By Solène Tadié
Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Jan 10, 2025 / 18:10 pm
The inauguration of a magnificent church on the exact spot where Jesus Christ was baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River on January 10, 2025, was a moment of immense symbolic significance, both spiritually and diplomatically.
It highlighted the Hashemite kingdom’s commitment to positioning itself as a crucial destination for pilgrims to the Holy Land and a sanctuary of peace for Christians worldwide, who are increasingly hesitant to visit a region plagued by geopolitical and religious conflicts.
“So many biblical events and figures converge here that we could say this place encapsulates the entire anticipation of the Old Testament leading to the advent of Christ, the revelation of the Father,” remarked Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, during the altar consecration ceremony, graced by the presence of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the patriarch of Jerusalem, and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, grandson of King Talal of Jordan and cousin to King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Initiated after the king’s donation of a 30,000-square-meter (almost-7.5-acre) plot of land on the periphery of the historic Al-Maghtas site (also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, in the Qafra region) in 2003, the project was completed just in time for the silver jubilee of the annual pilgrimage, which has been held every January for the past 25 years around the feast of the Baptism of Christ. This jubilee also coincides with the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee.
One of the largest churches in the Middle East
The entire historic baptism site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 20 years ago.
The Transformation of the Baptism Site in Jordan: A Journey of Faith and Architecture
Located in Jordan, the Baptism Site has undergone extensive enhancement work by the Jordanian authorities, turning it into a natural tourist park that continues to expand.
Managed by the Congregation of the Incarnate Word (IVE), the new Catholic church at the site covers an impressive area of 2,200 square meters, making it one of the largest in the Middle East, alongside iconic churches like the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This architectural masterpiece is the result of a collaborative effort between the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Jordanian architect Nadim Muasher, a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The foundation stone for the church was laid by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Jordan in 2009, in the presence of King Abdullah II.
Financed by the patriarchate and various charities, the project received a generous donation of nearly 1 million euros from the Hungarian government through its “Hungary Helps” program, aimed at supporting Christian communities facing challenges worldwide.
The church, constructed using “tafouhi” stone from Hebron in the West Bank, features exquisite stained-glass windows crafted in Lebanon, reminiscent of the medieval Chartres Cathedral in France. The consecrated altar, housing the relics of St. John Paul II and the Holy Martyrs of Damascus, was a focal point of the inaugural Mass officiated by Parolin. The ceremony, attended by around 6,000 faithful, including priests and bishops from various countries, marked a significant moment for the Jordanian Christian community.
Renewing our Baptismal Vows
In his homily, Parolin emphasized the mystery of God’s sacrifice for humanity’s salvation. Drawing parallels with the site’s geographical significance as the lowest point on Earth, the cardinal highlighted how God’s presence transcends all boundaries, bringing people together from afar. He noted the symbolic alignment of the new church with the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, underscoring the unity of faith across different lands.
