Jordan has officially opened a third–fourth century Christian church in the coastal city of Aqaba, believed to be the world’s oldest purpose-built Christian place of worship, and celebrated a Divine Liturgy there for the first time in many centuries.

According to orthodoxia.info, the ceremony marked both the unveiling of the archaeological site and a rare act of worship within its ancient walls. Government officials, clergy, and invited guests attended the event, highlighting its religious, historical, and cultural significance.

Jordan’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Emad Hijazin, said the church should be viewed not merely as an archaeological discovery but as an essential part of the country’s spiritual and historical heritage. He noted that the find reinforces Jordan’s role as a major center of religious and cultural tourism in the Middle East.

The Divine Liturgy was led by Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, the representative of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church in Jordan. He said the service was significant not only for the Orthodox faithful but for the nation as a whole. Celebrating worship in the ruins of the ancient church, he added, serves as a reminder of Christianity’s centuries-long presence in the region and of enduring values such as respect and human dignity.

Scholars date the Aqaba church to between 293 and 303 AD, meaning it was built before Christianity was officially recognized in the Roman Empire. Researchers believe its remote location helped it avoid destruction during early fourth-century persecutions of Christians. Following a powerful earthquake in 363 AD, the structure was buried under sand, which contributed to the preservation of its walls and architectural features.

Archaeological excavations have revealed a three-nave basilica with an altar area, items of early Christian liturgical use, and an adjacent necropolis, offering rare insight into the architectural and spiritual life of early Christian communities.

The opening of the church and the historic liturgy underscore Jordan’s long-standing religious diversity and its role in preserving some of the earliest physical evidence of Christianity.