AMMAN, Aug. 15 (Petra) — Metropolitan Christophoros Atallah, Greek
Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan and Head of the Council of Church Heads
in the Kingdom, stated that commemorating the second millennial
anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River in
2030 transcends a fleeting occasion or a multi-day celebration,
serving instead as a profound global ecclesiastical, spiritual, and
historical event, and a definitive message from Jordan to the world.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Atallah
emphasized that the occasion represents a profound historical
responsibility, message, and opportunity for the global Christian
community to direct its gaze once more toward Jordan–the land that
witnessed this salvific event– and to gain a deeper understanding of
its vibrant and deeply rooted Christian heritage dating back to the
earliest centuries of Christianity.

He underscored that the ambition extends far beyond the year 2030,
envisioning the milestone as the launchpad for a long-term,
sustainable pathway that cements Jordan’s standing on the global
Christian pilgrimage map and leaves a lasting legacy for generations
to come.

Atallah noted that the initiative to commemorate the bimillennium
originated within Jordan and the Kingdom’s Council of Church Heads,
receiving continuous attention and backing from His Majesty King
Abdullah II, who directed the government to adopt the initiative and
prepare for it in a manner befitting the magnitude of the event and
the sanctity of the Baptism Site.

He highly commended this royal patronage, while also praising the
efforts led by Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan, the high-level
national committee, and various state institutions, describing the
ongoing preparations as an integrated national endeavor uniting the
state, churches, and relevant bodies.

Atallah highlighted that this partnership sends a powerful message to
the international community regarding Jordan’s unique model of
cooperation, coexistence, and the preservation of religious and human
heritage. He noted that the implementation work currently
underway–including agreements to develop lands adjacent to the
Baptism Site, establish a museum and pilgrim village, expand
infrastructure, and construct a green corridor–represents critical
steps toward building a comprehensive ecosystem to welcome pilgrims
and visitors.

He stressed that the core priority for the Church is keeping the
pilgrim and the spiritual dimension at the heart of the development
process, emphasizing that the site should not be treated merely as a
conventional tourist destination, but rather as a sacred space where
believers come to pray, contemplate, and draw closer to the
evangelical narrative.

Furthermore, Atallah underscored the necessity of balanced
development that ensures pilgrims receive optimal services while
preserving the site’s spiritual ethos, sanctity, and natural
surroundings, enabling every visitor to experience the genuine
essence of the Baptism land.

He affirmed that the Orthodox Church is an active partner in the
project, noting its engagement extends beyond the 2030 festivities
through sustained spiritual, pastoral, cultural, and media outreach,
preparing clergy and youth, and strengthening ties with Orthodox and
Christian communities worldwide.

The Church, he added, is formulating a comprehensive vision for the
coming years to introduce global Christian communities to Jordan’s
holy sites, encourage pilgrimage, and transform the commemoration
into a participatory project involving the Church’s institutions,
congregations, and faithful.

Atallah pointed out that Jordan possesses an exceptional wealth of
biblical and ecclesiastical sites, noting that the challenge lies in
presenting these locations through a cohesive and faithful Christian
narrative grounded in scripture, the teachings of the Church Fathers,
history, and archaeology.

He stressed that a pilgrim’s journey should not conclude at the
Jordan River alone, but should lead them to explore a broader Holy
Land extending from Madaba and its mosaic map to Mount Nebo,
Machaerus, the Sanctuary of Prophet Elijah, and other sacred
Christian landmarks across the Kingdom.

The overarching objective is to interconnect these sites and present
the narrative of Christianity in Jordan to the world not merely
through stones and antiquities, but through a living Church and an
authentic, enduring Christian presence, Atallah stated.

He remarked that Jordan stands before a historic opportunity for
millions of Christians worldwide to recognize that the Kingdom is not
a secondary stop on a pilgrimage route, but an essential part of the
Holy Land, housing both the Jordan River and the authentic site of
Christ’s baptism.

Atallah noted that the ambition exceeds increasing visitor counts; it
aims to build a holistic concept of Christian pilgrimage to Jordan,
allowing travelers to experience a spiritual journey across multiple
sites while engaging with the land’s history, churches, people, and
culture, turning 2030 into a true turning point for Jordan’s
prominence in global pilgrimage.

He added that the international Orthodox University of the Site of
Baptism aligns with this vision, serving as a hub for science,
knowledge, dialogue, and research near the Baptism Site, and acting
as a pulpit transmitting the message of this land to the 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,” Atallah said.

Concluding from the banks of the Jordan River, Metropolitan Atallah
extended a message of faith, peace, and hope to the world, affirming
that Jordan–under its Hashemite leadership, and with its people,
churches, and institutions–is preparing to welcome the global
community in 2030, not merely to witness a historical landmark, but
to make a pilgrimage to the site of one of Christianity’s greatest
milestones.

He invited churches and Christians worldwide to become partners in
this journey, urging them to visit Jordan and the Jordan River to
discover a land rich in spiritual, humanitarian, and civilizational
significance.

//Petra// AA