Serbian Patriarch Porfirije visited the holy site of Al-Maghtas, where, according to Tradition, Saint John the Baptist preached and baptized our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The visit was made at the personal invitation of Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Advisor to King Abdullah II on Religious and Cultural Affairs.
Prince Ghazi personally guided the Patriarch and the accompanying delegation along the Path of John the Baptist, showing them Elijah’s Hill and the Spring of Saint John the Baptist — the places associated with the Dormition of the Prophet Elijah and the preaching of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord. The delegation also visited five ancient churches dating from the 5th to the 12th century, including the cruciform baptismal font marking the spot of the Savior’s baptism.
During the visit, Prince Ghazi conveyed to Patriarch Porfirije King Abdullah II’s desire to gift the Serbian Orthodox Church a parcel of land near the site where Saint John baptized Jesus Christ. The Patriarch ccepted the King’s gesture with great joy and gratitude, emphasizing that King Abdullah II, through this act, inscribes his name in golden letters in the history of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Patriarch Porfirije is currently in Jordan, where—responding to the invitation of King Abdullah II—he will participate on 9 December 2025 in the International Conference titled “The Aqaba Process – Balkan Interreligious Dialogue.”
Source: Patriarchate of Serbia
