Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan and Head of the Council of Church Heads in the Kingdom, has described the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River in 2030 as an event of global ecclesiastical, spiritual and historical significance.
In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Archbishop Christophoros stressed that the commemoration goes far beyond a single anniversary or a celebration lasting only a few days. Rather, he said, it represents a historic responsibility and an opportunity to direct the attention of Christians around the world toward Jordan, the land where the Baptism of Christ took place.
He emphasized that the anniversary should also serve as an opportunity for the international Christian community to discover Jordan’s deeply rooted Christian heritage, which stretches back to the earliest centuries of Christianity.
A vision extending beyond 2030
According to Archbishop Christophoros, preparations should not be limited to the anniversary year itself. The goal is to use 2030 as the starting point for a sustainable, long-term effort to strengthen Jordan’s position on the global Christian pilgrimage map and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
He noted that the initiative to commemorate the bimillennium originated in Jordan and within the Council of Church Heads in the Kingdom. It has received the continued support of King Abdullah II, who instructed the government to adopt the initiative and prepare for the anniversary in a manner reflecting the importance of the event and the sanctity of the Baptism Site.
Archbishop Christophoros praised the King’s support as well as the efforts of Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan, the high-level national committee and state institutions involved in the preparations.
He described the undertaking as an integrated national effort bringing together the state, the Churches and other relevant institutions, while presenting to the international community Jordan’s distinctive model of coexistence, cooperation and protection of religious heritage.
Baptism Site must remain a place of prayer
Preparations include plans to develop areas adjacent to the Baptism Site, establish a museum and pilgrim village, improve infrastructure and create a green corridor.
Archbishop Christophoros stressed, however, that development must always preserve the spiritual character of the site.
The Baptism Site, he said, should not be approached simply as a conventional tourist destination, but as a sacred place where believers can pray, contemplate and encounter the Gospel narrative.
He called for a balanced approach that provides pilgrims with appropriate services while protecting the sanctity, spiritual atmosphere and natural environment of the area.
Orthodox Church preparing for the anniversary
Archbishop Christophoros said that the Orthodox Church is an active partner in the preparations and that its contribution will extend well beyond the celebrations planned for 2030.
Its work includes spiritual, pastoral, cultural and media initiatives, alongside preparations involving clergy and young people and efforts to strengthen relations with Orthodox and other Christian communities around the world.
The Church is also developing a broader strategy to introduce Christians internationally to Jordan’s holy sites, encourage pilgrimage and make the anniversary a participatory undertaking involving Church institutions, communities and faithful.
Jordan as an integral part of the Holy Land
Archbishop Christophoros highlighted Jordan’s wealth of biblical and ecclesiastical sites, arguing that they should be presented through a coherent Christian narrative rooted in Scripture, the Church Fathers, history and archaeology.
A pilgrimage, he explained, should not end at the Jordan River. Pilgrims should also be encouraged to discover other Christian landmarks across the Kingdom, including Madaba and its famous mosaic map, Mount Nebo, Machaerus and the site associated with Prophet Elijah.
The objective is to connect these sacred places and present Christianity in Jordan not simply through archaeological remains and monuments, but through the country’s living Church and enduring Christian presence.
According to the Archbishop, Jordan now has a historic opportunity to demonstrate to millions of Christians that the Kingdom is not merely a secondary stop on a pilgrimage itinerary, but an integral part of the Holy Land and home to the authentic site of the Baptism of Christ.
“A dream for every Christian believer”
Archbishop Christophoros also referred to the International Orthodox University at the Baptism Site, describing it as part of the wider vision for the area and as a center for education, knowledge, dialogue and research that can communicate the message of the holy land of Jordan to the wider world.
“We want Christian children anywhere in the world, when learning about the baptism of Jesus Christ, to know that this event took place here, in Jordan, and for visiting the Baptism Site to become a dream for every Christian believer,” he said.
Concluding his remarks from the banks of the Jordan River, Archbishop Christophoros extended a message of faith, peace and hope, saying that Jordan, under its Hashemite leadership and with the participation of its people, Churches and institutions, is preparing to welcome the world in 2030.
He invited Churches and Christians from around the globe to become partners in the initiative and to make a pilgrimage to Jordan and the Jordan River, experiencing a land of profound spiritual, historical and cultural significance.
Source: Jordan News Agency (Petra)
