“We need, in our countries, to be a sign of joy and a source of hope”

His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the opening of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon:

"Based on the Jubilee of Hope, this meeting is a sign of hope, as our brothers and sisters draw hope from these meetings that we hold between us.

Jesus Christ laid the foundations of hope when He gave us the Beatitudes, which constitute the basic foundation of Christian hope. Hope generates joy, and we need in our country to be a sign of joy and thus a source of hope."

"There is a longing for Christian unity"

His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the opening of the meetings of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon:

"There is a longing for Christian unity, and this year we celebrate Easter together according to the Eastern and Western calendars. This unity requires not only that we think about the affairs of our Church in Lebanon, but also that we open horizons to the Churches of the East.

We hope that the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops will be represented in all the Episcopal Councils in all countries."

To the Attendees of the Meetings of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon

“It has become urgent to Pray and work for peace”

The Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon His Excellency Monsignor Paolo Borgia sends the blessing of His Holiness Pope Francis to the attendees of the meetings of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, entitled “Hope Does Not Disappoint,” and mentions that “Lebanon is witnessing a miracle for which we have all Prayed, following the security and social developments and events. It has also become urgent to Pray and work for peace.”

Photos By: the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches

Within the framework of the Environmental Days organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), believers in Ras Baalbek, in cooperation with the Environmental Youth of Our Lady of Ablah and the Basilian Order of Aleppo, celebrated an Environmental Day.

These Environmental Days hold a special place as they bring together believers, especially the youth, and invite them to contemplate all that God has made and commit to the care for creation.

In the towering Bekaa village of Ras Baalbek, the Coordinator of the Season of Creation program at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) cooperated with the Abbot of the Monastery of Our Lady of Miracles to organize the celebration and establish a new "Chrism Grove" which is specific to that area and its people.

The celebration began with learning about the origins and history of the Monastery. As well as, the participants visited the Monastery's sundial that has indicated the twelve hours of the day since many generations. In front of this ancient clock, the youth remembered the importance of good time management and making the most of every moment.

Which Was Held By the Village of Hope Association for People with Special Needs

Cairo-16-2-2025

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and a delegation from the Council, met with the Egyptian Thinker and Former Minister Dr. Samir Morcos in Cairo.

The meeting was attended by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary.

During the meeting, both parties discussed Church and national issues, especially amidst the challenges facing the region and the need to implement development and cultural projects in light of the Middle Eastern situation.

Professor Michel Abs also presented the most prominent activities implemented by the Council in its various departments and divisions, which serve the interests of Christians, Churches, and the nation.

Maadi, Cairo, February 16, 2025

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs continued his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. This visit comes as part of his participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2025, entitled “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26).

Following his tour at the Coptic Catholic Seminary in Maadi - Cairo, Professor Michel Abs, His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Pastor of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, headed to the Anba Stephanos House for Elderly Priests - Maadi - Cairo.

They were received by the Head of the House Sister Souad Nohra, amidst great love and warmth, as it was the first visit made by the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs to the House of Anba Stephanos. During the visit, Professor Michel Abs was informed about the services provided by the House of Anba Stephanos, the humanitarian mission it devotes, and the care it presents for the elderly Priests, along with the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross, following in the footsteps of our Father Yaacoub the Capuchin, adopting the Cross as its emblem.

Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs And the MECC Delegation at the Coptic Catholic Seminary - Maadi - Cairo

Maadi, Cairo, February 16, 2025

His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly, Pastor of the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Giza, Fayoum and Beni Suef, and Father Romany Fawzy, Head of the Coptic Catholic Seminary in Maadi - Cairo, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, at the Coptic Catholic Seminary - Maadi - Cairo.

At the beginning, His Grace Bishop Thomas Adly welcomed Professor Michel Abs and the MECC delegation, congratulating him on all the work and activities being implemented by all the Council's departments.

With the Participation of the Heads of the Churches in Egypt Under the Title “Do you believe this?” (John 11: 26)

Alexandria, February 15, 2025

In a step full of love and hope, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and the MECC delegation that included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, met with the great Author and Preacher Father Tadros Yaacoub Malaty, at the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Great Martyr St. George in Sporting, Alexandria.

After participating in the Prayer, a meeting was held in the Church hall during which both parties spoke about many spiritual topics.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, and An MECC Delegation to His Grace Bishop Anba Ermia, General Bishop, President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and Assistant Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House

A Meeting Which Confirms that MECC Bears Witness to Constructive Word and Purposeful Dialogue

Alexandria, February 15, 2025

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs continued his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2025.

In Alexandria, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs visited with a delegation from the Council, His Grace Bishop Hermina, General Bishop of East Alexandria Sector, at the headquarters of the East Alexandria Churches Sector - Church of the Great Martyr St. Mina the Wonderworker in Fleming El Raml - Alexandria.

The meeting was attended by the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary.

At the beginning, His Grace Bishop Hermina welcomed Professor Michel Abs and the Council's delegation, stressing that this visit emphasizes that the Council is the home of Churches, and a platform for meeting and purposeful dialogue.

Then, Professor Michel Abs spoke about the MECC activities, programs of its departments, and aspirations amidst the challenges.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and the Council's Delegation

At the Patriarchate – Alexandria

Alexandria, February 15, 2025

As part of his tours and meetings in the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and a delegation from the Council, visited the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa in Alexandria.

They were received by the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai, Deputy of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Alexandria.

The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary.

At the beginning, the Rt. Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Alazrai welcomed the Secretary General and the Council's delegation on behalf of His Holiness Pope Theodoros, expressing the Church's love and pride in the role played by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) at all levels.

Then, Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in which he thanked His Holiness for his deep love, presenting a detailed explanation about MECC, its activities, programs and aspirations.

An Ecumenical Station Full of Hope and Love!

This report presents some interviews about the participation in the Week of Prayer in the Churches of the Arab Republic of Egypt

The Report Is Produced By the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs: “We all seek, as bearers of the message of the Incarnate Lord, who fought evil with love, to be His messengers if we strive, through good words and good deeds”

Cairo, February 14, 2025

With the blessings and Prayers of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in cooperation with the Egyptian Council of Churches, the Prayer of the Week of Unity was held for the second consecutive day at St. George and the Samaritan Woman Church for the Coptic Orthodox in Shoubra El-Kheima - Cairo, presided over by His Grace Bishop Marcos, Bishop of Shoubra El-Kheima and Its Dependencies, with the participation of Priests, Pastors, and large crowds of believers.

The Prayer was attended by the Heads of the Churches of Egypt, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yachouh Ayoub, the MECC Honorary Secretary General Dr. Gergis Saleh, the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, youth and scouts.

At the Church of St. George and the Samaritan Woman Church for the Coptic Orthodox in Shoubra El-Kheima

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech in the Prayer of the Week of Unity held at the Church of St. George and the Samaritan Woman Church for the Coptic Orthodox in Shoubra El-Kheima. The most prominent points in the speech were:

"The expansion of participation in the Week of Prayer for Unity demonstrates the extension of the "Ecumenical oil patch" and the adoption of Ecumenical thought and values as a solid position among wide segments of believers in various parts of the world.

It is worth noting that our Ecumenism, which stems from Christian roots, is not limited to Christians alone; it includes all people, as God created them in His image and likeness and surrounded them with His love. This real Christian Ecumenical dimension constitutes a starting point for inviting everyone to dialogue, rapprochement and fraternity, no matter how different their affiliations are.

We all seek, as bearers of the message of the Incarnate Lord, who fought evil with love, to be His messengers if we strive, through good words and good deeds, to fulfill His message of salvation and serve humanity. We, in the Council, are fully aware of the importance of the talents that the Lord Has placed in our charge, and we seek to make them fruitful as much as possible, through the services we provide to people with dignity and love.”

During His Lecture Entitled "The Church and Scientific Research" at the Institute of Coptic Studies - Cairo

Cairo, February 14, 2025

Within the framework of his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), delivered a lecture at the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo, entitled "The Church and Scientific Research".

The lecture was attended by the Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, Father Paula Attieh, the Deputy of the Theological Seminary in Fayoum, and the Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Ishaq Ajban, the Deputy of the Institute of Coptic Studies Dr. Adel Fakhry, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Lea Adel Maamary, and Professors, students of the Sections of Church and Ecumenical Relations and Theology at the Institute and Priests.

To the Delegation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and to Father Paula Attieh

On the Occasion of the Seventieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo

The Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo Dr. Ishaq Ajban, offers to the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, a certificate of appreciation signed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and a national currency souvenir, on the occasion of the Seventieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Institute of Coptic Studies, as well as a Holy Bible for the same occasion, and other gifts including pictures depicting Coptic civilization, as a token of love and appreciation for Professor Michel Abs on the occasion of the crowning of the Fiftieth Year of the MECC Founding and his election for a second term.