The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME)
Holds its Annual Meeting for the Theological Students in Lebanon, Hosted by the Near East School of Theology (NEST)
"The Council of Nicaea, The Faith of the Church from the Preaching of the Apostles to the Evangelization Today"
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Under the title "The Council of Nicaea, The Faith of the Church from the Preaching of the Apostles to the Evangelization Today," the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) organized its annual meeting in Lebanon in order to consolidate the Ecumenical spirit and bridge the distances between the Theological students from various Institutes. The meeting was held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, hosted by the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut.
In the presence of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, attendees were Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand – Lebanon, and ATIME President, Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, ATIME Executive Secretary, Archpriest Father Bassam Nassif, ATIME Associate Executive Secretary for the Orthodox Family, Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, MECC Associate Secretary General, Archpriest Professor Porphyrios Georgi, and Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, Professor of Practical Theology at the Near East School of Theology (NEST). As well as, attendees were Professors, Priests, Pastors, and students from various Theological Institutes, in addition to the MECC Media.
After an opening Prayer led by Father Dr. Michael Kanbar, Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah welcomed the attendees and said in her speech, "We are pleased to host you at this Institute located in the city center. We believe that our presence in the city is essential because Theology is manifested in the city center and for its service."
Then, Archimandrite Dr. Jack Khalil addressed a speech in which he mentioned that "we are confident that you are the entrusted with the Theological future. You are the guardians of the truth of the Gospel, of the Apostolic tradition, to work with the Holy Spirit so that the Kingdom of God may come to earth with power. In this meeting, we do not want merely to listen to lectures, but rather to experience the encounter: a meeting of minds, a meeting of hearts, a meeting of the spirit."
Afterwards, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he said: "Be forgiving, for the One Whose kingdom is imperishable forgave at the height of His earthly suffering on the cross. Take the Sermon on the Mount as a guide for your daily work, along with the Holy Books, and teach it to people, perhaps it will provide guidance for a humanity that has gone too far with misguidance. During your Theological studies, add to the necessary and dangerous Ecumenical dimension, the human dimension that gives your message a heavenly color."
Following a dynamic introduction session among the participants, the meeting included two lectures centered on the Council of Nicaea. The first lecture was entitled "The Council of Nicaea: Fundamental Theological Challenges and the Biblical Backgrounds of Societal Challenges," with Archpriest Professor Porphyrios Georgi. The second lecture centered on "The Fruits of the First Ecumenical Council in the Life of the Church Today," with Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros.
The meeting, which featured some hymns from various Church Families, contributed in forging new Ecumenical fraternal relationships among the students, who expressed their joy at meeting together and hoped to participate in similar future meetings. The meeting also provided an oasis of shared Prayer and reflection, and an opportunity to exchange views and experiences.