As part of his tour in Lebanon on the occasion of the Fiftieth Year of the Founding of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay visited His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), on Thursday 21 March 2024, at the headquarters of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – Atchaneh.
The visiting delegation included the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, the MECC Associate Secretary General Father Dr. Nicolas Bustros, an MECC team, and the WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East Mrs. Carla Khijoyan.
As well as, attendees were the Patriarchal Vicar for Syriac Studies His Eminence Bishop Mor Severios Roger Akhrass, the Patriarchal Secretary His Eminence Bishop Mor Augeen Nemat.
During the meeting, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II highlighted the current conditions that Lebanon, Syria and the Middle East are passing through, in addition to the challenges that Churches in the world and especially in the region are suffering from. He also mentioned the urgent need to support Christians in order to remain in their land during these difficult times, calling for more cooperation between Churches to better serve believers and bear witness to Christ.
In turn, Reverend Professor Dr. Pillay listened from His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II to the concerns of the Christians in the region, stressing the necessity of adhering to faith in order to face all difficulties, and the importance of communication and solidarity. He also said that the World Council of Churches represents a safe space for dialogue and exchange of experiences, stressing that there should be no compromise on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
For his part, Professor Dr. Michel Abs thanked Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay for his visit to Lebanon in solidarity with the people of this country and the Middle East. He also talked about the difficult circumstances that he region is witnessing, focusing on the role of the Churches in protecting Christians, as he praised the work of Church Leaders to maintain the Christian presence in the region.
At the end of the meeting, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II and the visiting delegation exchanged souvenirs. Then, a visit was made to the Church of the Patriarchate and its museum.
