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.

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.

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

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.

In An Interview on Suboro TV to Highlight the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

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

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 is celebrated in Egypt under the theme "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4). The program of celebrations begins on Thursday, January 22, and continues until Saturday, January 31, at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Egyptian Council of Churches.

Hence, you can find the details of these celebrations.

Under the Theme “One Body and One Spirit”

The Middle East Council of Churches, in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches, organizes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Egypt 2026, under the auspices of the Churches in Egypt.

This is an affirmation of the one Christian witness and the common pursuit of unity for which Jesus Christ prayed: " that all of them may be one" (John 17: 21).

This year’s Week of Prayer has adopted a Biblical theme from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4: 4)

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Egypt will be held from January 22 to 31, 2026.

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya

A Meeting Bringing Together Church Leaders and Faithful in an Ecumenical Spirit

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

On the occasion of the opening of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026," an Ecumenical Prayer Service was held 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), hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Antelias - Lebanon.

and President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations Emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon

At the Opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, Antelias - Lebanon

At the Opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, Antelias - Lebanon

Produced By MECC

“Momentum”

16-1-2026

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 "Dialogue and Social Cohesion at MECC, Toward a New Application of Ecumenism".

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/d5ae9ec588de/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.

Booklet of the Week of Prayer 2026: https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2025/12/29/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-issues-the-arabic-version-of-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-booklet-2026-sccya