Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria has arrived in Jordan as part of his visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The Bulgarian ecclesiastical delegation is accompanied by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was received in person by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, chief adviser to King Abdullah II of Jordan for religious and cultural affairs.
The first stop on the pilgrimage was the cave of Saint John the Baptist, where, according to tradition, the saint lived as an ascetic. The two Patriarchs, together with the members of the ecclesiastical delegation, chanted the Apolytikion of Theophany and the Kontakion of Saint John the Baptist.
They then visited the Hill of the Prophet Elijah, the place from which, according to biblical tradition, the Prophet was taken up in a chariot of fire. An Orthodox monastery was later built on the same site.
A particularly significant moment of the visit was the pilgrimage to the site of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ by Saint John the Baptist in the River Jordan. There, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria prayed for God’s support and blessing upon Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria and throughout the world.
The Patriarch also visited the spring of Saint John the Baptist, where, according to tradition, the Forerunner of Christ lived. Caves in which hermits practised asceticism survive in the wider area to this day. Owing to its special spiritual and historical significance, the area has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The ecclesiastical delegation also visited the Church of Saint John the Baptist. There, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria and Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Prince Kardam of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, in whose memory a commemorative plaque has been placed in front of the church.
The two Patriarchs, accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, also went to the banks of the River Jordan, where the Apolytikion of Theophany was chanted in Greek and in Church Slavonic.
As part of the visit, the delegation also toured the Orthodox Theological University of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Jordan. Patriarch Daniel was briefed on the history of the University’s founding, as well as its purpose and mission, while the guests had the opportunity to be shown around its rich library.
During the reception that followed in the University hall, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria presented Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad with a replica of the Panagyurishte Gold Treasure, expressing at the same time his wish that the Prince continue his efforts to safeguard Jordan’s cultural heritage.
Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria’s visit to Jordan will continue until September 30.
