes.
This is a region of conflicts par excellence, where international and local rivalries are settled, leaving it perpetually fragile, dependent on scraps of global agreements, with destructive impacts on all aspects of its peoples’ lives…
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Meets with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III in Astana
As part of his participation in the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, met with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine and Jordan, who received his paternal and pastoral blessing.
During the meeting, both sides discussed some of the congress’ issues, emphasizing the importance of the topics addressed during its sessions and the importance of His Beatitude' speech in this context.
It is worth noting that the Middle East Council of Churches will publish His Beatitude' speech on its sites.
The conference was held from September 16 to 19, 2025, in Astana, hosted by the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Video - Word of 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
at the MECC Partners Meeting - September 2025
Video - Word of His Excellency Lebanese MP Mr. Neemat Frem
at the MECC Partners Meeting - September 2025
Video - Word of His Excellency the Lebanese Minister of Information Lawyer Dr. Paul Morcos
at the MECC Partners Meeting - September 2025
The VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on its Third Day
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Continues its Activities in Astana and Meets His Holiness Catholicos Aram I
The “VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions” continues its activities in Astana with various sessions that consolidate the values of respect, love, and fraternity, bringing together Religious leaders and participants from around the world, emphasizing the rich diversity of Religions and cultures.
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, continues his participation in the conference activities, which are being held from September 16 to 19, hosted by the Republic of Kazakhstan.
As part of his program for the third day, Professor Abs met with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). They commended the importance of the conference in deepening cooperation and solidarity among all components of society, as well as the importance of the speech delivered by His Holiness in this context.
It is worth noting that the Middle East Council of Churches will publish His Holiness' speech on its sites.
Martyrs of Love and Faith in the 21st Century
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV Commemorates them in an Ecumenical Celebration: “Many brothers and sisters, even today, carry the same cross as our Lord…: like him, they are persecuted, condemned and killed”
Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Witnesses of Christianity and servants of humanity... They are truly witnesses of faith and hope... The Kingdom of God crowned them as witnesses to Jesus Christ after an earthly journey of suffering filled with heavenly joy. They carried the Church in their hearts and traveled as apostles of Christ to preach His name throughout the world despite all the challenges, hardships, and difficulties that surrounded them.
The angels rejoice over them, and the faithful raise their Prayers in honor of all the Martyrs of the Lord who tirelessly devoted their efforts, spreading the values of love and fraternity, and hoping for peace, tranquility, and stability throughout the world.
The Vatican commemorated the Martyrs of the Church on Sunday, September 14, coinciding with the Feast of the Holy Cross, in an Ecumenical celebration commemorating the Martyrs and Witnesses of the Faith in the 21st Century. A Liturgical celebration presided over by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV included representatives of the Orthodox Churches, the Ancient Eastern Churches, Ecclesial communities, and Ecumenical organizations.
Indeed, the celebration provided an oasis of spiritual Prayer and an Ecumenical moment calling for renewed gratitude for the gift of witness, which continues to this day.
