About the Inauguration of the Church of Our Lady of Unexpected Joy in Zahle

Via Voice of Van Radio

The Episode Is Prepared and Presented By the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

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A Delegation from the United Church of Canada

As part of strengthening the partnership between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the United Church of Canada (UCC), the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs received a delegation from the UCC, including M Chorney, Mark Laird, Larissa Kanhai, and Wendy Gichuru, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut, in the presence of the General Secretariat team.

During the meeting, the attendees talked about the latest developments of the circumstances that the Middle East is passing through, as well as the challenges and urgent needs of its people amidst the crises they are facing. They also discussed the activities of the Middle East Council of Churches and its most prominent programs being implemented at various Theological, Ecumenical, humanitarian, social, and media levels.

Moreover, both parties discussed ways to develop cooperation between them for better coordination on future projects.

It is worth noting that the visit of the United Church of Canada delegation to the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches Professor Michel Abs, is part of their tour they are holding in the region.

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: April 2025

Donald Trump’s imposition of Tariffs on the world in an attempt to close the United States' trade deficit. Unfortunately, this included the Middle East and North Africa, and therefore will have negative repercussions on the trade of these countries. Countries in the region were divided into two categories: Low and High tariffs. Countries in the High category include Algeria, Iraq, Occupied Palestine, Jordan, Libya, Syria and Tunisia. As for countries in the low category include, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, the UAE and Yemen. It will be quite interesting how countries will react to this move and what policies or new course of actions they will undertake.

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

On Its World Day, Major Challenges Burden the Family

The Church Accompanies It

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Amidst international developments, the Middle East is experiencing crises, divisions, and conflicts that have imposed many social changes, negatively impacting family life and its growth its societies. In fact, this year's International Day of Families, which falls on May 15th of each year, bears a high level of injustice, violence, and hate speech...

Today, families face many challenges that impose repercussions on home education and the preservation of human values, which places them facing an uncertain future. Consequently, families are facing a wave of complexities that cast a shadow over their lifestyles and the interactions of their members.

A dangerous reality that families are facing today... a bitter truth we cannot ignore! The solution? Stand still.

With the beginning of the countdown to the inauguration of Our Lady of Joy Church and the Metropolitan Niphon (Saikali) Museum, a press conference was held at the Archdiocese in Zahle, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios (Al Soury), the Most Reverend, Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Zahle, Baalbek and Its Dependencies, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC); at the invitation of the Media Committee, which is covering the event, and in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Niphon (Saikali), the Representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East at the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia. The press conference was attended by the Venerable Priests, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Engineer Christina Saikali, the Heads and Members of the Committees in charge of the preparations, and representatives of the media outlets and social media platforms.

The conference began with the National anthem, which was followed by a speech delivered by the Head of the Media Committee, Father Seraphim Makhoul, priest of the Saint George Parish in Zahle, Hawsh Al-Umara. He thanked the Lord for His abundant gifts and blessings that spread the fragrance of faith throughout the beloved land of Lebanon. He emphasized that the inauguration event is a jewel of faith that reflects light in Zahle, noting that the city of Zahle after May 18, 2025, will never be the same again. He then presented a detailed explanation of the inauguration Mass, which will be held with the blessing and presence of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, who will consecrate the Church of Our Lady of Joy and inaugurate the Metropolitan Niphon (Saikali) Museum. The ceremony will be attended by Metropolitan Antonios (Volokolamsk), Head of the Department of External Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia, representing His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, as well as Priests, and a high-ranking diplomatic personalities. The inauguration will take place on Sunday, May 18, at 8:30 a.m. The inauguration of the Museum will follow the Mass at 12:30 p.m.

of the Church of Our Lady of Unexpected Joy and the Metropolitan Niphon (Saikali) Museum in Zahle

Entitled "The Dream Comes True"

On Mariam TV

The Episode Is Prepared and Presented By the Journalists Lea Adel Maamary and George Maalouli

With joy and hope, we, the members of the ecumenical family in the Middle East, witnessed the white smoke rising from the Vatican, announcing the election of the 267th Bishop of Rome, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

Following in the footsteps of his predecessors, and in line with his life filled with knowledge, struggle for humanity, and love for people, Pope Leo XIV will bear witness to the ever-renewing Church of Christ, in accordance with the needs of the times, times that urgently need to hear the message of salvation.

We, at the Middle East Council of Churches, a long-standing ecumenical institution that includes the Catholic family among its members, look forward to deepening our institutional relationship with the dicasteries of the Holy See, where we have friends and colleagues with whom we collaborate across various fields.

To the Supreme Pontiff, head of the Catholic Church worldwide, we say: you and we are in sustained cooperation to spread the loving word, to heal the wounds of suffering humanity, and to guide people toward paths of righteousness, so that they may have a better life.

Your Holiness Pope Leo XIV, we are all one in Christ.

Dans la joie et l'espérance, nous, les membres de la famille œcuménique du Moyen-Orient, avons vu la fumée blanche s’élever du Vatican, annonçant l’élection du 267e évêque de Rome, Sa Sainteté le Pape Léon XIV.

Sur les traces de ses prédécesseurs, et fidèle à sa vie empreinte de savoir, de lutte pour l’humanité et d’amour pour les humains, le Pape Léon XIV témoignera de l'Église du Christ toujours renouvelée selon les exigences de notre époque, qui a plus que jamais besoin d’entendre le message du salut.

Nous, au Conseil des Églises du Moyen-Orient, institution œcuménique de longue date incluant la famille catholique parmi ses membres, aspirons à renforcer nos liens institutionnels avec les dicastères du Saint-Siège, où nous avons des amis et des collègues avec lesquels nous collaborons dans divers domaines.

Au Souverain Pontife, chef de l'Église catholique dans le monde, nous disons : vous et nous sommes en coopération durable pour diffuser la parole aimante, panser les plaies de l’humanité souffrante, et guider les gens vers les voies de la vertu, afin qu’ils aient une vie meilleure.

Vôtre Sainteté le Pape Léon XIV, nous sommes tous un dans le Christ.

Upon the the passing of Mrs. Annapurani Pillay, mother of the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs sent to Reverend Pillay and his family, the following letter of condolences:

Dear Jerry and Pillay family,

As we dwell steadfast in our faith in the Resurrection by which we live daily in our churches, we cannot but feel deep sorrow when confronted by the separation of a family member or a friend leaving this world, all the more so that which we go through at the passing away of a mother.

I hereby extend all the deep sympathy and condolences of the family of the Middle East Council of Churches for the passing away of your mother Annapurani Pillay, beseeching for all of you to remain steadfast in the faith and values with which she has nurtured the mind and soul of her children that gave fruits.

May the Resurrected Lord grant her eternal rest, and may her memory be eternal, as we say in our churches in the Middle East.

Prayer and Hope on the 1700th Commemoration of the Council of Nicaea

As every week, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, presides over a meeting for the colleagues in the General Secretariat team. The meeting begins with spiritual readings and reflections that reflect the reality we live in today, in addition to Prayers for achieving peace, truth and justice.

During the meeting, held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut, attendees read a Biblical Text from the Gospel of Mark about the life of Joseph of Arimathea and reflected on its dimensions and spiritual implications, which reflect consolation and resurrection in our lives today.

In the second part, attendees also addressed the 1700th Commemoration of the Council of Nicaea, discussing the dimensions of this Council and its importance in the life of the Church. They also delved into the life of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, a common Saint for the East and West and considered one of the Four Great Fathers, as well as the Father of the Coptic Church and its first Teacher of faith.

About Inauguration of Our Lady of Joy Church in Zahle, As Part of the "Initiatives" Program on Radio Voice of Van

The "Initiatives" Program Is Prepared and Presented by the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Thursday, May 15, Starting at 4:00 PM Beirut Time

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series