The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) concluded its meetings which convened  in Beirut on Wednesday and Thursday, namely July 9-10, 2025. The meetings were attended by the heads of the councils of  the  Catholic, Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Evangelical denominations, in addition to Executive Committee members from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, and Palestine, as well as MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, and CCSM administrative members of staff.

In their final statement, the conferees called for ending the war, aggression, and annihilation under way in Gaza, and strongly condemned the attacks conducted by settlers in the West Bank and the restrictions imposed on Palestinians. They also called on world political leaders to work assiduously and firmly to achieve an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, to deliver needed aid to the suffering Palestinian people in Gaza and in the entire Palestinian territories, as well as to support efforts designed to reach a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian issue. They also emphasized the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Furthermore, the conferees lauded the efforts exerted by officials in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq which are aimed at enhancing stability and the values of freedom, justice, and human rights. They also called for the attainment of peace, security, citizenship, and safety throughout the region. They also urged church members to remain firm in their faith and be committed to remaining in their homelands despite all difficulties. They also called for ending the civil war in Sudan, reiterated their call for the unification of Cyprus, and accentuated their solidarity with the stand of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem with regards to the ownership of Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai.

At the outset of the meeting, the conferees observed a minute of silence, and prayed for the martyrs of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Elias in Douweila, Damascus, who were martyred following the terrorist bombing. They also denounced all forms of violence, regardless of their source, and strongly decried hate speech, extremism, racism, and the acts of violence currently conducted against the entire humanity.

In this context, a moving moment took place when members of the MECC Executive Committee paid a solidarity visit to His Beatitude Patriarch John X at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery where they extended their support and condolences. The visiting delegation stressed that  the crime is reprehensible, as it not only targets Christians but  rather the entire Syrian fabric including the historic model of common existence.

For his part, Patriarch John X conveyed a heartfelt appreciation for this gesture and solidarity following this painful tragedy. He stressed that the blood that was shed in the Church of St. Elias represents the blood of all components of Syrian society. He also hoped that the new Syria would be filled with human dignity, at a time when human dignity and respect for rights are a priority for everyone. He also paid tribute to the messages of condolence and solidarity he received from a large number of heads of state, churches, and religions. He also commended the message of condolence he received from His Majesty King Abdullah II, on behalf of the  extended Jordanian family.

It is worthy to note that the patriarchate's website posted the King's message.