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How lovely are your dwellings, O Lord of hosts! (Psalm 84:1)
Appeal to Support the Purchase of St. Michael’s Church – Herne, Germany
(St. Michael, Bickernstr. 25, 44649 Herne, Germany)
10%
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I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.
(Psalm 122:1, NRSV)
Dear beloved brothers and sisters,
The mission of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Germany began at the end of 2016, following the arrival of many faithful from Syria due to war and migration, alongside those already residing in Germany from Lebanon, the Holy Land, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq.
Today, our mission comprises twelve parishes across Germany and the Melkite Catholic Youth of Germany (KMJ-D), whose membership exceeds 500 young men and women, a number that continues to grow, particularly among university students.
During the past eight years, a total of 126 marriages and 237 baptisms have been celebrated in Germany, while 110 marriages and 45 baptisms were celebrated abroad.
Today, our mission comprises twelve parishes across Germany and the Melkite Catholic Youth of Germany (KMJ-D), whose membership exceeds 500 young men and women, a number that continues to grow, particularly among university students.
During the past eight years, a total of 126 marriages and 237 baptisms have been celebrated in Germany, while 110 marriages and 45 baptisms were celebrated abroad.
No Images Found!
I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.
(Psalm 122:1, NRSV)
Dear beloved brothers and sisters,
The mission of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Germany began at the end of 2016, following the arrival of many faithful from Syria due to war and migration, alongside those already residing in Germany from Lebanon, the Holy Land, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq.
These numbers reflect a heart beating with faith and a mission that continues despite all challenges.
Baptisms
5
+
Marriages
5
+
Youth Members
+
Parishes
5
Holiness adorns your house, O Lord, forevermore.
(Psalm 93:5, NRSV)
A Challenge in Difficult Times
Our pastoral mission has faced many challenges, especially in establishing parishes and securing suitable church buildings. These difficulties deepened after the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected church life throughout Germany. Yet, what seemed a challenge became, by God’s grace, a blessing. The number of faithful has grown, and their commitment to the Church has deepened, rooted in their living faith, vibrant Eastern spirituality, and the abiding presence of the Lord.
“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)
Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (14), reminds us: “The perseverance of the faithful in the true covenant with God and with their brothers and sisters becomes an attractive force that fascinates and captivates man.”
A Vision for a Spiritual Home
In response to these developments, His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef Absi called for the establishment of a permanent center for the mission. During his visit on October 10, 2024, His Beatitude celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Michael’s Church, which had been closed for three years. From this moment, the vision emerged to purchase St. Michael’s Church as the permanent center of the Melkite Greek Catholic Mission in northern Germany.
This is indeed a great challenge in difficult times, but we believe that through God’s blessing, the divine providence and our steadfast faith—just as in the early Church—the impossible becomes possible: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
Even in an age when churches are being closed and sold, we stand together in faith to restore and preserve this house of God, bearing witness to the Risen Lord who lives among us. As Pope Francis emphasized in his general audience on June 26, 2019: “Let our communities be places where new life and works of solidarity and fellowship are welcomed and lived.”
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My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord.
(Psalm 84:2, NRSV)
- About the Church
St. Michael’s Church – Herne
St. Michael’s Church will be the first Melkite Church in Germany. The property includes a 3,400 m² plot with a 1,200 m² church building that accommodates approximately 500 faithful. It also contains two halls and several rooms that will serve parishioners for various pastoral activities. This church will serve as a spiritual home for Melkite faithful across the North Rhine region, hosting all liturgical celebrations and sacraments—Masses, weddings, baptisms—and a variety of parish programs, including children’s catechism, youth ministry, choir, women’s fellowship, music ensemble, and other initiatives that enrich parish life and strengthen faith. It will also serve as the center for Melkite youth in northern Germany.
- About the Church
Church Cost and Funding
The estimated cost of purchasing the church is 1,080,000 € distributed as follows:
- Land (3,400 m²): 700,000 €
Building (1,200 m²): 300,000 € (after a 50% reduction from €600,000)
Sales and purchase tax: 80,000 €
- Renovation and annual insurance: 30,000 €
Payment will be made in two stages:
- First installment: 500,000 €
- Remaining balance: to be paid in installments over five years.
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- And the gates of Hades will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18)
Our Appeal
Dear brothers and sisters, and all who love Christ,
We invite you to share in this mission of faith and unity by supporting the purchase of St. Michael’s Church in Herne. This appeal springs from the grace of Baptism that unites us in Christ and from our Christian calling to care for one another, as “They gave to each as any had need.” (Acts 2:45).
Let us follow Christ’s example, who loved the Church and gave Himself for it, and work together to preserve this sacred place, keeping its doors open so that the light of Christ may shine forth and the fragrance of incense may rise as a living testimony of our authentic Eastern Christian faith for upcoming generations.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19–20)
Dear brothers and sisters
We ask for your prayers and support, that the Lord may bless and complete this holy project. Every contribution—no matter how small—is precious in God’s eyes, just as the widow’s offering: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Please include your address on the transfer receipt to receive a donation certificate. We confirm that the association Christians Helping Christians is tax-exempt according to the Regensburg Tax Office (January 12, 2024).
Photos of Parish Activities
Contact Information
Archimandrit Mayas Abboud
E-mail: mayasaboud@hotmail.com
Mobile: 004915786377952
Niedermünstergasse 6
D-93047 Regensburg
Melkitisch–Griechisch-Katholische (Rum-Katholische) Kirche in Deutschland
Donation Information
Christians Helping Christians
The fundraising campaign is being carried out with the support and assistance of Christians Help Christians in the Holy Land e.V., which supports and assists the Melkite Greek Catholic Church.
(Christen helfen Christen im Heiligen Land e.V.)
Bank: Liga-Bank Regensburg
Account No.: 1105140
BLZ: 75090300
IBAN: DE22 7509 0300 0001 1051 40
BIC: GENODEF1M05
Donation Purpose: Donation Church St. Michael – Herne
We sincerely thank you for every prayer, donation, and act of support toward realizing this mission.
Blessed is the one who loves the beauty of Your house, O Lord!