As the Churches in the Diocese of Jerusalem look forward to 2030 as the date designated for the 2000th anniversary of the Baptism of Christ, an Orthodox University, the first Christian University in Jordan, has been inaugurated by King Abdullah II at the Baptism site, Bethany by the Jordan.
Archbishop Hosam was among the Church leaders and Patriarchs who attended the ceremony. He highlighted the importance of the 2030 project.
According to the Royal website: The 2030 initiative to commemorate two thousand years since the baptism of Jesus Christ focuses on a number of strategic objectives, which include the narrative and religious events associated with the occasion, the development of Christian pilgrimage tourism products, the promotion of the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Bethany Beyond the Jordan) and other religious tourism sites at regional and global levels, and the development of infrastructure and the upgrading of operational services at the Baptism Site and other religious and tourist sites in Jordan.
Archbishop Hosam drew attention to the local preparations involved in making the site ready for visitors and pilgrims. He added that the initiative would also involve working with churches and Christian organisations around the world, particularly in the West, to encourage participation in the commemoration of the baptism at its place of origin, which has both spiritual and global historical significance.
The new university will be an inter disciplinary institution rather than a theological seminary. During the inauguration, Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine and Jordan, spoke of the significance of establishing this university, and its aspiration to welcome students from Jordan, the region, and the world.
He also noted that Jordan stands as a beacon of hope for Christians in the Middle East, highlighting the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship’s role in preserving the region’s cultural, civilisational, and religious fabric.
His Majesty underscored the importance of this university in reinforcing the symbolic significance of the site where Jesus was baptised, and in building on the Kingdom’s role as a model of moderation and inter-faith harmony.
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