Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Believers joyfully anticipate the arrival of the month of Mary in May each year. Worshippers flock to churches, visit shrines, and hold regular prayers in their homes, when the “presence” of the Virgin Mary visits a given household, gathering neighbors or villagers to pray and recite the most beautiful prayers written in honor of Mary.

My late mother, an active member of the Maronite Church, always insisted on using the term “the presence of the Virgin” rather than her “statue,” since the “presence” symbolizes focus on Mary’s image or identity, while the term “statue” suggests a return to paganism. Whenever we used the phrase “statue of the Virgin,” we would apologize and correct ourselves.

In Lebanon, and the Middle East in general, many churches are named after the Virgin Mary and attract believers from all denominations, who come from far and wide to pray, seek blessings, and entrust their concerns, worries, and hopes to Her.

She is Mary, Mother of God, and every mother among us is a Mary, for she has given birth to someone created in the image and likeness of God.

Mary’s symbolism is undisputed in both Christianity and Islam, having achieved a historical, timeless consensus. This is why, in Lebanon, the Feast of the Annunciation is considered a national holiday celebrated by all Lebanese, regardless of their respective affiliations. At the Middle East Council of Churches, we have regarded it as a common religious space, among other such spaces, where all believers accept and celebrate together…

About the Fifth Scientific Conference "Strengthening Christian Faith Unity: The 1700th Jubilee Of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea," organized by the Middle East Council of Churches and the Romaian Cultural Society

Guests of the Episode: Professor Najib Jahshan, Dr. Elie Mouwakadie, and Professor Elias Saad

Episode by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Watch the opening of this conference at 9:00 am Beirut time live on Télé Lumière-Noursat TV Channel, the Middle East Council of Churches’ platforms, and the Romaian Cultural Society’ sites.

On the Occasion of the 59th World Communication Day

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and His Wife Dr. Frida Haddad Participate in the Honoring Service of Dr. George Sabra

The Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut held an honoring service for its Former President Dr. George Sabra, with the presence of Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC); Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family; and Dr. Martin Accad, President of the Near East School of Theology. The service took place on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Beirut.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and his wife Dr. Frida Haddad, Representatives of the Evangelical Churches and various Church Families, Faculty Members and Administrators, friends, and invitees.

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Bible Society in Lebanon, and in the presence of its President His Eminence Archbishop George Bacouni, Greek Melkite Catholic Metropolitan of Beirut, Byblos and Dependencies, and its Secretary General Dr. Mike Bassous, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and the Director of the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, participated in an agape held by the Society's Administrative Board for the occasion. It was held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Beirut.

Attendees were also Members of the Administrative Board and Members of the Society, Representatives of various Church Families, Clergy, and Representatives of Partner organizations, associations, and bodies.

The 75th Anniversary included speeches documenting the Bible Society's journey and its history, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Society and its partners to achieve its desired goals. They also emphasized the need to consolidate the Christian faith, convey the Divine Word, and instill the Christian values through different means and publications.

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

*Home care services are available at reasonable and discounted prices.

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

MECC Presents the Constantinople Hymn

Praying for the Ascension Thursday

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs presided over the weekly meeting of the MECC General Secretariat, with an online participation of the Associate Secretary General Reverend Dr. Refaat Fikry, and colleagues from various departments, in person and online. The meeting took place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

As is customary, the meeting began with a Biblical Reading, which this week focused on the Gospel of Luke 46: 24-53 and Acts 1: 1-14. The attendees then raised their Prayers on the occasion of the Ascension Thursday, saying together, "Lift with you, O Lord, our souls and minds from emptiness and temporal concerns to divine understanding and truth."

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs received Deacon Royce Bahjat Samir Malak Hanin, Head of the Committee of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lebanon, appointed by His Grace Anba Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East for the Coptic Orthodox Church, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Eastern Orthodox Family. The meeting took place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

Attendees were Ms. Nina Hallak, the Director of the Beirut Office in the Diakonia and Social Service Department at MECC, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations, and Director of the Platform of the Word at MECC, and the Council's Media Team.

Child Labor Is a Phenomenon That Is Worsening Daily. Are There Any Solutions to Reduce It?

Dr. Haifa’ Salam to the MECC Media: It is necessary to develop a national strategy for social protection in Lebanon

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

A phenomenon unlike any other social phenomenon... a phenomenon that affects the rights of the most vulnerable groups... They are the children searching for their childhood in street corners, factories, mines, agricultural lands, and deserts... searching for rights that have been taken away from them under a scorching sun, bitter cold, and the worst conditions a person can experience. The reason?

They were forced to work! They were forced to give up the innocence of childhood to face the harshness of life.

Child labor is nothing but the murder of a childhood deprived of play, entertainment, proper upbringing, and education.

A dangerous reality that we cannot ignore. Who bears responsibility for the danger they are exposed to? And is there anyone who listens to their pain?

An Episode Within the "Community Knowledge" Series

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Graduation Ceremony of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut

In the presence of Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE), President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Evangelical Family, Dr. Martin Accad, President of the Near East School of Theology (NEST), and Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, Dean of NEST, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs participated in the graduation ceremony of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, in the NEST Church.

During the ceremony which was attended by Professors, parents and friends, Mr. John Sagherian delivered a word in which he called the graduates to consider their primary task to make Jesus' presence felt through their service.

The ceremony included various hymns and ended with a toast for the occasion.

A New Ecumenical Day Within the “Youth Leadership Building” Program in Lebanon

The Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its "Youth Leadership Building" program in Lebanon. It organized a new Ecumenical youth day, the last before the summer camp, which will culminate the program with the graduation of participants representing various Church Families.

Noting that this program is implemented in partnership with Youth for Christ (YFC), Kerk in Actie (KIA), Ithraa Center in Lebanon, the Bible Society in Lebanon and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF).

The youth day was held at the Theopolis Center in Lebanon and began with icebreakers activities to strengthen fraternal bonds between the participants. It also included two interactive sessions with Mr. Maher Al Jamal who came all the way from Qatar specifically to accompany and support the youth.