Near Galilee, in Northern Israel, students of all religions gather together on a daily basis in the classrooms of Mars Elias Educational Institutions to not only get a superior education but to also work together to promote peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Middle East. MEEI has become a shining beacon of hope for all people of the Holy Land - and around the world.

MEEI was the inspiration of Abuna Elias Chacour, now the Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church in Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, and all Galilee.

Father Chacour realized that the future of the villagers in Ibillin, of the citizens of the state of Israel, and indeed the future of all of God’s children in the Holy Land, would depend on the education of the young in the ways of peace, reconciliation, respect, and justice.

Father Chacour thus began his life work to build schools to educate children of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, based upon these principles. That vision is now alive in the schools of Ibillin for more than 3000 students and faculty of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Druze heritage.