Inauguration of Roman Catholic Baptism of Christ Church at Jordan River
AL-MAGHTAS, Jordan — The Roman Catholic Baptism of Christ Church, one of the largest churches in the Middle East, was officially inaugurated at the Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas) on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. This sacred location is traditionally believed to be where Jesus was baptized, according to Christian tradition. The church, spanning 1,500 square meters, is a monumental addition to the historic site situated 50 kilometers west of the Jordanian capital, Amman.
The inaugural Mass drew over 6,000 attendees, as reported by local media. During the ceremony, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, led prayers for those suffering in their homelands, particularly mentioning Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.
In a press conference ahead of the event, Cardinal Pizzaballa remarked, “The church is officially a place for pilgrims, not only for Catholics but also for people from all Churches visiting the site.”
The church’s foundation stone was laid in 2009 by Jordan’s King Abdullah II and the late Pope Benedict XVI. The inaugural Mass featured Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State and envoy of Pope Francis, underscoring the global significance of the occasion.
Religious and Historical Heritage
The Baptism Site, also known as Wadi al-Kharrar in the village of Bethany Beyond the Jordan, holds profound religious and historical importance. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015 and attracts over 200,000 visitors annually.
Jordanian Minister of Tourism Lina Annab emphasized the event’s importance, stating, “This is a very significant day where we call for spreading the message of love and peace around the world.” She also highlighted Jordan’s role in Christianity as the location where Jesus was baptized on the eastern banks of the Jordan River.
Coinciding with the Feast of Epiphany, the ceremony included priests blessing the waters of the Jordan River and sprinkling them over participants, symbolizing the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist as described in the Gospels.
Since Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Baptism Site in 2000, Jordanian churches have annually commemorated the Baptism of Christ. This tradition has cemented the site’s reputation as a major religious destination.
Though Christians constitute only 6% of Jordan’s population of approximately 11 million, the event highlights the country’s rich religious and historical diversity and its role as a beacon of coexistence in the region.