Organized By MECC

You can join this webinar through the following Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86864203294?pwd=7KJDrYiNKaSuFtViTB3BlKwTaxUOah.1

Produced by MECC

Mrs. Eugenia Ghabach and Father De Gaulle Tannous, Priest of the Saint John the Baptist Parish in Safinat Al-Dreib, Akkar: "The church is the family home, and we must draw strength and courage from the example of Saint John the Baptist"

A Webinar on the Occasion of the Ecumenical International Youth Day 2026

Healing begins when we make space for one another.

In a world carrying the weight of conflict, uncertainty, grief, and change, we are invited to pause, listen, and journey together toward healing.

Join young people from across the globe for Ecumenical International Youth Day 2026 as we gather around the theme Healing Spaces—creating communities where restoration, hope, and peace can flourish.

“Momentum”

10-8-2026

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 "Religious Dialogue: Its Principles and Role in Safeguarding Civil Peace".

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/4c9f5101059d/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.

Professor Michel Abs

The secretary general of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Recently, the media and social media platforms were abuzz over a discussion of a purely religious nature between a person who had converted from one religion to another and someone criticizing that conversion. The discussion sparked a wave of fierce and heated controversy among followers of different religions, to the point that we may describe it as a kind of cyber civil war taking place in the virtual world.

Since the Middle East Council of Churches is one of the pioneering bodies in the field of dialogue, as stated in its founding documents, and since its institutions are active in dialogue at all levels, we find it necessary to reiterate our perspective on this matter, a perspective that is the product of five decades of experience and practical engagement.

Dialogue is a noble human value and a civilized means of communication among people. In pluralistic societies, dialogue becomes an existential necessity rather than an intellectual luxury. Yet the notion of “religious dialogue” carries particular sensitivity because it touches upon what lies deepest within the human person: faith, identity, and sacred beliefs. It is therefore essential to establish principles and safeguards for such dialogue so that it does not turn from a bridge of understanding into an instrument of destruction.

Why is religious dialogue not suitable for the general public?…

With Archimandrite George Yaacoub, Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand

Seven community initiatives implemented service-oriented projects addressing the basic needs of the community, in the city of Saidnaya in Rural Damascus.

These initiatives were supported by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its Diakonia and Social Service Department – Syria’s Office, within its efforts to strengthen community engagement and improve essential services.

The initiatives included street lighting, along with the renovation and improvement of Ras Al-Amoud Square; the installation of solar panel system in a public clinic, two public schools, to hall for education and social activities, and a library; sport equipment for the sport club, and medical equipment for a local charitable dispensary.

Faith Doctrine and Church Traditions

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Mother of Life, and Queen of Peace, is the Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. She is the source of all hope and consolation. Churches dedicate fasts, Prayers, and glorifications to honor her and proclaim the sanctity of her glory, for through her the Father's plan of salvation was fulfilled.

With the Mother of God and Mother of Light, the mystery of the infinite greatness of divine love is revealed and embodied in her repose and transition to the heavenly temple, body and soul, so that the work of divine redemption could be fully accomplished in her. According to Church tradition, the Virgin Mary was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, but rather ascended to the glory of the Heavenly Father, crowned by the angels as Queen on the heavenly throne.

مرصد فلسطين – تقرير الاثنين 10 آب/ أغسطس 20

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 Observatory," 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.

في ظلّ تفاقم الظروف الإنسانيّة والاجتماعيّة في المنطقة جرّاء تصاعد العمليّات الأمنيّة فيها، يقدّم مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط تقريرًا أسبوعيًّا بعنوان "مرصد فلسطين" حيث يتضمّن آخر المستجدّات الّتي تشهدها فلسطين خصوصًا وسط تدهور الظروف المعيشيّة والاجتماعيّة والأمنيّة في البلاد. ستكون بعض النصوص باللغة العربية، وبعضها الآخر باللّغة الإنكليزيّة، وذلك حسب المصدر.

Sign a Cooperation Agreement to Strengthen Ecumenical Work and Empower Youth

As part of their commitment to strengthening Ecumenical partnership, particularly in the field of youth, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) in the Middle East, signed a cooperation agreement aimed at supporting youth and enhancing their role in both the Church and society. The agreement was signed on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Middle East Council of Churches by its Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, and on behalf of the World Student Christian Federation by its Regional Secretary Ms. Melissa Bridi, in the presence of the newly elected President of the WSCF Middle East Regional Committee Mr. Sarkis Magarian, as well as a team from the MECC General Secretariat.

Produced by MECC

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

Pastor of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut and President of the National Evangelical Union of Lebanon

By an MECC Delegation Led by Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

Professor Abs: Reverend Rima is a worthy successor to a worthy predecessor, and the Evangelical Church carries a rich heritage of thought, culture, and learning

Reverend Rima: Ecumenical work lies at the heart of our faith and heritage… and it is essential to continue our cooperation with the Council

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, accompanied by an MECC delegation, visited Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, the Newly Elected President of the National Evangelical Union of Lebanon and Pastor of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut, on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at her office in Beirut.

The delegation included the MECC Associate Secretaries General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros and Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, Director of the Lebanon’s Office of the Diakonia and Social Service Department Ms. Nina Hallak, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Rehabilitation Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Media and Church Relations Coordinator Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Social Media Officer Johnny Antoun, and Media and Communication Officer Elia Nasrallah. As well as, Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Rifaat Fikry joined the meeting virtually from Egypt.

Father Georges Al-Amil, Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish in Ain Ebel, visited the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs at the Council's General Secretariat headquarters in Hamra, Beirut. Their meeting focused on the current situation in the villages of Southern Lebanon and the social, economic, and humanitarian challenges that their residents are facing.

During the meeting, Father Al-Amil outlined the difficult living situations endured by the residents of Rmeish, Debel, and Ain Ebel, as well as the situation of displaced families from the villages of Qawzah, Alma Al-Shaab, and Yaroun. He conveyed what the people of the region are suffering from in terms of escalating crises and the repercussions of the current circumstances on their daily lives and livelihoods.

Both sides also reviewed the latest developments in Southern Lebanon and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Middle East Council of Churches, the Church, municipalities, and other relevant stakeholders. Their discussions focused on supporting local communities, enhancing the resilience of residents, and helping them remain on their land.