The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and His Accompanying Delegation On a Visit to the Headquarters of the Presidency of the Armenian Protestant Community
A Church, Social, and Educational Workshop Marked the Visit with the Honoring of the Secretary General
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Aleppo, September 5, 2024
The visit of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, to the headquarters of the Presidency of the Armenian Protestant Community in Aleppo, included a spiritual, social and educational workshop that was combined with a lovely and warm reception which reflects the Church’s respect and love for the Secretary General and its appreciation for his work and performance in the Council.
Dr. Michel Abs was accompanied by the Director of the MECC Office in Aleppo Ms. Lamis Makhoul, and the MECC Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.
They were received by the President of the Armenian Protestant Community in Syria Reverend Dr. Haroutune Selimian, as well as Priests and Directors of the Community’s schools and institutions.
The meeting began with the Lord's Prayer inside the Bethel Church, which was followed by laying a wreath in front of the commemorative monument of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide in honor of their memory.
Then, a meeting was held between the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and Reverend Dr. Selimian, in which discussions centered around the most prominent MECC activities in the fields of development and relief, achieving effective communication between various components of the society, in addition to the aspiration to prepare courses and lectures that include Church, social, and educational issues.
Both sides denounced the multiple crises and wars that the region is facing, asking God to remove this dark cloud. They stressed that Syria was and still is the cradle of the Heavenly Religions and the stronghold of holiness, love and faith.
They also stressed the importance of promoting education and culture because they constitute the beacon of light in this changing world full of challenges. They look forward to more cooperation between the Community and the Council.
Afterwards, a documentary film was shown focusing on the mission of the Armenian Protestant Community in Syria, Ecclesiastical, Socially, Developmentally, Culturally, and Educationally, in addition to its various types of work that have reaped fruits despite the challenges.
In this context, the Secretary General also met with members of the Community’s Executive Council and representatives of its affiliated educational institutions. They discussed the most prominent challenges that the educational sector, humanitarian work, and youth are facing.
In his turn, the Secretary General Dr. Abs praised the Community’s efforts to elevate human status and develop abilities through education, training and development via various programs, as well as its effective role in promoting common values among individuals.
For his part, Reverend Dr. Selimian honored the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs with a shield of appreciation and greetings on his re-election as MECC Secretary General for a new term.
