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Report: 19 October 2024

In the wake of the security incidents that Lebanon is facing as a result of the war raging throughout it, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) hastened to launch a humanitarian campaign with the aim of helping the affected and displaced people in the country to overcome this ordeal and restore their usual lives with dignity. Hence, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its efforts during this emergency period in order to implement its relief and field work in response to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

In this context, MECC will be publishing a periodical report under the name of "Rescue Lebanon Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective.

Watch with us this report to learn more about the new Saints, the Massabki Brothers, their lives and faith path filled with hope, love, and service.

The report was produced by Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, and prepared by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

A Lecture by the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh

Within the Annual conference, “The Council of Nicaea... Biblically, Historically, Politically, and Legally”

Under the patronage and blessings of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the annual conference entitled “The Council of Nicaea... Biblically, Historically, Politically, Legally,” was held between 10 and 12 October 2024, at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Anba Royce in Abbasiya, Egypt, in partnership with the Center Pope Shenouda III, Former Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, for Ecclesiastical History in the Churches of Central Cairo, and the Coptic Studies Institute.

On the third day of the conference, Dr. Gergis Saleh, Professor of the Old Testament at the Theological Seminary College and the Institute of Coptic Studies, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Former Member of the MECC Executive Committee, delivered a lecture entitled “The Council of Nicaea in the Thoughts of Bishop Anba Youannis,” which you can follow and watch in this video, through the ME Sat Egyptian TV Channel.

O Lord, Your endowment is under iron and fire.

Your beautiful land, where You planted Your cedars—its greenness did not please those who practice desolation, so they strive to turn it into the firewood of hatred.

Your beautiful holy mountain, which You covered with olibanum and made the focus of the world's gaze—the destroyers of beauty could not rest; they waged war against the whiteness of its snow and showered it with dark hatred.

The haven of freedoms to which every oppressed and persecuted person resorts—they have turned it into a vast prison.

The mine of the word, the school, the university, and the hospital of the East—the barbarians persist in smashing and destroying it.

Yes, O King,

The hands of hatred have infiltrated, in a moment of heedlessness, into this precious eternal treasure and seized it.

Your endowment, O Lord, has been enduring for decades the prolonged suffering of the Way of the Cross,

Until it has begun to affect its people at the core of their being.

At the Recital "Your Sight On Our Homeland"

Under the patronage and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, represented by His Eminence Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, a spiritual recital was held under the title “Your Sight On Our Homeland”, during which the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs delivered a word that carried the title "Your Endowment Oh God".

The recital was performed by the Journalist and Artist Dalia Freyfer, accompanied by the Musician Mr. Fadi Abi Hachem, on Friday 11 October 2024, in the Church of Christ the King - Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. Noting that it took place at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke, Lebanon.

At the Recital "Your Sight On Our Homeland"

Under the patronage and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, represented by His Eminence Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, a spiritual recital was held under the title “Your Sight On Our Homeland”. It was hosted by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), who delivered a speech for the occasion.

The recital was performed by the Journalist and Artist Dalia Freyfer, accompanied by the Musician Mr. Fadi Abi Hachem, on Friday 11 October 2024, in the Church of Christ the King - Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. Noting that it took place at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke, Lebanon.

Guest of the Episode: His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the fourth episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the third episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Eminence Archbishop ‎Mor Theophilus George Saliba‎, Former Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, and the Patriarchal Advisor.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the second episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Guest of the Episode: His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian

As part of the activities of the Fiftieth Year of Its Founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”. The episodes of the program’s first season were presented by Tony Chedid. The guest of the first episode, which you can watch in the video, was His Beatitude Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Catholic Family.

The program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

In partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel

On the occasion of the fiftieth year of its founding, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, launched a new TV program entitled “Ecumenicals”, presented by Tony Chedid. Its first season was already broadcasted on TV, and its episodes will be published consecutively on the MECC platforms.

The program includes many episodes with guests from many fields, Church Leaders and personalities who accompanied the establishment of the Middle East Council of Churches and the various milestones it witnessed. Hence, the program sheds light on the stages that the MECC passed through during half a century, its most prominent Ecumenical, Theological, humanitarian, relief and media programs and projects, in addition to the challenges it has faced since its founding. The program will also address several issues related to Christian unity and Ecumenical work, Christian witness and the role of Christians in the region.

Mr. Ibrahim Mahmoud Mohammad Presents His Story and Cooperation with MECC 

In the context of empowering the people of Syria and enhancing their capabilities and livelihoods amidst the various economic, social and environmental crises that surround them, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Syria’s Office, implemented a grants program to support the small businesses and help their owners overcome the difficulties and challenges they face. 

This report sheds light on the spiritual recital “Your Sight On Our Homeland”, which was held under the patronage and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, represented by His Eminence Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, and at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke, Lebanon. It was performed by the Journalist and Artist Dalia Freyfer, accompanied by the Musician Mr. Fadi Abi Hachem, on Friday 11 October 2024, in the Church of Christ the King - Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon.

This report presents interviews from the spiritual recital “Your Sight On Our Homeland”, which was held under the patronage and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, represented by His Eminence Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, and at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke, Lebanon. It was performed by the Journalist and Artist Dalia Freyfer, accompanied by the Musician Mr. Fadi Abi Hachem, on Friday 11 October 2024, in the Church of Christ the King - Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon.

A Spiritual Recital On the Intention of Lebanon Under the Patronage and Blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai

At the Invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke

Under the patronage and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, a spiritual recital on the intention of Lebanon under the title “Your Sight On Our Homeland”, was performed by the Journalist and Artist Dalia Freyfer, accompanied by the Musician Mr. Fadi Abi Hachem. It was held at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke, Lebanon, on Friday 11 October 2024, in the Church of Christ the King - Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon.

The recital was broadcasted live on Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel. Attendees were His Eminence Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, representing His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Fathers Priests, Sisters Nuns, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs at the head of an MECC team, and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate - Bkerke. Attendees were also representatives of various entities and institutions, official, social and cultural figures, journalists, as well as guests and believers.

The video presents the speech delivered by Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the celebration held by Egypt on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Saturday 14 September 2024, at the New Papal Headquarters in Anba Royce, Egypt.

The video presents the speech delivered by Reverend Dr. Rifaat Fikry, the Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the celebration held by Egypt on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Saturday 14 September 2024, at the New Papal Headquarters in Anba Royce, Egypt.

The video presents the speech delivered by Dr. Gergis Ibrahim Saleh, the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the celebration held by Egypt on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Saturday 14 September 2024, at the New Papal Headquarters in Anba Royce, Egypt.

Report: 13 October 2024

In the wake of the security incidents that Lebanon is facing as a result of the war raging throughout it, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) hastened to launch a humanitarian campaign with the aim of helping the affected and displaced people in the country to overcome this ordeal and restore their usual lives with dignity. Hence, the Middle East Council of Churches continues its efforts during this emergency period in order to implement its relief and field work in response to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

In this context, MECC will be publishing a periodical report under the name of "Rescue Lebanon Update" which will keep you informed about the developments of MECC action as well as the overall situation in a context analysis perspective.