A new Royal initiative commemorating the millennium anniversary of the Baptism

We highly value the initiative launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II by directing the government to prepare for the year 2030, namely the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Lord Jesus Christ in the blessed waters of the Jordan River. This is a great national, spiritual, and historic initiative, which conveys deep significance and far-reaching messages.

The step announced by His Majesty the King, in the presence of a number of church leaders from Jordan and Palestine, confirms that preparations for this global event will attain its highest levels, and that the Jordanian state, under his leadership, regards this occasion as a pivotal milestone in the journey of religious and spiritual tourism in Jordan and the Holy Land.

We are fully aware of the great attention His Majesty the King has devoted over the past years to the Baptism Site which was officially inaugurated during his reign in 2000, while coinciding with Jordan's historic welcoming of His Holiness Pope Saint John Paul II during the celebrations of the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we are getting ready to mark 2,000 years since the baptism of Lord Jesus Christ in the blessed waters of the Jordan River, in a global ecclesiastical and spiritual event known in the Catholic tradition as the "Great Jubilee."

For this premise, the preparations for this Jubilee must be serious and comprehensive in accordance with the Royal noble vision and directives, because the year 2030 will undoubtedly mark a good omen and blessings for religious tourism in Jordan, the land of mission and holiness. Jordan abounds in archaeological and religious sites associated with the history of salvation and Christian pilgrimage. Furthermore, it is well-positioned to witness a genuine renaissance of religious tourism, not only at the regional level but rather across the entire world.

The attendance of the prime minister and several ministers--most notably the minister of planning and the minister of tourism and antiquities at the meeting which brought together His Majesty the King and church leaders—has sent a clear message that the Royal directives have already been issued directly to the government to initiate immediate preparations whether through developing infrastructure, particularly at the holy Baptism Site area, or through enhancing services provided to pilgrims, visitors, and tourists.

What do we expect from 2030?

We expect millions of pilgrims to flock to Jordan to be blessed by its holy waters and to walk in the footsteps of Lord Jesus Christ. But this necessitates a clear vision, integrated planning, and the massing of efforts by all relevant institutions.

Media outlets, churches, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Baptism Site Commission are called upon to immediately start developing clear and well-considered action plans. We can in this regard refer to the prominent role played by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Ibn Muhammad, chairman of the board of trustees of the Baptism Site Commission, who had a great impact on enriching this blessed site and having it inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and who will undoubtedly play a central major role in leading the preparations for this major global event.

 We no longer have the time for waiting. Years pass quickly, and serious preparation must begin now, in accordance with a clear national plan in which every party is familiarized with its assigned duties, so that we may all stand united in the service of this great historic event. This initiative calls upon us, as Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said, to look ahead with faith and responsibility believing that the Baptism of Lord Christ is not merely an event that took place in the past, but rather an eternal moment that still addresses every person and a responsibility because the Baptism Site must remain a living place, where people do not merely visit, but rather encounter God and rediscover the depth of their baptism.

Congratulations are conveyed to us on this pioneering Royal initiative, to Jordan with its wise leadership, as well as to the earnest work designed  to fulfill the ambitions and directive of the leader, may God protect him. On this occasion, I also congratulate our sister Orthodox Church on the inauguration of the International Orthodox which will undoubtedly be a beacon of knowledge at the holiest site, where we are getting ready to commemorate the second millennium.