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Israel-Jordan preparations for Jesus' baptism anniversary

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-14 01:47 UTC → 2026-08-16 09:41 UTC · added removed

Israel and Jordan have initiated coordinated preparations for the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus, scheduled for 2030. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs established a working group led by Ambassador George Deek to manage the expected influx of millions of Christian pilgrims to Jordan River sites such as Qasr el-Yahud and Al-Maghtas. In Jordan, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan chaired the first meeting of the National Committee for the Preparations of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Following directives from King Abdullah II, the committee is planning significant infrastructure developments at the Al-Maghtas UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan. On August 12, Prime Minister Hassan signed agreements to begin developing lands adjacent to the site. These planned projects, totaling $120 million, include the construction of a museum dedicated to the baptism, a visitor and pilgrim village, ecological walking trails, and a green corridor. These developments aim On August 13, 2026, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, presided over by Patriarch Theophilos, met to follow UNESCO recommendations discuss preparations for the conservation 2030 anniversary. The Synod acknowledged the support of the World Heritage site King of Jordan for the event and modernize local infrastructure to reinforce Jordan’s status as a global religious heritage destination. The Jordanian government is coordinating these efforts with addressed the Council management of Church Leaders in Jordan, holy sites and the Latin Patriarch protection of Jerusalem, shrines. Amidst regional instability in the Middle East, the Synod discussed challenges facing pilgrims and various international Christian institutions. proposed the establishment of an International Orthodox University at the site of the baptism.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-16 09:41 UTC Israel-Jordan preparations for Jesus' baptism anniversary
  2. 2026-08-14 01:47 UTC Israel-Jordan preparations for Jesus' baptism anniversary
  3. 2026-08-11 08:03 UTC Israel-Jordan preparations for Jesus' baptism anniversary

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