This evening (Saturday), The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Middle East Council of Churches was held at the Papal Residence in Cairo, hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Church. It was attended by the heads and representatives of the member Churches.

The Middle East Council of Churches was established in 1974, and its establishment was preceded by great efforts towards ecumenical work that ended with the official launch of the Council. Since then, it has worked through its various bodies and programs to organize many joint activities and events between the member Churches. 12 general assemblies were held under its umbrella, hosted by the member Churches. The Coptic Orthodox Church hosted the last General Assembly in 2022 at the Logos Center in St Bishoy’s Monastery; Wadi El-Natroun.

In his speech, H.H. Pope Tawadros II welcomed the audience and expressed his happiness that the Coptic Orthodox Church is embracing this important event. His Holiness likened the Middle East Council of Churches to a planted tree that yields its fruit in due season, according to what was stated in the First Psalm. He praised what the Council has accomplished over fifty years. Pope Tawadros highlighted that the Coptic Church, in its Liturgical prayers, asks: “May the schisms of the Church cease,” and also “that we may attain the unity of faith.”

While His Beatitude Patriarch Ibrahim Ishak, Patriarch of the Coptic Catholics, called in his speech for the formation of more church councils in support of rapprochement between the churches.

Meanwhile, Dr. Reverend Andrea Zaki, head of the Evangelical denomination in Egypt, addressed the topic of the Council’s role in promoting citizenship and dialogue between communities.

In his speech, His Eminence Metropolitan Samy Shehata, Archbishop of the Alexandria Province of the Episcopal Church, spoke about the efforts of the Middle East Council of Churches in relief services and serving refugees in the countries of the member Churches.

As for His Excellency Metropolitan Damaskinos, representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, he answered the question: “Has the Middle East Council of Churches achieved its goals?!”

Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, spoke about the Council’s journey over 50 years.

His Eminence Metropolitan Thomas, Metropolitan of Giza and Fayoum of the Coptic Catholics presented the mission of colleges and theological institutes throughout the history of the Council.

Pastor Refaat Fekry, Co-Secretary General of the Council for the Evangelical Family, reviewed the twelve general assemblies that the Council has held since its founding.

Father Yashou Ayoub, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches, gave a congratulatory speech on behalf of the Council.

The speeches concluded with a talk about famous people and leaders of ecumenical work at the Middle East Council of Churches, delivered by Dr. Girgis Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches.

The celebration program included two documentaries about the Middle East Council of Churches and a group of hymns by St. Mark’s Choir of St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Heliopolis.

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