A photo album from the pilgrimage visits made by the participants during the fourth day of the MECC 12th General Assembly, to many Coptic Monasteries.

Middle East Council of Churches

The Logos Center - the Papal residence in the Monastery of Anba Bishoy - Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt

16-20 May 2022

“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27)

1) Under this theme, the Twelfth General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) met in the Arab Republic of Egypt for the first time since its establishment, with the participation of the member churches of the four ecclesiastical families that make up the Council: the Eastern Orthodox family, the Orthodox family, the Catholic family, and the Evangelical family, through May 16-20, 2022, with the kind hospitality of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark for the Coptic Orthodox, at the Logos Center - the Papal residence of the Monastery of Anba Bishoy in Wadi Natroun, and in the presence of the Presidents of the MECC: Mor Ignatius Aphram II, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church throughout the world, John X, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East for the Greek Orthodox Church, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldeans in Iraq and the world, and Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, head of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, Heads of member churches or their representatives, members of the Executive Committee, Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, and the MECC team, with the participation of representatives of churches and ecumenical bodies.

Workshops, Studies and a First Reading of the Draft Final Statement

With great hope, the Middle East Council of Churches continued the activities of its 12th General Assembly on its third day, on Wednesday May 18, 2022, under the title "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid" (Matthew 14: 27) at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natrun in Egypt, hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. The meetings of this day included discussions and studies on various theological, human, service and media levels in order to achieve the Ecumenical and societal desired goals for all the people of the region.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the heads of the Eastern Churches: Christian Brothers in all Arab Countries Are an Integral Part of the Fabric of Arab Society

The Middle East Council of Churches continues its 12th General Assembly today, Tuesday 17 May 2022, under the title "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid" (Matthew 14: 27), held at the Papal Logos Center in Wadi El Natrun in Egypt, with the generous hospitality of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. On the second day, the participants discussed the reality of the Christian presence in the Middle East and the most prominent threats to its existence, stressing the importance of their role in the region.

Photos by Morcos Ishac, Photographer of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II

The Church of the East Denounces All Conflicts and Wars and Calls On the Christians of the Region to Cling to hope

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27)

The Middle East Council of Churches launches its 12th General Assembly, on Monday, May 16, 2022, under the title of “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27) at the Logos Papal Center in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, with the generous hospitality of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and with the support of the Evangelical Church in Egypt. The Assembly is attended by representatives of 21 Churches from the Middle East. They all stressed on the importance of renewal and attachment to hope and to our faith in Jesus Christ, because with His presence we are neither afraid or discouraged. As well as, they stressed on the need to cling to our East and Land, the Cradle of Christianity.