Jordan prepares celebrations marking 2,000 years since Jesus’ baptism
Kingdom plans international religious commemoration in 2030 with pilgrimage facilities, museum and heritage infrastructure upgrades
AMMAN, Jordan (MNTV) — Jordan has begun preparations to mark the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030, with government officials and Christian religious leaders planning an international commemoration at the historic baptism site along the Jordan River.
According to Religion Unplugged, the Vatican and Jordanian civil and religious authorities have started coordinating arrangements for the anniversary, which will take place at al-Maghtas, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan.
Religion Unplugged
Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan convened the first meeting of the National Committee for the Preparation of the Celebration of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in Amman in August.
The committee includes government ministers, Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox religious representatives, community leaders and officials from relevant institutions. Its establishment followed an initiative supported by Jordan’s Council of Church Leaders and King Abdullah II.
Hassan said the anniversary would highlight Jordan’s historical and religious significance while reinforcing its position as an international destination for Christian pilgrimage.
He also emphasized the kingdom’s message of coexistence, mutual respect, peace and human fraternity, describing the commemoration as an opportunity to strengthen Jordan’s religious and cultural standing.
Crown Prince Hussein visited Bethany Beyond the Jordan on Sept. 14 to review preparations for the celebrations. He was accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, his chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and chairman of the Baptism Site Commission’s board of trustees.
Plans under consideration include developing an integrated village for Christian pilgrims and visitors, establishing a museum dedicated to the baptism of Jesus and upgrading infrastructure surrounding the historic site.
The Foundation for the Development of Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site is involved in reviewing the proposed development projects.
The baptism site, situated on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, has considerable significance in Christian tradition as the location associated with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.
Archaeological excavations in the area have uncovered remains of churches, chapels, hermits’ caves and a baptistery, providing evidence of centuries of religious activity and pilgrimage.
In 2015, Bethany Beyond the Jordan was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in recognition of its historical and religious importance.
The site has also received visits from three popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis, reflecting its significance within the global Christian community.
The anniversary preparations come as Jordan seeks to strengthen its religious tourism sector, which has experienced significant disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic and regional instability, including Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The planned commemoration is expected to bring international attention to Jordan’s Christian heritage and support efforts to develop pilgrimage facilities and preserve important religious landmarks.
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