Jordan has begun preparations for the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ, with government and Christian leaders coming together to coordinate plans for the landmark celebration in 2030.
According to Vatican News, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan chaired the first meeting of the National Committee for the Preparation of the Celebration of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ on August 10.
The anniversary will commemorate the traditional date of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist at Al-Maghtas, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. The site, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, is recognized as an important Christian pilgrimage destination.
The national committee brings together government officials, Christian leaders, community representatives, and institutions involved in preparing and overseeing the commemoration.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Hassan called for preparations to begin immediately, in line with directives from King Abdullah II and an initiative proposed by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan.
He said the anniversary would highlight Jordan's historical and religious significance and its role as a destination for Christian pilgrims. He also emphasized the country's message of coexistence, respect, peace, love, and human fraternity.
Hassan said the government would mobilize its resources to support the celebration and strengthen Jordan's position as a center of religious heritage and Christian pilgrimage.
The meeting also reviewed several development projects planned for the area surrounding the Baptism Site. These include an integrated village for Christian pilgrims and visitors, a museum dedicated to the Baptism of Jesus Christ, a green corridor, and infrastructure improvements.
Participants also emphasized the need to establish specialized subcommittees, supported by experts and specialists, to oversee the implementation of the preparations.
The national committee is chaired by the prime minister and includes several government ministers and Christian leaders, among them Bishop Christophoros Atallah, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jordan; Archbishop Iyad Twal, Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan; Archbishop Hossam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop; and Bishop Munib Younan, former bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, together with representatives of the Baptism Site Development Foundation, Baptism Site Commission, Jordan Tourism Board, and other relevant institutions.
The preparations come as Jordan seeks to present the 2030 anniversary not only as a major Christian commemoration but also as an opportunity to promote dialogue, coexistence, and peace in the region.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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