The Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East celebrated the closing of the fifth year’s Intensive Ecumenical Learning Session, which was organized by the Institute and collaboration of the World Student Christian Federation. The participating students came from 7 Arab countries (Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Sudan) and were representatives of different Eastern Churches, youth movements, and theological seminaries.
The three-weeks Intensive Ecumenical Learning Session was held from the 1st to the 18th of July, 2019, at Hotel Le Crillon, Broumana, Lebanon, in the presence and supervision of the director of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, Dr. Zahi Azar, and the executive secretary, Ms. Elsy Wakil. The program of the learning session included Bible study and prayer sessions, many enriching and helpful academic lectures presented by specialized lecturers who introduced topics about the Eastern Churches, the ecumenical work and its implementation mechanisms, Christian-Muslim dialogue, etc… The program also provided the students with the opportunity to experience ecumenism through practical workshop sessions and ecumenical visits to the city of Zahle and Wadi Qanoubin, besides the visits to many touristic sites in Lebanon.
The closing ceremony was held on the 18th of July. The ceremony started with a joint prayer, followed by the students’ speech and a video presentation about the Ecumenical Institute prepared also by the students. On behalf of the instructors of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, sister Samar Barkho and Fr. Kamil William delivered their words.
In his word, the co-regional secretary of the World Student Christian Federation, Mr. Ayman Karam, expressed his happiness upon his participating in the fifth intensive ecumenical learning session and the role that the Ecumenical Institute and the World Student Christian Federation are playing in the region, pointing out that the Institute has a great role in spreading the messages of love and understanding among all, and that the establishment of Institute is a realized dream that is growing thanks to God who bless all the works that seek unity and love among people.
Dr. Zahi Azar, the director of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, expressed his happiness towards the students participating in the fifth session, and thanked all the instructors and lecturers who participated in the activities of the session. He also welcomed and thanked His Excellency, Bishop Yulius, for participating in the activities of this session and for delivering an enriching lecture to the students.
Bishop Yulius, in his turn, thanked all the institute staff, especially Dr. Zahi Azar, the director of the Institute, and Ms. Elsy Wakil, the executive secretary, for their great role in the success of the fifth session and for their endeavors to bring the message of love and unity among all churches. His excellency also praised the students for their enthusiasm, intelligence and positive interaction throughout the program of this summer learning session.
For their part, the students gave medals of love to Ms. Elsy Wakil and Mr. Ayman Karam as an expression for their efforts to make this program a success.
The closing ceremony concluded with the distribution of the EI 2019 group photo to the students, after which all the participants in the ceremony gathered around a table for dinner and fellowship.
