Hosted by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji with the Participation of Church Leaders

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai:

Unity means meeting at the core, at the essence, in Christ Himself

His Eminence Bishop Kassarji: The Holy Spirit transforms diversity into communion, pain into joy, and fear into hope

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

The Ecumenical movement has laid the foundation and paved the way for sustained dialogue and cooperation among the Churches

On the occasion of the closing 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 Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, Head of the Chaldean Church in Lebanon, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in the Archangel Raphael Chaldean Cathedral, Baabda - Lebanon.

MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs:

To pray together means that we have overcome past mistakes and forgiven historical sins

If we call for unity among Christians, it is all the more fitting to call for love among the people of the country in all their diversity

In celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, an Ecumenical meeting 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). It took place at St. Ephrem the Syrian Church in Mina Tripoli, Lebanon, and brought together Bishops, Priests, Pastors, and believers from various Church families, at the invitation of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical Relations, chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Youssef Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli.

The Prayer Service was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Chrysostomos Mikhael Shamoun, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, with the participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Ephrem Kyriakos, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tripoli, Koura, and their Dependencies, His Eminence Archbishop Edward Daher, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Tripoli and All the North, Father Khoren, Representing His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, as well as Church, social, and cultural figures, and believers.

Attendees were also the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, at the head of an MECC that included Professor Laura Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Dialogue and Human Dignity Programs, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.

During the Prayer, Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: “In the presence of the bishops of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, we have gathered to pray together, fully aware of the importance of praying together and of living hope together, a hope we extend to all humankind, for the Lord who came as an atonement for our sins, came for all people”…

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

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

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

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 Hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I

Standing together in solidarity and Prayer for Christian unity and for peace in the Middle East and the world.

With one love, one heart, and great hope, the Heads of Churches and believers united in an Ecumenical Prayer Service on the occasion of the opening of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026," hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

We unite together in Prayer, saying, “Gracious and almighty Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, you are the true Light, who cast out the darkness of sin, and shined into our hearts the joy and hope of your eternal Kingdom” (from the Prayer Service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026).

An Ecumenical Prayer Service celebrating the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 began in the Middle East 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). An Ecumenical Prayer service is being held and hosted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of Cilicia and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

The Prayer service was attended by the Heads of Churches and the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and an MECC delegation.

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

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

You can find the Week of Unity 2026 Booklet, the daily Prayers and reflections, the Prayer for Christian unity, and the program of celebrations in Lebanon.

As we celebrate the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” 2026, let us unite together in Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, on the intention of Christian unity and for peace in the Middle East and the world, carrying this year’s title “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).

Hence, you can find in Arabic the Prayer for Christian Unity.

Week of Prayer Booklet 2026 in Arabic and English

Program of the Celebrations in Lebanon

on Sunday, January 25, at 6 pm Beirut time, at the Chaldean Cathedral of the Archangel Raphael, Baabda - Brasilia

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4)

The "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" starts, as it is one of the most awaited Ecumenical stations of the year, which includes a Prayer Octave that extends between 18 and 25 January every year. A station during which we unite in Prayer on the intention of a unity that has been awaited for decades, through a special international booklet that the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) translates it into Arabic annually. Noting that this year theme is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4: 4).

In this context, you can find the daily Prayers, meditations, and reflections in English and Arabic for the week of Prayer, included in the booklet, and which you may publish and distribute every day.

Week of Prayer 2026 Booklet

Program of the Celebrations in Lebanon

on Friday, January 23, at 7 pm Beirut time, at the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Saints Gregory the Illuminator and Saint Elias the Prophet - Downtown Beirut, Debbas Square

What Are the Celebrations that Will Be Held on the Occasion?

The Middle East and the world celebrate the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" between January 18 and 25 of each year. An Ecumenical station during which we Pray and sing together praising our Lord Jesus through a special booklet, which is entitled this year “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”
(Ephesians 4: 4).

As is customary every year, Christians from different Church Families participate in celebrations during which they unite in Prayer on the intention of a unity that they long for.

In this context, we issue in Arabic the program of celebrations of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" that will be held this year in various Lebanese regions.

Week of Prayer Booklet: 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.