The Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate has begun preparations for celebrations in 2030 marking the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. The meeting was held on August 13 under the chairmanship of Patriarch Theophilos III, according to the Church’s website.

For the Jerusalem Church, the anniversary carries special significance because, according to Christian tradition, the event took place within its canonical territory—at the Jordan, at the site traditionally identified with the Baptism of Christ. The Synod said it intends to plan carefully for the observances and conduct them in keeping with the sacred character of the location.

A central focus of the preparations will be the Jordanian section of Bethany beyond the Jordan, known as Al-Maghtas. Christian tradition connects the site with Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist. In 2015, Al-Maghtas was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Preparations are already underway. In May 2026, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Patriarch Theophilos III inaugurated the International Orthodox University of Al-Maghtas there—described as Jordan’s first Christian institution of higher education.

The university was established under the Jerusalem Patriarchate as a non-profit educational initiative. While intended to train future theologians, it also offers programs in areas including the humanities and social sciences, as well as cultural studies. The plan is for students from Jordan, other countries in the Middle East, and international applicants to be able to study there, with distance learning also provided.

The opening of the university was presented as part of broader preparations for 2030. Jordanian authorities plan to develop infrastructure and services in the area of the Baptism site to accommodate pilgrims and visitors. Among the stated goals are organizing religious events, strengthening Christian pilgrimage tourism, and promoting locations tied to Jordan’s Christian history.

The Jerusalem Synod also highlighted the importance of support from the king of Jordan and his government. It said the Patriarchate should be fully involved in preparing celebrations intended to underscore Jordan’s role—and the Baptism site’s significance—for Christians worldwide.

The Synod meeting took place amid ongoing challenges in the Middle East. The hierarchs again prayed for peace and stability in the Holy Land and the region, and discussed the situation regarding pilgrimage sites and ways to ease access to them. Particular attention was given to the Christian community in the Gaza Strip, following Patriarch Theophilos III’s recent visit to the parish of Saint Porphyry and his meeting with local believers.

Overall, preparations for 2030 are not limited to a single jubilee service. They are aimed at developing the Baptism site as a hub of pilgrimage, building an educational platform, and preparing the infrastructure needed to host large numbers of visitors. The International Orthodox University is envisioned as a bridge between the Church, academia, and the cultures of the region.

The initiative to mark the 2,000th anniversary in 2030 previously received support from the Jordanian king. It was proposed by the Council of Heads of Christian Churches in Jordan, with Jordan’s authorities stating their willingness to help with preparations and the development of the Baptism site.