MECC
Palestine Observatory
Report: Friday 23 January 2026
In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Monitor," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.
Beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Sacred Heart Coptic Catholic Church_ Egypt
January 22, 2026
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began at the Sacred Heart Coptic Catholic Church in Egypt, under the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4). The opening day, titled "Our Vocation," included a Procession led by the Deacons with the hymn "O King of Peace," creating a spiritual atmosphere that reflected the love and unity among the Churches.
Then, Father Francis, Pastor of the Sacred Heart Church, welcomed the guests at the beginning of the celebration. This was followed by a joint Prayer, " Our Father in Heaven," with the participation of all the attendees, in a scene that embodied the depth of communion and Christian unity.
The Service took place in the presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, His Grace Bishop Angelos, General Bishop of North Shoubra Churches, Representing His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, His Grace Archbishop Sami Fawzy, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, His Grace Bishop Ashot, Primate of the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Egypt, and His Grace Anba Thomas Adly, Coptic Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef.
Attendees were also Reverend Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Secretary General Secretary of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Dr. Gergis Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Father Boutros Fouad, Reverend Najeh Fawzy, Father Paul Gergis, Associate Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches, Members of the Priests and Parishes Committee of the Egyptian Council of Churches, along with Members of the Week of Prayer Committees and the Ecumenical Committee, including Professor Essam Ayad, Sheikh Victor, Mrs. Nancy, Mr. Medhat Fayez, Head of the Ecumenical Committee, Mrs. Nour Behnan, Member of the Ecumenical Committee, and Mrs. Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee of the Egyptian Council of Churches.
They all affirmed that the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity embodies a sincere call for love, acceptance of others, deepening the Ecumenical spirit, and consolidating the values of peace and a unified Christian witness.
PCUSA Delegation Visits MECC in Beirut
Words Emphasized the Importance of Upholding Human Dignity
As part of its visit to Lebanon, a delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUSA), a partner of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), visited the Council's headquarters in Beirut, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. They were received by the MECC General Secretary Professor Michel Abs, and of the General Secretariat team from various departments.
The meeting began with an opening Prayer raised by the visiting delegation on the intention of peace in the Middle East and the world, thanking God for the opportunity to work and cooperate with the Middle East Council of Churches. The delegation also expressed their pleasure at visiting MECC and their desire to learn about the latest developments in the region, as well as updates on the MECC work of, particularly as the delegation is part of a Syria and Lebanon Partnership network.
His Beatitude Patriarch John X Receives
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs
And Discusses the Church and Humanitarian Circumstances
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, received the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Patriarchate in Balamand, Lebanon.
During the meeting, His Beatitude and the Secretary General discussed the evolving Church situations in the region and the latest developments on both Ecclesiastical and humanitarian levels. They also addressed the latest developments in the MECC work and ways to face current challenges in order to achieve the desired Ecumenical and humanitarian goals.
Professor Abs also listened to His Beatitude Patriarch John X's analyses, guidance, and advice. He also asked his Prayers and blessing for the future Ecumenical work in the Middle East Council of Churches across various Theological, humanitarian, social and media fields.
MECC Provides a Healthy and Safe Environment for Students in Seven Schools in Rural Damascus
As part of the efforts of the Diakonia and Social Service Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), to support the educational process, and in line with its commitment to providing a healthy and safe school environment that enhances students’ psychological and physical well-being, the Diakonia team at the Syria’s Office renovated sanitary facilities in seven schools across several areas of Rural Damascus.
The renovation works were carried out at: Al Otaibe Girls School, Mohammad Yousef Omar Rifie School, Al Sakka 2nd School, Ahmad Ayoub School, Al Bitarieh -1st School, Hijane 3rd School, and Sakka & Delbe School.
The works also included the rehabilitation of sewage network infrastructure and its equipment, maintenance of the drinking water network, installation of taps, toilets, doors, tiles and ceramics, electrical cables, in addition to installing water pumps and tanks, and carrying out painting works.
MECC team also implemented a hygiene awareness sessions in these schools, during which students learned how to take care of personal hygiene to prevent diseases, as well as the correct way to wash their hands. They also received individual school and hygiene kits.
The Middle East Council of Churches Congratulates His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan
On the Occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of His Election as Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch
On the occasion of the Yearly Anniversary of the Election of His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan as Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) family, extends his warmest congratulations to His Beatitude, 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 also raises its Prayers to God on the intention of His Beatitude 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.
Video - The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs
In An Interview on Suboro TV to Highlight the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
