Jordan begins preparations for the 2000th anniversary of the Baptism of the Lord

The National Committee for the preparation of celebrations marking the 2000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ held its first meeting in Jordan, where a pilgrimage development program for 2030 was discussed. This was reported by Vatican News.

The meeting on August 10, 2026 was chaired by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan. He emphasized the need to immediately begin preparations in accordance with the directives of King Abdullah II in support of the initiative of the Council of Heads of Christian Churches of Jordan. According to him, the celebrations will reflect the country's historical and religious significance as a global center of Christian pilgrimage and will reaffirm the commitment to interfaith peace and brotherhood.

Hassan noted that the government would mobilize all resources to prepare for the jubilee. The meeting reviewed the plans of the Development Fund for the areas adjacent to the Baptism site: the construction of an integrated village for pilgrims, a museum dedicated to the Baptism of the Lord, a green corridor, and the modernization of the infrastructure of Al-Maghtas — the traditional site where, according to tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River.

The committee includes ministers of government communications, interior, digital economy and tourism, as well as the heads of the country's Christian communities: Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan Christophoros Attallah, Latin Patriarchal Vicar Archbishop Iyad Twal, Anglican Archbishop Hosam Naoum, and former Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Munib Younan. The participants agreed to establish specialized subcommittees to implement the projects with the involvement of relevant experts.

As the UOJ reported, the Serbian Church will build a church at the site of the Baptism of the Lord on the Jordan River.

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