King of Jordan calls for protecting Christians in the Middle East

On December 8, 2025, King Abdullah II of Jordan received the Primates of the Orthodox Churches – Patriarch John X of Antioch, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, and Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia – and spoke of the vital importance of maintaining Christian life, stability, and peace in the Middle East. According to the Orthodoxia News Agency, the King highlighted the moral and historical responsibility Jordan carries in this mission.

Together with the Patriarchs, he addressed the urgent need to halt violations against both Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and to preserve the existing historical and legal status quo, which remains a cornerstone of fragile regional balance.

The three Primates were in Amman to participate in a conference on interreligious dialogue in the Balkans. During their audience with the monarch, they heard a renewed affirmation of Jordan’s steadfast commitment to defending Christian sanctuaries and supporting the stability of the Holy Land and the wider region.

King Abdullah II emphasized that Jordan will continue to fulfill its religious and historical mission under the Hashemite custodianship, safeguarding the sacred heritage entrusted to it. Discussion also turned to broader regional tensions: the King reiterated the essential importance of honoring the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and preventing further escalation on the West Bank.

During his visit, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia also venerated the site of the Lord’s Baptism on the Jordan River. King Abdullah II gifted the Serbian Church a parcel of land adjacent to the holy site – a gesture the Patriarch received with profound gratitude, noting its lasting significance for the Serbian Church.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Serbian Patriarch would take part in the interreligious conference in Jordan.