On the Occasion of the Commemoration of His Patron Saint, Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary

On the occasion of the Commemoration Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary, the Patron Saint of His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Al-Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Melkite Catholics, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General Professor Dr. Michel Abs, extends, in the name of the MECC family, his heartfelt congratulations to His Beatitude, asking God to grant him blessings and strength in his many givings in the field of the Lord.

The Middle East Council of Churches also wishes His Beatitude continued health and success in his Pastoral mission and faithful service to the Church of Christ.

The Palestinian cause is a humanitarian cause par excellence, and the idea of ​​displacing the population of the Gaza Strip is unacceptable

Interview By Ala’a Youssef - Al Shourouk Newspaper

Click Here to Read the Interview in Arabic.

An Episode with Father Kamel Kamel

From the Platform of the Word at MECC

In this episode, Father Kamel Kamel, a Priest in the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli, talks about the meanings of Lent.

"From Misery to Healing" is prepared and presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and the Director of the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

With His Eminence Archbishop Antoine Bou Najem, Maronite Archbishop of Antelias

On the occasion of the 83rd Anniversary of the Founding of the Orthodox Youth Movement (OYM - MJO), and with the blessing and participation of His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios Mansour, the Akkar Center celebrated this occasion at the Church of Saint Basil the Great in Halba Parish.

Attendees were Priests, along with the Secretary General of the Orthodox Youth Movement (OYM - MJO), represented by Brother Michel Mitri, and the movement brothers and sisters.

After the Vespers Prayer, the speeches delivered on this occasion emphasized the importance of adhering to the divine commandments and living them faithfully and sincerely in our movement life. The celebration also included the some spiritual hymns inspired by the occasion. A cake was then cut and a commemorative photo was taken to commemorate this blessed day.

Project for those in Power?

Middle East Socioeconomic Overview

Report: February 2025

Over the centuries the Middle East seemed to be one giant chess board in which powerful world players clash and every time power shifts in the region the board itself changes. As a result, we have observed map reshuffles such as Sykes–Picot which have created the current region we live in. Today, we are observing somewhat of a repetition of History. What’s more, the Middle East is now being looked at one real estate project that aims to displace millions of people just to quench to thirst of the egos of world leaders.

“The Face of Mary”

The Symposium "The Face of Mary"

"The Face of Mary"

His Eminence Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Mrad: Our encounter around the face of Mary, which is always radiant with the lights of motherhood, compassion, and tenderness, makes us discover a unique way that the face is the first means of communication before one utters words… because the face creates a relationship based on mutual respect

Professor Michel Abs: We wanted to limit the interventions to women only. They will talk about Mary from their intellectual perspective and faith background, addressing the people and telling them that society is united through women. We see it united in the face of Mary

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, emanating from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, held a press conference to announce the symposium they are organizing on the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation, entitled "The Face of Mary." The symposium will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 1:00 pm Beirut time, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation – Museum – Beirut.

The conference took place on Tuesday, March 19, 2025, live from the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches headquarters in Beirut. Attendees were His Eminence Bishop Mar Matthias Charles Mrad, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Beirut and the Head of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, Father Michel Hamawi, Mrs. Annie Sarafian, Representing the Head of the Lebanese Press Editors' Syndicate Mr. Joseph Kosseifi, Members of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Islamic Dialogue, and the Team of the MECC General Secretariat.

With Sister Nicolas Akiki, Former Director of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital

Together we Pray and Work to Enhance the Ecumenical Spirit

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) General Secretariat continues its weekly meetings. This meeting, which constitutes a time for Prayer, reflection, and work, brings together colleagues with hearts filled with faith, hope, and determination to work together for the Ecumenical mission and the humanitarian service.

The last meeting, held by the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, coincided with the Feast of Saint Joseph, the honest carpenter, the partner of Mary, and the righteous father who was distinguished by his humility, silence, and obedience. He is the Patron Saint of fathers and families, and he dedicated his life to service and acts of charity.

One of the most prominent strategic goals of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is to empower its team and develop its skills to expand their mission and enhance its capabilities. The MECC Human Resources Section, with the support of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, organized a two training courses with the Lebanese Red Cross – Emergency Medical Services, with the participation of colleagues from the MECC General Secretariat.

The course program included various parts about first aid, how to deal with minor injuries and emergency health conditions, and how to maintain personal and collective safety. The course also provided meaningful and essential experiences for daily life and practical exercises in a lively, interactive, and professional atmosphere.

At the end of the course, the colleagues, who will receive a certificate of participation, expressed their joy at participating in this course, given the diverse information and experiences they had gained.

With His Eminence Archbishop Mor Kyrillos Babi, the Patriarchal Vicar for the Syriac Orthodox Charitable Institutions in Atchaneh

"The Face of Mary"

Watch the Press Conference for the launching of the seminar "The Face of Mary", on Wednesday 19 March 2025, at 12:25 pm Beirut Time, live from the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Beirut, on Télé Lumière and Noursat, and the MECC Facebook Page.

The seminar is organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Christian Muslim Episcopal Committee for Dialogue, which stems from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, on Tuesday 25 March 2025, at 1:00 pm Beirut Time, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation – Museum - Beirut.

Father Kamel Kamel, a Priest in the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli, met with Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut. The meeting was attended by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and the Director of the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches.

During the meeting, Father Kamel spoke about the Church's initiatives in the Lebanese Governorate of Akkar and the challenges it faces in light of the difficult living conditions that the country is passing through. He also talked about the Church's work in standing with the neediest people and healing their wounds.

An Episode with Father Kamel Kamel, a Priest in the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli, About the Platform of the Word at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

“The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents an episode of the program “And the Family Remains,” entitled “Family Disintegration.”

The program raises issues related to the family, motherhood, and childhood, in addition to the Church’s view and response to challenges, especially in light of the difficult living conditions the region is passing through.

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

March 16, 1942, at three o'clock in the afternoon... the dawn of a new era began in the See of Antioch. A date that carried hope, faith, and determination amidst the stagnation and crises that the Church was passing through at the time. A youthful date that formed a bright spring of joy which restored life to every spot of despair and sadness. It is the official founding date of a Movement that knows no identity other than life in Christ, and no system other than the Gospel translated into life. It is the Orthodox Youth Movement (OYM – MJO), the caring mother, the safe haven, and the community that believes in the talents of youth and the work of the Holy Spirit among them, bearing the slogan, "For in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).