His Majesty King Abdullah II inaugurated the International Orthodox University of Al-Maghtas at the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Al-Maghtas) on Monday. He also directed the government to adopt and support the initiative to commemorate the second millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030, proposed by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan.
During his meeting with Christian religious leaders from Jordan and Palestine at the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Al-Maghtas), in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, His Majesty’s Chief Advisor for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy, His Majesty emphasized the need for the initiative’s implementation plan to focus on improving the infrastructure and operational services at the Baptism Site.
His Majesty affirmed that he will personally monitor the progress of the 2030 initiative’s implementation plan. This royal directive aligns with His Majesty’s efforts to safeguard holy sites and preserve the Christian presence in the region, and reaffirms Jordan’s status as home to some of the most important Christian sites and holy places in the region and the world. For his part, Archbishop Christophoros Atallah, head of the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan, praised His Majesty King Abdullah II’s support for the 2030 initiative, noting the importance of developing strategic programs and plans in coordination with the Council.
His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa pointed out that the 2000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030 is not only a historical occasion but also an opportunity to reaffirm the values of unity, harmony, and mutual understanding.
He expressed his gratitude to His Majesty for his support of the initiative and his commitment to promoting the values of dialogue and peace, noting the connection of these efforts to the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Archbishop Hossam Naoum, Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, stated that the 2030 initiative focuses on local preparation by developing infrastructure, services, and personnel to welcome pilgrims and visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad. He added that the initiative will also include working with churches and Christian institutions worldwide, particularly in the West, to encourage participation in commemorating this event of global spiritual and historical significance at its original site.
The Second Millennium Initiative for the Baptism of Jesus Christ 2030 revolves around several strategic objectives, including the narrative and religious events related to the occasion, developing a tourism product for Christian pilgrimage, promoting the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ and other religious tourism sites regionally and globally, and developing infrastructure and enhancing operational services at the Baptism Site and other religious and tourist sites in the Kingdom.
During the university’s inauguration, His Majesty emphasized its importance in solidifying the symbolic significance of the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ and building upon the Kingdom’s role as a model of moderation and harmony.
His Majesty toured several facilities at the university, a non-profit institution established by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The university has a capacity for 40 residents, in addition to offering distance learning, and is scheduled to begin accepting students next September. During the opening ceremony, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine and Jordan, spoke about the importance of establishing this university and its aspiration to welcome students from Jordan, the region, and the world.
He noted that Jordan is a beacon of light for Christians in the Middle East, highlighting the importance of the Hashemite custodianship as a cornerstone in preserving the cultural, religious, and civilizational fabric of the region.
David Alexi, grandson of the university’s founder, Mark Voloshin, stated that this university is a vision that has become a reality thanks to the support of His Majesty the King, adding that it will be a beacon of faith, learning, and harmony for future generations.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Her Royal Highness Princess Maryam Ghazi, Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan, Director of His Majesty’s Office, Engineer Alaa Batayneh, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Imad Hijazeen, heads of churches in Jordan and Palestine, and a number of senior civilian and military officials and representatives from the private sector.
